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Across Panama Self-drive

Self Drive Adventures Panama

14 DAYS

A relaxing adventure exploring by car the wonders of Panama. The first days are devoted to the incredible beaches of the Caribbean Bocas del Toro. In David, you will receive your rental car to start your journey on 4-wheels. Go to the highlands of Boquete in search of wildlife and outdoor adventures, then stop at the Gulf of Chiriqui for some sunny, peaceful days. Your next destination is the cultural area of Chitré ending in Panama City.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Panama and transfer to Hotel

On your arrival at the airport in Panama City (PTY), our driver will welcome you and will transfer you to your hotel. Transfer time 30m approx.~ Overnight at Hotel Tryp Panama Centro 3* for one night – 1 Standard room. Meals: None

Day 2: Flight to Bocas del Toro

This morning, we will transfer you to a domestic Airport to take a local flight to the Caribbean Bocas del Toro. On arrival at the airport in Bocas, you will be met and will be transferred to the office of Al Natural Resort. They will transfer you to the resort with a 30-45 minutes’ boat. Overnight at Al Natural Resort 3* for three nights – 1 One-bedroom Loft. Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: At leisure at Bastimento Island, Bocas del Toro

Day at leisure in this beautiful beach resort. Enjoy the blue turquoise waters of the Island and relax yourself at the beautiful beach. The use of kayaks and snorkelling equipment is included in rates. Optional activities can be included on request. Please enquire for information and rates! Overnight at Al Natural Resort 3* – 1 One-bedroom Loft. Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: At leisure at Bastimento Island, Bocas del Toro

Day at leisure in this beautiful beach resort. Enjoy the blue turquoise waters of the Island and relax yourself at the beautiful beach. The use of kayaks and snorkelling equipment is included in rates. Optional activities can be included on request. Please enquire for information and rates! Overnight at Al Natural Resort 3* – 1 One-bedroom Loft. Meals: B, L, D

Day 5: Boat to Isla Colon and Almirante Port – Transfer to Boquete

This morning, leave the resort and by boat reach Isla Colon. Upon arrival, you will board a taxi boat with that will take you about 30 minutes to Almirante port. Seats are pre-booked, and you must pay on-site between U$ 6-7 pp. We will meet you at the port and drive you through the mountains of Cordillera de Talamanca and along the Caribbean coast to Boquete. Transfer time Almirante to Boquete: 3.5 hours approx. Overnight at Hotel Riverside Inn 3* for three nights – 1 Jr. Suite Meals: B

Day 6: Transfer to David to pick up rental car

This morning begins your self-drive adventure! We will meet you at your hotel and take you to David to meet a representative of the rental car for pick up your car and rental formalities. Upon receiving your vehicle, you may drive back to Boquete to visit the surroundings or pre-book in advance an optional excursion. Please enquiry for more information. Overnight at Hotel Riverside Inn 3* – 1 Jr. Suite Meals: B

Day 7: Zip line adventure and Hanging Bridges

This morning drive to a mountain resort to enjoy two exciting adventures. First, glide through the treetops of century-old forests, high above the pristine rivers and waterfalls that make up the incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering the National Park La Amistad and the famous Baru volcano in this fun tour. The zipline has a length of 2 miles (3 km.) and it is divided into 12 cables and 14 platforms built in the middle of the cloud forest. With 3 kilometers in total length divided into 12 different zip line cables, you will glide through trees to encounter canopy flora and wildlife. A “adrenaline rush” experience! Duration: 4 hours approx. ~ Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Later, enjoy a unique opportunity to enjoy an elevated perspective of the biodiversity of Panama’s tropical cloud forest. You will go on a circuit of 6 suspension bridges covering a 4.5 km route through the treetops. The Bridges tour takes place within the private forest reserve, Rio Cristal, located in the Talamanca Mountain Range bordering La Amistad International Park (P.I.L.A.). You will be accompanied by a local guide who will help you know the lush flora and fauna of these protected forests. The suspension bridges range from 70 to 135 meters long and reach heights up to 75 meters above the ground. You will also go along 6 walking trails that measure from 185m to 1.5 km, reaching altitudes ranging from 1.660 to 1.827 m.s.n.m. The trails are of medium difficulty and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours approx. ~ Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Overnight at Hotel Riverside Inn 3* – 1 Jr. Suite Meals: B

Day 8: Drive to Boca Chica

Today leave the highlands of Boquete and drive to Boca Chica, a small fishing village close to the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, which is made of little islands with beautiful, lonely beaches. Driving time: 1.5 hours approx. Overnight at Hotel Bocas del Mar 4* for two nights - 1 Ocean facing deluxe bungalow. Meals: B

