Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Panama City - Boquete - Isla Bastimentos (Bocas Del Toro)
100% customisable for you
Your family adventure to Panama begins with a flight to the capital, Panama City, via France or Amsterdam, which takes around 14 hours. When you land, we’ll whisk you away by private transfer to the central district of Bella Vista, where you’ll spend two nights in a contemporary hotel. After you’ve settled in, head up to the rooftop pool for a stunning view of the city.
Today, we’ll arrange for you to explore the Pearl Archipelago, a group of islands characterised by pristine beaches and transparent turquoise waters. Located around an hour and a half by boat from Panama City, they’re ideal for snorkelling, fishing and relaxing, not to mention whale watching if you’re travelling between July and October. Throughout the day, you’ll hop from island to island, exploring destinations like Chapera and Mogo Mogo and enjoying a delicious barbecue lunch on board.
If you’d prefer, we can also arrange for you and your family to spend the day discovering the Panama Canal with a private guide. Choose from kayaking through the caves of Lake Bayano or hiking in the jungle followed by a walk around Lake Gatún.
This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for a quick flight to David, a city in western Panama. When you land, pick up your hire car and drive for an hour until you reach Boquete, located on the slopes of Volcán Barú. This is the highest peak in the country, and its scenic surroundings are a favourite holiday spot among locals. Your home for the next three nights is a hotel in the heart of a natural park, the perfect launching pad for exploring this mountain town. This evening, enjoy a drink in the bar before dinner at the onsite restaurant, all while taking in the enviable volcanic view from the terrace.
Punctuated by numerous rapids and located on the border with Costa Rica, the Chiriquí River is famous for its rafting. Today, put your family’s adventurous spirit to the test as you tackle the rapids yourselves. With an experienced guide leading the way, take your place in your boat and gear up for an unforgettable thrill. The route is bordered by lush forests, waterfalls and incredible canyons, so keep your eyes peeled and soak up the scenery (as you get soaked yourself!).
It’s your final day in Boquete, and there’s plenty to get stuck into: take a stroll through the village to learn about local life; tackle a treetop adventure course; and adventure through the lush surroundings of the volcano, challenging the youngsters to see who can spot the mythical rainbow quetzal or the scarlet macaw first.
If you like, we can also arrange a guided activity for you and your teens. Think a sunrise hike on the Barú volcano, a birdwatching walk in the Rio Cristal nature reserve or a zipline adventure through the canopy of the cloud forest.
Today, you’ll head to Almirante on the north coast, return your hire car and board a private boat to Isla Bastimentos in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. You’ll spend your first night in a lodge in the forest, sleeping in a cabin nestled between the treetops. There may not be many people here, but you won’t be lonely – this 50-acre property is home to plenty of creatures including sloths, monkeys, frogs and toucans. This evening, tuck into fabulous fresh produce grown on the hotel’s permaculture farm for a taste of authentic Panama.
Your lodge is committed to sustainability, and this is perfectly encapsulated by the permaculture farm that provides fresh, organic ingredients for meals, all while taking care of the land. Accompanied by an expert, you’ll learn the principles of this holistic approach to agriculture and about the many varieties of tropical fruit grown here. You’ll also learn about the thousands of cocoa trees on the plantation and the secrets of chocolate making, from tree cultivation to chocolate bar production. Throughout the morning, keep your eyes peeled for the white-faced capuchin monkeys who just happen to be cocoa lovers (and who can blame them).
Afterwards, you’ll be privately transferred by boat to another lodge where you’ll stay for the next three nights. This hideaway is located on the beach beside the rainforest, accessible only by boat. The path to it is populated by monkeys, sloths, frogs and caimans, and you’ll sleep in a cabaña that’s a stone’s throw from the bar and restaurant.
Between swimming, snorkelling, boat trips and plenty of fresh seafood, you won’t be short of things to keep you and your teenagers busy during the rest of your time here. Not far from your lodge, you’ll find a small surf spot suitable for beginners, while just a half-hour walk away is a secret beach. If you like, we can also arrange for you to spend a day in Dolphin Bay.
Today, you’ll take a boat to Isla Colón airport for a short flight back to Panama City. When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your final hotel of the trip, housed in a handsome 19th-century building in the old town. If you’d like to spend your final day in Panama relaxing, there’s a spa, swimming pool and some beautiful balconies to choose from. But if you’re craving one last adventure, we can arrange for you to take a private bike tour of the Casco Viejo.
Your flight home today will be in the evening, so we’ll arrange for you to keep your room until then so you can use the pool, relax and get ready for your flight with ease. When the time comes, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport and arrive back in the UK the following day.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
