Paradise in Panama

Arrival in Panama. Our trip officially begins at 5pm at our hotel in Panama City. We will have group introductions, a trip orientation, and then go out for a welcome dinner. Plan on arriving by 2pm in the airport in Panama City (PTY) to take advantage of the included group shuttle at 3pm from the airport to our hotel. Panama City is quite safe and if you get here early, it’s an interesting city to walk around. Overnight Hotel in Panama City (D)

Panama is best known for the Panama Canal, so it's fitting that our first full day here should be spent learning about it. After breakfast we drive along the Panama Canal to Gamboa Public Ramp. We then continue our journey through the Canal for another hour by motorboat, before switching to 2-person expedition kayaks once we are in Gatun Lake. The lake was created by flooding the area now contained in Sobernia and Chagres National Parks, turning many mountain tops into islands and creating an amazing kayaking resource with endless channels to explore. While wildlife is never completely predictable, we are almost guaranteed to see sloths and different types of monkeys, including Capuchin (white-faces), howling, spider, and titi.

Then we'll visit the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. We'll learn how locks work and watch ships rise (or descend) over 40 feet as they transit through it. The Canal is still vital to world trade today and indeed, without it there isn't world commerce as we know it. After a hearty lunch we will embark on a walking tour of the capital. Places we may visit include: San Jose Church, the National Theater, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Old Slave Market, and Old Spanish prisons. Dinner is on your own tonight, a good chance to explore the rich cuisine in the city; there are lots of options near our hotel. (B, L)

We will catch a domestic flight to Bocas, gateway to the Caribbean. The Bocas del Toro area of northwest Panama, is a place that looks exactly like a picture postcard of paradise. Pristine white sand beaches, brilliant blue sea waters, and small islands that seem as if they were made by the hand of a talented designer all add up to immediate relaxation. The archipelago contains 68 different islands, and all of them are open for exploring, bird watching, swimming, or just enjoying as you sit on the sand and soak up the sun. Upon arrival, we will take a water taxi to our home for the next few days, a truly unique self-sustaining ecolodge. Casa Cayuco

After an organic lunch, we’ll jump on a short boat ride to two nearby uninhabited islands surrounded by coral reef. These are considered to be the best conserved coral reefs in the carribean coastline. Experience this magnificent national marine park and its sandy beaches, clear turquoise water and abundant fish activity up close while snorkeling. Be on the lookout for angelfish, groupers, parrot fish, butterfly fish, lobsters and moray eels. (B, L, D)

Start the day by getting to know the locals. Boat through dense mangroves en route to an indigenous village that is home to all of the ecolodge’s employees and their families. A tour in the Salt Creek village is one of the most exciting and important aspects of Casa Cayuco’s eco-experience. After getting to know the village we’ll hike the Caiman Trail to learn about local flora and fauna, looking for caimans, poison dart frogs, monkeys, sloths and countless birds. Spend the afternoon in the warm waters close to the lodge learning to stand-up paddle board. (B, L, D)

Today we explore the Green Acres Chocolate Farm. Hike through 30 acres of paradise while finding out how organic chocolate is made in a sustainable manner. We will walk through impeccably maintained botanical gardens with a guide, identifying the local flora and fauna, and getting the opportunity to taste various delicacies straight from the plant itself. We finish our visit with a hydrating cup of chocolate iced tea while perusing the range of chocolate products available for sale. Once we get our fill of chocolate, we will spend the afternoon snorkeling through the mangroves. We may see octopus, crabs, starfish and many varieties of fish while in this underwater garden. Keep a lookout for pods of dolphins on the boat ride back to the lodge! (B, L, D)

You can choose to start your day with self guided morning yoga (real life sun salutations outside on the balmy beach!) or stroll the coastline before breakfast. Today we take a one-hour boat ride to the remote village of Ensenada on the Peninsula of Punta Valiente. After a short hike to the windward side of the island, we will arrive at the pristine beach known as Nidori, where the surf is excellent for surfers of any skill level. Relax on the white sand beach, visit the local village, or swim among the waves. There will be plenty of time in the afternoon back at the ecolodge to relax or continue honing our stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking skills. (B, L, D)

After breakfast we will pack up our swim stuff and hike over to the gorgeous Los Pelicanos (the pelicans) beach on the eastern coast of Isla Bastimentos. Spend the afternoon lounging or paddling - you choose. Or if an adrenaline rush is more your cup of tea, spend the rest of the afternoon soaring above the rainforest canopy on a zipline! We will speedboat over to the Red Frog Beach Resort (25 minutes away) to experience 7 ziplines, a swaying sky bridge and a vertical rappel. (B, L, D)

Last chance for a snorkel and beach activities before packing up for an afternoon flight back to the capital. Sigh, our time in this sandy paradise is coming to an end. After a last delicious meal at the ecolodge, we'll boat back to Bocas and then hop on our domestic flight. Once settled back in our hotel in Panama City, we'll gather together for a farewell dinner, toasting our accomplishments, the beauty of Panama, and the fun we had together. (B, L, D)

This morning we bid a fond farewell to Panama. Fly out anytime after 12pm, with hotel to airport transportation included. (B)