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It is a scene that is repeated over and over, as 14,000 ships traverse the Panama Canal each year. Yet it is somehow always fascinating to see the working of one of mankind's greatest engineering feats: the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Panama Canal. Tourists will find excellent facilities in Panama for observing and learning about the Canal.
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| ESSENCE OF THE AREA |
| The great Panama Canal is a must. The lock-and-lake waterway remains one of mankind's greatest endeavors and is an engineering marvel. At times, a ship will squeeze through the locks with less than a meter to spare on each side. It is a sight you will never forget. You can do the partial canal crossing every Saturday of the month, except those Saturdays when the full day crossing takes place. The physical areas of the Canal are: Gatun Lake, where Barro Colorado Island is located in the middle of the lake, Galliard Cut, the Locks, Balboa & Cristobal and Gamboa. |
| RECOMMENDED STAY |
| 2 or 3 nights |
| RECOMMENDED SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES |
CITY TOUR & CANAL
(3.5 hrs. Daily from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Depart from your hotel. The first stop of this very historical tour is at the ruins of "Panama Viejo," the first city founded in the isthmus by the Spanish and subsequently sacked by Pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. Detour through Altos Del Golf, a fancy residential neighborhood. Afterwards, we visit Casco Antiguo, the colonial city of Panama, built in 1673. The architecture of this area is of exquisite taste including French, Italian and Spanish styles. Next, visit the Independence Plaza and the new Inter-oceanic Canal Museum where you will learn the history of the Panama Canal construction. You can also visit the Presidential Palace, Bolivar Plaza, the National Theater and French Plaza offering a beautiful view of the city. Next, you travel to the Amador Causeway that unites 3 islands and is the entrance to the Panama Canal. Last but not least we will stop at Miraflores Locks where you can experience the operation of the Panama Canal and enjoy the audiovisual presentation that describes this engineering wonder.
Old City Street
Panama Canal Museum
PIPELINE ROAD (SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK) & CANAL
(Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 5 to 6 hrs. Box Lunch included)
This tour is perfect for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike. Pipeline Road is within Soberania National Park and belonging to the Panama Canal Watershed. These forests are home to 385 species of birds, a paradise for bird watchers. Pipeline Road is also used for scientific research of the plants, insects, reptiles and mammals that can be found in this protected area. On your walk along Pipeline Road, our naturalist guide will instruct you on different secrets of this Rain Forest. Enjoy a picnic lunch in these beautiful surroundings. On the way back, you make a stop at the Miraflores Locks to watch the Panama Canal Commission Audiovisual and see how large the vessels that transit the locks of the Panama Canal really are.
BARRO COLORADO
(8 Hrs approx., M, T, W, S, S, departures at 6:30 a.m. min 2)
Depart from your hotel to Gamboa. This is considered to be one of the best nature tours offered in Panama due to the ecological richness of the area and the short distance between this nature paradise and Modern Panama City. Barro Colorado Island (BCI) is located in the center of Gatun Lake. Originally this was a mountain that became an island when the basin of the Chagres River was flooded during the construction of the Panama Canal. It was in 1923 when this area was declared a Biological Reserve and in 1943 the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute established its laboratories for Neotropical Research. With a specialized nature tour guide navigate in the Panama Canal and experience the big ships transiting the waterway. Once in BCI, explore its coves to look for monkeys, sloth, and other mammals. The avian life is outstanding. Admire countless species of tropical birds in their natural habitat. On the island, enjoy a nature walk where the tour guide will provide explanatory talks on the flora and fauna of the area. Picnic lunch is included. In the afternoon transfer back to Panama City hotel.
Barro Colorado Island
CHOCOE INDIANS & RAINFOREST TOUR
(8 hours approx.) Tuesday & Friday
This interesting tour departs at 8:30AM. It is a beautiful tour where you will appreciate the Tropical Rainforest during a light hike for about 30 minutes. Then we will take the boat across the Lake and the Chagres River. There we will meet the passionate Chocoe-Embera Indian village, and know their indigenous culture and traditions. We will lunch in their typical Indian huts; it will be an unforgettable experience. Return at 4:30PM.
