Panama: Panama City and Bocas del Toro, tour including beach holiday

Breakfast at the hotel. Today includes a tour of the capital to explore the top sights of this cosmopolitan city. We'll start off at the Amador Causeway, which commands spectacular views of the city and the Panama Canal. A beautiful cityscape, with boats waiting to enter the canal and sailing under the Bridge of the Americas. The visit continues to the Miraflores Locks, where we can watch ships passing through this point of the Canal and the locks in operation. Onward journey to the Casco Viejo, the colonial old quarter of what was actually Panama's second-largest city in the past. We will return to what is today, the modern city of Panama, with its high and modern buildings, hotels and apartment blocks, banking area, restaurant area and promenade. After the tour, return to hotel and free time to continue walking through the city. Evening at your leisure. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to continue discovering the beautiful Panama City, exploring its modern and colonial streets, savouring the local cuisine or strolling around Panamá Viejo. This is the archaeological centre where the city was originally located, from its foundation in 1519 until it was moved in 1671 to its current spot. Several remains from this colonial era are still preserved in the old town.

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure to further explore the city or set off on an optional excursion inland, venturing into the rainforest until reaching the indigenous community of the Embera Indians and enjoying a fascinating canoe trip through the lush riverscape. This is a fascinating trip off the beaten track, exploring the rainforest and sharing the day with one of Panama's indigenous tribes. We can also trek through the forest and marvel at the magnificent vegetation along the river and the streams in this truly stunning area, ultimately reaching the settlement where we'll learn about century-old customs and traditions that are kept alive by the locals. This trip, although relatively short, is also a journey through time as we can see and get to know the current way of life of a tribe, almost as it existed in pre-Columbian times. Another of the interesting tours available is a ride across the country on a scenic train, skirting the Canal to reach the Atlantic coast and visit some of the colonial forts there, such as Portobelo or San Lorenzo. This fascinating country has so many wonderful excursions to offer.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer at the prearranged time to the airport for the flight to Isla Colon, part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago in the Caribbean Sea and near the border with Costa Rica. This is a jaw-droppingly beautiful archipelago made up of over sixty islands, islets and mangrove cays. Spanish colonisers first arrived here during the fourth and last voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World. From 1502 onwards, these lands were part of the Government of Veragua. In 1821, with the independence of the General Captaincy of Guatemala, the archipelago became part of this state, integrated as Costa Rican territory. However, in 1836 the neighbouring Republic of New Granada took possession of the territory and it then became part of the Department of Panama. In 1903, after the separation of Panama from Colombia, it became part of the Republic of Panama. In 1997, much of the area was assigned to the indigenous community of Ngäbe-Bugle, which stretches over the mainland and the mountainous terrain of the Cordillera Central and the Caribbean coast. Arrival at the hotel in Isla Colón. Rest of the day at leisure discovering the spectacular attractions of Bocas del Toro. The pocket-sized Bocas Town oozes a quintessentially Caribbean atmosphere, with wood-built buildings and inviting terraces where we can savour the regional or international cuisine.

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure to continue enjoying the many activities that can be experienced on and around the white sandy beaches, islands and bays of the archipelago. Bocas del Toro boasts an array of attractions and natural environments with abundant forests, coral reefs and indigenous villages, where the National Park protects the diverse flora and fauna of the various ecosystems. Must-dos include leisurely walks through the forests and along the coast, free diving around the reefs, boat trips to the cays and mangrove forests, and refreshing dips off beaches such as Boca del Drago or Playa de las Estrellas. The latter is a tiny stretch of white sand lapped by its famously calm and gin-clear waters, with a multitude of large orange starfish on the seabed, a marine species protected by Panamanian laws. Another must-see is the Bocatorito region, located to the south of Isla Cristobal and home to a labyrinth of mangrove-lined canals. This is also where we'll find Dolphin Bay, where it's common to see dolphins feeding on the rich marine life of fish and crustaceans that inhabit these waters, especially along the mangrove roots. And we mustn't forget the National Park of Isla Bastimentos, a stunning place with beaches, cays and a whole host of attractions.

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure to continue exploring these breathtaking islands. The largest and most important one is Isla Colón, which lies next to Isla Bastimentos Island, famous for its rich nature and wildlife within the Isla Bastimentos National Park. In short, a picture-postcard paradise with spectacular beaches, mangroves and coral reefs, making it an amazing spot for diving. Also well worth mentioning is the variety of seabirds and other endemic species that live here, especially in Swans Cay and Cayos Zapatilla. In nesting season, between the months of April and July, we can also admire large sea turtles laying their eggs on Playa Larga del Norte. What's more, the freshwater lagoon known as Laguna de Almirante boasts dozens of canals that snake between the islands and mangroves, flanked by ancient forests intertwined by hiking trails and pathways. As we've seen, there are many spectacular attractions, beaches, islets and islands that can be easily visited from Isla Colon. From here it's easy to hop on water taxis to explore the flora and fauna of striking places such as Popa, Carenero and Isla Cristóbal.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Bocas del Toro Airport at the prearranged time for the flight back to Panama City. Arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore this thrilling and cosmopolitan city with its attractive shopping centres, seafront promenade, colonial old quarter and modern downtown area. The city is home to all kinds of restaurants, bars, clubs and entertainment venues with a buzzing nightlife.

Breakfast. Time at leisure until the airport transfer. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.

Arrival. End of the trip and our services.