Day 9: Self-guided Kayak Adventure

Paddle off into the calm, warm tropical waters at the shores of Boca Chica with the hotel’s own leisure kayaks. This is a self-guided adventure where you can land on local beaches and explore the shoreline and mangroves –at your own pace and time. Single and double kayaks available. Use of kayaks up to 4 hours. Overnight at Hotel Bocas del Mar 4* - 1 Ocean facing deluxe bungalow. Meals: B

Day 10: Drive to Chitré

Today, reach another yet great destination: Chitré, located about 7 km inland from the Gulf of Panama on the Azuero Peninsula. The name Chitré comes from the native tribe Chitra and has a vibrant Azuero culture and a history of its own, with a sprinkling of places that visitors will find attractive. Driving time: 3.5 hours approx. Overnight at Hotel Cubitá Resort & Spa 3* for two nights – 1 Standard room. Meals: B

Day 11: Abuelo Rum Tour

On this tour, we will take you to visit Pesé located in the heart of the Herrera province and home to Hacienda San Isidro, where the best rum in Panama is produced: Ron Abuelo. After a brief introduction in a colonial house, you will travel in an ox cart through the cane fields to the Hacienda. You will visit the distillery to learn about the different steps to produce alcohol from sugar cane: Grinding, fermentation, and distillation. Then you will visit the warehouse where the rum ages in oak barrels. Now it’s time to try the different rums produced at the Hacienda San Isidro: You will taste the 5-year-old, 7 year and 12-year Rum Abuelo Añejo; and the special collection of three 15 year rums and the Abuelo Centuria Ron- a special rum of 30 years. After the tasting, you will enjoy a traditional Panamanian lunch and an open bar of cocktails to end the experience. Duration: 5-6 hours approx. ~ Difficulty: Easy The afternoon is at leisure. You may visit the surrounding beaches and picturesque villages. Overnight at Hotel Cubitá Resort & Spa 3* – 1 Standard room. Meals: B

Day 12: Drive to Panama City and drop off rental car

Leave today Chitré and drive back to Panama City where you return your rental car in the late afternoon. Along the way, we suggest stopping at the El Caño park (once a holy place where gods where worshipped, today the only preserved precolumbian ceremonial site Panama’s) and seeing the historical church of Nata de los Caballeros is also worth a visit. The town is one of the oldest in the country! Driving time: 3.5 hours approx. Overnight at Hotel Tryp Panama Centro 3* for two nights – 1 Standard room. Meals: B

Day 13: Panama City Tour & Miraflores Locks

This morning, meet your guide and start your sightseeing expedition of Panamas amazing capital which was founded in 1519. The captivating backdrop of skyscrapers, noble mansions and green hills will surely fascinate you. The tour begins with a trip to the old town Casco Antiguo. Here you find some of the oldest architecture and buildings of the modern city. The area is known as Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo. During the tour you will see many unique colonial buildings. Some of those are still largely original and others are nicely and colorfully restored. The historic Casco Antiguo is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become the center of art, design and cultural development. Many new bars, roof top terraces, restaurants and hotels have opened here. Later on, a drive down the Causeway will surprise you with an amazing view of the Panama City skyline before taking you to the Miraflores Locks. Here you will gain a first insight into the inner workings and dimensions of the famous Panama Canal. The viewers terrace offers a unique view of the locks and the ships a through the locks on their way to the Pacific or Atlantic. The Panama Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world. Each year around 14,000 ships are transiting, that is about six percent of the worlds trade. In its museum you will learn many interesting facts about the Canal. Duration: 4-5 hours approx. ~ Difficulty: Easy Overnight at Hotel Tryp Panama Centro 3* – 1 Standard room. Meals: B

Day 14: Transfer to Tocumen Airport

Depending on your flight schedule, our driver will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and will transfer you to the international airport Tocumen to take your flight back home. Transfer time 30 minutes approx.~ Come back soon to enchanting Panama!

Across Panama Self-drive

  • From:

included:

  • Lodging at mentioned hotels or similar.
  • Rent a car with mandatory insurance and sales taxes from day 6 to day 12.
  • Domestic flight Panama City to Bocas del Toro.
  • Door to door transportation as per itinerary on day 1, 2, 5 and 14.
  • Tours and activities as per itinerary (shared in small groups) on days 7, 11 and 13 with bilingual local guide.
  • Lunch on day 4.
  • All meals in Al Natural Resort.
  • Local taxes.

Not Included:

  • International airfare.
  • Gas.
  • Parking lot.
  • Additional meals.
  • Passenger taxes at borders/airports.
  • Activities suggested.
  • Discretional tips.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Travel Insurance.

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