Panama City, Panama
Founded in 1519, Panama City is the oldest Spanish settlement on the mainland of the Americas. Today, Panama City—with its famed canal, sleek skyscrapers and Old Quarter, bountiful natural beauty, and spicy cultural mix—is a thriving commercial hub and tourist destination, with tropical jungles, Pacific beaches, and dozens of other great places to visit within 2 hours of the city. We offer hotels 45 minutes - 2-1/2 hours outside the city on the Pacific beaches, as well as a hotel located in the Soberania National Park Rainforest, only 30 minutes from the city.
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Panama City, Panama
A growing tourist destination, modern Panama City boasts natural beauty, a rich mix of ethnicities, and an exciting array of things to see and do. Tour sights such as the historical ruins of Panama Viejo, with its superb museum, or stroll the charming streets of the Old Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the paths of Metropolitan Park, a protected tropical forest within the city. Find indigenous crafts at the colorful Avenida Central street market and shop at one of the upscale megamalls. At the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, you could spend hours watching cruise ships and freighters moving through the Panama Canal and browsing exhibits in the first-rate museum. Head outside the city limits for remarkable excursions such as visiting Emberá Indian villages, or to spend a relaxing day at the Pacific Coast beaches, only a half hour from the city. Package Includes:- Choice of accommodations
- Roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel
- Assistance of a local destination representative
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should go?
Families
The Panama Canal, Lake Gatun, and the surrounding rainforest overflow with kid-friendly activities. Visit an Embera Village, a butterfly farm, reptile farm, or the Summit Garden & Zoo.
History Buffs
The 19th-century Art Deco, Colonial, Caribbean, and French buildings of the Old Quarter and the ruins of the original city, Panama Viejo, offer history lovers fascinating evidence of the city’s European past—and excursions to Mayan ruins or Indian villages outside the city limits take visitors even farther back into history.
Nature Enthusiasts
In the city’s Natural Metropolitan Park, nature lovers have the opportunity to view the natural burgeoning flora and fauna of the area’s rainforests, including more than 200 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Panama City is also a gateway to wild jungles ideal for hiking and other nature-oriented adventures.
Wildlife Enthusiasts
Love wildlife? Visit Soberania National Park, where you can hike the Pipeline Road, a bird-watcher's haven with more than 500 species of birds. Tour the Chagres River and Gatun Lake, keeping a lookout for monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths. Ride the cloudforest aerial tram, and bring along your binoculars for toucan and parrot sightings.
What's the climate like?
| Average High |
87° F |
89° F |
92° F |
88° F |
| Average Low |
74° F |
75° F |
76° F |
75° F |
| Average Rainfall |
.01" |
2.2" |
2.5" |
4" |
Panama City is quite humid and warm year-round, and the rainy season typically lasts from April to December.
How do I get around town?
Transfers
Roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel are included with your hotel package.
Taxi
Taxis are your best bet for getting around within the city. They charge between $1.25 to $2 to drive you to most destinations within the city. It’s always a good practice to confirm the price beforehand.
On Foot
Except for within the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo)—where walking is the best way to soak in the sights—you’ll find that it’s much easier and more efficient to get around the city via cab rather than on foot.
Rental Car
A rental car is a good option if you are staying at a beach hotel or in the rainforest, for an easy way to explore the countryside. In downtown Panama City, traffic is very heavy and parking is almost impossible, so driving is not recommended if you are staying in a city hotel.
What kinds of dining and nightlife are available?
Dining
Panama City offers a melting pot of culinary influences and loads of great places to eat, from fantastic Chinese food and fine European cuisine to Middle Eastern, Argentine, Afro-Caribbean, and of course, Panamanian restaurants, as well as fusion-style options.
- Eurasia
Serving delicious Euro-Asian Fusion cuisine and mouth-watering desserts in elegant surroundings embellished by great service, this upscale restaurant received a 5-diamond rating from the American Academy of Hospitality.
- Madame Chang
Panama is known for some of the best Chinese food outside of Asia, and this restaurant puts a shine on that reputation with delectable traditional dishes enhanced by a modern touch, from Peking duck to clams with black bean sauce.
