Panama off the beaten path
From the mythical canal to the turquoise waters of Bayano, an authentic Panama between secret caves and colonial villages.
Duration
8 days
From
€1,260/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
This itinerary takes you from the must-see attractions of Panama City to nature and culture stops, with an immersion at Lake Bayano in an ecolodge, then a visit to Portobelo (UNESCO) and its surroundings, before finishing in the Antón valley.
An itinerary designed to vary the atmospheres, between sailing, swimming, encounters and independent driving.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Panama City!
Aéroport Tocumen → Panama City
Upon your arrival in Panama, you discover Panama City and Canal, a city marked by its canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
In the distance, skyscrapers draw a contemporary line, while below, the paved streets of Casco Viejo recall the capital's colonial past.
For your welcome, a private shuttle awaits you at the airport and takes you directly to your hotel.
Night at the American Trade Hotel 4*
Panama Canal and Lake Bayano
Panama City → Lac Bayano
You will depart early, at 7:30 AM, to discover the Canal De Panama starting with the Esclusas de Miraflores, on the Pacific side.
You will then continue with a navigation through the canal, during a boat trip on Gatún Lake, while being attentive to the wildlife: it is possible to spot howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys, sloths, toucans and other birds, as well as crocodiles and turtles.
The Lac Gatún is an artificial lake created about a hundred years ago to build the canal, where nature and animals now fully occupy the space.
Duration of the excursion: 5 hours
Return from the excursion is scheduled for around 12:00 PM, then you will have lunch on your own.
You will then pick up your rental car and drive towards the Lago Bayano.
Night at the Ecolodge Bayano Caves
Lake Bayano: caves and canyon
The Lago Bayano is an environment where Emberá indigenous peoples live, with landscapes combining caves, waterfalls and canyons.
You enjoy here a stay in full board, planned until the last midday.
For these 2 nights, are included:
full board (3 meals)
kayaking in the canyons
trip in the lake caves
discovery and sharing of Emberá culture
swimming at the waterfalls and in the lake
Night at the Ecolodge Bayano Caves
Route to Portobelo (UNESCO)
Lac Bayano → Portobelo
After lunch, you will return to the mainland around 2pm, then continue driving towards the village of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There you will discover the ruins of Spanish forts built since 1559, as well as the colonial village and its customs museum, dedicated to the slaves who came for the canal.
The next day, you can enjoy a beach day at Playa Blanca or on Isla Grande, with mangrove tunnels, turquoise waters and snorkeling.
You will also be in the heart of the Parque Nacional Chagres, ideal for wildlife observation and walks between waterfalls and very clean rivers.
2 nights at Hotel Casa Congo 3*
El Valle de Antón
Portobelo → Vallée d'Antón
In the morning, you will continue with your rental car towards the Antón Valley.
You will discover a mountain offering a green valley, in a very flowery village, with many hiking possibilities, between waterfalls and natural pools.
The Antón Valley also offers several activities and local discoveries, according to your wishes:
gastronomic market
waterfalls and trekking, bikes (7 USD per person)
thermal waters (8 USD per person)
butterfly museum, serpentarium, etc. (8 USD per person)
2 nights at Hotel Cabanas los Colibris 3*
See you soon in Panama!
Vallée d'Antón → Panama City
In the morning, you will pass through Panama City and its colonial center.
Panama City → Aéroport Tocumen
You will then head to the Tocumen International Airport, where you will return your rental car directly before your return flight.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flight
- Optional excursions on site
- Travel Insurance
- Everything not listed under "This price includes"
Included
- 5 nights in the hotels mentioned or similar, with breakfast included
- 2 nights in ecolodge on Bayano Lake, all-inclusive
- Car rental type Hyundai TUCSON with full insurance
- Following excursions: canal and Gamboa with English-speaking guide
- Private Transfer for Your Arrival
- English-speaking telephone support
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Panama dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer au Panama, votre passeport doit être valide au minimum trois mois après la date d'entrée dans le pays et comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Séjour touristique sans visa
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques.
À ce jour, cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 180 jours lors de l'entrée sur le territoire, à la discrétion des autorités d'immigration panaméennes.
Les autorités peuvent également demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour (généralement 500 USD ou l'équivalent),
une réservation d'hébergement pour la durée du séjour.
Santé et vaccinations
Aucune vaccination n'est obligatoire pour entrer au Panama en provenance de France, de Suisse ou du Canada, sauf en cas d'arrivée depuis un pays à risque de fièvre jaune, auquel cas un certificat de vaccination contre la fièvre jaune peut être exigé à l'entrée.
À titre préventif, il est recommandé de consulter un médecin ou un centre de vaccinations internationales avant le départ. Les vaccinations suivantes sont généralement conseillées :
hépatites A et B,
typhoïde,
mise à jour des vaccins courants (diphtérie, tétanos, poliomyélite).
Des précautions contre le paludisme peuvent être recommandées dans certaines zones rurales ou forestières. Consultez un professionnel de santé pour évaluer le risque selon votre itinéraire.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.
Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Panama de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
No, French nationals can stay up to 180 days in Panama without a visa. A valid passport for at least 3 months after entry, a return ticket and 500 USD per person (or equivalent proof of funds) may be required upon arrival. Confirm with the consulate.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €160 and €270 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport, and activities. International flights (€800–1,200 return) are additional. Panama is an ideal platform to combine city, canal, and archipelagos (San Blas, Bocas).
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt every itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your entire trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage that protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Panamá Province
Explorer of Panama's Passages, based in Panama City
Panama is a country of passages and contrasts. What I love is helping travelers discover its invisible connections, between ocean, forest, city and local cultures.
— Sophie
