Panama, a country where the concept of exotic begins in its name, which means "abundance of fish and butterflies" in our indigenous language. Come to where the sun, adventure, mystery, and opportunities (business or leisure) are also abundant.
Come and get to know our country, better known as “The Bridge of the World”, where modern cities meet with nature's beauty and where there's always something new to discover.
City and Canal Tour – Full Day
After being picked up at your hotel, ride through the sites of modern Panama City on your way to the Colonial City or "Casco Antiguo". Built in 1673, the Colonial City has Spanish architecture. Driving through the stretched streets, plazas and public parks that still conserve part of our history, you will experience the flavor of our heritage. See France Plaza, Las Bovedas, San Jose Church (with its wonderful gold altar), the Flat Arch, and Cathedral Church.
Also see where the French workers (lead by Ferdinand de Lesseps who initiated the project of the Panama Canal) had their homes some built in the French architectural style.
The Panama Canal Inter-oceanic Museum is located here as well as the Palacio de las Garzas, the President of Panama´s official office. You will ride to the enchanted Balboa area (a residential area of the former Panama Canal Zone) now reverted to Panama. Admire the Panama Canal Administration Building on a hill and then head to Miraflores Locks where we will have the chance to see the vessels while transit the locks.
Includes a visit to the new Visitor´s Center to see canal related memorabilia and to watch the Panama Canal Commission Audiovisual presentation that explains the operation of this important Inter-oceanic waterway.
Finally we will take you to the Amador Causeway, a man made connection of three islands, with an strong tourist development and from where you will have a breathtaking view of the city. There will also be time to purchase in Albrook Mall (THE BEST MALL IN LATINOAMERICA)
Panama Canal Partial Transit
The Partial Canal Transit from Balboa or Gamboa takes place every Saturday. This tour gives you the opportunity to travel through one set of Locks. The ship departs from Balboa and goes right into the Miraflores Locks, where it is raised up to 54 feet in a two-step process. This is achieved by sending water from Pedro Miguels lake by gravity to fill the chambers where the ship is locked. Once the process is finished, the ship is in Pedro Miguels Lake.
At Gamboa you are then transferred to a bus to return to Balboa approximately at 12:30 p.m. The other version of the partial transit departs Flamenco by bus to Gamboa to take the boat that will travel the locks lowering it from the lake to the ocean taking you back to the Flamenco pier.
Transportation will be waiting for transfer to Hotels. The tour includes breakfast or sandwiches. Also, some Fridays a night trip is possible from Flamenco to Gamboa by boat, returning by bus to Flamenco. No trips are scheduled for Christmas or New Year.
Tour departs at 7:00AM (FROM BALBOA) or 10:00AM (FROM FLAMENCO)
Ecotour: El Valle – Indian Market
El Valle de Anton is one of the most colorful areas of Panamanian inland towns, and is located two hours away from the Capital City in the province of Cocle and at 600 meters above sea level.
Geologists have concluded that El Valle is the crater of an inactive volcano, probably the largest of Central America. The pleasant weather in the area invites the visitor to experience its attractions.
On Sundays, the tour will take you to the Indian market where local artisans and Indians living around it bring their handicrafts, plants and vegetables products to sell them. There, you can find fine and wonderful hand-made woodcarvings, soapstone sculptures, seashell souvenirs, leather goodies and much more. Then, visit the Chorro del Macho, a waterfall that is within a nature-protected private area.
Later, visit the Indian petroglyphs, where ancient inhabitants left their messages, still a mystery for our modern culture. Also, admire the India Dormida Mountain. Its name is due to it resemblance to a sleeping Indian woman. Finally, visit El Nispero, a Zoo where people takes care of some of the endemic species after they were found injured in the forest. This zoo also has a unique collection of orchids. Here, you will admire the golden frogs and the squared trees, both endangered species.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Return to Panama late in the afternoon.
This is an outdoor activity in the tropics, light clothes, swimming suit, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen and very comfortable shoes are suggested.
Recommended on Sundays, Two-Person Minimum
GeoTour: Visit to the Chocoe – Embera Indian Community
The Embera Indigenous group is divided in two smaller groups: Chocoe-Wounaan and Chocoe-Embera. These two groups have exactly the same roots. They originally came from the ancient Great Colombia over 300 years ago, and settled down mainly in the Darien Jungle.
Their behavior is the same: both have the ancestral use of the blowgun with poison darts for hunting purposes, men wear loincloth, their house system is based on (Tambos) elevated-bin houses with palm-leave roofs. They decorate their bodies using a mixture of ashes and plant pigments and they both are master wood carvers and basket weavers.
The only difference between these groups is their language. Although, their communication system is very similar, they do not understand each other. One of the remarkable contrasts of the modern city of Panama is still having an Embera community living as their ancestors, keeping their customs very jealously, in the watershed of the Panama Canal, only 1:30 hrs away, right in Chagres National Park.
This day you leave the Hotel early in the morning in a microbus with a naturalist tour guide to the community of Nuevo Vigia to board a dug-out canoe. Continue in the Alajuela Lake, which is the second largest man-made lake of Panama. Upon arrival, explore the community while our tour guide provides information on this ethnic group.
Admire the famous Taguas, which are small sculptures made from a seed that due to its solid texture has been given the name of vegetal ivory.
The Embera are also unique wood carvers and they specially carve the precious Cocobolo tree wood. They are also fantastic basket weavers, sometimes, they spend several days in just one piece. In short, their handcrafts are real art pieces and they are available for your purchase.
During our visit, the Embera will perform a welcome flute dance. After lunch and rest, return to the river and, if desired, you can swim and enjoy the cool waters of the river. Arrive back around 3:00 p.m.
This is an outdoor activity in the tropics, light clothes, towel, swimsuit, another T-shirt, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen and very comfortable shoes or sandals are suggested. | 
