Discover Panama: The Land Between the Seas
Overview
Highlights
- Sample fresh Panamanian ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos.
- Taste the sweet sugarcane juice called "guarapa" at a sugar mill.
- Immerse yourself in the local culture at dinner featuring a folklore and dance show.
- Join your guide for a nature walk through the jungle forest.
- Discover the various arts of creating Panamanian hats, masks and dresses.
- Peruse a local handicraft market filled with crafts made by indigenous artisans.
- Enjoy three nights in a river view room — with a balcony and hammock!
- Travel by dugout canoe to an Emberá village to learn about indigenous culture.
- Traverse the Panama Canal through two locks aboard the Pacific Queen.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Experience a land of contrasts. Remote rainforests, rich history, diverse wildlife and spectacular coastlines abound in Panama. Your tour opens at the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve where you’ll enjoy your private balcony and hammock overlooking the beautiful surroundings. During your leisure time, feel free to use the complimentary bikes or kayaks to explore.
Meet your fellow travelers during a welcome breakfast. Then board dugout canoes and set off on an excursion up the Chagres River to an Emberá indigenous village. As the “Keepers of the Rainforest,” the Emberá strive to preserve their heritage and take pride in sharing...
Today we explore the canal! Board the Pacific Queen for a partial transit cruise through the Panama Canal.* Enjoy lunch onboard and pass through two locks as you revel in a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this incredible engineering feat firsthand. Learn all about its construction and operation from your onboard guides. Disembark at Flamenco Marina in Panama City.
Arrive at Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to view the Panama Canal and learn about its past, present and future as you watch ships traverse the lock system. Continue to Casco Viejo, the Old Quarter (UNESCO). Then, it’s your choice! Follow your guide for a short walkin...
Delve into history and biodiversity. This morning, visit a frog conservation center that protects critically endangered species, including the emblematic Panamanian Golden Frog, said to bring good luck to anyone who sees it. Then we explore a nonprofit orchid nursery ...
Step into the heartland of Panama as you visit a village of artists. Interact with makers of the famous Panama hat and see firsthand how these wearable works of art come to life. Next, meet the legendary cigar rollers of Panama. Head north to Chitré. Established in 15...
Spend the day meeting the people of Chitré, the “folklore capital” of Panama. Talk to a famous local artist whose whimsical masks are used in traditional Panamanian parades. Next, pause to experience the region’s pre-Columbian and colonial times at the local museum. T...
Before departing Chitré, get to know a traditional way of cooking at a clay oven bakery and sample artisanal bread and sweets along with some sugarcane juice known as guarapa. Your journey continues to Playa Bonita, just outside of Panama City. Arrive midday to soak u...
Your journey comes to a close today.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Collette.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Collette Reviews & Ratings
Other Collette Reviews
It was a wonderful trip and experience!
It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary ...
we had an absolute wonderful time
My wife & I just returned from your National Parks tour and we had an absolute wonderful time. Great itinerary, tour director (Merrin) and driver (John). First c...
Do not travel with Collette They area subpar company
This is worst tour I have ever taken. Poorly planned and not worth the money. Collette brought you to Lisbon where we sat for three days because NO TOURS or sited w...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
True adventures go beyond incredible destinations or inclusive packages. Collette delivers a sense of possibility across all seven continents.
Since 1918, we have been sharing our love of travel. Today our worldwide travel collection features comprehensive land tours, river cruises, rail journeys, small group tours, family trips, garden holidays and more. With Collette, wake each morning on tour with a new experience in front of you, and when your head hits the pillow, you will know it has been an amazing day. Best of all - we seamlessly handle the details. All you have to do is enjoy the adventure.
Everyone at Collette believes travel is vital to a life well-lived and our executive team sets the tone. Drawing on a diverse set of skills that includes operations, sales, information technology, law and financial planning, they work across three offices to bring you the best experience possible.
Go Guided:
There are so many benefits to letting someone else take on all the details that come with having The Perfect Trip. See why more and more travelers choose to Go Guided — and why they never go back.
5 Reasons to Go Guided:
Go Tour Managers!
On Day 1 of your trip, you’ll meet a friendly person who sure does know a lot about your tour and the destinations you’re visiting. This highly skilled professional is your tour manage and from the moment you meet this key player on your tour, you’ll know you’re in good hands. With their rich travel backgrounds, as well as their useful information about language, currency, and all things local, you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Go Culture!
