One of the safest countries in Latin America, Panama has become a destination of choice in Central America, yet it is still not overrun by tourists. It is blessed with incredible geographical and biological diversity: tropical rain forests, dense forests, mangrove swamps and more than 10,000 species of plants, 940 species of birds and 225 species of mammals. But fascination with Panama lies beyond its ecological bounty.
Panama City is a bustling, modern metropolis that is seeing new skyscrapers rise every day. Home to 3.9 million people, the capital city has excellent restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Aboard Un-Cruise Adventures’ eight-night cruise, guests can discover the best of Panama’s rich cultural and natural wonders, along with its iconic canal, built more than 100 years ago and set to expand this summer.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
You’ll be warmly greeted at the airport upon your arrival and transferred to the Bristol Hotel for your overnight stay. Unwind from your day of travel by enjoying the hotel’s amenities, or stretch your legs on a walk, possibly exploring Casco Viejo, the historic section of Panama City, dating from 1673.
Enjoy a morning of leisure at your boutique hotel or explore nearby city markets and cafés. Later, rendezvous with your shipmates in the hospitality area and then cross the peninsula overland to Colón as you transfer to the Safari Voyager for a hearty welcome from your captain and crew.
Home to one of the best preserved native cultures in the Americas, the indigenous province of Guna Yala (formerly the San Blas Islands) encompasses more than 360 islands of white-sand beaches backed by palm trees and dotted with thatched roofs. Discover the remarkable heritage of the Guna (or Kuna), and don’t pass on a chance to buy their colorful handcrafted “molas.” Enjoy the natural wonders of these islands by snorkeling in the crystalline Caribbean waters.
Another beautiful day awaits in Guna Yala. Slow the pace by lounging on a beach or taking an easy stroll in the sand with views of the brilliant sea. Snorkel, paddleboard or kayak among the picture-perfect islands.
Once the “world’s most valuable” river and Panama’s largest, Chagres was the route by which Incan gold was transported in colonial times, and today it is a vital artery of the canal. Walk among the battlements and canons of Fort San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 1500s by the Spanish crown as a military stronghold and later sacked multiple times by swashbuckling pirates. If conditions allow, see the wild side of the river by skiff, paddleboard and kayak. Hundreds of avian species live in this migration hot spot (ground cuckoos, crested eagles, trogons, toucans, white hawks) with their “neighbors,” monkeys, wild pigs, white-tailed deer and other wildlife. Later, prepare for one of the most memorable travel experiences — transiting between two seas along the 48-mile marvel, the Panama Canal.
Golden sand meets topaz-colored water, and beaches make way for lush vegetation and rocky volcanic outcroppings on the 90 islands and nearly 130 islets of Las Perlas, the Pearl Islands. Almost entirely uninhabited, the islands are host to a plethora of tropical flora and fauna. Midsummer through early fall, the archipelago is frequented by dolphins and humpbacks, so keep your eyes peeled for acrobatic spinning and telltale blow spouts. Select your modus operandi—kayak, paddleboard, skiff or snorkel—and set out in a nature lover’s dreamscape.
Untouched and untamed, the Darién jungle is nearly as wild and magnificent today as it was for early conquistadors 500 years ago. Traveling the Mogue River by motorized dugout canoe, your expedition guide will help you spot wildlife—astonishingly colored roseate spoonbills, ibises, osprey and raccoons can be seen fishing for breakfast from the water’s edge. After welcoming formalities at a local Emberá village, they’ll share their customs and stories, and you’ll have an opportunity to buy handicrafts from the villagers, including their highly prized and intricately woven rain forest baskets.
Explore the vast Punta Patiño Nature Reserve on foot, part of Darién Province and the largest natural protected area in Central America. Then set sail in search of wildlife, keeping watch for bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, smaller shark species and early in the season for migration, whales. This festive evening includes a special farewell dinner and celebratory slideshow from your expedition team.
After an early breakfast, bid adios to your crew. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or to begin your Un-Cruise hotel stay.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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