Just a Week in Panama

A week of touring in Panama that combines well with time at a beach, or with a visit to Costa Rica.

from £1955

Customer rating 98%

'Just a Week in Panama'

What makes this trip special?

Pirates of the Caribbean

Portobelo

A pretty harbour town, Portobelo was once the end of the Royal Road, where it suffered repeated attacks from Pirates including Welsh buccaneer Sir Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake in the 17th & 18th centuries, all vying to get hold of the Spanish Conquistador's Peruvian gold.

Beside the Panama Canal

Panama Canal Zone

Take a ride on the historical commuter train to the Caribbean coast, running parallel to the Panama Canal it offers a magnificent overview of the whole structure.

Coffee, Cloud forest & Adventure

Boquete - Chiriqui Highlands

On the Eastern flank of Baru Volcano the growing mountain resort of Boquete offers some great walking, birdwatching trails and adventure activities, such as white water rafting and zip-lining. Boquete is well known for its perfect micro-climate and soil for growing high quality coffee beans.

Snorkel Blue Caribbean Waters

Bocas del Toro

Six islands and over 200 islets make up the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Shallow waters bursting with marine life make it one of the best locations in Panama for snorkelling.

Itinerary

Day Overnight
1 Panama City
2 Panama City
3 Panama City
3 Partial Transit of the Panama Canal
4 David
4 Boquete
5 Boquete
6 Bocas del Toro
7 Bocas del Toro
For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Just a Week in Panama'

DAY 1

Panama City

You will be met on arrival at Panama City and transferred to your preferred hotel for a 3 night stay.

DAY 2

Today you are driven to Portobelo on the Caribbean side of the country, which has a fascinating history. You will find out about the exploits of Henry Morgan and the like in their pursuit of the Spanish silver and gold en route to Europe from the Viceroyalty of Peru. You return by commuter train back to Panama City, the track crosses Gatun Lake and runs right by the Canal, with some great views.

DAY 3

Today you embark on a partial transit of the Panama Canal. For a fuller description see Day 13 of the Panama Odyssey. You also visit the canal museum at the Miraflores Lock in the afternoon.

DAY 4

Boquete & the Chiriquí Highlands

A morning flight to David in the western province of Chiriquí, where you are met and driven to the mountain town of Boquete on the flank of Baru Volcano, a lively place with lots of activities for outdoorsy weekenders from Panama City.

DAY 5

Today you visit a coffee plantation at Finca Lerida or Casa Ruiz where you learn about coffee cultivation and have the chance to sample different bean varieties. The afternoon is free for relaxing or perhaps a walk in the cloud forest or perhaps a horse-ride to hot springs (both can be pre-booked).

DAY 6

Bocas del Toro

Your are driven over the mountains through forest to the Caribbean coast and by boat to the wonderful Bocas del Toro Archipelago. Hotel choices include a characterful 2/3* lodge on the main island or a quiet 3/4* retreat on stilts over the shallows.

DAY 7

Day at leisure with plenty of options for things to do. You might take a boat trip around the islands for swimming and snorkelling, or out to one of the beaches for a day’s relaxing.

DAY 8

Fly back to Panama City. Alternatively, you could take a direct flight to San José and continue your holiday with a tailor-made itinerary in Costa Rica.

Route map for Panama 'Just a Week in Panama' holiday

Guide prices for 'Just a Week in Panama'

options	based on	all year	low season	mid season	high season	peak season	other season
Guide price with mid-range hotels	2 people sharing		£1,955		£1,995

Prices are per person and include:

all travel in Panama
all accommodation
meals as indicated B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Prices do not include:

international flights
travel insurance
airport and departure taxes
items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
any optional excursions you may buy locally

Customer reviews for 'Just a Week in Panama'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average customer rating 98%

We were very impressed with Geodyssey who provided a very polished service. We felt we had the right amount of time everywhere and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Best parts: Masaya volcano, Panama Canal

Many thanks for a very good trip!

We loved El Valle, our pipeline road excursion and the Embera Indians.

The guide and the driver were both really excellent, caring and knowledgeable. It was a good group.

Best parts: All of it.

The tour went very smoothly, all guides were pleasant and competant, always punctual.

Best parts: The Casco Antiguo and discovery of the rainforest.

We absolutely loved it! Bocas was a good suggestion. Such an excellent place and the holiday was made by your prompt attention, good guides and never made to wait or left stranded. Thank you again.

Best parts: Boquete bird watching, the old town in Panama City, the Canal Transit and the Rainforest walk.

Best parts: Walking tour of Panama City and Embera Indian village tour.

Seasonal information for 'Just a Week in Panama'

Select your month of travel:

Along this route in January

Day	Location	Max °C
1	Panama City	31°C	43mm
2	Panama City	31°C	43mm
3	Panama City	31°C	43mm
3	Partial Transit of the Panama Canal	29°C	64mm
4	David	31°C	33mm
4	Boquete	22°C	52mm
5	Boquete	22°C	52mm
6	Bocas del Toro	28°C	198mm
7	Bocas del Toro	28°C	198mm

Typical weather for January

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'Just a Week in Panama'

Select your preferred accommodation option

Days 1 - 3

Toscana Inn Hotel

Located in the heart of Panama City's commercial/financial district, this traditional, slightly old fashioned hotel offers a cosier alternative to the more business-style hotels in the area.

Each of the hotel's 91 rooms spread over 6 floors have A/C, flatscreen cable TV, safe, iron and ironing board, mini-fridge.

There is a terrace with views of the city and a small onsite restaurant specialising in Panamanian cuisine open from 06.30-22.30.

Day 5

Panamonte Inn

Boquete

Average rating 5.0 (1 ratings)

The Panamonte Inn is the oldest and most characterful property in Boquete, dating from 1914. Built in a New England clapboard style, it has lovely gardens, a bar with comfortable sofas, log fire, and a fine restaurant.

3 luxurious garden junior suites and new garden terrace rooms have been added to the traditional standard rooms in the main building which are rather small but chintzy and light. All the rooms are air-conditioned, with ceiling fans, television, internet service and telephone. Honeymooners choose between a garden suite or the Ingrid Bergman suite - which was her favourite room at the hotel. There is a small spa with a selection of treatments.

The hotel is 5 minutes drive from the centre of Boquete village. Well-located for walkers and birdwatchers, visiting local coffee plantations, or for sampling the rafting, canopy walks and other attractions around the area.

Days 6 - 7

Hotel Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro

Average rating 4.2 (5 ratings)

This waterfront chalet style hotel is located in the heart of the Bocas village on Isla Colon. Bars, restaurants, water taxi docks are all just a short stroll away.

The wooden structure of the hotel is built out over the water with a communal deck area where breakfast is served. All 11 rooms have a/c and private bathrooms, WI-FI , Flat Screen cable TVs, telephones, coffee makers, ocean kayak rentals and in-room massage. The décor has a nautical theme. Three rooms have balconies and ocean front views.