Panama Coast to Coast

Colonial & Modern City Life, Panama Canal Crossing, a Walk in the Rainforest, Caribbean Island Cruise, and Playa Blanca Pacific Beach

Discover Panama at its best in this 8-day holiday adventure with plenty of time to visit the quaint Colonial Panama, the cosmopolitan Panama City, and the Panama Canal, one of the engineering wonders of the modern world and where you will have the opportunity to navigate through the famous Miraflores Lock, while enjoying the scenery and observing the commercial crossing from one ocean to the other. Explore the rainforest at the Soberania Park, one of the best birding spots in the world. Enjoy an excursion to Isla Grande on the Caribbean Coast with a stop at Portobelo Old Spanish Fort and a swim at a private beach. Top it off with a wonderful stay at an all-inclusive beach resort on the Pacific Coast.

Day 1 | Welcome to Panama.

Meet and greet service at the Panama City Intl. airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice for a four-night stay with daily breakfast and taxes included:

• Standard Class: DoubleTree by Hilton
• Superior Class: El Panama Hotel & Casino
• Deluxe Class: The Bristol Panama Hotel

Day 2 | Panama Partial Canal Crossing* | B.L.

Breakfast at the Hotel. At the appropriate time, our driver will transfer you to the pier where you will board your boat for a Canal Transit. This unique experience departs almost every day* at 08:30 in the morning from the Causeway Amador. You will embark in a ferry with a specialized guide who will take through the Panama Canal starting in Amador in the Pacific crossing Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel locks and finishing in the town of Gamboa, Lunch at the boat in the middle of the Gatun Lake at the Panama Canal. You will return by bus to Panama City. *In the event that there is a full crossing scheduled for the day, a surcharge will apply. If the crossing is not available on day 2 of your city stay, we will request your participation on day 3 or 4; and the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.

Day 3 | Morning Nature Walk at the Soberania National Park’s Rainforest. Afternoon City Sightseeing Excursion | B.

After an early breakfast, meet your guide for a half day rainforest exploration of the Soberania National Park. Begin in the area known as the Pipeline Road which is considered one of the best birding spots in the world. More than 500 species were spotted here in a single day during the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. Located in the central area of the Panama Canal watershed, this 17 – kilometer road provides access to old growth secondary forest which is ideal for the observation of flora and fauna from the Pacific and Caribbean slopes. Return to your hotel upon completion of the tour.

In the early afternoon, your local host will call for you at the hotel to enjoy a city excursion. Visit to Panama Viejo, the first city founded in the isthmus by Spanish conquerors at the beginning of colonization. The remaining ruins are the vestiges left by Pirate Henry Morgan, who sacked the town in 1671. The second colonial city of Panama, Casco Viejo, was built in 1673. The architecture of this area is exquisite including French, Italian, and Spanish styles. As you are driven through the new Panama City, you will realize that it is one of Latin America’s most modern cities.

Day 4 | Day Trip to the Caribean Coast for an Island Cruise | B.L.

Breakfast at the Hotel. You will visit the most important sites of the beautiful city of Portobello, like St. Jerome Castle, historical monuments and St. Phillip Church, which houses the only Black Christ that is known around the world for the numerous miracles attributed to him. We will take you to La Guaira where you will board a traditional boat, across the bay to Isla Grande. Here you will enjoy the gorgeous Caribbean beaches and the island of Isla Grande. Today’s activities include local guide service, drinks, a typical lunch, and time for swimming and snorkeling at a private beach. Return to Hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 5 | Panama City to Playa Blanca Beach on the Pacific | B.L.D.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, check out and meet your driver for a 1 ½ hour scenic ride to the pacific coastal area of Playa Blanca for a three night stay in the accommodations of your choice at the All Inclusive Sheraton Bijao Beachfront Resort. Balance of the day is spent at leisure enjoying the beach. While at the beach resort, all meals, drinks, resort’s activity program, tips, and taxes are included.

• Standard: Garden View Rooms
• Superior Class: Ocean View Rooms
• Deluxe: Beachfront Jr Suite

Days 6 & 7 | At leisure enjoying the beach and the resort’s facilities | B.L.D.

Day 8 | Playa Blanca Beach / Panama Intl Airport / Home | B.

At leisure until transfer to the International Airport for your home bound flight.

PRICES PER PERSON STARTING AT US$2,081.00

– SHARING DOUBLE ACCOMMODATIONS –

STANDARD CLASS HOTELS

            

In Panama City: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Panama City – El Carmen is an upscale hotel in Panama City located in the city’s financial district. A 4-minute walk from the nearest metro station, this upmarket hotel is 4 km from both the Panama Canal Museum and the historic district of Casco Viejo, within walking distance of fine Central American dining, shopping, and casinos.

