Costa Rica Tours, Ltd.

PANAMA WITH CANAL TRANSIT
January 12-17, 2011

Can Be Combined With Costa Rica Variety Tour

 Contact Us for a Private Tour on Dates of Your Choice

Tour Highlights: 

• Full-time Panamanian Guide and U.S. Escort

• Daytime full ocean-to-ocean transit of the Panama Canal

• Panama Canal Railway ride with views of the rainforest and the heart of the canal

• Visit to the historic colonial Spanish port and fortress in Portobelo

• City Tour of old and new Panama City, Miraflores Locks and  the former U.S. Canal Zone

• Typical Panamanian dinner and folk-dance show

• Full-day visit to Embera Indian Village in the rainforest

See Tour Preview Video!

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival and orientation session and dinner in Panama

Day 2:  Train Ride & Historic Portobelo

Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you travel by train along the Panama Canal Railway. Recreate the experience of the '49ers who crossed Panama during the California Gold Rush while enjoying the view of the rainforest and the heart of the canal. Upon your arrival in Colon City you will be transferred to Portobelo, the site of the 17th-19th century Spanish colonial port and fortress. You will learn of the recurring pirate attacks and of Panama's importance in the Colonial era. Before your return to Panama City you will have lunch at a typical restaurant and visit a famous local church, home of the Black Christ. In the evening you'll enjoy a dinner and folk dance show at Las Tinajas Restaurant in Panama City. 

Day 3: Panama City Tour

You will have a full-day tour of historic Panama City.  You begin the day by visiting the Visitor Center and the 16th century ruins of Old Panama (Panama La Vieja).  Next, you visit Colonial Panama (Casco Viejo), stopping at the San Jose Church to see its gold-altar and to have lunch at Manolo Caracol Restaurant.  Afterwards, you continue on to the former U.S. Canal Zone for a visit to the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center.

Day 4: Panama Canal Transit
  
Today is your full ocean-to-ocean transit through the Panama Canal. Your eight-hour transit will take you through three sets of locks, the Gaillard Cut and Gatun Lake.  You will be able to appreciate Panama City's soaring skyline and have a spectacular view of the Bridge of the Americas as you pass beneath. Your 90-minute return to Panama City is on a motor coach. Your transit on a small ship provides the opportunity to appreciate the enormity of the locks and to experience the process of the filling of the chambers and the rising of your ship. 

Day 5: Visit an Embera Village which 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 and visit the nearby herbal garden where your guide shows you plants from which many known pharmaceuticals are made.
  
In the evening passengers enjoy a farewell dinner at a popular restaurant on the Amador causeway.

Day 6: Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for your return home, or continue on to Costa Rica for our Variety Tour.  Alternatively, you may extend your Panama vacation with a stay at a five-star beach resort on the Pacific Coast, or at a five-star rainforest resort in Gamboa. 

Passenger Comments

"I expected Panama to be good and it was great, and I expected Costa Rica to be great and it was fantastic! The trip exceeded my expectations. I think you took the best of the countries and put it together in one combo tour!"    Linda R, (IL)

"Your tour was exactly what I was looking for.  It was a terrific trip.  I  have had no problem speaking highly about the schedule, the people, and the opportunity to be pioneers in Panama before the world finds out what a great place it is."  Jerry G, retired educator (CA).  Read Jerry's full account in International Travel News.

 "My guide's expert, highly instructive guidance of the Panama Canal was the reason I made the trip. He was absolutely THE BEST.  Thank you for your expert preparation for it.  Everything went perfectly."  Jack E, retired (NY).

Land Tour Cost: $1795 per person in double occupancy ($1995, single). Includes 11 meals, all activities in the itinerary, hotel lodging and lodging taxes, airport transfers, ground transportation by air-conditioned motor coach, a full-time Panamanian bilingual guide, driver, and U.S. Tour Escort.