PANAMA WITH CANAL TRANSIT TOUR

 Available as a private-guided tour throughout the year 
Can be combined throughout the year with any tour in Costa Rica

Day 1: Upon arrival in Panama, you are transferred to an historic hotel in the  former U.S. Canal Zone on the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal.

Day 2: You begin your day touring the new museum and the 16th century ruins of Old Panama (Panama La Vieja).  Afterwards, you visit Colonial Panama (Casco Viejo), stopping at the Panama Canal Museum and the San Jose Church to see its gold-altar.  During the day you have an opportunity to purchase indigenous handicrafts of high quality. In the photo, one of our passengers is learning about molas (appliquéd textiles) made by the Kunas of the San Blas Islands. In the evening, you  will enjoy a typical Panamanian dinner and folk dance show.

Day 3: Today is your transit through the Panama Canal. You can choose a full-transit, ocean-to-ocean of 8 hours, or a partial transit of 4 hours. You return to Panama City by motorcoach.

Day 4: Select one option 

Option 1: Visit to an Embera Village 
The Embera Village is like a scene from National Geographic. Situated on the banks of the Chagres River in the heart of a tropical rainforest, the village is reached only by sturdy canoes (with motors). You meet the gentle Embera villagers, learn about their culture, and see their ceremonial dances. You can purchase woven baskets and carved tagua nut figurines of jungle wildlife made from the hard seed of the village palm trees. You can walk in the rainforest or visit the nearby herbal garden where your guide shows you plants from which many known pharmaceuticals are made.

Option 2: Visit to El Valle de Anton
El Valle de Anton, a town located in the crater of one of the world's largest extinct volcanoes, is 75 miles from Panama City.  The drive takes about two hours through beautiful scenic mountains of rural Panama. At the Sunday market you can buy straw baskets,  painted hand-carved trays and appliquéd textiles made by the Ngobe Bugle (Guaymi) and Kuna vendors. You will visit El Nispero Botanical Gardens and zoo where you will see unusual tropical fauna and flora.

Day 5: Goodbye to Panama and your action-packed visit to this land of contrasts. Transfer to the airport for your return to the U.S. If you wish to extend your trip, we can arrange a stay for you at the five-star Gamboa Rainforest Resort or at  the all-inclusive Royal Decameron on the Pacific Ocean. 

 
                    See video preview of this tour

Panama with Canal Transit Tour: $1449 per person in double occupancy (add $250 for single occupancy). Tour cost includes four nights hotel, airport transfers and airport tips, eight meals, ground transportation and itinerary activities, including the Panama Canal transit, private guide and driver, and U.S. Escort (January 2009 only).  

COMMENTS FROM OUR PANAMA TOUR PASSENGERS . . .

"Thank you for the great service you gave us.  It was 1st Class." Ralph Cote' , CWO, USCG Retired.

"Because of the smaller size of our ship, our view of the Canal was far superior to that of the tourists on the cruise ship in the next chamber. I suspect they could not see the locks, certainly not the workings of the canal that we saw. Being an engineer, I was pleased that I got a close-up look. We enjoyed the tour and the congeniality of the tour group. It was exactly how we wished to see the Panama Canal." Ralph Bostian, retired engineer

"For 25 years I have wanted to transit the Panama Canal. I was delighted to find Costa Rica Tours, Ltd. which offered a way without having to spend a lot of time on a cruise. But, I did not expect to find our trip to the indigenous Embera village in a rainforest a strong tie with the Canal as the highlight of the trip." James "Rick" Brown, Jr., business owner

"Going through the Panama Canal and viewing its construction was the highlight of the trip! We also 'constructed' memories of the pristine scenery, knowledge about Panama's cities and countryside, an understanding of a Native American culture vastly different from our own, and a bond of friendship within the group because of this wonderful experience." Pat Brooks, fifth-grade teacher

"The Panama trip provided first-rate guides, accommodations, and events. I was thrilled to explore the history, culture and places that were so rich and vibrant. The tour was a marvelous experience." Brian Kridler, Social Science Chair, private high school

"The trip quickly became far more than a tour. By the time we checked into the hotel in Panama City, Sandra had already transformed us into friends. Right then I knew that the trip was going to exceed my expectations for fun and adventure. There was never a dull moment." Phyllis Van, computer specialist

"The trip to Panama and Costa Rica was much more than I expected.  Everyday was a new and exciting adventure.  The scenery was beyond beautiful; the people were gracious; and the food was delicious.  This trip was also very educational and it is a vacation to do again."  Ginny Davis, salesperson 

"Our guide throughout the tour spoke really good English, was knowledgable on subjects ranging from history to bird identification, was very friendly and personable, and in short was a pleasure to be with. We enjoyed the transit through the Panama Canal very much, both because it was interesting and scenic and because we met so many other friendly passengers!  This was a very enjoyable break for us. Thank you for making the planning so easy and suggesting such interesting activities - after all, we only knew we wanted to see the canal!" Chris and Barry Dunning, University Instructors

Why Panama (PDF)
 

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Costa Rica Tours, Ltd.
info@costaricatoursltd.com
704.541.8680