Visiting a destination gives you a taste of the local culture. But imagine actually becoming part of that culture. Staying overnight in an Irish castle like Old-World royalty…feeling the cool waters of the Great Barrier Reef envelop you as you snorkel in its turquoise paradise…or rolling dough with an Italian chef to make the perfect pizza. It’s not just about all the iconic spots that will make for the best photos, it’s about diving into another world that makes for the best memories.
Go Product Team!
Our product experts are probably on the road right now — scoping out the best of our worldwide destinations. They go, take it all in, and find the moments they love best. Those are the moments they create for you. Those experiences and sights comprise each itinerary and make each one extra-special. Best of all, you don’t have to plan a thing. You just need to choose which itinerary best suits you.
Go Social!
Travel is social by nature. Guided travel is extra social. Meet a cast of characters: your fellow travelers, tour manager, driver, local guides and more. The social aspect of guided travel is one of the best parts! Many travelers on our tours have forged lasting friendships. Think of all the wonderful people waiting to meet you out in the world.
Go Worry-Free!
Your peace of mind is the most important thing to us. And that starts with our roundtrip home to airport sedan service. Forget taxis, airport fees, or public transportation. We will get you there...and back. And if for any reason you need to cancel your tour, you can do so — right up until the day before departure — and receive a full refund (thanks to our travel protection plan).
There are many ways to experience the world:
Among Collette’s worldwide collection of tours we offer a variety of guided travel choices. No matter where (or how) you want to go, Collette can take you there.
Small Groups, Big Experiences
From vibrant cities to remote villages, immerse yourself in other worlds. As part of a small group, enjoy accommodations chosen to capture the spirit of the destination, savor spectacular local cuisine, and take the time to explore on your own. Along the way Explorations sets the stage for the unexpected moments that make travel so special. With just 12-24 passengers, these are the personal adventures that today’s cultural explorers dream about.
Amazing Family Moments Included
Collette's Family tours bring travelers of all ages together to experience the world’s greatest destinations. There’s no better classroom than the world, no better education than taking a walk through history. Today’s parents — and grandparents — want to share the riches of travel with their children and grandchildren. Each tour in our family line is specially crafted with the best local experiences, iconic must-see's, family-oriented hotels and immersive cultural activities. Children ages 14 and under enjoy substantially discounted rates.
Collette's Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection Plan
The Traveling Well Experience
Our Commitment to Your Well-being and Enjoyment
There’s no denying that life and travel will likely look a little different for the foreseeable future, which is why we worked with our partners all over the world to create enhanced protective measures for our guests. These measures are intended to help safeguard guests’ health and well-being, while allowing for an enjoyable travel experience.
From flexible booking to more open space on the coach and much more – all aspects of travel have been considered. This is The Traveling Well Experience.
- Travel Protection Plan – cancel for any reason up until 24 hours before departure, plus provides numerous on-tour protections
- More Physical Space – on the coach, in restaurants, and more
- Wellness Protocols – for partners like motor coach operators, hotels, restaurants, and airlines
- Enhanced Tour Manager Training – our tour managers are destination experts and highly equipped to handle a variety of unexpected situations – including illnesses and emergencies
Before Your Tour
Cancel for Any Reason Waiver
Our Travel Protection Plan financially protects you in the event you need to cancel or move your trip to a different date. Learn more here
Pre-Tour Health Screenings
We will ask all travellers to complete a wellness declaration form before joining their tour.
Private Sedan Service
Your ride to and from the airport will be stocked with fresh water for every pickup and all surfaces will be disinfected daily and after every passenger.
Air Travel
Specific details will vary by airline, but standard operations typically include flight attendants wearing masks, sanitizing all surfaces between flights and physical distancing. For links to major airlines, head to the bottom of the page, or visit your airline’s website for specific information.
On Your Tour
Smaller Groups
Tours will operate with a number of empty seats to allow guests to space out for a more comfortable experience.
Your Tour Manager
We have employed new and enhanced hygiene & physical distancing protocols for tour managers. They are local experts and highly trained to handle a variety of unexpected situations — including illnesses and emergencies. They are also available 24/7 for guests throughout the tour should any situation arise.