- Market
Well-prepared chops, steaks, burgers, and delicious salads make this lively restaurant a popular choice for lunch and dinner—also serves weekday breakfast and Sunday brunch.
- Mostaza
This cozy, excellent upscale eatery in the Old Quarter serves tasty cuts of beef, fresh fish, pasta, and international specialties.
- Las Tinajas
Popular with visitors for its extensive menu of classic Panamanian dishes, spiced up by entertaining, costumed folkloric performances several evenings a week.
Nightlife
Panamanians love to dress up and go out on the town, and a happening nightlife scene caters to all ages and energy levels. You’ll find the greatest concentration of nightspots in 4 neighborhoods: Bella Vista, the Amador Causeway, Marbella, and the Old Quarter. Check out the weekend supplement in Thursday’s La Prensa newspaper for a selection of the latest clubs.
For a more low-key evening, try one of the city’s hotel bars—the Decapolis, the Peach Monkeys Lounge at the Sheraton Panama, and the Veneto Hotel’s bar are popular choices.
Every major hotel in the city has an adjoining casino, where you can pick your game: slot machines, video poker, gaming tables, and sports betting.
Where should I go shopping?
You’ll want to take home some indigenous handicrafts as a souvenir of your time in Panama City. The most popular items are molas, the reversed appliqué panels made by Kuna Indian women; figurines carved of vegetable ivory; embroidered dresses; and Emberá Indian baskets and masks. The Mercado Nacional de Artesanías, in Panama Viejo next to the visitor center, is a huge, covered, permanent structure that sells handicrafts from around the country.
You’ll also find spacious shopping malls offering international brands, with prices comparable to those in the United States. One of the major shopping streets is Vía España, while shops selling designer goods can be found in the World Trade Center's Centro de Comercio.
If you like a more traditional and colorful shopping experience, visit the Mercado de Mariscos to buy freshly prepared seafood snacks just off the boat, or check out the brand-new Mercado Público next door—a covered farmer's market with a food court serving Panamanian fare.
When are the local events?
Panama Jazz Festival
January. International and local jazz artists perform 5 days of swinging concerts in the Parque Catedral in the Old Town neighborhood.
Carnival in Panama
January or February. Panama City’s huge annual party kicks off the Friday before Ash Wednesday and proceeds through festivities that involve traditional fancy dress, grand parades and floats, concerts by national and international artists, Latin dancing, tossing of flowers, the symbolic burying of sardines, and round-the-clock celebrations.
Panama Restaurant Week
March & September. Two weeks a year, in spring and fall, Panama City's top restaurants feature 3-course fixed-price menus throughout the city, to the delight of culinary adventurers.
What are my sports and recreation options?
Bird-Watching
Within the city limits, you’ll be excited to glimpse parrots, toucans, and numerous other avian species—more than 250—in the Natural Metropolitan Park. Pipeline Road, perhaps Panama’s most famous birding destination, is situated inside lush Soberania National Park along the Panama Canal, about a 40-minute drive from Panama City. This protected tropical rainforest shelters a reputed 500 bird species.
Hiking
Natural Metropolitan Park, the city’s own rainforest, tempts nature lovers with 5 trails of varying difficulty that cover about 3 miles. You’ll be rewarded with great views after a 40-minute trek to the top of Cerro Ancón, a landmark 654-foot hill that overlooks the city. Twenty minutes from the city lies Soberania National Park, with miles of trails through scenic habitat home to monkeys, coatis, and other creatures. Less than an hour west of the city you’ll find Parque Nacional Altos de Campana, offering dramatic mountain scenery, hiking trails, and panoramic views.
Panama Canal
You’ll find much to see and do at the famed canal. Visit the viewing platform at Miraflores and watch a megaship pass through the locks, enjoy a jungle cruise on the canal, or take a partial transit tour by boat and experience going through one of the locks.
Beaches
Watersports and deep sea fishing abound on the Pacific Ocean, which is within 45 minutes of the city. You’ll also find 3 seaside golf courses in the area.
