This trip will introduce you to the best attractions around Panama City, Panama’s capital and largest city. Visit the Embera Indians, the Panama Canal and take a journey through Casco Viejo, the colonial quarter of Panama City.
Central America
Panama City Essentials
4 Days, Departs daily. Contact for pricing.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the eclectic streets of Panama City
- Visit the indigenous community of Embera, in Chagres National Park
- Visit one of the world's greatest engineering marvels, the iconic Panama Canal
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Visit a nearby lodge for some exceptional bird watching
- Explore the mountain region of Boquete, known for its coffee and outdoor activities
- Explore the islands of Panama with a visit to the interesting San Blas Islands
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1 - Panama City: Panama City Arrival
Panama City Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Panama City is considered the most cosmopolitan capital city in Central America with it's vibrant citylife, chic clubs, underground bars and cobblestoned streets not to mention its ease of access to tropical destinations.
Day 2 - Panama City: Panama City & Miraflores Locks Tour
Panama City & Miraflores Locks Tour
Your English speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks.
You will start the tour with a 30 minutes drive to Miraflores to see the huge vessels passing the Panama Canal. The busiest hours are from 9am to 10am and from 2pm to 5pm, so you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. You will enjoy the view on the Locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations of your guide.
To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal – a masterpiece of engineering. You will also learn about the history of the canal and its significance for Panama and the entire world trade as well as on the current expansion project.
After the visit to the Canal you continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views on the Canal on one side and on the skyline of Panama City on the other side. After lunch which will be served in an Panamanian restaurant, the tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City's colonial quarter. At the Casco Viejo you feel set back in time as you admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. You will get a good idea about Panama's history by driving or walking through the main attractions of this quarter.
To continue the tour you will be taken to Panama Viejo, the Old Panama. Panama Viejo was the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. This first Panama City was looted and destroyed by the notorious English bucaneer Henry Morgan in 1671 and therefore abandoned. Today there are only ruins left. Still, the tower of the ancient cathedral is standing and has become a landmark of the town. After the tour you will be taken back to your hotel.
*For an additional cost this tour can be upgraded to a partial or full transit of the Panama Canal, traversing Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Upgrade options are available most Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays.
Lunch included.
Day 3 - Panama City: Embera Indian Village
Embera Indian Village
Today you will head up north in direction Colon, towards Buena Vista. There you will board a small dugout (a canoe made from a hollowed tree trunk), which will carry you up the Gatun River to discover a large, fascinating and dense jungle that will accompany you until you arrive at the Embera Quera, an indigenous community based on the banks of Gatun Lake, near the Panama Canal. The Embera tribe still lives in harmony with Mother Nature, they will welcome you at the wooden pier and gladly give you an idea on how they still live today. The villages chief will give you a brief explication on the history of the tribe, its traditions, cultures, believes and handicrafts. Then, a traditional lunch of fish and plantains prepared by the Embera women will be served to you. In the afternoon you will experience a traditional Embera dance that will transport you back in time and also have the chance to shop for colorful handicrafts. The sale of local products directly benefits the village and helps to pay the school fees for the children. You can also get a temporary Embera tattoo painted on your arm or leg, using an ink made from a local fruit.
What to Bring Solid shoes, comfortable clothes, bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera.
Lunch included.
Day 4 - Panama City: Departure
Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Comfort
Panama City, Panama - Hotel Magnolia Inn
Superior
Panama City, Panama - Central Hotel
Deluxe
Panama City, Panama - Amarla Boutique Hotel
Whats included?
- Accommodation
- Hotel taxes
- Transfers
- Entrance fees
- English speaking guided tours
- Meals as specified
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
Hotel rates are based on lead-in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Central America
Let us take you on an authentic journey throughout this rich and versatile region with its spectacular Caribbean beaches, smouldering volcanoes and lush green jungles sheltering a rich variety of fauna. Throw in its fascinating history, hidden Mayan ruins and the rhythm of Cuban salsa and we’re certain you’ll find this region is a treat to the senses.
Downloadable travel guide
Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.
