Discover Panama City

From Panama City to Panama City
  • Panama
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Tour Description

Discover the cosmopolitan, modern capital of Panama, Panama City on our 5 day tour. There is plenty to explore in Panama with its contrasts of a modern city surrounded by history, nature and infrastructure.

Stroll the streets and dine in the old quarter, Casco Viejo. Take a tour of Panamas Biomuseo (Bio - museum) designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the building itself designed to tell the story of how the isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents. Visit the Agua Clara visitors centre, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view to the famous Gatun Lake and the new Agua Clara Locks where cargo ships or other vessels transit every day. A backstage tour at the Miraflores Lock centre will dive deeper into the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. 

 In contrast to the built environment, experience Gatun Lake, to look for wildlife such as Capuchin Monkeys, 3-toed sloth, Howler Monkeys, various kinds of toucans and other bird life. Walk the famous Pipeline road, to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, home to hummingbirds, manakins, anteaters and trogons.

Viva's Best Bits...

Explore the charming streets of Panamas old quarter, Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, great for strolling, meeting the locals, and dining.

Learn all about the Panama Canal, view the Agua Clara & Miraflores locks including a Miraflores backstage where a professional representative from the Panama Canal Authority will take you on an exclusive tour at the visitors centre.

Partial transits of the Panama Canal only operate select days of the years, if you are keen to do this, please let us know so we can plan your trip accordingly. If not, there is still plenty to see and explore in Panama City!

Tour Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive in Panama City

Welcome to Panama City, the cosmopolitan capital of Panama. Situated on the Pacific Ocean and along the Panama Canal, Panama City is perhaps the most modern capital in all of Central America. The city was rebuilt after the original city (Panama Viejo) was destroyed by fire in 1671. The city’s old quarter (Casco Viejo) is what remains of the original settlement. Both areas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today is an arrival day and you are free to explore at your leisure.

Day 2
Panama City old quarter & biomuseum

You will tour the city’s old quarter (Casco Viejo) including a visit to Plaza Francia, a square which commemorates the people of France who played a role in the construction of the Panama Canal. Here, you will also find the Canal Museum, where you can learn more about the construction of the canal. Today’s sightseeing will also take you to the Biomuseo, a museum which celebrates Panama’s natural history. The museum was designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and contains a number of indoor and outdoor exhibition galleries to explore.

Day 3
Agua Clara and Miraflores

Today you will head to the Agua Clara Visitor’s Centre, an observation centre located on the Atlantic Ocean and the site of one of the lock chambers of the Panama Canal. From here you can see cargo vessels transit the canal as well as take in breathtaking views of nearby Gatun Lake. In a projection room you can learn more about the history of the canal before taking an ecological walk. From Agua Clara you will head to the Miraflores Visitor’s Centre where you can see another lock from a different perspective. Here, there are four exhibition rooms and a movie theatre and you will take a special private visit to the canal platforms and control cabins.

Day 4
Panama Rainforest Discover and Gatun Lake

Led by a naturalist guide, you will travel out of Panama City to Gamboa where you will walk the Pipeline Road to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Centre. The facility consists of a visitor centre, observation tower and a number of forest trails and is considered one of the best places to go birdwatching. Here you will have the opportunity to spot hummingbirds, manakins, anteaters, blue cotinga, trogons and toucans as well as aquatic birds such as wattled jacanas, least grebes, herons and snail kites. Other wildlife to keep your eyes peeled for include crocodiles, coatis, butterflies and monkeys. Afterwards, you will head to Gatun Lake and sail on the Panama Canal to the forest banks to look for capuchin monkey, three toed sloth and howler monkeys.

Day 5
Depart Panama City

You will be transferred to the airport to depart for your next destination.

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What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Accommodation with breakfast daily
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Other meals where stated
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Private airport transfers
  • Included Copy 20 Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide as detailed in itinerary
  • Included Copy 7 International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, Gratuities, beverages
  • Included Copy 31 Option to do a partial Panama Canal transit (this only operates select dates)

Activities

  • Included Learn about the construction of the Panama Canal at the Canal Museum
  • Included Discover the cosmopolitan, modern capital of Panama, Panama City
  • Included Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed old quarter of Panama City, Casco Viejo
  • Included Visit to two of the canal locks in Agua Clara and Miraflores
  • Included Spot wildlife at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Centre
  • Included Option for a partial Panama Canal transit
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Duration

5 days

Price from

$1,612 USD

Per person, sharing

Daily departures
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