Classic Panama
9 Days Starting and ending in Panama City
Visiting: Panama City, Panama City / Embera community visit, Penonome, Chitre, Panama City / Panama Canal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
QBKA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Hold onto your Sombrero Pintao as you embark on a nine-day adventure through the pearls of Panama. Start in the lively capital of Panama City and see how past and present merge, then head upriver to visit the Indigenous Embera people. Spend a morning learning about their sustainable way of life and village traditions, before travelling west to the artisan hubs of Penonome and Chitre. Sample favourites from Panamanian cuisine and visit workshops and museums that highlight local pottery and the real Panama hat. Finish your journey back in the capital with a cruise along the Panama Canal and toast to an incredible adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Panama City
Location: Panama City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Panama. Your adventure begins in Panama City, Central America's glitziest capital, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, you might like to take a stroll through the rainforest in the Metropolitan Nature Park. After the meeting, join your fellow travellers and leader for an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Panama City
Location: Panama City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, uncover more of Panama City as you embark on a leader-led sightseeing tour of the capital. Start with a visit to Panama La Vieja – a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site dating back to 1519. See the remaining sections of the Old Panama Cathedral and climb to the top of the bell tower for views back to the Panama City skyline. Then, stroll through the historic Casco Antiguo (Old Town). While you're there, stop in at the Panama Canal Museum for a look at the history of one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Museo de Mola which celebrates mola – an intricately detailed decoration that forms part of traditional woman’s clothing – as well as Plaza Francia, which highlights the role the French played in the Panama Canal’s construction. The evening is yours to spend how you like – be sure to ask your leader for dinner recommendations, as they will always know the best spots.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Panama City / Embera Community Visit
Location: Panama City / Embera community visit
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
After an early breakfast, drive north from Panama City on your way to visit the Embera people – a nearby Indigenous community. To get there, you’ll board dugout canoes and sail upriver with members of the Embera community. When you arrive, the village leader will give you a traditional warm welcome. Learn about the local lifestyle and traditions through music and dance performances, while lunch gives you a new appreciation for the community’s food sourcing and traditions. After lunch, you’ll be taken on a garden tour and taught about medicinal plants and herbs. After, be welcomed into a local’s home to see their living spaces. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase some handmade crafts and support the community, too! Say your farewells and travel back downriver by canoe, before driving back to your accommodation. You have a free evening to cap off a hugely rewarding day.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Penonome
Location: Penonome
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Depart Panama City after breakfast, hitting the road toward Penonome. There’ll be an optional stop along the way for a batido (fruit shake), before arriving in Penonome around lunchtime. Located right in the centre of the country, the town will be your base for the next two nights. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk, then for lunch you’ll be shown all the tips and tricks of Panamanian food at a local eatery before tucking into a delicious meal. The rest of the day is then free for to you explore as you please. You might like to take a tour to the relaxing Playa Santa Clara beach, the hidden Yayas Falls or a nearby organic farm. For dinner, maybe sample some more local delicacies with your fellow travellers.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Penonome
Location: Penonome
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then make you way to a workshop to learn all about Sombrero Pintao (the iconic and original Panama hat). Unlike the ‘Panama hats’ that are originally from Ecuador, the Sombrero Pintao are woven through with black and white designs that almost look painted on. A local artisan will teach you all about their craft – don’t miss the chance to try one on for size! The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the town and surrounding area, giving you the chance to explore anything you may have missed yesterday.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Chitre
Location: Chitre
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Say goodbye to Penonome and head south to the city of Chitre. Arrive around lunchtime, then head out for an orientation walk with your leader (who will also be able to point you in the right direction for a good lunch spot). After a bite to eat, rejoin your fellow travellers and visit Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez. Like Penonome, Chitre is also known for its artisanal crafts – though here the speciality is pottery. Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez contains an extensive collection of artifacts dating back to 5000 BC, while also providing context about Panama’s natural history. Head to a mask workshop for a glimpse at the country’s cultural heritage – elaborate masks and costumes are a feature of many festivals in Panama. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring Chitre.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Panama City
Location: Panama City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, visit a local leather workshop to gain an understanding of another of Chitre’s many crafts. Then, it’s back on the road to Panama City. There’ll be a stop for lunch on the way before you arrive back in the capital in the early afternoon. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day – after the drive, you might like to stretch your legs on a walk along the city’s gorgeous waterfront promenade, the Cinta Costera (causeway).
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Panama City / Panama Canal
Location: Panama City / Panama Canal
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Get ready for a special day cruising along a section of the Panama Canal. The iconic, artificial waterway connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, allowing for an easier trade route than the Drake Passage at South America’s southernmost tip. As you sail, you’ll learn about the process required to either lift ships above sea level, or lower them to sea level, as well as the geography of the area. This is a chance to get up close to an impressive piece of human engineering. Once the tour’s complete, head back to your accommodation in the late afternoon. In the evening, join your leader and travel companions for a final farewell dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Panama City
Location: Panama City
Meals Included: breaksfast
With no planned activities today, you can depart at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Panama City, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights) -
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Panama City - Leader-led walk in Panama La Vieja and Casco Viejo
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Panama City - Panama Canal Museum
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Panama City - Mola Museum
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Panama City - Embera community visit
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Penonome - Cooking demonstration and lunch
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Penonome - Hat maker visit
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Penonome - Handicraft workshop visit
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Chitre - Traditional mask workshop
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Chitre - Herrera Museum
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
- Private vehicle , canoe , boat
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for sightseeing tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
Mode of Transport
- Private vehicle , canoe , boat
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It's all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations to break up the longer drives. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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