Discover the Panama Canal’s natural attributes and experience a partial Panama Canal transit, visit the new Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal Expansion, share a unique experience with indigenous people. Also visit Frank Gehry’s Biodiversity Museum and bike along the scenic Causeway Amador. Explore tropical cloud forests in the Chiriqui Highlands known for the best outdoor adventures and coffee in the country, take a swim in the beautiful Pacific waters and get the chance for humpback whale watching (in the months from July through October) while staying at unique jungle ocean lodge in the Gulf of Chiriqui.
Why Book with Tours of Exploration?
- We specialize in customized, personalized tours that can suit your needs, interests, and hobbies. Whether you are in Panama for research, photography, cultural enrichment, or pursuing another hobby, we will ensure you leave your trip fully satisfied with how your vacation time was spent.
- We choose to work with local and often Indigenous partners, not only to guarantee an immersive, culturally and naturally authentic experience; but also to economically support the area's local population. .
2023 - 2024 Departure Dates & Costs
Private daily departures on a private basis for 2 or more persons. Can be customized. The order of the program may change depending on your arrival day based on boat operational days.
4 day Canal and Rainforest itinerary - Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama Canal Transit, Soberania National Park, Barro Colorado Island
Tour Cost from Panama City: 1,295 USD (includes 7% Panama tax)
Single Supplement: $330 USD
8 day Best of Panama itinerary - Old Panama, Chiriqui Highlands/Boquete, Bocas del Toro
Tour Cost from Panama City: 2,270 USD (includes 7% Panama tax)
Single Supplement: $ 590 USD
12 day Best of Panama itinerary A combination of the 4 and 8 day trip. Chiriqui Highlands/Boquete, Bocas del Toro, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama Canal Transit, Soberania National Park, Barro Colorado Island, Old Panama City
Tour Cost from Panama City: $ 3,370 USD (includes 7% Panama tax)
Single Supplement: $ 825 USD
4 day Canal and Rainforest
Day 1 Panama Canal Transit - Gamboa Rainforest (B,L)
Early this morning pick up from your hotel (pre-tour night not included), transfer across the Amador Causeway to begin your partial transit of the famous Panama Canal. During your journey, admire the Bay of Panama, Panama City’s splendorous skyline, as well as the imposing Bridge of the Americas. Your ship will transit through the Miraflores Locks and vertically ascend or descend 54 feet in two separate steps before entering the Miraflores Lake. Your vessel continues towards the Pedro Miguel Locks, where it will be raised the final 27 feet before cruising under the dramatic Centennial Bridge towards the Gatun Lake.
Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal in 1914. With a surface of 262 Km2 (164 Mi2), at the time of its creation was the largest man-made lake in the world. The flow of all the rivers within the Panama Canal Watershed is contained in Gatun Lake to provide water for the operation of the locks system. Nearly 200 million Liters (52 million gallons) of fresh water are used for every ship that transits through the Panama Canal from one ocean to another. You will board a 250 passenger ferry for the Partial Panama Canal Transit. Now you will be sailing at 26m (85 feet) above sea level. Shortly after departure, the ship will enter Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal. The 13.7Km (8.5 Miles) long portion of the Continental Divide was carved through rock and shale at beginning of last century when the canal began operating (1914). You will have the opportunity to look at the work’s progress on this extraordinary engineering venture. The ship will reach Pedro Miguel locks, where the vessel will be lowered 9.4 meters (30.8 feet) into Miraflores Lake. After traveling nearly 2 kilometers you arrive to Miraflores locks, where the transition from fresh water to salt water takes place in the locks chambers. Due to the Pacific Ocean’s extreme tidal variations, Miraflores locks miter gates are the tallest of the locks system. In two steps, the vessel will be lowered 16.6 meters (54.5 feet) onto the Pacific Ocean. You will then sail under the bridge of the Americas, which reunites the land divided by the Panama Canal as part of the Pan-American Highway. After disembarking at Flamenco Island, you will be taken back on an approx. 45-60-minute ride to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Tucked deep in the mystical Soberania National Park at the meeting place of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal, Gamboa Rainforest Resort is an exceptional destination. It’s where contemporary comfort and warm, fascinating adventures come together to offer the best accommodation for experiencing the unspoiled beauty of the Panamanian rainforest. Just 30 minutes from Panama City on 340 acres overlooking the Panama Canal, you can commune with nature in a pristine environment that explorers and pirates once tread. 3 nights at Gamboa.
Day 2 – Barro Colorado Island (B,L)
A unique and intimate adventure begins with any early morning transfer through the tropical rain forest towards the small town of Gamboa where a boat will be waiting for us. We will cruise along the Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal to the Barro Colorado Natural Monument (BCNM), administered by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. BCNM consists of 5,600 hectares (13,837 acres) of land located in the heart of the Panama Canal. It was established in 1923 and has been administered by the Smithsonian since 1946. Today we will be visiting Barro Colorado Island (BCI) that makes up 1,560 hectares, it is the largest forested island in the Canal waterway. BCI is Smithsonian’s primary site for the study of lowland moist tropical forests. While visiting the Island you may come across one of the many scientist carrying out research in this amazing outdoor laboratory!
