Leslie Hsu Besner and Family
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Casco Antiguo
When you arrive at the airport, your driver will greet you for the 30-minute journey to your accommodation for the next few days, the historic Hotel La Compañía.
Your guide will meet with you to brief you about your trip, and then you'll have the rest of the day to relax at the hotel or see Casco Antiguo. Your guide can accompany you if you wish.
Overnight Hotel La Compañía
Day 2
Panama City
This morning, visit the Biodiversity Museum at the Amador Causeway, an interpretative museum affiliated with the Smithsonian. Here, you'll learn about the fascinating connection between the Isthmus of Panama and the surrounding biodiversity and how this small piece of land has made a global impact.
Afterward, take an easy two-mile bike ride along the Causeway, enjoying views of Panama City Bay and the ships awaiting passage through the Panama Canal. If your family would like a break during the ride, grab a tropical-flavored shaved ice or popsicle from a local vendor.
After building up your appetite, your driver will bring you to the Sofitel Legend Hotel in Casco Antiguo to enjoy lunch with an ocean view. Be sure to leave room for dessert because later on, you'll learn how to create artisanal chocolate using sustainable Panamanian cacao. This experience allows you to enjoy this well-loved treat while supporting local communities involved in cacao harvesting.
Overnight Hotel La Compañía
Day 3
Soberanía National Park
After a relaxing morning, your driver will bring you to Gamboa located in Soberanía National Park. Panama has more bird and plant species than Canada and the United States combined! At the Rainforest Discovery Center, you'll learn about these native species with a specialist guide.
This area is home to howler monkeys and is a paradise for birdwatchers. Ascend the stairs of the observation tower to experience the surrounding landscape from ground level to the canopy and take a guided walk along the forest trails for a chance to spot wildlife.
Wrap up your morning at the Visitor Center which was constructed with 70% reclaimed materials from the old Canal Zone. The Visitor Center is also a hummingbird sanctuary where you can feed these special creatures right from your hand and take a moment to relax with a coffee.
For lunch, your driver will bring you to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, an eco resort overlooking the Chagres River and the Soberanía a National Park. Visit the sloth sanctuary to see these fascinating animals, as well as the frog pond and the butterfly garden. Your visit will support the Panamerican Conservation Association (APPC), Panama's leading wildlife rescue organization, with an included donation to help rescue and rehabilitate sloths.
Experience the canopy zipline, ideal for older kids and adventurous adults or the aerial tram, a relaxed way to navigate through the canopy and enjoy views of the Panama Canal and surrounding landscape.
After an adventure-filled day, your driver will return you to your hotel in Casco Antiguo for a quiet evening. We highly recommend taking advantage of your hotel's spa treatments and pool area.
Overnight Hotel La Compañía
Day 4
Palenque Island
Today, take a domestic flight to Enrique Malek International Airport. Upon collecting your luggage, a shuttle will be waiting outside the airport to take you on a 60-minute journey to the Boca Chica public dock.
From there, board the boat to Palenque Island. This 400-acre luxury island resort is the ultimate getaway destination, with its locally sourced dining options, seven private beaches, nature-focused activities for all ages, and colorful sunsets.
Overnight Private Island Resort
Day 5
Palenque Island
During your time at Palenque Island, go island hopping, snorkel around the reefs, and stand-up paddleboard into the sunset. The humpback whale migration happens between July and October, as well as the turtle hatchling event on the beaches, and wild dolphins live nearby year-round. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.
Overnight Private Island Resort
Day 6
Boquete
This morning, you will be transported back to the Boca Chica public dock and met by your guide, who will then take you to Boquete's stunning tropical cloud forest and Hotel Panamonte.
For lunch, you'll be treated to some of Panama's finest cuisine at the hotel's restaurant, then taken to a bee farm where the kids can learn about the honey-making process and the history of the beehives and enjoy a delightful tasting of the farm's various honey types. Take a moment to stroll through the coffee estate and gardens with an abundance with butterflies and birds.
Later, your guide will accompany you to the local market to search for beautiful souvenirs and local crafts. For dinner, we'll reserve a table at The Rock Boquete, where the gentle sound of the river alongside the deck will linger with you on every bite.
Overnight Hotel Panamonte
Day 7
Boquete
This morning head to Boquete Tree Trek Adventure Park, located within a private natural reserve. You'll have the option to choose the activity that suits your family best. Try the exhilarating canopy zip line adventure, offering stunning views of wildlife and panoramic landscapes. Alternatively, opt for the more relaxed hanging bridges tour, with breathtaking views of rivers and waterfalls.
For lunch, you'll be transported to Ngädri restaurant in Boquete town, renowned for its creative Panamanian cuisine sourced directly from local farms.
Visit La Granjerita for an immersive agricultural experience, which is particularly enjoyable for kids who can pick a whole box of organic strawberries and other produce, and meet the farm animals.
The day concludes with dinner at Hotel Panamonte, followed by a delightful fire pit experience, roasting marshmallows under the starry sky.
Overnight Hotel Panamonte
Day 8
Hacienda Mamecillo
Your final day in the Panamanian highlands includes visiting an agrotourism farm in the heart of the lush cloud forest, just 4.3 miles from Boquete town. Hacienda Mamecillo, which was recently featured in the National Geographic television series “Restaurants at the End of the World,” offers a hike to a waterfall and a farm-to-table experience with a delightful lunch served in front of a cozy fireplace at the owners’ house.
Your family will also have the opportunity to learn about Geisha coffee, renowned as the most valuable coffee in the world. Following this, you will be transported back to your hotel for a free afternoon and dinner.
Overnight Hotel Panamonte
Day 9
Panama City
Today, catch your flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to the incredible Panama Canal, a great world wonder. Following this, you'll be taken to a nearby restaurant close to the Canal, known for its delicious family-style cuisine and a great selection of craft beers.
Later, your driver will bring you to La Compañía Hotel in Casco Antiguo, where you'll have your final free afternoon before returning home.
Overnight La Compañía Hotel
Day 10
Departure Day
Today, you will be transported to Tocumen International Airport to take your flight back home.
