On this 8 day/7 night Insider&#8217;s View of Panama vacation , we invite you to delve into the magic of Panama&#8217;s diverse areas &#8211; Panama City, San Blas Islands, plus beach and rainforest areas. Come explore bustling Panama City from its colonial old center to its modern restaurants and caf&#233;s. Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to traverse the Panama Canal. Cruise through the Panama Canal&#8217;s Pedro Miguel Locks, on to Miraflores Lake, and Miraflores Locks towards the Pacific Ocean. Discover the natural beauty of The San Blas Islands and stay in an authentic eco-lodge Resort, relax, and bask blissfully on &#8220;Kuna Yala&#8217;s&#8221; beaches and adventure along to some of the area&#8217;s 365 islands. See ships on their voyage through the famous Panama Canal Locks. Your trip to Panama takes you to discover an Embera indigenous village and take in an authentic performance of tribal dances and drums. Get a temporary body art sampling with traditional &#8220;jagua&#8221;, a natural dye. Panama&#8217;s old world meets modern day ambiance and natural beauty will delight you every step of the way on your Panama travel package with Central Holidays.

Welcome to Panama! Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport you will be transferred to your hotel in Panama City for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to explore and get to know the capital of Panama. Take some time to stroll the Old Town. Sample flavorful Panamanian cuisine in local restaurants. Sit for a spell and take in the ambiance at an open air caf&#233; or enjoy some live music at one of the many bars. The options abound!

Friday - Panama City

After breakfast this morning, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to traverse the Panama Canal! Arrive by motor coach to Gamboa and board your ship, then enter the Panama Canal at the north end of Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Canal. Travel the Cut on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks, next on to Miraflores Lake, and then to the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The vessel will disembark at Flamenco Marina. (B)

Saturday - Panama City | Partial Transit of the Canal 

Rise and shine for an early morning pick-up and transfer to Albrook airport to board your flight to Playon Chico. Previously known as &#8220;Kuna Yala&#8221;, The San Blas Islands beckon! Get ready to enjoy a spectacular beach day today and a tour to nearby islands. Today you will check-in to ecofriendly Yandup Lodge, your home base for the next two nights of this exciting adventure in Panama. (B,L,D)

Sunday - Panama City | San Blas Islands 

A day of blissful island and beach fun awaits today! This indigenous territory is made up of more than 365 islands northeast of Panama proper. Come along to visit beautiful beaches and take in the pristine natural beauty. Swim, snorkel, and dive the area&#8217;s splendid waters. Taste authentic local recipes and abundant fresh seafood. Rest and relax amid the spectacular flora and fauna just steps from the breathtaking crystal blue sea and white sand beaches. (B,L,D)

Monday - San Blas Islands 

Board the 7:00 am flight to Panama City then enjoy breakfast followed by a visit to Miraflores Locks, where interactive exhibits explain the history and workings of the Canal, its rich rain forest and waterways, and for the &#8220;grand finale&#8221; see ships on their voyage through the famous Panama Canal Locks. Continue on to the &#8220;Casco Antiguo&#8221;, home of the 17th century Church of the Golden Altar, as well as old world ruins and restorations, and historical sites. (B)

Tuesday - San Blas Islands | Panama City

After breakfast, transfer from Panama City to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

Wednesday - Panama City | Gamboa

In the early morning, depart to Chagres National Park where you step into a canoe and glide on to the Embera indigenous village. Discover their history and traditions, see a performance of tribal dances and drums, and savor a traditional lunch. Learn about their relationship with nature, shop handmade crafts, and have a body art experience with traditional &#8220;jagua&#8221;, a natural dye. Opt to walk up 600 meters for a swim at the waterfall. Later head back to your resort. (B,L)

Thursday - Gamboa

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tocumen International Airport for your international flight home. (B)

Friday - Gamboa | Panama City to USA (or extend your stay)

INSIDER’S VIEW OF PANAMA

Happy Sloth Eating Hibiscus Flowers

Laying on a Hammock, Island Naranjo Chico

Panama City Skyline and Panama Bay

San Blas Island

Morning in the RainForest

Travel to Panama for 8 amazing days! Beyond its namesake canal, this Panama vacation package presents exciting opportunities for experiencing its rich culture, history, cuisine, and diverse nature visiting Gamboa Rainforest and its Pacific Coast beaches. Explore bustling Panama City from its colonial old center to its modern restaurants and caf&#233;s. Witness the magnificent Miraflores Locks of the famed Panama Canal. Take in the natural beauty of Gamboa Rainforest via Aerial Tram. Enjoy days at leisure at the spectacular Westin Playa Bonita Beach Resort and its surrounding areas. Rest, relax, and bask blissfully on Playa Bonita just steps from the resort&#8217;s pool. Take time to delve into the Gamboa rainforest and the Ember&#225; Indian Village on diverse optional tours. This Panama travel package gives you a look at the Panama Canal, plus so much more beyond the canal that makes Panama an ever-increasing destination of choice from travelers from across the globe.

