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Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica

Destination: Bocas del Toro and Boquete, Panama

Panama is what Costa Rica used to be. Only recently emerging as a popular Central American destination, it combines a stable government, diverse ecosystems rich in bird species, and indigenous populations that are both in touch with modern life and still keeping traditional customs. And because most of it is still not well known as an active destination, it receives fewer visitors than neighboring countries: thus it is possible to feel that you have truly gotten off the beaten track here. We'll spend nine days exploring this beautiful country, from Panama Canal to the beaches of Bocas and the Chiriqui highlands. Maximum: 12

*Please Note*: Registration for the February 1, 2020 departure is now based on availability. If you register for this trip we will need to determine availability before that registration can be processed, and will be in touch with you as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please call the office at (877) 439-4042, Extension 4. Thank you!

Highlights

Visiting an incredibly beautiful country that is still off the mass tourism radar
Discovering the amazing ecodiversity that Panama offers, from beaches to highlands
Snorkeling and swimming among coral reefs
Hiking and rafting in Panama's Chiriqui Highlands
Sampling Panamanian culture and cuisine

Departures and Prices

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Inclusions

A Panamanian guide (who may be male) and an Adventures in Good Company guide
Eight nights double occupancy lodging
All activities specified on the itinerary, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, and ziplining
All transportation within Panama, including internal flights
Meals as specified on the itinerary
Gratuities for drivers and day guides

Not included:Travel to Panama city; one dinner and two lunches; guide gratuities; alcoholic beverages

Details

These are suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. There are typically 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.

This trip is rated 2 and is an excellent choice for women who enjoy being active and trying lots of different activities, and who want to experience the incredible diversity of culture and natural history that Panama offers. No previous experience in any of the activities is necessary. Rating: 1 2 3 4 5. A rating of 2 is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. These trips typically involve 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.

This trip includes swimming, hiking, cultural sightseeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, ziplining and relaxing. No experience is necessary in any of them - your guides will teach you everything you need to know.

All of our accommodations offer modern amenities, including ensuite bathroomsl. We stay the first two and the last night at a hotel in Panama City; two nights in Bocas del Toro at El Limbo; and three nights at a resort in Boquete, Hotel Valle del Rio

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Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Arrival in Panama. Our trip officially begins at 5pm at our hotel in Panama City. We will have group introductions, a trip orientation, and then go out for a welcome dinner. Whenever you arrive, you will be met at the airport by one of our Panamanian representatives and transferred to our hotel. Panama City is quite safe and if you get here early, its an interesting city to walk around. Overnight Hotel in Panama City (D)

DAY 2

Panama is best known for the Panama Canal, so it's fitting that our first day here should be spent learning about it. After breakfast we drive along the Panama Canal to Gamboa Public Ramp. We then continue our journey through the Canal for another hour by motorboat, before switching to 2-person expedition kayaks once we are in Gatun Lake. The lake was created by flooding the area now contained in Sobernia and Chagres National Parks, turning many mountain tops into islands and creating an amazing kayaking resource with endless channels to explore. We spend the next few hours scouting channels through the forest, with a break for lunch and a rest on our motor boat. While wildlife is never completely predictable, we are almost guaranteed to see sloths and different types of monkeys, including Capuchin (white-faces), howling, spider, and titi.

On the way back we'll stop at the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. We'll learn how locks work and watch ships rise (or descend) over 40 feet as they transit through it. The Canal is still vital to world trade today and indeed, without it there isn't world commerce as we know it. Dinner is on your own tonight so you can check out any restaurants you may have heard about, or you are welcome to join your guide. (B, L)

DAY 3

We will catch an early domestic flight to Colon, gateway to the Caribbean Archipelago and the Province of Bocas Del Toro in northwest Panama. Bocas del Toro , the "Caribbean West" area of Panama, is a place that looks exactly like a picture postcard of paradise. Pristine white sand beaches, brilliant blue sea waters, and small islands that seem as if they were made by the hand of a talented designer all add up to immediate relaxation. Formed by the mainland, a lagoon, nine small islands and a bay, Bocas Del Toro includes the city of Bocas Town (on Isla Colon), Almirante, and Changuinola. The archipelago contains 68 different islands, and all of them are open for exploring, bird watching, swimming, or just enjoying as you sit on the sand and soak in the sun.
After checking into our lodge by the sea, we will head toward Playa Estrella to relax, swim, and snorkel. Overnight Limbo Hotel. B, L, D

DAY 4

Another day in Paradise! After breakfast we get in a motorboat to tour the mangroves areas and then cross Dolphin Bay, where, true to its name, encountering dolphins is almost guaranteed. Our final destination is Cayo Zapatillas. We'll have lunch, relax, and swim and snorkel among its coral reefs. We'll return to our lodge in late afternoon, in time to clean up before going out to dinner. After dinner we'll walk through town and explore the local nightlife. B, L, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we will depart for a short 30 minutes boat ride to the mainland, where our shuttle will take us across the continental divide in a 2 hour drive through beautiful mountain scenery to our lodge in Boquete. Boquete is a small and charming mountain village tucked away on the eastern slopes of "Baru Volcano". The mountainous area of Boquete is the coffee heartland of Panama, and home of some famous gourmet varieties such as the Geisha. This region is also popular because of its remarkably pleasant weather. It is also one of the most protected locations, meaning that a majority of the area is natural and pristine.

