Panama’s Hidden Treasure

Day 1: Upon arrival into Panama City, Panama you will be met and transferred to the Canal House for overnight.  The Canal House is an intimate hotel situated in a restored turn-of-the-century mansion in the heart of Casco Antiguo, Panama City's historic district.  We cater to leisure and business travelers who desire the service and comfort of a boutique hotel, but prefer a more private, authentically Panamanian experience.   Originally built in 1893, Canal House was completely restored in 2005.  The house is over four thousand square feet, with three suites, a library and a large living-dining room.  We are located in Panama's oldest neighborhood, adjacent to the newly restored Interoceanic Canal Museum and steps from the City's best restaurants, cafes and cultural institutions. Canal House's professional, full-time staff provides guests with the highest degree of personalized service, 24-hours per day.

Day 2: Panama City & Canal Tour (half day):  Your English speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a private tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks. You will start the tour with a 30 minutes drive to the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal where you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps. You will enjoy the view on the Locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations of your guide. To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal, the entire world trade, as well as on the current expansion project. After the visit to the Canal you continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views of the Canal on one side and of the Panama City skyline on the other side. The tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial quarter. At Casco Viejo you feel set back in time as you admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. You will get a good idea about Panama’s history by driving or walking through the main attractions of this quarter.  The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city.  Overnight Canal House. 
 
Day 3: Early morning transfer to the domestic airport in Panama City for a short flight to San Blas Porvenir Island off the Caribbean coast.  The San Blas archipelago offers postcard white sand beaches, coral reef, sparkling Caribbean waters and swaying palm trees.  This province is owned by the colorful Kuna Indigenous peoples and their colorful culture is another reason to visit this area.  Upon arrival you will be met by a bilingual Kuna guide and transferred to a local village for a typical breakfast before traveling by boat to a pristine island for a morning of snorkeling and relaxation. 

After lunch on the island depart for a 1 hour boat ride to Coral Lodge for overnight.  Coral Lodge is a quintessential eco-adventure lodge set in a pristine natural habitat.  An isolated totally sustainable lodge that offers a variety of nature related adventures and a place to get away from it all.  You will enjoy a diversity of natural environments, our charming over the water bungalows, a friendly low key service and our proximity to San Blas archipelago with its beautiful unspoiled islands and cultural heritage of the Kuna Indians.  Enjoy the cool Caribbean breeze and 180° vistas from your spa bath, sitting room, hammock or sundeck. Ideally situated over the water to maximize the ocean and beach views against a backdrop of virgin rainforest, the six spacious bungalows are gracefully appointed with quality king size beds with romantic decor, ample spa baths next to the sitting room, unique furnishings and local art. All the amenities you need have been included: air conditioning, rattan and teak furniture and beautifully thatched roofs, sundecks with chaise lounge chairs. 

The over-the-water Kayuco restaurant and bar serves a variety of fresh seafood dishes and lunch menu options.  Later in the evenings enjoy cocktails and ''bocas and piqueos'' while enthralled by the magical sunsets. The Casona Bohia restaurant includes the reception, handicraft store, a reading lounge and the lodge’s main restaurant where you can enjoy romantic candle light with rattan and linen dining after sunset surrounded by tiki lanterns and Caribbean music. Compare notes and dive experiences with other guests while you enjoy a delicious diversity of local Kuna, Caribbean, Asian and Latin menu selections.

Day 4 - 6:  Free days to go snorkeling / diving, mangrove kayaking, take a river boat tour or relax on the beach.  Only 2 miles from the resort, is an extensive unexplored pristine reef known as “Baja Escribano”, an under water wilderness of un-touched corals, sponges and a variety of marine life.   In this rich, vibrant venue you can see different rays, moray eels, parrotfish, nurse sharks, mantas, barracuda, the occasional porpoise and many other colorful fish.   With twice the diversity of hard corals (68) as Costa Rica and over sixty different species of marine sponges alone, San Blas was designated as one of the ten best preserved reef areas in the world.  Included in your stay are the following guided excursions:  snorkeling, mangrove kayaking, Santa Isabel River & Village tour, sunset booze (drinks not included) and jungle trekking (dry season only).   Additional tours available at an additional cost include scuba diving, horseback riding and fishing.  Overnight Coral Lodge. 

Day 7:  This morning depart by boat for a 45 minute transfer to Miramar on the mainland of Panama.  Upon arrival you will be met for a drive back to Panama City.  Included in your return transfer to Panama City is a tour of Portobelo, Spain’s first surviving settlement on the continent. There were some earlier settlements that failed. The gold Spain took from Peru was carted over the isthmus on mules from Panama city to Portobello were it was loaded on ships heading for Spain. For obvious reason it was sacked several times by the pirates Drake and Morgan. Its well preserved fortress, customs house and black Christ are worth seeing.  After lunch continue to Panama City where you will be dropped off at the Canal House for overnight. 

Day 8:  Morning transfer to the international airport in Panama City for departure. 

INCLUDES:
-Roundtrip Panama City international airport transfers. 
-3 nights Canal House, San Pedro Miguel room.  Breakfast daily included. 
-Panama City & Canal Tour.  Includes:  transfers, guide, and entrance. 
-4 nights Coral Lodge, over the water villa.  Includes:  all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, a guided daily activity, use of kayaks and snorkeling gear, and roundtrip transportation from Panama City.  Includes:  one way Panama City domestic airport transfer, one way domestic flight Panama City / San Blas (*MAX 25 lbs luggage per person to avoid excess luggage fees) with tour of Kuna Village upon arrival and ground transfer with tour of Portobelo on way out.
-ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED. 

Price valid through October 31, 2010