Travel tidbits
Multi-Day Tours
To see more of Panama, consider taking a fascinating multi-day tour. Destinations include the town of Bocas and Bastimentos National Park; the Chiriqui Cloud Forest, the city of Boquete, and Baru Volcano; or the San Blas Islands, where you can stay in a traditional Kuna Indian-style hut.
Taxi Etiquette
Taxis will often stop for another passenger if he or she is headed in your general direction—but the driver will usually deliver you to your destination first.
Credit Cards
Although they are widely accepted at upscale hotels and many restaurants, credit cards can be problematic elsewhere, so carry enough cash to get you to the next bank or ATM.
Good to Know:
Tocumen International Airport
PTY |
| Mid-December –Mid-April |
| June– November |
| U.S. dollar |
| Spanish, English |
| U.S. Eastern Time Zone |
| Government legislation requires all people traveling via air to and from the United States and Canada to have a valid passport. For details on passports, visas, and health requirements, see Entry Requirements. |
| The standard tipping rate in Panama is around 10% of the bill, though in small cafés and more casual places, tipping is not necessary. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. |
| Lightweight, stylish or smart-casual clothing will take you through the day and evening, plus a wide-brimmed hat for daytime hours in the sun. |
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Panama City, Panama
The following options are available when you book your vacation package to Panama City:
Car Rentals
We feature rental cars from Alamo Rent A Car offering you the flexibility and convenience to travel when and where you want.
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Tour - 3-Day/2-Night Bocas del Toro Adventure
Travel by air to the town of Bocas, on Colon Island, the capital of Bocas del Toro province. Visit Bastimentos National Park, Panama's first Marine National Park. Hike along the Caiman Trail where you may see native birds, monkeys, and three-toed sloths, among other Central America creatures. There is also plenty of time for snorkeling in several great locations. 3-Day/2-Night Bocas del Toro Adventure Day 1: Panama City -– Bocas del Toro In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel in Panama and transferred to Albrook domestic airport to board your flight to the town of Bocas, on Colon Island, the capital of Bocas del Toro province. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Bocas Inn. After checking in, you will begin the day with a boat ride around Colon Island to Boca del Drago. You will visit Swan's Cay, an impressive rock formation protruding from the Caribbean Sea, which is home to many indigenous water birds. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will have time to enjoy the beach at Boca del Drago. Later in the day, you will return to the lodge, stopping to snorkel at coral reefs and mangrove isles along the way. Overnight at Bocas Inn on Isla Colon. Includes lunch and dinner. Day 2: Salt Creek Village -– Bastimentos Marine National Park Early on the second day, you will depart by boat from the Bocas Inn and travel through Panama's first marine national park, Bastimentos National Park to Salt Creek. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a walk along Caiman trail, passing through several stages of the lowland forest. Here you will look for native birds, monkeys, three-toed sloths, and Cayman and slider turtles at a nearby lagoon. After the hike, you will visit the Ngobe Bugle indigenous community where you will have lunch, and with time to purchase handicrafts. In the afternoon you will have time to snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs. Overnight at Bocas Inn on Isla Colon. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Day 3: Bocas del Toro -– Panama City On the third morning, you will have time to snorkel the reef at Nancy's Key. After another delicious Caribbean-style lunch at Bocas Inn, you will fly back to Panama City. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Includes breakfast and lunch. Tour Inclusions:- Accommodations for 2 nights
- Includes 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners as specified by itinerary
- All land, air, and water transportation within Panama
- All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates
- Local guides' services and expenses
- Park and related entrance fees
- Services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations
Not Included:- Panama City hotel
- Meals not listed on itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities/extras in hotels
- Snorkeling equipment - available for rent at Bocas Inn
Hotel Contact Information:Bocas Inn: Isla Colon, Province of Bocas del Toro, Panama / telephone (507) 269-9415 Other information:- Tour duration: 3 days/2 nights
- Bring binoculars, camera (plus extra batteries/film), flashlight (plus extra batteries and bulbs), bathing suit, hat or cap, bathing suit, sunscreen and insect repellent, day pack/dry sack, water bottle, lightweight clothing, windbreaker, sandals/tennis shoes/aqua shoes, toiletries and personal medications, and cash in small denominations (for tips and purchasing souvenirs, snacks, and alcoholic beverages)
- Operates on a request-only basis.
