Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Panama in Focus A Road Trip From Coast to Coast
Panama – Panama City – Boquete – Bocas del Toro
Start in Panama City for an introduction to local culture, before heading north to Gamboa for a cruise down the Panama Canal. Then, with a few animal sightings ticked off your bucket lists, head for El Valle, which is cradled in the crater of an ancient volcano (don't worry, it’s inactive).
Heed the call of the coast next by journeying south to Santa Catalina, lauded as the best surf spot in Panama. Not a surfer? Not a problem, because the black sand and lapping waves are just as accommodating for toe-dippers and sunworshippers.
Bronzed and blissful, journey on to Boquete, where the coffee is so good almost no one leaves without nabbing a supply for their kitchen back home. There’s another volcano here too, which is ideal for honing your caffeine-induced buzz on a hilltop hike.
At the end of the trip, ditch the hire car and lean into the leisure of island life with a few ridiculously relaxed days on Isla Pastores, in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Sunny, sandy and serene, this is the kind of place that can have you questioning whether that flight home really has to happen...
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
The day of your Panama escape has arrived, so grab your bags and make a beeline for the airport. After munching on some complimentary nibbles in the lounge, board your indirect flight to Panama City, the country’s vibrant capital. The journey takes around 16 and a half hours, giving you plenty of time to lean back, slip on an eye mask and... relax.
Thanks to the time difference, you’ll land late this afternoon, ready to breeze through customs and meet your private driver for the transfer to your centrally located hotel. Check in for three nights and freshen up before stepping out into the heat this evening.
Your first night in Panama calls for a delightful dinner. Luckily, our local Concierge is on hand with a little black book of restaurants that are bound to bring the flavour, leaving you free to pull up a chair and tuck in.
Spend the next two days exploring Panama City. One of the most cosmopolitan capitals in Central America, this mishmash of sleek skyscrapers and colonial artefacts is a delight to discover on foot.
While you’re here, don’t miss the historic district of Casco Viejo, reminiscent of Havana. Then there’s the characterful canal area, a world-renowned feat of engineering and a must-see on any Panama City visit. Stop to admire the ships passing through the Miraflores Locks before moving on.
For a dose of retail therapy, browse the shops and markets of the Santa Ana district. Elsewhere, history buffs can duck into the Museo de Panama Viejo and its archaeological site. Quench your thirst with a drink in the bustling Plaza de Bolivar to prepare for a stroll through the Biomuseo, dedicated to the country’s natural history.
Those seeking a break from the city can also spend a day on Taboga Island, charmingly dubbed the ‘Island of Flowers’. Everything from Medieval churches to sun-kissed beaches can be found here, making it an enticing escape.
Bite into a bountiful breakfast this morning before picking up your hire car and driving 35 minutes north to Gamboa. This former base for canal employees sits on the mighty Rio Chagres at the entrance to Soberania National Park.
After arriving, hop out for a boat ride in Gatun Lake, part of the legendary Panama Canal, which plays a major role in maritime trade, as yachts and ships can pass through it to avoid circumnavigating South America. Glide along the water to observe the local wildlife that call the waterbank home, keeping your eyes peeled for robust capuchin monkeys, toucans, coatis and harpy eagles.
Well acquainted with Panama’s playful primates and bold bird species, head to your hotel in Gamboa for a night in the heart of the rainforest. After a mouth-watering meal this evening, drift off to the soothing sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife calls.
Ready for a change of scene? Pack your bags, check out and drive to El Valle this morning. Two hours and 20 minutes south, this verdant village is nestled in the crater of a volcano that’s long been inactive (phew).
This afternoon, park up and check in for a two-night stay in the centre of town. Once you’ve settled in, scope out your new surroundings, cool off in the pool and crack open a holiday read.
The rest of your time in El Valle can bend to your own curiosity. If you’re keen on another brush with Panama’s wildlife, delve into the rainforest in search of more mammals, reptiles and some 400 incredible bird species.
For a more easygoing time, simply peruse the village stores, nip to the market (if you’re here at the end of the week) or simmer in the hotel’s hot springs. Safe to say: it’s no wonder the locals flock here in droves.
Bite into breakfast backdropped by the volcano this morning to fuel up for the four-hour-and-20-minute drive to Santa Catalina, at the tip of the Veraguas Peninsula. The route winds through bright green hills and rolling countryside, making for some top-tier road trip scenery.
Pull into your next hotel this afternoon and check in for two nights by the ocean. Here, novices and seasoned surfers alike can enjoy the waves, which have made Santa Catalina an up-and-coming surf hotspot. Meanwhile, divers and snorkelling enthusiasts can head to the neighbouring islands of Coiba and Cebago, home to turquoise-blue waters and mesmerising marine life.
When you’re not on, in or under the water, you can spend your time relaxing on secluded beaches, working on your tan by the hotel pool, nursing an umbrella-topped cocktail and enjoying delicious local dishes . Arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), is a staple.
Wave goodbye to the sunny shores of Santa Catalina this morning, because today, the mountains are calling. Load up the boot and set off on the drive to Boquete, in the Chiriqui Mountains. The journey takes four hours and 30 minutes, so keep the road trip tunes fresh by checking out our destination-specific playlist en route.