Recommendations: You should wear short pants, sneakers, T-shirt, cap or hat, sunblock and insect repellent.
Chocoe boy
EL VALLE INDIAN MARKET
8 Hours (Sunday departures only)
Depart your hotel for El Valle de Anton that is the center of a crater of a dormant volcano, probably the largest in Central America. This valley rises 600 meters above sea level with breath taking views and a cool and pleasant climate. Upon arrival, visit the picturesque Indian Market where native handicrafts are sold. Visit El Chorro Macho Waterfall, see the ancient petroglyphs. Afterwards we visit Nispero Gardens and Zoo (keep your eyes open for the famous golden frogs). Lunch at the Rincon Vallero Mountain Lodge and Restaurant. Return to Panama City.
Recommendations: short pants, sneakers, sun block lotion, hat with brim, camera
Indian Market
Chorro Macho Waterfall
EL VALLE DE ANTON CANOPY TOUR
8 Hours (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday)
An experience that used to be limited to photographers and scientists alone, you can explore the spectacular Rain Forest canopy using special harnesses. Begin this extraordinary adventure at El Chorro Del Macho Waterfall in El Valle de Anton where you begin your hike up to the steel-cable system distributed along the canopy of the forest. You travel safely from tree to tree, descending the mountain where El Macho Waterfalls starts. This expedition can be organized from Panama City or taken as an optional of El Valle Indian Market Tour.
Recommendations: long pants, hiking boots or sneakers, insect repellent, hat, dry clothes in case of rain.
THE HISTORIC FORTS OF PORTOBELLO
(Friday, Tuesday, Thursday, 7:00 a.m.)
Portobello was the end of the "Camino Real," a path starting in the Old Panama that the Spaniards used to traffic cargo between the oceans. There, the old Spanish galleons unloaded the treasure to be transferred across the Isthmus and loaded on the vessels waiting in Portobelo, to then be transferred to the Old World. You will encounter history. The Spanish built forts for protection against pirates and buccaneers, nevertheless, the town was sacked and destroyed by the famous Buccaneer Sr. Francis Drake. He was subsequently killed and his remains are in a lead coffin at the bottom of the ocean in the bay of Portobelo. You depart Panama, early in the morning heading towards the Atlantic coast through a portion of the old "Camino Real." Once in Portobelo, we will visit the Black Christ Church, the historic Customs House and the forts of the area. Enjoy a Caribbean style seafood lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Bay of Portobelo. Return to Panama City.
Recommendations: long or short pants, sneakers, sun block lotion, hat with brim, camera.
Portobello Ruins
METROPOLITAN NATURAL PARK
(6:30 a.m., daily ,4 Hours)
The most accessible rainforest of the country is in the Metropolitan National Park (MNP) located only 15 minutes from downtown Panama City. It is one of the tropical forests inside a major urban center in Latin America. This Park is also part of the inter-oceanic biological corridor formed by several protected areas stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic. At the MNP you will be able to see trees that characterized the dry lowland pacific forest, an ecosystem almost extinct in the region. The MNP harbors both the two and three toed-sloth and more than 200 bird species. The MNP offers visitors: four trails, a biking trail (you must be in shape for this one), Cedar Hill (with a breathtaking view of Panama City and Canal), library and souvenir shop. |
| MUST SEE |
| The following activities can be undertaken from Panama or Gamboa Rainforest Resort: the Panama Canal, Barro Colorado Island, Gatun Lake Wildlife Observation Tour, this is a moderate difficult tour, an adventure of sight and sound. Pipeline Road Bird Watching Tour, Chunga-Chagres Trail and boat ride, Gamboa Aerial Tram, Following Las Cruces Trail, Barro Colorado Natural Monument, El Valle de Anton.
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