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Published: 25-10-2022
At the crossroads of two oceans and two continents, Panama is a narrow country packed with culture, tropical beaches, history, and wildlife. All you could wish for if you are looking for an adventurous holiday. Widely unexplored, Panama is a unique destination for all looking to get off the beaten path, is an incredible number of new islands you will find in the country. The San Blas Archipelago, whose beaches rank amongst the most beautiful in the world; in Bocas del Toro, you will find nine inhabited islands and around 300 tiny islets. On the Pacific coast are The Pearl Islands; you can find smaller famous islands in natural parks like the Island of Coiba, Azuero, and the magnificent Iguana Island and Cañas Island, which we visit on this extension package from Panama City.
Isla Iguana
Miraflores Locks
As one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the canal is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Panama. You won’t find anything else like it anywhere else in the world, which is part of what makes it so unique. The best place to watch ships pass through the locks is at the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center in Panama City. On the Atlantic end of the Canal, Agua Clara Locks offers two covered viewing platforms, from which you can observe ships in two locks (Agua Clara and Gatun). In the afternoon, head to Casco Viejo, a World Heritage Site which preserves the beautiful buildings of the “Old Quarter” and it is one of the top tourist attractions in Panama City. Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe and is the historic district of Panama City. Completed and settled in 1673, it was built following the near-total destruction of the original Panamá city, Panamá Viejo, in 1671 when pirates attacked the latter. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Miraflores Locks
Embera Qera community
Panamanian culture is inherently tied to its indigenous communities. The Embera people, who comprise more than 30,000 in Panama, were traditionally rainforest dwellers who lived in settlements along the Chagres River. On this particular visit to their native community, you will learn more about the native Emberá, including their traditional food, language, ceremonial dance and music, crafts, and way of life, on a guided tour of their riverfront villages.
Embera Qera Community
Chitre
Abuelo Rum has been made on The San Isidro Farm since 1956, and Seco Herrerano, Panama’s Signature alcoholic beverage, has been there since 1936. Learn all about the distillery, the aging process, and the production of the finest rums in the world. Then after the tour, sample these delicious rums, which are unique in the world. We tried each of the many fine products they produce. The guides will explain the company's history, the processes used, and the flavors of each drink. The town of Pesé, where the factory is located, is a 4-hour drive from Panama City, on the Azuero Peninsula near Chitre, a stunning region of the country and a must for anyone who wants to experience the interior fabric of Panama and in the process have a blast, tasting and learning about one of the finest rums in the world.
Abuelo Rum
Isla Iguana
Isla Iguana is one of the most hidden and forgotten gems on the Panama Traveler trail. The Island is so unknown to tourists that if you go during the week, you can enjoy the luxury of having an entire Island to yourself! Isla Iguana is perfect for anything snorkel related in the crystal-clear ocean surrounding it. Find dozens of different types of fish, and feel the incredibly soft sand between your toes. Off the coast, there are coral reefs inhabited by many different species of fish. If you feel like being more active, you can take a walk over to the other side of the Island and discover the second beach. It´s a short walk and offers a different perspective of the other side of the Island. As the name suggests, one of the Island's highlights is the many Iguanas calling the main beach their home. They are completely harmless but very curious for sure. If you nap, you might wake up with a new neighbor next to you!
Iguana Island
Isla Cañas
Isla Cañas is one of a handful of places where Olive Ridley sea turtles nest in high numbers (the others are two beaches on the Pacific side of Costa Rica and two in Orissa on the Bay of Bengal in India). Endangered species, including the hawksbill, loggerhead sea, leatherback, and green turtle, nest here too. The turtles nest from July through early November, though peak months are usually September and October. Located 350 km from Panama City, Isla Cañas is one of the most famous beaches in the world, and this 13km-long beach is untouched by humans, making it the perfect destination for the turtles and us visitors! During this remote eco-tour, you will witness turtles laying their eggs in a very remote setting while learning about local conservational efforts to save these delicate species.
Isla Cañas
Book your Isla Iguana Extension with Va Expeditions here