This afternoon, settle in for two nights in another charming hotel, cosied up against the slopes of Volcan Baru National Park. Then, drop your bags, stretch your legs and head out in search of dinner this evening – once again, our local Concierge will be on hand with restaurant recommendations.
Rejuvenate bleary eyes with a cup of Boquete’s famously fantastic coffee this morning. Then, don your sunnies and step out to explore this jam-packed place at your own pace.
Start with a stroll through the village to find your bearings, wandering past plenty of flower stalls and more of that killer coffee – it is a local staple, after all. Then, embark on a hike up the slopes of the 11,400ft-high Baru volcano, the tallest peak in the country. Along the way, birdwatchers can be on the lookout for the emerald plumage of the resplendent quetzal (Central America’s aviary showstopper) as well as the lesser-known red-and-green macaw.
Come evening, celebrate your wild wanderings by tucking into a hearty meal and sinking into a plush stack of pillows. The final leg of your trip is just around the corner, and it’s a real treat – if we do say so ourselves.
Nurse another invigorating cup of coffee this morning before embarking on the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Almirante. Here, you’ll return your hire car and climb into a boat to cross to Isla Pastores, in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
Dock and disembark, before checking in for a three-night stay in a hotel perched between the seafront and the mountains. The rest of the day is free for you to spend slipping into the rhythm of island life, be it with a dip in the swimming pool or a pre-dinner cocktail – maybe make it two – at the bar.
The scent of salty seawater, the texture of soft sand underfoot and the warming rays of the sun on your skin characterise life in Isla Pastores. And since the Bocas del Toro archipelago has flown under the radar for many, it’s easy to make tranquillity the name of the game here.
Between stints on the beach, walks skirting the lapping waves and moments lazing in or around the pool, you can fill your time with more tropical adventures. If you’re still raring for a walk on the wild side, there’s plenty of rainforest to explore here, too, and if it’s the sea that’s calling your name, boat excursions are also possible.
At the end of it all, just be sure to indulge in a truly decadent dinner on your last night in the country. Bonus points to anyone who raises a Seco sour – Panama’s premier cocktail – while toasting to a trip well spent.
Sadly, the time has come to say adios to the plentiful delights of Panama. Eke out as much enjoyment as possible by relishing breakfast overlooking the beach this morning. Then, pack up, check out and cross back to the mainland to meet your private driver for the transfer to Panama City.
Arrive at the airport, breeze through security and board your return flight home, which transits through a US city before reaching the UK. The whole journey takes around 15 hours, so you’ll land the following day, itching to tell everyone about your sunny Central American adventure.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
PRIVATE TOUR OF PANAMA CITY
Team up with a private guide for a day of sightseeing around the capital. Start with the city’s origins at the Panama Viejo archaeological site. Then, double down on history by visiting the colonial Casco Viejo district, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After this, head to the Panama Canal to see the Miraflores Locks before visiting the Church of San Jose.EXPLORE PORTOBELLO & ISLA MAMEY
One hour and 45 minutes from Panama City, the vibrant village of Portobelo offers an Afro-Caribbean cultural mix, which you can explore by kayak or on foot. Then, tuck into a local lunch before heading to the serene setting of Isla Mamey, where you can kick back between coconut trees and white-sand beaches.DIVE OR SNORKEL IN COIBA NATIONAL PARK
The UNESCO-listed island of Coiba is surrounded by one of the most extensive coral reefs in the American Pacific. Head here with an expert guide to search for everything from white-tip sharks and rays to turtles and barracuda. Depending on the season, you might also spot whales, dolphins, tiger sharks, whale sharks and hammerhead sharks – talk about hitting the jackpot.RAFT DOWN THE RIO CHIRIQUI
Not far from the Costa Rican border, the Rio Chiriqui is considered one of the best rivers for rafting in the world. Take advantage of these renowned rapids by climbing in a raft to crash down the river, travelling between the forest-lined banks and dramatic canyons scattered along the way.ZIP LINE THROUGH THE CANOPY IN BOQUETE
Level up your adventures in Boquete (literally) by taking to the skies on a canopy-coasting zip line, soaring above the rivers and waterfalls that shape the landscape around La Amistad International Park and the famous Volcano Baru. Adrenaline rush: incoming.FOREST WALK & COFFEE PLANTATION VISIT IN BOQUETE
Leave Boquete behind to visit a coffee plantation known for exporting one of the region’s best products. Begin with a six-mile hike around the estate before delving into the surrounding forest to encounter diverse fauna and flora. Then, spend the afternoon learning about the secrets of coffee production. End the day with a tasting and some nifty tips for preparing your own winning cup of coffee back home.DOLPHIN WATCHING IN ISLA BASTIMENTOS, BOCAS DEL TORO
Add another animal encounter to your trip with a full day of dolphin watching. Accompanied by a private guide, head to Bahia de los Delfines first. Afterwards, continue to the crystal-clear waters around Cayo Coral and then onto fish-filled Cayo Zapatillas, which sits inside the (deep breath) Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park.
Why visit Panama with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Panama
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
