Individual tour through Panama with beaches and cloud forest - INTI Tours

Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the old town. The Central Hotel Panama, was built almost 150 years ago in the heart of Panama City overlooking the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia in Casco Antiguo (= Old Town) - UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "Casco" has been completely renovated in recent years and has become the country's centre for art, design and cultural revival. Many new bars, restaurants and hotels have opened here. The Central Hotel Panama was the first hotel in the country when it opened in 1874 and quickly became a meeting place for travellers. Among those who stayed here were the French builders of the Panama Canal including Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, but also US President Theodore Roosevelt. At the turn of the century, it was the best hotel in the country and known throughout the western hemisphere. Now it has been completely renovated with great attention to detail, preserving the original details such as the shape of the façade, the structure and the original wooden staircase. It was reopened at the end of October 2016. Let yourself be surprised by the historic luxury of the hotel!

Today you set off for a very special experience: the partial crossing of the world-famous Panama Canal. You will get to know the so-called 8th wonder of the world on a boat trip from Panama City to Gamboa. In the morning you will be driven from your hotel to the harbour at the Causeway Amador, from where you have a magnificent view of the skyline of Panama City. From there, the approx. 4-hour trip through the legendary Panama Canal starts. During this time you will pass the Miraflores Locks, Lake Miraflores, the Pedro Miguel Lock, the Gaillard Cut (narrowest point) to Lake Gatún. Enjoy lunch on board. This trip will leave a lasting impression on every traveller. From the port in Gamboa, the bus takes you back to Panama City on the Pacific coast.
> Info: The boat trip is sometimes done in the opposite direction.

In the morning, you will set off for the first sightseeing tour of this fascinating city founded in 1519. The ravishing scenery of skyscrapers, noble mansions and green hills will inspire you. First you visit the 16th century ruins of Panama Viejo (closed on Mondays), which were destroyed by the pirate Sir Henry Morgan in 1671. Then it's off along the shore to the historic old town. Today, the oldest institutions and buildings of the modern city can be found here; locally, the district is called Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo. On a walking tour you will see many unique colonial buildings, some still largely in their original state and others lovingly and colourfully restored. The historic quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has become the country's centre for art, design and cultural revival in recent years. Many new bars, rooftop terraces, restaurants and hotels have opened here. The journey then takes you to the Causeway, from where you have a magnificent view of the Panama City skyline. Finally, a visit to the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal is on the programme. Here you will get a good insight into the functioning and dimensions of the famous Panama Canal. The terrace offers a unique view of the locks and of the ships passing through the locks on their way to the Pacific or Atlantic. The Panama Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world. About 14,000 ships pass through it every year, and about six percent of world trade passes through it. In the associated museum you will learn a lot of interesting facts about the canal. End of the tour at the hotel.
> Duration: approx. 5 hours

In the morning, a driver will take you to the office of the car rental company. Afterwards, you will pick up your rental car and drive for about two hours to El Valle. On the way to El Valle you will pass the Altos de Campana National Park. Turn left off the Panamericana towards Altos de Maria until you reach a viewpoint. From here, on a clear day, you can see the sea and the headland of Punta Chame. For hiking enthusiasts, there are hiking trails about ten kilometres further on in the national park. The drive then continues to El Valle. The village is 600 metres above sea level and is ideal for nature tours. Optional activities: Sunday market, bird watching, visit to the butterfly garden "Haven", El Valle museum, the Mozas waterfalls, canopy tour, horse riding and hiking in the enchanting landscape of El Valle. 
> Daily distance approx. 124 km
> Driving time just under 2 hours

Day at leisure.

Today, drive from El Valle back to the Panamericana and continue west to Divisa. From here, turn towards the Azuero Peninsula and drive to Chitré. On the way, you can visit El Caño Park (once a sacred place where the gods were worshipped and today the only preserved pre-Columbian ceremonial site in Panama). It is also worth visiting the historic church of Natá de los Caballeros. The village is one of the oldest in the country. Of the colonial buildings, only the church, which has been declared a national monument, can be visited today. It was renovated with donations from the German Embassy and is one of the oldest on the entire continent, dating from the year the village was founded, 1520. Continue south along the peninsula to Pedasí. Your hotel is located at the entrance to Pedasí. On the way you will pass several typical villages. It is worth visiting Isla Iguana on these days. July to October is whale season. Look out for the gigantic marine mammals or book a boat tour directly on site.
Optional activities: Excursion to Isla Iguana, visit beautiful beaches, e.g. Playa Venao or Playa El Torro, to the surrounding picturesque villages, diving, snorkelling, fishing, horse riding, surfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle. Turtle egg laying tour from September to October.
> Daily distance approx. 240 km 
> Travel time 3.5 hours

Day at leisure.

