'And Panama Too'

What makes this trip special?

Latin America's Hong Kong or Singapore

Latin America's Hong Kong or Singapore

Panama City

One in every three Panamanians lives in Panama City. The capital curls impressively around a wide bay facing the Pacific Ocean and presses against the Panama Canal itself at the spectacular Bridge of the Americas. Downtown skyscrapers, a bustling waterfront, a characterful colonial quarter, a stupendous city park, and Frank Gehry's wonderful BioMuseo.

Sail the Panama Canal

Sail the Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Experience the incredible engineering achievement of the Panama Canal first hand by taking either a full or partial transit along the canal.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Portobelo

A pretty harbour town, Portobelo was once the end of the Royal Road, where it suffered repeated attacks from Pirates including Welsh buccaneer Sir Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake in the 17th & 18th centuries, all vying to get hold of the Spanish Conquistador's Peruvian gold.

Escape the Metropolis

Escape the Metropolis

Casco Viejo - Panama City

Narrow cobbled streets, small plazas and colonial French & Spanish buildings seem a world away from the skyscrapers of modern Panama City. Recently restored under UNESCO World Heritage and dotted with chic boutique hotels, the Casco Vieja offers an atmospheric stay in the capital.

Itinerary map for Panama 'And Panama Too' holiday

Designer's notes

After a visit to Costa Rica why not take advantage of the opportunity to visit Panama City and experience at first hand one of the world's most impressive engineering feats.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'And Panama Too'

DAY 1

Panama City

At the end of your time in Costa Rica you arrive at San José airport and catch a regional flight to Panama City (1h 25m) instead of flying home. You are met on arrival and transferred to your preferred hotel for 4 nights.

DAY 2
B

Canal Locks and Panama Viejo

After breakfast your private guide takes you to the Miraflores Lock which lifts and lowers huge ships between sea level on the Pacific side and the Miraflores Lake, 16m higher. Busiest hours for shipping are 9-10am and 2-5pm. A sheltered observation terrace gives a great view of the lock in operation. You visit the Visitor Centre and museum, together showing the history of the canal, its significance to Panama and world trade, its engineering, and the new third lock expansion. Returning to the city you visit Casco Viejo, its very atmospheric Spanish colonial quarter echoing the colonial streets of Old Havana in Cuba. The rest of your day is free for your own sightseeing, such as the striking Frank Gehry Biomuseo.

DAY 3
BL

Canal Railway and Portobelo

This morning (Mon-Fri only) you are taken on the original railway between Panama City and the town of Colón at the Caribbean end of the Canal. This fascinating 1-hour journey runs beside much of the Canal, crossing part of the main Gatun Lake on low bridges. Afterwards, you visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Centre to see the new locks, one of the largest infrastructure projects of the 21st Century so far. A little further you visit the sleepy harbour town of Portobelo where Incan gold and silver was loaded on Spanish ships. Ruins of fortresses, castles and military bases are surrounded by the returning forest. A typical Panamanian lunch is served at a local restaurant and you are driven back to your hotel in Panama City.

DAY 4
BL

Sail through part of the Panama Canal

Today you are picked up for a ‘partial transit’ by boat through part of the Panama Canal, joining a guided group with commentaries in English and Spanish. A tremendous experience otherwise reserved for sailors and cruise ship passengers.

DAY 5
B

At an appropriate time you are transferred back to Panama City’s international airport for a return flight back to San José then home, or more directly to the UK on an ‘open-jaw’ ticket.

Guide prices for 'And Panama Too'

options based on all year low season mid season high season peak season other season
Mid-range hotels 2 people sharing £1,275
Upper range hotels 2 people sharing £1,375
Top range hotels 2 people sharing £1,900
Prices are per person and include:
  • all travel in Panama
  • all accommodation
  • meals as indicated B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
  • excursions as described
Prices do not include:
  • international flights
  • travel insurance
  • airport and departure taxes
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
  • any optional excursions you may buy locally

Customer reviews for 'And Panama Too'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'And Panama Too'

Along this route in January

Day Location Max °C Monthly rainfall
1 Panama City 31°C rainfall 43mm
2 Panama City 31°C rainfall 43mm
3 Panama City 31°C rainfall 43mm
4 Panama City 31°C rainfall 43mm

Typical weather for January

rainchart

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'And Panama Too'

Days 1 - 3

Toscana Inn Hotel

Located in the heart of Panama City's commercial/financial district, this traditional, slightly old fashioned hotel offers a cosier alternative to the more business-style hotels in the area.

Each of the hotel's 91 rooms spread over 6 floors have A/C, flatscreen cable TV, safe, iron and ironing board, mini-fridge.

There is a terrace with views of the city and a small onsite restaurant specialising in Panamanian cuisine open from 06.30-22.30.

Toscana Inn Hotel