After lunch we are up for a completely thrilling zip line. Imagine gliding through the tops of trees that are over a century old, high above pristine rivers, traversing a cloud forest of century-old trees and waterfalls where at any time you may encounter fog and the gentle rain called "bajareque", as well as monkeys. Fortunately you will be attached securely in a harness to an overhead line. Ziplining is an activity where adrenaline is high but the actual risk is quite low, something that becomes obvious once you see how it is actually constructed. However, it's definitely not mandatory and another equally great option is to go on a bridge walk where the birding is excellent. We'll check back into our hotel, clean up, and then investigate the town for our new favorite restaurant. Overnight: Hotel Valle del Río. B, D

DAY 6

This morning we hike for about three hours on one of the many scenic trails in magnificent Baru Volcano National Park, home to Panama's tallest peak (11,400 ft) and an enchanting cloud forest. Cloud forests, also called fog forests, occur only in tropical or subtropical mountainous environments, where the atmospheric conditions allow for a consistent cover of clouds. Often taking the form of fog, these clouds hover around the upper canopy of the forest before condensing onto the leaves of trees and dripping onto the plants below. This forest is home to some of the tallest trees in the hemisphere and 5,000 species of plants found nowhere else on earth. We'll keep our eye out for howler monkeys, sloths, deer, peccaries, and any of the hundreds of species of birds that live here. And of course we'll make sure there is plenty of time for pictures.

After lunch we'll visit a local organic farm where coffee is planted and processed. You’ll learn about the process of coffee, from farm to cup, taking in the sights and tastes of a place that artfully balances traditional methods with modern advances. We'll return to our hotel before going out for dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 7

Today we spend rafting on the Chiriqui Viejo River. With most rapids being Class III, the river is eminently suitable for beginners. The river passes through a canyon and spectacular waterfalls characterize it. Depending on the water level and section used we will be rafting about 3-4 hours. We will return to our hotel, clean up, and have some free time this afternoon before gathering again for dinner, either at the hotel or a neighboring restaurant. (B, L, D)

DAY 8

Sadly we bid farewell to Boquete and the Chiriqui Highlands early this morning for our return flight to Panama City. Panama City is pretty darn interesting however! It's rapidly changing, and we will visit the colonial Panama, "Panama Viejo", the old Panama, "Casco Viejo", and the modern Panama City. We'll visit historic buildings such as San Jose Church, the National Theater, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Old Slave Market, and Old Spanish prisons. We'll end our tour at the Amador Causeway, where three islands were united with the mainland by using materials that had been removed when the Panama Canal during its excavation. We'll gather again at the Panama City hotel for a Farewell Dinner, toasting our accomplishments, the beauty of Panama, and the fun we had together. (B, D)

DAY 9

This morning we bid a fond farewell to this country we have come to know and are transferred to the International Airport for our flight home or on to other adventures. (B)

Trip Summary

Packing List

Int Travel eBook

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

This was my first trip with AGC and while it was a level 2, I expected more activity. We really didn't do anything other than travel until the last two days. (Hiking at coffee farm and river rafting). We began the trip kayaking (which was fun for me, but not for people with double kayaks) and then went to Panama Canal. I found the Canal extremely interesting but the local guide (very nice person) talked way too much and tended to repeat himself often (this was a recurring theme). IMO, there was absolutely no reason to go to Boca as all we did was ride around for hours in a very uncomfortable boat. Then the over 5 hour bus ride was surprising as it had been reported as a much shorter time. It would be easy with a map (my husband did this from home) to tell that the ride would be longer than 2.5 hours. So, my 9 day trip was only active for 2 days. Those two days (river rafting and hiking) made the trip for me.

Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica 2/1/2020-2/9/2020

I enjoyed seeing the Panama Canal, the tropical beaches near Boca Del Toro, hiking in the jungle, the canopy walk and rafting the Chiriqui Viejo. I loved seeing and learning about plants, birds and animals that were new to me. Additionally, I liked learning about the culture and history of Panama. I wish I had known, previous to the trip, that there is reduced water visibility around Bocas due to rivers discharging silt into the seas. I had been anticipating clear water for snorkeling, one of the reasons I chose this trip.

Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica 2/1/2020-2/9/2020

The snorkeling locations were very disappointing. Day 4, Tuesday February 4, was spent mostly sitting in a launch. Lunch that day was excellent and in a fun location. We went to a few locations our guide had never been to (like the snorkeling locations) which turned out to be disappointing. Additional scouting might make it better.

Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica 2/1/2020-2/9/2020

Loved kayaking in the Panama canal

Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica 2/1/2020-2/9/2020

The rafting was the best. Snorkeling left a lot to be desired as the locations weren't that great. I would have enjoyed more kayaking. Accommodations were good.

Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica 2/1/2020-2/9/2020

Highlights were the visit to the small, organic coffee farm, staying at the Central Hotel in Panama City old town, also the river rafting. Beaches and snorkeling were disappointments- and not enough time while on them.

Exploring Panama, the new Costa Rica 2/1/2020-2/9/2020

The locations, activities, camaraderie of the group, the fabulous guides! I particularly enjoyed the visit to the Kuna village and the whitewater rafting, as well!