Transfer from the International Airport to your hotel in Panama City. The rest of the day is yours to delve into Panama City at your leisure. Take some time to stroll the Old Town of Panama City. Savor flavorful local cuisine in Panama City&#8217;s restaurants. Sit for a spell and take-in the ambiance at an open air caf&#233; or enjoy some live music at one of the many bars. The options abound!

Panama City

After breakfast, your half day tour takes you to the most interesting places in the city. You will see the Casco Antiguo, the oldest sector of modern Panama City, founded in 1673, a UNESCO world heritage site. Stroll through Plaza de Francia (French Plaza) near the bayside, and see various monuments in recognition of the French effort to build a canal in Panama. Then we head to the Miraflores Locks/Panama Canal: Here you will witness the magnificent Miraflores Locks. (B)

After breakfast, transfer from Panama City to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Panama City | Gamboa

After breakfast, experience the verdant Gamboa Rainforest via Aerial Tram. Take a 20 minute ride through the rainforest and learn about the flora and fauna of this tropical paradise. Once atop of the hill, get to the 10-level spiral ramp observation tower. From here you have breathtaking views of the Chagres River, part of the Panama Canal, the Ember&#225; Indian Village, and the Town of Gamboa surrounded by abundant vegetation and sky that frames the majestic landscape. (B)

Gamboa

Transfer from Gamboa Rainforest Resort to Westin Playa Bonita. Enjoy days at leisure at this spectacular resort and its surrounding areas. Bask in the sun along Playa Bonita, just steps from the resort&#8217;s pool area. This private beach for hotel guests features lounge chairs, beach cabanas, and more. Exciting on property activities abound as well as optional excursions to further explore Miraflores Locks, the Ember&#225; Indian Village or Gamboa rainforest. (B)&#160;&#160;

Gamboa | Playa Bonita

Transfer from Gamboa Rainforest Resort to Westin Playa Bonita. Enjoy days at leisure at this spectacular resort and its surrounding areas. Bask in the sun along Playa Bonita, just steps from the resort&#8217;s pool area. This private beach for hotel guests features lounge chairs, beach cabanas, and more. Exciting on property activities abound as well as optional excursions to further explore Miraflores Locks, the Ember&#225; Indian Village or Gamboa rainforest. (B)&#10;&#10;

Playa Bonita

Transfer from Gamboa Rainforest Resort to Westin Playa Bonita. Enjoy days at leisure at this spectacular resort and its surrounding areas. Bask in the sun along Playa Bonita, just steps from the resort&#8217;s pool area. This private beach for hotel guests features lounge chairs, beach cabanas, and more. Exciting on property activities abound as well as optional excursions to further explore Miraflores Locks, the Ember&#225; Indian Village or Gamboa rainforest. (B)

Playa Bonita 

Transfer to Panama City to board your flight back home. (B)

Playa Bonita | Panama City to USA (or extend your stay)

BEYOND THE CANAL

Panama Canal's Pacific Ocean Side

Green Crowned Brilliant Hummingbird, Gamboa

Panama City with its Promenade

Gamboa Rainforest

Closeup of a Sloth

Panama City is the most beautiful &amp; cosmopolitan capital in Central America. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish, it quickly became an important center of government and church authorities, only to be destroyed in 1671 by Welsh pirate Henry Morgan, later the governor of Jamaica. Gone forever were several beautiful churches, thousands of colonial homes and hundreds of warehouses stocked with foreign goods. Panama City today has several major attractions, among which are these popular four: Panam&#225; Viejo on the eastern edge, whose scattered stone ruins cover a large area; &#8220;downtown&#8221; or the &#8220;new&#8221; city of Casco Viejo (Old Compound), re-built by the Spanish just a few miles southwest of the original site, with narrow cobblestone streets and a mix of architectural styles; the lovely residential suburbs with gracious villas, modern hotels, gardens and pools and of course, the 48 mile long Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

PANAMA CITY GETAWAY

Statue of General Tomas Herrera in Panama City

Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal

Panama City and Harbor Republic of Panama

Handmade Panama Hats at the Traditional Outdoor Market

Ruins of Old Panama

It&#8217;s likely that you have been hearing more and more about travel to Panama as it has continued increasing in popularity as a top Latin American tourist mecca known for being very welcoming to foreigners. At Central Holidays, we are thrilled to take you to experience all that Panama has to offer, from its namesake canal, endless azure seas and beaches, to its busting cities&#8230;from its aromatic coffee plantations, to its naturally profound cloud forests of Chiriqu&#237;, come enjoy magical moments in Panama that are all your own.&#160;Travel to Panama&#160;and delve into the country&#8217;s diverse areas &#8211; Panama City, San Blas Islands, plus beach and rainforest areas. Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime&#160;Panama vacation package&#160;to traverse the Panama Canal. Explore bustling Panama City from its colonial old center to its modern restaurants and caf&#233;s. Have a relaxed experience or make it as wild as you like as you enjoy all the country&#8217;s treasures on your ultimate&#160;Panama travel package&#160;with Central Holidays.

Travel to Panama to explore – from its namesake canal, endless azure seas and beaches, to its busting cities

Latin America