You will learn about research in progress and the rich natural history of the BCNM. After a welcoming and introduction about natural history by your guide, you will go on a 2-3hour group walk along the trail on Barro Colorado Island. Most trails are about 2 km long and include steep sections and stairs. The trails are not appropriate for people who suffer from heart and respiratory conditions, knee injuries, or are in generally poor health. Also, if you are traveling from a non-tropical country, please note that tropical weather (high humidity and heat) can stress your body. We recommend bringing water. The walk ends at the Visitor Center, where you will find an exhibition about BCNM. Lunch will be on site, cafeteria style.
Duration: All day tour. Takes 45 minutes to get to STRI pier, 45 minutes to 1-hour boat ride, and 2-3 hours the forest hike. Lunch on the island. 2 hour boat and transfer back to Gamboa.
Day 3 Soberannia National Park, Pipeline Road – Rainforest Discovery Centre (B,L)
Early morning breakfast and orientation with other trip participants and your Birds of Panama guide. This morning you drive to the nearby Pipeline Road within Soberania National Park. Soberania is home to some 525 species of birds. Located within this protected area Pipeline Rd. is the site where Audubon Society held its world Christmas bird count record for 19 years straight, with 357 species of birds identified in a period of 24 hours. As one of the most accessible rain forests in the world, Pipeline Road is a great place to look for birds, reptiles, mammals, and tropical plants. At the Rainforest Discovery Centre where you enjoy spectacular views of Soberania's vastness and canopy bird species from the 100 feet observation tower. Standing above the canopy, we witness the morning flight of Keel-billed Toucans, Red-lored Amazons and the silent and stealthy movement of Mantled Howler Monkeys. A picnic lunch will be served at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Return to Gamboa for an afternoon at leisure. There are many free activities that you can sign up for (must be done in advance) such as trail walks, aerial tram, paddling on the Chagres River, biking, and night safaris.
Day Gamboa departure (B)
Morning at Gamboa until it is time to transfer to the airport for your departure flight, or for a connecting tour.
8 day Best of Panama
Day 1 – Arrive Panama
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, you will be met by a company representative and transferred to Hotel. Central. The undeniable charm of Panama, Central Hotel was built nearly 150 years ago in the heart of the city, facing the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia in Casco Antiguo (Old Town) – a designated World Heritage Site. The hotel is one of many historic buildings recognized by UNESCO for its architectural significance, and it was the first hotel in the country at the time of its opening in 1874, quickly becoming a meeting place for intrepid travelers. Their clientele has included the French builders who constructed the Panama Canal, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and Count Ferdinand de Lesseps. By the turn of the century, the hotel was recognized as the finest in Panama, known by its unique French-influenced design and its reputation for high-style services. The hotel underwent full renovations, including meticulous work to preserve the façade and original structure, and the finished property creates a sense of historic luxury that can only be experienced first-hand.
Day 2 – Chiriqui Highlands. (B,L)
Head to Albrook airport for a flight to David, capital of the Chiriqui province, in western Panama. Chiriqui is the country’s “breadbasket” contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. After arrival to David Airport, you continue to the the Eastern side of the Volcano, where you will spend the next three nights in the atmospheric town of Boquete. 3 nights at Hotel Garden Inn Boquete. Visitors from all over the world come to Boquete for its unspoiled beauty and breathtaking views. Boquete Garden Inn is in the heart of it all, yet under a two-minute drive to town (or, an easy 20- minute walk), with restaurants close by. Throughout Panama, they are known for their beautiful gardens and variety of wildlife. More than 100 species of birds have been spotted there. Within this natural setting, they offer modern comforts and amenities, and a level of personalized, responsive service that is unmatched by hotels at their price range.
Day 3 – Touring the Chiriqui Highlands (B,L)
Half Day Hiking in the Highlands We will hike on one of the many scenic trails surrounding Baru Volcano National Park, home to diverse flora and fauna. Boquete and its surrounding areas offer its visitors excellent hiking options for all ages and conditions. Hike through cloud forests and lush vegetation, visit waterfalls and admire the surrounding area while looking out for animals such as howler monkeys, sloths, deer, peccaries and hundreds of species of birds.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon coffee tour. The first coffee plants arrived Panama at the beginning of the 19th century and were brought to Boquete, where the microclimate turned out to be ideal for coffee. Its great height, the influences of the oceans, the rich volcanic soil and the shadow of the Baru Volcano all contributed to the full development of the aromatic potential of coffee. In Boquete we will tour one of the local farms where we will be able to admire a clean and modern environmental processing plant or an organic coffee farm. We will visit a coffee plantation and your guide will explain the whole process, from the picking of the coffee cherries by the Ngäbe-Bugle Indians to its journey to your cup while you walk through the coffee fields. We will learn about the coffee plants and how the coffee beans are harvested and processed. The tour ends with a taste of the product, and lastly a transfer back to your hotel.