Enjoy amazing panoramic views from the hotel’s rooftop pool, whirlpool, and bar. Other amenities being offered are a gym, business center, laundry service, beauty salon, airport shuttle, cookies on arrival, and free parking. Start your day with their expansive DoubleTree complimentary breakfast buffet, and choose from a wide variety of cooked, cold, and heart-healthy food options and cooked-to-order omelets.

In Playa Blanca:  Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort, An All-Inclusive Resort – Garden View Room. Set on a rural beach overlooked by mountains, this upscale, all-inclusive resort is 9 km from Bijao Golf Club and 12 km from Playa Santa Clara, a picturesque beach Venture beyond the resort to discover the incomparable natural beauty of Panama. As part of the Bijao Complex in the Santa Clara region, the resort is steps away from numerous shopping, dining, and nightlife options.

Wherever you are in Sheraton Bijao Resort, something fun or relaxing is just around the corner. Join others in tennis or water sports, or take some time for yourself in the fitness center. And children can stay busy with activities at the fantastic Kids Club. When it’s time to unwind, indulge with a massage in the spa or while lounging on the Pacific beach or beside one of the gorgeous outdoor pools.

FIRST CLASS HOTELS

              

In Panama City: El Panama Hotel & Casino. At Hotel El Panama Hotel & Casino, iconic architecture, tropical ambiance, and modern design merge to create the only resort-style destination in the Panama City financial district. Enjoy the experience of a historical tradition, good service, and hospitality. Since welcoming our first guests in 1951 as El Panama Hilton, we have proudly held the distinction of being one of the finest hotels in the country.

Situated in the center of downtown Panama City, our Hotel offers a spectacular view from its gardens to one of the main avenues of the city, as is the Via España. Surrounded by shopping centers, banking, and entertainment area. Designed to meet the needs of discerning business and leisure guests, the hotel features acclaimed restaurants, a state-of-the-art convention center and the largest, most beautiful hotel pool in Panama City.

           

DELUXE CLASS HOTELS

               

In Panama City: The Bristol Panama is set in a striking, art deco-inspired high-rise. This upscale financial district hotel is 4 minutes’ walk from El Carmen metro station and 6 km from historic Panamá Viejo. Bristol Panama is one of the city’s premier addresses for executive and holiday stays. Annually recognized as the “Best Hotel in Panama” and among the “Top 10 Hotels in Latin America” by Condé Nast Traveler, this legendary hotel envelops each room in an embrace of uncompromising urban style and sophistication. A short walk brings you to fashionable Balboa Avenue and notable Panama City, Panama attractions that include the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo, Metropolitan National Park, and the Bio-Museum designed by Frank Gehry.

This 125-room upscale hotel is a refined retreat for the discerning world traveler, positioning guests at the epicenter of Panamanian culture, shopping, dining and the headquarters of international finance and trade. Beautifully appointed room and suite accommodations are enhanced by a charming colonial decor and artwork by the finest artisans in Panama. Exquisite luxury refinements include Frette cotton sheets, Hungarian down-filled pillows, and plush duvets. Italian marble bathrooms with glass-enclosed shower, deep soaking tubs, hairdryers, and Molton Brown bath amenities.

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In Playa Blanca:  Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort, An All-Inclusive Resort – Beachfront Jr. Suite. Set on a rural beach overlooked by mountains, this upscale, all-inclusive resort is 9 km from Bijao Golf Club and 12 km from Playa Santa Clara, a picturesque beach Venture beyond the resort to discover the incomparable natural beauty of Panama. As part of the Bijao Complex in the Santa Clara region, the resort is steps away from numerous shopping, dining, and nightlife options.

Wherever you are in Sheraton Bijao Resort, something fun or relaxing is just around the corner. Join others in tennis or water sports, or take some time for yourself in the fitness center. And children can stay busy with activities at the fantastic Kids Club. When it’s time to unwind, indulge with a massage in the spa or while lounging on the Pacific beach or beside one of the gorgeous outdoor pools.

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EcoAmerica Tours, LLC. and/or any of its agents will not claim any responsibility for injury, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodations or other services related to the execution of the tour, or through natural calamities and other factors beyond its control. Prices are subject to adjustment in the event of any change, without notice. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC reserves the right to change any tour if considered necessary in order to render better service to its clients. Travelers choosing to participate in these vacation programs do so at their own risk. EcoAmerica Tours is not to be held responsible for injuries, damage expenses, and/or costs resulting from accidents or accidental death while participating in these vacation programs. Travelers have been directed to read these disclaimers. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC