Epic Panama
Panama City, Boquete & Isla Palenque ItineraryDiscover the spectacular highlights of Panama on this exciting itinerary that takes in the country’s natural beauty, exotic bird and wildlife, vibrant culture, and fascinating history. Explore fabulous landscapes from dense rainforest to misty cloud forest, and idyllic beaches. Scout for Panama’s famed sloths, colourful birds, and frogs. Enjoy the buzz of cosmopolitan Panama City, and sample the exceptionally fine coffee and organic produce, before relaxing on a desert island hideaway.
Journey highlights
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Soak up the cultural delights and historic attractions of vibrant Panama City. Learn about the history and construction of the Panama Canal and enjoy a boat ride amid the rainforests of the canal’s Lake Gatun. Look out for monkeys, sloths, toucans, and turtles in their natural habitat, as well as the supersize tankers navigating this astonishing feat of engineering
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Head to the Chiriqui Highlands to the charming mountain town of Boquete watched over by the mighty Baru Volcano, for atmospheric hiking and exhilarating ziplining in the steamy cloud forest with its gushing waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, and fantastic birding opportunities. If you’re lucky you may even get to see a colourful but rare Resplendent Quetzal.
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Savour both a coffee and a farm to table dining experience in Boquete, where the mild climate and volcanic fertile soil of the highlands ensure the produce from the region’s coffee, flower, and fruit plantations is second to none.
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Indulge your desert island fantasies on the private island resort of Isla Palenque on Panama’s Pacific Coast in the marine-rich waters of the Gulf of Chiriqui, with a stay in a beachfront calista. Laze in a hammock, enjoy a host of water-based activities, learn about the pre-Columbian Indian community who once lived here or take a bird and wildlife hike, the choice is yours.
- Epic itinerary:Our Epic Journeys offer unforgettable cutting-edge hotels, experiences and restaurants with a focus on design, fashion and innovation
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
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The best time of year to visit Panama is typically from December/January to April. The rainy season runs from May to December and tropical downpours can be torrential, so always pack good waterproofs if going at this time of year. Sunshine levels are highest in the winter months from January to April, so this is considered a great time to visit.
Itinerary
Panama City
On arrival at Panama’s Tocumen International Airport, you will be met by your driver for the 30-minute journey into Panama City to your base for the following three nights, Hotel La Compan~ia. The hotel dates to 1688 and comprises three wings, with each one reflecting the evolving architecture of this handsome building over the centuries. Spanish Colonial, French Colonial and American Beaux-Arts heritage and features have all been beautifully restored to create a stunning property, which feels like residing in a living museum. Relax into La Compan~ia’s luxurious and stylish accommodation within the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo colonial district (also known as Casco Antiguo), the city’s vibrant, historic, and cultural heart.
After a chance to acclimatise, your first full day includes a private tour of one of Panama’s most popular tourist attractions, the Panama Canal. One of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the canal was first opened in 1914 and has recently been extended to allow the transit of the supersized New Panamax ships. Originally there were two locks at either end of the canal which would lift and lower the ships up and down, to and from the artificially created Lake Gatun, which forms the central section of the waterway. The recent expansion includes a third wider set of locks, and this tour takes in the Agua Clara Visitor Centre, located alongside these new locks on the Atlantic side of the canal in Colón. There are two viewing platforms to watch the huge tankers navigate the waterway, while the visitor centre provides information on the history, building and development of this incredible feat of engineering.
The area surrounding the canal’s Lake Gatun boasts dense rainforest, and is home to unique ecosystems, impressive biodiversity, and abundant bird, marine and wildlife. Following the Agua Clara visit, there’s a short wildlife hike along a nature trail accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Then after lunch, you head back into the city to learn more about Panama’s history, with a tour of UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo, brimming with colonial architecture, picturesque squares, historic churches, and fabulous museums.
The following day you’ll enjoy a memorable boat trip on the canal itself, along Lake Gatun. Not only will you get to see the huge tankers navigate the canal on this 3.5-hour tour, but your informative guide will also help you to spot bird and wildlife, such as turtles, crocodiles, toucan, monkeys, sloths and even the iguanas that live in this glorious area.
A short 1-hour flight the following day will transfer you to David for a 60-minute land transfer to Boquete.
Boquete
In the western highlands of Panama, Boquete is in Chiriqui Province and offers some of the country’s most scenic walking trails and spectacular birdwatching. The cool and humid cloud forest is home to the rare Resplendent Quetzal, hanging bridges and gushing waterfalls, while the attractive landscape is dotted with coffee, fruit, and flower plantations. For the following three nights you will be based at the Panamonte Inn & Spa, enjoying the comfortable accommodation, welcoming hospitality, gourmet cuisine, old-world charm, and delightful gardens of this boutique guesthouse.
After a good night’s sleep and hearty breakfast, you will embark on a full day tour which takes in the best of the region. Starting with a hike along the Waterfall Trail, your guide will point out the colourful bird and exotic wildlife who inhabit the cloud forest. After a picnic lunch, you’ll get to hike the famous Quetzal Trail. A beautiful hike through cloud forest, bamboo woodland and rolling pastureland cut through by burbling streams, this is another opportunity to study the country’s bird population and you may even get to see a colourful Resplendent Quetzal.
In an area known for its coffee plantations, no trip to Boquete is complete without a coffee tasting experience and the opportunity to learn more about the production process from bean to cup. Fully recharged, the last stop of the day is a chance to indulge and relax at Caldera hot springs. For the ultimate wake-up call, alternate the warmth of the springs with the cool water of the Caldera River – a refreshing and revitalising experience.