Today you continue to Boca Chica. The road leads inland back to the Panamericana. In San Lorenzo, turn left and head towards the coast to a family-run boutique hotel. It is a nice starting point to explore the Gulf of Chiriquí National Park. You can reach it by a 20-minute boat ride. Excursions can be booked directly on site. 
Optional activities: Boat trips to other islands, snorkelling, fishing, horse riding, diving, kayaking, whale watching (July to October).
> Daily distance approx. 320 km
> Driving time 4 1⁄2 hours

Day at leisure.

In the course of the day, you will leave the beach and drive to Boquete. You will need about one and three quarters hours for this route. Boquete is located 1,300 metres above sea level with a very personal charm in a garden paradise! Just a few minutes from the centre of Boquete, a secluded spot is waiting to be discovered amidst a romantic and beautiful garden jewel. Thanks to the limited number of cabins, you can enjoy your privacy.Optional activities: cable car ride in the treetops (canopying), river rafting, hiking, mountain biking, suspension bridge hike, horse riding, climb of the volcano Baru (very good fitness and hiking experience are required), excursion to the coffee plantations, visit of the gardens of Boquete, massages and much more. 
> Daily distance approx. 110 km 
> Travel time 1 3/4 hours

Day at leisure.
Optional activities: Hiking, suspension bridge tour, excursions to coffee plantations or beekeeping, horse riding, bird watching tours, rafting, mountain biking, agri-culture tours, visit the flower gardens or enjoy a massage in a SPA.

In the morning, a three-hour drive from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. You drive over the mountain range "Cordillera de Talamanca" and then along the Caribbean coast and through ever-changing vegetation to Almirante. In the port town of the banana company Chiquita, you will drop off your rental car and change to a taxi boat that will take you to the island of Colón, Bocas del Toro, in 30 minutes. Bocas del Toro is a collection of numerous idyllic islands, washed by the clear, fish-rich Caribbean Sea. In the small town you will find a number of cosy bars, restaurants, souvenir stalls and shops. There is a relaxed, typically Caribbean atmosphere. From the village, you will be taken by peer boat to the Al Natural Resort. A paradise between rainforest and sea! Amidst the lush rainforest you will find the beautiful Al Natural Resort, idyllically nestled on the secluded Punta Vieja beach on Isla Bastimentos. It is an incredible place to forget everything around you! Al Natural Resort combines the traditional architectural style of the Ngobe-Bugle Indians with modern technology and comfort - a successful and elegant combination that will amaze you! The resort is ideal for those seeking an intimate place to rest and relax in a natural setting. The privacy of the guests is paramount. There are only 7 beach bungalows, each with its own unique design. Explore the vegetated surroundings, book excursions on site, join one of the diving courses on offer (please enquire in advance if interested) or relax on the wonderful sandy beach. The resort offers a balanced mix of relaxation, exciting activities and adventures. Let yourself be enchanted by this oasis of tranquillity and recharge your batteries. 
> Daily distance approx. 229 km
> Driving time 3 3⁄4 hours

Enjoy the Caribbean or book tours directly on site. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment can be rented free of charge. A wide range of versatile tours can be booked directly on site. Tours to the neighbouring Marine National Park, hikes in the misty hills of the tropical rainforest and surf trips to the best spots in Bocas del Toro are among the activities on offer. Another new feature is that Al Natural Resort is now a certified provider of the PADI diving certificate. Diving courses and trainings are therefore possible directly on site. If you are interested in this, please contact us before booking to make sure the dive school is open.

Morning at leisure. You can rent bicycles or explore other islands and beaches by water taxi. In the afternoon short transfer to the airport and return flight to Panama City. Transfer to the hotel. Located in the middle of the city's financial district, your hotel is a great starting point to immerse yourself in the lively streets and get to know the real Panama. Afterwards, you can relax in the wonderful spa, enjoy the impressive skyline from the rooftop pool, have an exclusive cocktail or trim your body in the state-of-the-art gym and then rest in one of the beautiful and relaxing rooms.

Optional excursion: Noche Panameña 
The excursion should be booked and paid for in advance. In the evening you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the old town of Casco Antiguo. In the first restaurant you will be offered a taste of the popular local starter "Ceviche" (fish marinated in lime juice). Afterwards, you will enjoy a cold drink of your choice on a rooftop terrace with a fantastic view of the beautifully renovated old town, as well as the impressive skyline of the modern city in the background - so don't forget your camera! Afterwards, you will go to a restaurant where you will get to know traditional Panamanian cuisine. Finally, drive past the glowing skyline of Panama City to your hotel (not for guests staying in the Casco Antiguo).
> Duration: approx. 3 hours

Depending on the departure time, transfer to Tocumen International Airport. You return home full of beautiful memories.