Use of Face Coverings
Face coverings will be included with your pre-tour documents and will be required throughout many experiences on tour including the motor coach and air travel.
Motor Coach
All surfaces will be sanitized often, including regular cleaning of high-touch areas with disinfecting wipes. Hand sanitizer will be available at all times and drivers will wear protective gear when appropriate.
On-Tour Experiences
We work closely with our local partners to ensure adequate physical distancing during meals, experiences, and sightseeing. Guests may be rotated in smaller sub-groups when necessary.
On-Tour Insurance Coverages
When you purchase our Travel Protection Plan, you’ll have access to telehealth services should you need it, plus you’re covered on tour for emergency assistance, baggage loss, trip interruption, medical expenses, and more. Learn more here
Self-Screening
We will ask all travellers to monitor their health throughout their tour, with protocols in place in the event someone becomes ill.
Hotels
Specific protocols will vary from destination to destination, hotel to hotel. Overall, rooms and areas like restaurants, fitness centres, etc. will be deep-cleaned regularly, with rooms disinfected thoroughly between guests. High-traffic areas like lobbies and elevators will be cleaned hourly.
After Your Tour
Post-Tour Survey
After you get home, you’ll be able to share your opinions of your tour experience, allowing us to constantly improve for the benefit of future guests.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges.
Rainforest Canopy Tour Aerial Tram - $53
Gamboa Experience the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest as you ascend from the shadowy forest floor through the dense undergrowth and up 280 feet to its sun-drenched canopy. Your naturalist guide describes the flora and fauna that surround you as howler monkeys call out in the distance. It’s a feast for the senses; colorful birds and butterflies surround, and you might also encounter iguanas, sloths or white-faced capuchin monkeys. Once at the top, you can climb the 100 foot tall observation tower for views of the vast rainforest of Soberanía National Park while watching the cargo ships maneuver through the Galliard Cut. Continue on to interpretive exhibits of native flora, fauna and culture. Throughout this adventure your guide will be on hand to explain and enhance your encounters. Duration approximately 2.5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 1 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes; long pants, hat, sun block, sunglasses, camera, binoculars and insect repellent are recommended.Gatun Lake Expedition - $38
Panama City Venture into Gatun Lake in search of the playful inhabitants of Monkey Island. Throughout your adventure, discover an abundance of rainforest wildlife in this verdant area. Set out from Gamboa Marina and navigate along the Chagres River. Cruise past historic Gamboa Bridge and into Gatun Lake, a major component of the canal. Get up close views of large ships transiting between oceans as your naturalist guide points out three-toed sloths, turtles, iguanas, crocodiles, eagles, toucans, and other tropical animals along the shore. As you approach the banks of Monkey Island, keep your eyes open for capuchin and howler monkeys leaping in the trees above. Occasionally these intelligent creatures become so curious about visitors that they head down towards the boats to get a closer look! Take advantage of this unique and unforgettable opportunity to see wild monkeys in their natural habitat. Your guide will be on hand the entire time to explain and enhance these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Duration approximately 1 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 1 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes; hat, sun block, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, and insect repellent are recommended.Home Hosted Dinner - $45
Chitré Few things highlight a destination more than the food and the people that prepare it. Tonight, you can experience both during a home-hosted meal with a local family. Partake in some regional specialties and get a true insight on how life is for the people within Panama and the Chitré area. After spending the day learning about the artisans of Chitré and the many festivals they have, you will yearn for a chance to discuss the significance of the festivals in their community. During your visit, enjoy a great discussion about shopping, schools, health care, etc. and everything that makes up daily life. Together with your hosts, you will sit down at the dinner table and enjoy a tasty home-cooked meal, lovingly prepared by a family who truly wants to share their lives with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to exchange thoughts and flavors with another culture. Your meal will include a starter, main course, and a dessert along with non-alcoholic beverages including water and will be served family-style. Duration approximately 2 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 4 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Once purchased, this option is non-refundable. Must be purchased within 48 hours of operating. There will be no choices or substitutions for this meal. The max capacity is 10 people per home; however, we have multiple families that can host our guests, all within 15 minutes of the hotel. A guide will accompany the group to provide translation services. Please note that if you have dietary restrictions, this option might not be appropriate.Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations