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 pounds of checked luggage and 10 pounds of carry-on luggage per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.
- Physical requirements: Easy walking, hiking, and snorkeling for all ages; flat trails with some slippery terrain; comfortable lodge accommodations
- Book for the date you choose. Reservations are on a request basis and must be verified by Ancon Expeditions of Panama. Upon arrival in Panama, passengers should re-confirm their tour and hotel pick- up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in the your documents.
Existing Package Hotel Options: Customers booking this multi-day tour have 2 options. Option 1. Customers can choose to keep their Panama hotel for the full length of their stay, overlapping with the nights they are on the multi-day tour. Due to the luggage weight restrictions on this tour, customers may choose to leave their larger suitcases in their hotel room. To book your tour in this manner, book your air and hotel package for the full length of stay and the multi-day tour as an optional. Option 2. Customers can choose to check out of their Panama hotel, take the multi-day tour, then check in to a hotel upon return from the tour. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store extra luggage that will not be needed while away on the tour. To book your tour in this manner, you will need to contact one of our Reservations Specialists to book a split stay hotel with the multi-day tour in the middle of your itinerary.
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Tour - 3-Day/2-Night San Blas Islands and The Kuna Indians
Travel by plane to one of the 365 San Blas Islands where you will stay in a traditional Kuna-style hut with private bathroom and hammocks which are owned and operated by a Kuna family. These basic but comfortable accommodations do not have hot water, and electricity is available for only a few hours each day. Learn about traditional Kuna ceremonies and the Kuna culture. There will be time for hiking, bird watching, and snorkeling. 3-Day/2-Night San Blas Islands and The Kuna Indians Day 1 - San Blas Islands and the Kuna People The San Blas Islands include roughly 365 islands, though less than 60 of them are inhabited. Early on the first morning, you will be picked up at the lobby of your Panama City hotel and transferred to Albrook domestic airport where you will board a small plane to one of the San Blas Islands. Upon arrival at Achutupu airport, you will be met by a representative of the Uaguinega (Dolphin Island) Lodge. Uaguinega Lodge is about 15 minutes away from the airstrip via dugout canoe. The basic but comfortable accommodations are owned and operated by a Kuna family and feature traditional Kuna-style huts with private bathrooms and hammocks on the front porches. There is no hot water, and a generator provides electricity for only a couple of hours each day. After breakfast, you will visit the neighboring island of Achutupu where you will learn about traditional Kuna ceremonies, the economy on the islands, and the origin of the beautiful "molas" that they make by hand. In the afternoon, you will have time for snorkeling in the crystal-clear turquoise waters. Overnight at Uaguinega Lodge on Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Day 2 - Explorations in San Blas On the second morning, you will travel to the mainland by dugout canoe and travel up the mouth of the Achutupu River. A moderate hike will take you through mango, cocoa, plantain, and breadfruit trees. This area is excellent for bird watching. In the afternoon you will have the chance to go snorkeling, relax at the lodge, or purchase other optional tours. Overnight at Uaguinega Lodge on Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Day 3 - Return to Panama City On the last morning, you will enjoy a final breakfast on the island before departing via dug-out canoe for the airstrip, where you will board your plane back to Panama City. You will be met upon arrival and transferred back to your hotel. Includes breakfast. Tour Inclusions:- Accommodations for 2 nights
- Includes 3 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners
- All land, air, and water transportation within Panama
- All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates
- Local guides' services and expenses
- Park and related entrance fees
- Services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations
Not Included:- Panama City hotel
- Meals not listed on itinerary
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities/extras in hotels
- Snorkeling gear
Hotel Contact Information Uaguinega Lodge: Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island, Kuna Yala Comarca, San Blas Islands, Panama/telephone (507) 263-7780 Other information:- Tour duration: 3 day/2 night
- Bring binoculars, camera (plus extra batteries/film), bathing suit, flashlight (plus extra batteries and bulbs), hat or cap, bathing suit, sunscreen and insect repellent, day pack/dry sack, water bottle, lightweight clothing, windbreaker/rain jacket, sturdy footwear, toiletries and personal medications, and money in small denominations (for tips and purchasing beverages and handicrafts)
- Operates on a request-only basis
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 pounds of checked luggage and 10 pounds of carry-on per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.
- Physical requirements: Very easy walking and hiking for all ages; flat trails with non-slippery terrain; comfortable island lodge accommodations
- Book for the date you choose. Reservations are on a request basis and must be verified by Ancon Expeditions of Panama. Upon arrival in Panama, passengers should re-confirm their tour and hotel pick- up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative by calling the number provided in your documents.
Existing Package Hotel Options: Customers booking this multi-day tour have 2 options. Option 1. Customers can choose to keep their Panama hotel for the full length of their stay, overlapping with the nights they are on the multi-day tour. Due to the luggage weight restrictions on this tour, customers may choose to leave their larger suitcases in their hotel room. To book your tour in this manner, book your air and hotel package for the full length of stay and the multi-day tour as an optional. Option 2. Customers can choose to check out of their Panama hotel, take the multi-day tour, then check in to a hotel upon return from the tour. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store extra luggage that will not be needed while away on the tour. To book your tour in this manner, you will need to contact one of our Reservations Specialists to book a split stay hotel with the multi-day tour in the middle of your itinerary.
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Tour - 4-Day/3-Night Chiriqui Cloud Forest Explorer
Travel to the Chiriqui Cloud Forest where you will visit La Amistad International Park, a World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Hertiage Site. Travel to Boquete where you will have time to explore the city; visit Finca Lerida, a coffee plantation; Baru Volcano; and enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of Panama. 4-Day/3-Night Chiriqui Cloud Forest Explorer Day 1: Panama City -– Chiriqui Highlands Early in the morning, you will be picked up at your Panama hotel and transferred to Albrook domestic airport, where you will board a flight to David, in the province of Chiriqui. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the mountain town of Cerro Punta, where you will visit La Amistad International Park, a World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Finca Dracula, home to more than 1,500 species of orchids. Overnight at Hotel Dos Rios in Volcan. Includes lunch and dinner. Day 2: Sitio Barriles - Boquete On the way to Boquete, you will visit Sitio Barriles, an archeological site left behind by the extinct Barril culture that once lived on the slopes of the dormant Baru Volcano. A guide at the site will interpret the writings on the stones, known as petroglyphs, and enlighten you on the history of this fascinating culture. After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour continues to the quaint town of Boquete. You will have the afternoon free to visit the town and explore on your own. Overnight at Hotel Panamamonte in Boquete. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Day 3: Finca Lerida - Café Ruiz On the third morning, you will take a walking tour of Finca Lerida, located just outside Baru Volcano National Park. At an elevation of 7,500 feet, it is possible to see a variety of native birds amongst the ancient orchid-covered trees. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at Finca Lerida´s restaurant, followed by an interactive experience at Café Ruiz, a local coffee plantation. At the end of the tour, enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee while watching the sunset over the Baru Volcano. In the evening, you will have time for dinner on your own in Boquete. Overnight at Hotel Panamamonte in Boquete. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Day 4: Boquete -– Panama City
Today you have free time in the charming town of Boquete. You will have the option of purchasing a number of optional tours. Consult with your sales representative if you wish to participate in one of the tours. In the afternoon, you will fly out of David back to Panama City. A transfer vehicle will meet you at the airport in Panama City and take you back to your hotel. Includes breakfast. Tour Inclusions:- Accommodations for 3 nights
- Includes 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners as specified by itinerary
- All land, air, and water transportation within Panama
- All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates
- Local guides' services and expenses
- Park and related entrance fees
- Services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations
Not Included:- Panama City hotel
- Meals not listed on itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities/extras in hotels
Hotel Contact Information:Hotel Panamamonte: Ave 11 de Abril, Boquete, Panama / telephone (507) 720-1324 Hotel Dos Rios: Nueva California, Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama/ telephone: (507) 771-5555 Other information:- Tour duration: 4 days/3 night
- Bring binoculars, camera (plus extra batteries/film), flashlight (plus extra batteries and bulbs), hat or cap, sunscreen and insect repellent, day pack/dry sack, water bottle, lightweight clothing, windbreaker/rain jacket, sturdy footwear, toiletries and personal medications, and cash in small denominations for purchases and tips.
- Operates on a request-only basis
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 pounds of checked luggage and 10 pounds of carry-on luggage per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess luggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.
- Physical requirements: Moderate hiking 2-6 hours per day with rolling, slippery hills; comfortable island lodge accommodations
- Book for the date you choose. Reservations are on a request basis and must be verified by Ancon Expeditions of Panama. Upon arrival in Panama passengers should re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in your documents.
Existing Package Hotel Options:Customers booking this multi-day tour have 2 options: Option 1. Customers can choose to keep their Panama hotel for the full length of their stay, overlapping with the nights they are on the multi-day tour. Due to the luggage weight restrictions on this tour, customers may choose to leave their larger suitcases in their hotel room. To book your tour in this manner, book your air and hotel package for the full length of stay and the multi-day tour as an optional. Option 2. Customers can choose to check out of their Panama hotel, take the multi-day tour, then check-in to a hotel upon return from the tour. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store extra luggage that will not be needed while away on the tour. To book your tour in this manner, you will need to contact one of our Reservations Specialists to book a split stay hotel with the multi-day tour in the middle of your itinerary.
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Tour - Birding at Pipeline Road
During World War II, a pipeline was built along the Panama Canal to transport fuel from one ocean to the other in the event the waterway was attacked. Today, the road built to maintain the pipeline provides excellent access to primary rainforests within the Soberania National Park. Only 45 minutes from Panama City, Soberania's 55,000 acres are home to some 525 species of birds such as the Black Hawk-eagle, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black-breasted puffbird, Broad-billed -motmot, Blue Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Masked Tityra, Violaceous, Slaty-tailed, Black-tailed and Black-throated Trogons, Fasciated Antshrike, Streak-chested Antpitta, Bicolored, Ocellated, and Spotted Antbirds. A great array of migrant birds can also be seen during the North American winter months. At approximately 5:00am, you will be picked up at the lobby of your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions Naturalist Guide and transferred to Soberania National Park in the Panama Canal Watershed. You will begin at the Ammo Dump Lakes looking for Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Capped Heron, Wattled Jacana, and work your way towards Pipeline Road. This is the site where the Audubon Society held its world Christmas bird count record for 19 years straight, identifying 357 species of birds in a period of 24 hours. In the late morning, you will take a short drive to nearby Summit Botanical Gardens where a picnic lunch will be served. Here you will visit the Harpy eagle's naturalistic exhibit. Early afternoon birding will take place at Summit Ponds, where you will look for the Spectacled Owl before returning to your hotel in Panama City. Tour Inclusions:- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Picnic lunch
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Park and any related fees
Other information:- In order to take advantage of early morning birding and wildlife presence, the tour will be scheduled according to sunrise hours, which vary throughout the year. Please consult with an Ancon Expeditions Representative about the exact pick up times.