Thrill-seekers will enjoy the following day’s activity with a ziplining experience across the canopy of the rainforest offering a bird’s eye view of the bird and wildlife, soaring and leaping from tree to tree. The views also take in the impressive landscapes of Volcán Barú National Park and La Amistad International Park, with fabulous views of Baru Volcano.
Having worked up an appetite, tonight’s evening meal is at Hacienda Mamecillo, an organic and sustainable farm and coffee plantation. Here you’ll enjoy a brief tour of the greenhouse and trout pond to learn more about the farm’s eco-friendly initiatives and working practices, before enjoying a 6-course gourmet farm to table tasting menu. Created from organic farm produce, the meal is followed by the farm’s exceptionally fine coffee.
After your last breakfast in Boquete, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven 2-hours to the Boca Chica dock for a 25-minute boat trip to Isla Palenque.
Gulf of Chiriqui
Located on Panama’s Pacific Coast in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Isla Palenque is home to a luxury eco-lodge where you will be based for the following four nights. Once home to a pre-Columbian community, the island’s beauty and mystery led indigenous tribes to name it ‘Palenque’ meaning sanctuary. Today, it is a protected reserve for rare primary forest and many species of plant, flower, bird, marine, and wildlife.
This exclusive lodge fuses oceanfront luxury with rainforest living and you will stay in one of eight private beachfront casitas, just steps away from the soft white sands of Playa Palenque. Here you’ll enjoy all-inclusive five-star indoor-outdoor living, surrounded by rainforest, the sounds of the ocean and the exotic bird and wildlife. The resort offers guided complimentary tours and guests can choose from a wealth of activities and excursions depending both on personal interests and the status of the tides.
On the water, choose from kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and rock fishing. For culture and history lovers, there are tours exploring the secrets and history of the island, cookery and tropical dance classes or get out and about on a hike, birdwatching or monkey watching expedition. For fitness fans, there’s yoga, beach fitness classes and even a coastal rock cardio hike. Other more specialist activities including whale watching (June to October), sport fishing, island hopping, spa treatments and romantic shoreline dining incur an extra charge. Alternatively, you may simply wish to laze in your hammock, swim in the ocean and lounge on the glorious beaches.
After enjoying a chance to relax on your final morning you will be transferred back to David Airport for a flight back to Panama City
Panama City
Located on Panama’s Pacific Coast in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Isla Palenque is home to a luxury eco-lodge where you will be based for the following four nights. Once home to a pre-Columbian community, the island’s beauty and mystery led indigenous tribes to name it ‘Palenque’ meaning sanctuary. Today, it is a protected reserve for rare primary forest and many species of plant, flower, bird, marine, and wildlife.
This exclusive lodge fuses oceanfront luxury with rainforest living and you will stay in one of eight private beachfront casitas, just steps away from the soft white sands of Playa Palenque. Here you’ll enjoy all-inclusive five-star indoor-outdoor living, surrounded by rainforest, the sounds of the ocean and the exotic bird and wildlife. The resort offers guided complimentary tours and guests can choose from a wealth of activities and excursions depending both on personal interests and the status of the tides.
On the water, choose from kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and rock fishing. For culture and history lovers, there are tours exploring the secrets and history of the island, cookery and tropical dance classes or get out and about on a hike, birdwatching or monkey watching expedition. For fitness fans, there’s yoga, beach fitness classes and even a coastal rock cardio hike. Other more specialist activities including whale watching (June to October), sport fishing, island hopping, spa treatments and romantic shoreline dining incur an extra charge. Alternatively, you may simply wish to laze in your hammock, swim in the ocean and lounge on the glorious beaches.
After enjoying a chance to relax on your final morning you will be transferred back to David Airport for a flight back to Panama City
Call us on 020 3930 4802 to start planning your holiday.
Price Guide: ( based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | GBP £8,200 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| May 2024 | GBP £8,000 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| June 2024 | GBP £7,800 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| July 2024 | GBP £7,800 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| August 2024 | GBP £7,800 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| September 2024 | GBP £7,800 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| October 2024 | GBP £7,800 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| November 2024 | GBP £8,000 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| December 2024 | GBP £8,200 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| January 2025 | GBP £8,200 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| February 2025 | GBP £8,200 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
| March 2025 | GBP £8,200 | GBP £1,200 | plan your trip |
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April 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,200
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
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May 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,000
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
June 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £7,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
July 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £7,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
August 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £7,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
September 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £7,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
October 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £7,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
November 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,000
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
December 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,200
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
January 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,200
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
February 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,200
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
-
March 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £8,200
Deposit from*GBP £1,200
- plan your trip
Top Things to Do Nearby
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![Best of Boquete]()
View ExperiencePrivate Best of Boquete Tour
Enjoy a wonderful introduction to the charms of Boquete including a waterfall hike through spectacular cloud forest, glorious mountain landscapes, mighty Baru Volcano, the extraordinary bird, and wildlife, superb coffee, and a soak in hot natural springs.
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![Toucan]()
View ExperiencePrivate Gatun Lake Eco Adventure
Take a once-in-a-lifetime boat trip on the Panama Canal alongside the mighty ships as they navigate this incredible triumph of engineering, while enjoying the opportunity to scout for the bird, marine and wildlife of the lake and surrounding rainforest.
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![AguaClaraLocks]()
View ExperiencePrivate Panama Canal Agua Clara Visitor’s Centre & City Tour
Immerse yourself in Panama City’s major attractions on a full day tour exploring the incredible Panama Canal, one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, along with both a guided rainforest hike and tour of the capital’s UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo district.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
The best time of year to visit Panama is typically from December/January to April. The rainy season runs from May to December and tropical downpours can be torrential, so always pack good waterproofs if going at this time of year. Sunshine levels are highest in the winter months from January to April, so this is considered a great time to visit.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 020 3930 4802 to start planning your holiday.
Why Scott Dunn?
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