Panama’s Hidden Treasure

Tour the world famous Panama Canal while staying in a unique boutique hotel in Panama City.  Transfer to San Blas, home to Kuna Indigenous peoples, snorkel the pristine reef, hike the jungles and kayak the crystal waters while staying in over the water bungalows surrounded by unspoiled islands. 

Day 1:   Upon arrival into Panama City, Panama you will be met and transferred to The Bristol, for overnight.  The Bristol is a boutique hotel with a standard of luxury and attention to detail. Set in the heart of the bustling financial center, minutes from shopping, cultural attractions and nightlife, The Bristol is a rare jewel where luxurious accommodations and sumptuous dining are blended to create uncompromising quality.   Demanding travelers will discover inviting luxury, absolute privacy and unobtrusive security at The Bristol. Each Room is elegantly decorated with custom fabrics and prints by noted Latin-American and Panamanian artists. The rooms are all equipped with an entertainment center with 29’’ Plasma TV, DVD player, CD player, fax machine, wall-to-wall marble bathrooms with separate glass-enclosed showers, sumptuous baths and luxurious personal amenities, high-speed wired and wireless internet access.

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 The Bristol Hotel. 

Day 3:   This morning you will be met and transferred 2 and ½ hours to Miramar on the Caribbean Coast.  Upon arrival you will board a boat for a 40 minute 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.  Ideally situated over the water to maximize the ocean and beach views against a backdrop of virgin rainforest, our 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…. air conditioning, rattan and teak furniture and beautifully thatched roofs, sundecks with chaise lounge chairs.   The over-the-water restaurant and bar serves a variety of fresh seafood dishes where you can take in great sunsets. The land-based restaurant offers local Kuna, Caribbean, Asian and Latin menu selections and also houses a reading lounge, pool and handicraft store. 

Day 4 – 6:   Free days to explore the San Blas Islands, go snorkeling / diving, mangrove kayaking or to relax on the beach.  Enjoy kayaking though the mangrove and coral bays, flats, inlets and canals next to the resort or join the divers on the outer reefs with a clear bottom kayak. Swim and snorkel the reefs and tidal pools or go for walks along the coral sand beach amongst swaying palm trees or hike into the tropical rainforest next to the resort.  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:  San Blas Signature Coral Lodge Tour, mangrove kayaking, monkey tour and sunset tour.   Additional tours available at an additional cost include scuba diving and fishing.  Overnight Coral Lodge. 

Day 7:    Today, depart for a boat and ground transfer about 3 and ½ hours back to Panama City to arrive at the Bristol Hotel for overnight.  The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city. 

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

INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip Panama City international airport transfers. 
• 3 nights The Bristol Hotel, deluxe room.  Breakfast daily included. 
• Panama City & Canal Tour.  Includes:  transfers, guide, and entrance. 
• 4 nights Coral Lodge, over the water villa.  Includes:  roundtrip ground & boat transfers from Panama City, all meals, beverages, one tour or spa treatment daily and use of kayaks & snorkeling gear. 
• ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED. 

Price valid through October 31, 2012