- Approximate duration: 8 hours
- Bring binoculars, camera, hat or cap, sunscreen, insect repellant, lightweight clothing, light raincoat, and sturdy footwear
- Operates daily
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Book for date you choose. Reservations are made ahead of time for passengers. Upon arrival in Panama City, passengers need to re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative at the hotel or by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in their documents.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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Tour - Chagres River & The Embera People
Exlpore the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed and learn about the Embera people, and their relationship with nature. At 7:00am, you will be picked up at the lobby of your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions Naturalist Guide and transferred to El Corotu, on the shores of Madden Lake. Madden Lake supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal, and is the main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon. Here, you will board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. The boat journey takes you through the rainforest within the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the way, you may be able to spot Little Blue and Green Heron; Great Egret; Anhingas, neo-tropical Cormorant; and Amazon, Ringed, and Green Kingfishers; as Keel-billed Toucans and Ospreys fly above. At the Embera village, you will be welcomed by dancing and music, and will learn about the customs of the Embera people, and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale, as well as a chance to be painted with traditional jagua - a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a traditional Embera lunch you will head back to Panama City. Tour Inclusions:- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Traditional Embera lunch
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Park, community, and any related fees
Other information:- Approximate duration: 8 hours
- Bring binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, lightweight clothing, light raincoat, sturdy footwear, bathing suit and towel, and cash in small denominations for purchasing handicrafts
- Operates daily
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Book for date you choose. Reservations are made ahead of time for passengers. Upon arrival in Panama City, passengers need to re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative at the hotel or by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in their documents.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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Tour - Half-Day Panama City Tour
Enjoy a morning tour of Panama City. At 8:30am, an Ancon Expeditions guide will pick you up in the lobby of our hotel. During the tour, you will visit the ruins of Old Panama, climb up the Cathedral tower, visit the Old Panama Museum, and then continue to Casco Viejo (the old city compound), which dates back to the late 1600s. Casco Viejo is home to monuments to Ferdinand de Lesseps and other Frenchmen who were instrumental in the ill-fated attempt to construct the famous canal through Panama. Your tour ends with a visit to the Panama Canal Museum. Tour Inclusions:- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Museums or any related fees
Other information:- Approximate duration: 4 hours
- Bring binoculars, camera, hat or cap, sunscreen, lightweight clothing, lightweight raincoat, sturdy footwear
- Operates Tuesday through Sunday, not available on Mondays
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Book for date you choose. Reservations are made ahead of time for passengers. Upon arrival in Panama City, passengers need to re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative at the hotel or by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in their documents.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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Tour - Highlights of Soberania National Park
During World War II, a pipeline was built along the Panama Canal to transport fuel from one ocean to the other in the event the waterway was attacked. Today, the road built to maintain the pipeline provides excellent access to primary rainforests within Soberania National Park. Only 45 minutes from Panama City, Soberania's 55,000 acres are home to some 525 species of birds such as the Black Hawk-eagle, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black-breasted puffbird, Broad-billed - motmot, Blue Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Masked Tityra, Violaceous, Slaty-tailed, Black-tailed and Black-throated Trogons, Fasciated Antshrike, Streak-chested Antpitta, Bicolored, Ocellated, and Spotted Antbirds. A great array of migrant birds can also be seen during the North American winter months. Soberania is also home to 105 species of mammals including large felines, Tamandua, 2- and 3-toed sloth, 4 species of monkey and Agouti (some of which are endangered species), and 59 endemic plant species in 4 different life zones. At 5:30am, you will be picked up at the lobby of our hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide and transferred to Soberania National Park in the Panama Canal Watershed. You will reach the Pipeline Road by vehicle and start your nature walk from the entrance. This is the site where the Audubon Society held its world Christmas bird count record for 19 years straight, identifying 357 species of birds in a period of 24 hours. You first stop will be at the Rainforest Discovery Center where you enjoy spectacular views from the 100 feet observation tower of Soberania's vast canopy and its many bird species. In the late morning, you take a short drive to nearby Summit Botanical Gardens where you will have a picnic lunch and visit the Harpy eagle, Baird's tapir and Jaguar naturalistic exhibits, as well as the beautiful botanical gardens. Tour Inclusions:- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Picnic lunch
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Park and any related fees
Other information:- Approximate duration: 8 hours
- Bring binoculars, camera, hat or cap, sunscreen, insect repellant, lightweight clothing, light raincoat, and sturdy footwear.
