Panama, Azuero, San Blas Islands

After breakfast in the hotel, we will head to Panama Vieja's ruins, on the edge of the city, dating back to the 17th century. We will then head off to visit the famous Panama Canal, an incredible feat of engineering, one of the greatest and most expensive in history. We will stop at the Visitor’s Centre of the Miraflores Locks, where we can appreciate the ships sailing along the canal. We will head to the Amador Causeway, offering one of the city’s most impressive panoramic views of the canal. We will then stop off at the Mercado de Abasto market, which is the city’s largest fruit and vegetable market and where the countries best products arrive. We will then enjoy lunch in a typical restaurant of the seafood market, where of course, the menu is the catch of the day. We will then head to the Old Quarter of Panama City, the UNESCO World Heritage site of San Felipe. In the evening, we will head out on an alternative tour run by a group of former gangsters from the Ciudad de Dios (City of God) gang. They relate their stories during a walk around the streets of the historic centre, starting at the Plaza Herrera, in front of the luxurious American Trade Hotel. Previously this hotel was a base for this criminal group and from where gangsters used to monitor tourists to rob them later. They will tell you anecdotes from the previous violent years while describing important buildings and walking over forgotten footways that have not been restructured between 9th Street and 13th Street. The walk ends on 11th Street, renamed as Fortaleza Alley, a dead-end street where the criminal group used to escape from the police.

Today, we will head to the domestic airport for a flight to Chitre.  On arrival, we will head to the Cubita Boutique Resort & Spa. 

After lunch, we will visit the San Isidro Farm, where Panama’s best rum is produced - Ron Abuelo. We will first visit the colonial house belonging to the distillery’s founder, Mr José Varela. We will continue through the plantations to the farms' mill. We will see the different stages of the rum production process, from the juice extraction, its fermentation to its distillation. We will then see the rum maturing process, which is done in small oak casks until it reaches different grades. Finally, there will be a rum-tasting, where you will be able to sense their scent, aroma and intensity of the different types of rum and enjoy a typical Panamanian lunch. 

After breakfast, we will head out on a tour to discover the territories of the fearsome Urraca, the master of wind, rain and thunder. The powerful Indian Chief of Veraguas was able to resist countless attacks from The Spanish during the colonial invasion, defeating Espinoza and the Governor of Pedrarias. We will then head to the Teacher's Training College, where wonderful paintings and murals of Roberto Lewis are exhibited. The tour continues to San Francisco de la Montaña, where the Church of San Francisco is located, one of the oldest and best-preserved examples of the country’s Baroque architecture. Finally, we will head out on a walk through the forest reserve of San Juan River and La Yeguada Lake. 

Early in the morning, we will head back to Panama City visiting La Pintada, El Caño, Agua dulce, Nata y Parita along the way. We will arrive in the afternoon at our hotel for a free evening in the city.

Bright and early, we will head to the domestic airport for a flight to Playon Chico, San Blas. 

The islands of San Blas aren’t as well-known as many other Central American destinations, and that’s what makes them so special. The welcoming smiles of the people you’ll meet, the brilliant transparent turquoise water, and the soft, white sand make this a beachside paradise.  This is the perfect place for wandering, relaxing and simply doing as little as possible in pristine, exquisite surroundings. Of course, there are plenty of fun excursions and the local cuisine is delicious. Expect to enjoy lots of seafood, delicious rice dishes, fresh fruit and vegetables.

The next 2 days are free days to enjoy the idyllic Caribbean beaches or the many optional excursions.

The next 2 days are free days to enjoy the idyllic Caribbean beaches or the many optional excursions and your final evening in paradise.

 After breakfast, we will head back to the airport for our flight to Panama City, for your international flight back home or on to your next exciting destination!