The archipelagos of Panama: islands and encounters
Three archipelagos of Panama between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, from Guna Yala to the pearls of Contadora.
Duration
16 days
From
€5,658/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, Honeymoon
The spirit of travel
This itinerary lets you experience a varied Panama, between discovering Panama City, a Caribbean break in Bocas del Toro, then the Las Perlas archipelago and an immersion in the San Blas by catamaran.
The journey alternates free time, organized transfers and guided experiences, with the support of an attentive local team, to enjoy each stage peacefully.
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 cobbled 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 Amarla Boutique Hotel 4*
Panama City at Your Own Pace
You have a free day to enjoy Panama City and Canal at your own pace.
Depending on your preferences, you can head towards:
museums and colonial monuments
the metropolitan park and Cerro Ancón
graffiti and a gastro tour through the local community
Night at Amarla Boutique Hotel 4*
Flight to Bocas del Toro
Panama City → Bocas del Toro
On the way to the Bocas del Toro archipelago! In the morning, your private driver will take you to Albrook Airport.
Upon your arrival on the main island, a member of our team will welcome you directly at the airport.
Located on the northwest coast of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica, Bocas del Toro offers a Caribbean atmosphere where nature is present everywhere, between sea and tropical vegetation.
The archipelago, composed of nine large islands and numerous islets, is bathed by the warm and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
You will also discover Bocas Town, on Isla Colón, the lively heart of the archipelago, with Caribbean charm, music and conviviality, and an energy carried by passing travelers.
Between beaches lined with palm trees, tropical forests inland and marine depths, the destination naturally lends itself to relaxation and water activities such as diving and snorkeling.
3 nights at La Coralina 5* (on Isla Colón, with beach).
Return to Panama City
Bocas del Toro → Panama City
In the morning, a member of our team will accompany you to the airport. After a flight of approximately 50 minutes, you will arrive in Panama City.
Upon landing, a driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel, located in the historic district.
Night at the American Trade Hotel 4*
Immersion among the Emberá
Your driver-guide will pick you up for a day in the heart of an Emberá village, an indigenous people preserved for centuries, living on their own semi-independent territories from the government.
This excursion emphasizes cultural exchange and natural medicine, in a spirit of meeting and sharing.
On site, you will also enjoy a moment of swimming, between the waterfall and the river that surrounds the village.
The return of the excursion is scheduled for around 3:30 PM. The outing is led by an English-speaking guide.
Duration of the excursion: 7 hours
Night at the American Trade Hotel 4*
Ferry to Contadora, Las Perlas
Panama City → Pearl Islands
You will board at 7:30 AM for your ferry from the Port D'Amador, on the outskirts of Panama City.
After 1 hour 30 minutes of crossing, you will arrive at Contadora Island, where a hotel representative will pick you up.
While waiting for check-in, you can choose between an excursion to two small islands ideal for snorkeling and relaxation — Mogo Mogo and Chapera — or discover the 7 beaches on the island, also suitable for snorkeling and relaxation.
You will then check into your hotel around 2 PM for your stay.
The Las Perlas archipelago comprises 7 islands, of which 4 are inhabited, in the bay of the Pacific Ocean off Panama.
The 3 other islands remain privately owned natural parks and preserved.
Renowned for big game and sport fishing, the Pacific Ocean here also lends itself to moments of relaxation on white sand beaches and snorkeling activities.
3 nights at the Mar y Oro Hotel 4*.
Back to Panama City
Pearl Islands → Panama City
In the early afternoon, you will take the ferry for approximately 2 hours of crossing.
Upon arrival, around 5 PM, your private driver will take you to your Airbnb, located in the historic district.
Night at the Casa Marroqui
Panama Canal and Gatun Lake
You will depart early in the morning to discover the Canal De Panama, starting with the Miraflores locks, on the Pacific side.
You will then continue with a navigation in the canal, during a boat ride on the Gatún Lake, while remaining attentive to the wildlife. It is possible to spot howler monkeys and capuchins, sloths, toucans and other birds, as well as crocodiles and turtles.
This lake, created artificially a hundred years ago for the construction of the canal, today offers an environment where nature and animals fully occupy the space.
The return is scheduled for lunch in the historic district.
This excursion is included in your travel package, with an English-speaking bilingual guide Spanish-English.
Excursion duration: 5 hours
Flight to San Blas
Panama City → San Blas
In the morning, your driver picks you up at the hotel to go to the small departure airport to the San Blas Islands.
You will fly over these 363 islands and discover them from the sky during a flight of less than 45 minutes.
Upon landing, your catamaran will be ready to welcome you, or a boat taxi transfer will be organized to take you on board.
Night on the catamaran
San Blas by Catamaran
You sail on turquoise and crystal-clear waters, catching glimpses of white sand islets bordered by coconut trees.
Aboard your catamaran, your captain takes care of everything. You have snorkeling equipment as well as paddles, to fully enjoy the archipelago.
You may also meet the Guna Yala (San Blas), indigenous people who populate and manage the San Blas archipelago.
Between the clear waters, marine life and reefs, the experience naturally lends itself to snorkeling, with possible sightings of fish, starfish and corals.
The day ends in the atmosphere of sunsets, then night, far from city lights.
Full board – alcohol in moderation included
Night on the catamaran
Return to Panama City and spa
San Blas → Panama City
Early in the morning, around 8am–8:30am, you will leave the San Blas: after approximately 30 minutes by boat, your private driver will pick you up to take you back to your hotel in the colonial district.
In the late afternoon, a relaxation break awaits you: we have arranged a massage session at your hotel's spa.
Night at the Sofitel Legend 5* Hotel (with swimming pool and spa).
See you soon in Panama!
Panama City → Aéroport Tocumen
You have a free day before your return flight to France at the end of the day.
If you wish to do some shopping, you will easily find small souvenirs.
In order to enjoy the historic district further, your luggage can be kept at your hotel's baggage storage service in the afternoon. Check-out is scheduled for 12 noon.
Your transfer to the airport is organized in the afternoon, approximately 3 hours 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 in "This price includes"
Included
- 13 nights in the hotels mentioned or similar, on a breakfast basis
- Private transfers between each hotel and airports
- Round-trip Flight Panama City – Bocas del Toro
- Ferry round trip crossing for the Pearl Islands
- Panama Canal and Lake Gatún tour with bilingual Spanish/English guide
- Emberá Tribe Tour with English-speaking guide
- 2 days and 2 nights by catamaran to the San Blas Islands, all-inclusive
- Round-trip flight + ground transportation for the San Blas
- Massage for Two at Sofitel Legend Spa
- English-speaking assistance on site during the day
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.
The information below applies to travelers from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Panama for tourism purposes. Entry requirements may change, so we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Panama, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your entry date and must have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada benefit from visa exemption for tourist stays.
Currently, this exemption allows a stay of up to 180 days upon entry to the territory, at the discretion of Panamanian immigration authorities.
Authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay (generally USD 500 or equivalent),
a hotel reservation for the duration of the stay.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Panama from France, Switzerland or Canada, except in case of arrival from a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required on entry.
As a precaution, it is recommended to consult a doctor or international vaccination center before departure. The following vaccinations are generally advised:
hepatitis A and B,
typhoid,
update of routine vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis).
Malaria precautions may be recommended in certain rural or forested areas. Consult a healthcare professional to assess the risk according to your itinerary.
Travel with children
Minors must be holders of their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire at the embassy or consulate of Panama in their country of residence.
To take part in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have evacuation assistance and foreign medical expenses coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for you to travel with peace of mind!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the traveller is responsible for complying with the claim declaration procedures. The traveller must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
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