- Operates daily
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Book for date you choose. Reservations are made ahead of time for passengers. Upon arrival in Panama City, passengers need to re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative at the hotel or by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in their documents.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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Tour - Panama Canal Partial Transit
Embark on a thrill of a lifetime, a trip down the Panama Canal. The northbound tour starts with an early morning pick up at your hotel in Panama City (times vary by direction of transit). A 15- minute drive brings you to the Port of Balboa, on the Pacific side of the canal, where you will board a comfortable passenger ferry. You will begin by passing under the Bridge of the Americas, which rises over 300 feet above sea level and connects the land divided by the canal. A buffet breakfast is available on northbound transits, which travel on Thursday. Heading north on the Panama Canal, the first stop is at Miraflores locks, the tallest in the locks system due to the extreme tidal variation of the Pacific Ocean. The boat will be raised 56 feet above sea level, to the level of Miraflores Lake, which is over a mile long. The ship is elevated over the course of 2 water levels. A transition from salt water in the Pacific Ocean to fresh water in the locks chambers and lake takes place here as well. At the next locks set of locks, known as the Pedro Miguel locks, the ship is raised an additional 30 feet. The ship will then be level with Gatun Lake, at 85 feet above sea level, and will enter the Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal. The 45-foot long portion of the waterway was carved through rock and shale, and it is flanked by the backbones of the Continental Divide. The original width of Gaillard Cut was 300 feet and was increased to 500 feet in the early 1970s. In order to accommodate the demands of today's transit needs, the Panama Canal Authority recently completed the monumental task of widening the Cut to 630 feet along the straight sections, and up to 730 feet along the curves. This allows for unrestricted two-way traffic of "Panamax" vessels, the largest ships that can fit through the Panama Canal locks. The Gaillard Cut opens up into Gatun Lake, near the town of Gamboa, via the Chagres River. This is the site of the Panama Canal's Dredging Division, and where the water portion of the tour ends. From this point of disembarkation, you will be transferred to Balboa where your Ancon Expeditions driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. Please note that this tour operates northbound on Thursday, and southbound on Friday and Saturday. Sites seen on the southbound transit are in the reverse order of the northbound transit, with tours beginning in Gamboa. In the case of a southbound transit, the tour will begin later in the morning, will not include breakfast, and will include lunch. Tour Inclusions:- Bilingual narrator
- Soft drinks and water
- Continental breakfast on northbound route
- Full Panamanian lunch
- Transfers to and from hotel
Other information:- Approximate duration: 6-8 hours (depends on canal traffic)
- Bring binoculars, camera, hat or cap, sunscreen, lightweight clothing, light raincoat, sturdy footwear, and cash in small denominations (for purchasing souvenirs, snacks, alcoholic beverages, tips)
- Operates Thursdays traveling northbound; Friday and Saturday traveling southbound
- Pick up times vary by direction of travel: 6:30am northbound, 9:00am southbound
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Book for date you choose. Reservations are made ahead of time for passengers. Upon arrival in Panama City, passengers need to re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative at the hotel or by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in their documents.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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Tour - Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Take part on a thrilling day of exploration on Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal. Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal in 1914. With a surface of 160 square miles, at the time of its creation it 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 lock system. More than 52 million gallons of fresh water are used for every ship that transits through the Panama Canal from one ocean to another. At 7:30am, you will be picked up in the lobby of our hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide. The tour will begin with a 45-minute drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Upon arrival, you will board an expedition boat and depart on an adventure that includes a voyage across Gatun Lake and into the Panama Canal, passing gigantic cargo ships along the way. You will have the opportunity to spot Green iguana and 3-toed sloth amongst the tree branches. Keep an eye out for crocodile, osprey, snail kite, and keel-billed toucan in their natural habitat. Your expedition boat will bring you within close proximity of the islands (former hill tops) in Gatun Lake to search for White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, and Geoffrey's Tamarin. Mid-tour, you will enjoy a picnic lunch on a small island while taking in the extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings. Later in the afternoon, the boat will return you to Gamboa for the drive back to your hotel. Tour Inclusions:- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Picnic lunch
- Transfers to and from hotel
Other information:- Approximate duration: 7-8 hours
- Bring binoculars, camera, hat or cap, sunscreen, insect repellant, lightweight clothing, light raincoat, and sturdy footwear.
- Operates daily
- Be prepared to tip your guides
- Book for date you choose. Reservations are made ahead of time for passengers. Upon arrival in Panama City, passengers need to re-confirm their tour and hotel pick-up/drop-off times with an Ancon Expeditions representative at the hotel or by calling Ancon Expeditions at the number provided in their documents.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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