Departure from your Hotel in route to the Farming town of Cerro Punta. Once in the Cerro Punta town you will be taken to the Colibrí (ummingbird) farm, in order to experience first hand the way our farmers harvest their produce. You will get a chance to go by the Guadalupe Community, where many members sell their home made jams, local cookies, freshly made popsicles, shakes and local pastries. At Guadalupe we will visit Dracula Farm where a specialist will show us and teach us about these incredible flowers, as they have over 500 species of orchids grown and taken care here. Lunch will be done at one of the local restaurants of the area (depending on your dietary restrictions). Towards the end of the tour, you will be visiting the Sitio Barriles, which is an archeological site, where for decades there have been findings of old clay ceramics and stone tables for example. This town was according to archaeologists destroyed by the last volcanic eruption of the area 600 A.C
Day 4 – Boquete (B)
This day is at leisure. Relax at the hotel and spa and explore the charming town of Boquete. If you prefer activities such as a chocolate tour, zip lining, nature hiking, or farm tours ask us about day tours that you can add-on.
Tour example: Farming town of Cerro Punta. Once in the Cerro Punta town you will be taken to the Colibrí (hummingbird) farm, in order to experience first hand the way our farmers harvest their produce. You will get a chance to go by the Guadalupe Community, where many members sell their home made jams, local cookies, freshly made popsicles, shakes and local pastries. At Guadalupe we will visit Dracula Farm where a specialist will show us and teach us about these incredible flowers, as they have over 500 species of orchids grown and taken care here. Lunch will be done at one of the local restaurants of the area (depending on your dietary restrictions). Towards the end of the tour, you will be visiting the Sitio Barriles, which is an archeological site, where for decades there have been findings of old clay ceramics and stone tables for example. This town was according to archaeologists destroyed by the last volcanic eruption of the area 600 A.C
Day 5 - Transfer to Almirante, Bocas del Toro (B,L)
Transfer to the Caribbean Coastal town of Almirante for the water taxi to Isla Colon. 3 nights Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel. If you’re looking for a beautiful boutique hotel in Bocas del Toro, then look no further! Stay at Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel, just steps away from Main Street in Bocas Town, located on the southern tip of Isla Colon. Divers Paradise is built over the water and offers panoramic views. Guests love starting and ending their days in the restaurant & bar or scuba diving or snorkeling, and hanging out in lounge chairs on the deck while enjoying the gorgeous sea views. They also love the convenience of the in-house PADI 5 Star Bocas Dive Center, the professional staff, and specially-built dive boats. And while you’re there, how about kayaking, stand-up boarding, or grabbing a bike to discover Bocas Town? During your visit, make sure to discover all the fun Bocas del Toro has to offer!
Day 6 – Bocas del Toro Zapadilla Island (B)
Day trip for boating and snorkeling to Dolphin Bay, Coral Key and Zapadilla Island. Entrance fees to marine park included.
Naturally, the best things to do in Bocas del Toro include being in, around, and on the water. And in this tour you will have the opportunity to see beautiful beaches and reefs of Bocas del Toro in one day. We will start by boat, heading directly to Dolphin Bay. This quiet bay is located about 15-20 minutes from the main island, Isla Colon. The abundance of fish and crustaceans in these waters make Dolphin Bay the perfect place for their habitat within the archipelago. If we are lucky, we may observe these friendly dolphins jump, swim and play in pairs and groups of 5 to 6. Around noon the boat heads towards Coral Cay, a nice area for snorkeling. As you float weightlessly surrounded in the turquoise sea, witness hundreds of reef fish go about their daily business. This is also the place where we can delight ourselves with exquisite Caribbean dishes, offered by a panoramic restaurant on the sea. The menu varies depending on the day's catch. (Lunch not included). Lastly, we’ll visit one of the islands of the famous Zapadilla Keys, named after their shoe-like shape. These two islands are within the Bastimentos Island Marine National Park, and are surrounded by a coral reef teeming with marine life. The islands are covered with mangrove and surrounded by fine white sand and palm trees. Enjoy this unique paradise, walk along the shore, relax in the shade of a palm tree or explore the rich coral reef. If you choose to do the latter, the current can get a bit strong at times, so be careful as you approach the reef. You can swim, dive, and snorkel for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 7 – Bocas del Toro (B)
Day at leisure to enjoy the archipelago's unique charm.
Day 8 – Panama City (B)
Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to Panama City. Connect to your International flight, or stay an extra night.