Paradise in Panama

Welcome to Panama! Plan to arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) by 12PM for the 1PM group shuttle to the hotel. (If you would like to fly in a day early, we have a block of pre-trip rooms reserved.) Panama City is a literal and cultural global connection point and we start our adventure with a walking tour of the historical part of the city. Casco Antiguo is a Unesco World Heritage Site, full of amazing architecture, vibrant plazas, colonial churches and fascinating history. After our tour we'll sit down to our first delicious group meal together. (D)

Overnight: Radisson Hotel Panama Canal or similar

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 a short distance to the town of Gamboa, the geographic center of the Panama Canal to start our kayaking adventure on Lake Gatun. 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. At its time, Lake Gatun was the largest manmade lake in the world, designed to feed the locks of the Panama Canal for the large vessels traveling through. The ships aren't the only interesting thing to see here though. The islands and shoreline of the lake are teeming with wildlife; we may see monkeys (including Capuchin (white-faces), howling, spider, and titi), sloths, and toucans among other animals. In the afternoon we'll visit the Miraflores Locks to learn more about the intricate workings of the Panama Canal. We'll see how the 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. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Radisson Hotel Panama Canal or similar

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 practice snorkeling near the eco lodge. If time and weather allow, 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)

Overnight: Casa Cayuco

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)

Overnight: Casa Cayuco

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)

Overnight: Casa Cayuco

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 waves are excellent for boogie boarding, body surfing or just playing. 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)

Overnight: Casa Cayuco

Today is our last full day at Casa Cayuco and we'll spend our time meeting some of the nocturnal creatures that inhabit this area. This tour is not for the faint of heart as it involves spelunking, or cave exploration. You may be wading through water up to your waist (depends on your height!) and climbing up and over boulders, all while lighting your way with a headlamp under your helmet. You'll be accompanied by your AGC guide and a local team of guides the whole way.

For those who prefer not to spelunk, there is a leisurely walk to La Punta through the jungle with our Casa Cayuco guide or you are welcome to play in the calm waters in front of the lodge. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Casa Cayuco

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)

Overnight: Bristol Hotel or similar

This morning we bid a fond farewell to Panama. Fly out anytime after 12pm, with one group shuttle included at 9:30AM. (B)