Panama Canal Cruise, Rainforests and Beaches : All departures priced at just $995 for 9 days. This is much less than what you can expect to pay on a cruise. Plus, the extra shore excursions sold by cruise ships are all included with Caravan. This tour is the best way to see Panama and the canal. It is a great deal.

Latin America Tours

• Costa Rica Natural Paradise
• Guatemala, Tikal & Copán
• Mexico's Ancient & Colonial Cities
• Mexico's Copper Canyon
• Panama

U.S.A. Tours

• Grand Canyon
• Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone
• California Coast & Yosemite
• New England & Fall Colors

Canada Tours

• Canadian Rockies & Glacier
• Nova Scotia & Prince Edward

2010 Departure Dates

2010 Price Per Person - $U.S.

How to Reserve Space

Call 1-800-Caravan. You can reserve space free for up to 7 days, then a $300 deposit per person is due. Full payment due 60 days prior to departure.

In Latin America, Caravan transfers you between the airport and hotel on the starting and ending dates of your tour.

Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.

11 Meals Included
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

What's on this Page:

• Daily Itinerary
• Hotel Descriptions
• F.A.Q. for this Tour

Hotels - listed by day

General Info

• Check Availability Now
• Why Buy Caravan?
• Terms of Travel
• Travel Planner
• Contact Us
• For Passengers in Groups of 15+

Itinerary

Day 1 - Panama City, Panama

Welcome to fun, vibrant Panama, home to the Panama Canal, the most important waterway in the world. Explore rainforests and white sand beaches. Meet friendly native Indians living in the jungle. Take a day cruise on the Panama Canal. Relax on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Caravan provides transfers from Panama's Tocumen airport to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Join Caravan for a 6:00 p.m. welcome briefing. Dinner is at your hotel. D

Day 2 -Panama Viejo, Miraflores Locks

Morning visit to the ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama), the city founded by the Spanish in 1519 as a gateway for gold from the Inca Empire. The Isthmus of Panama links North and South America. Panama Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive along Panama City's bayfront. Photostop at Balboa statue. Lunch. Visit Miraflores Locks and learn about the Canal construction and operation. Dinner. BLD

Day 3 -Portobello, Colon

Enjoy views of the Caribbean Coast on your morning drive to visit the sleepy fishing village of Portobello. Stroll the restored Portobello Fort, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to guard their treasure fleets against pirate attacks. Portobello is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Portobello's old Custom House. See the famous Black Christ statue at nearby San Felipe Church. Enjoy lunch. Afternoon arrival in Colon for a two night stay on the Caribbean Coast. Enjoy dinner. BLD

Day 4 -Embera Indians, Gatun Locks

This morning cruise the Piedras River deep into the jungle to visit an Embera Indian Village. Look for different species of colorful birds and playful monkeys. The Embera inhabit the rainforests of Panama and live in simple thatched huts. Watch native dancers as they perform in their traditional clothing. Embera make exotic handicrafts from tagua nuts and palm fibers. After lunch, visit Gatun Locks. Gatun is the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. Here you can see all three adjoining locks raise ships 87 feet above sea level onto Gatun Lake. Enjoy dinner. BLD

Day 5 -Pipeline Road, Playa Blanca

This morning take a birdwatching hike at the "Pipeline Road," the old service road for the Panama Canal. The Audubon Society rated this trail as one of the best birding sites in the world. Listen to the joyful sounds of the rainforest. Next, cross over the Bridge of the Americas en route to Playa Blanca for a relaxing two night stay on the Pacific Coast. Enjoy lunch. Your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy your resort's white sand beach and swimming pools. Dinner. BLD

Day 6 -Playa Blanca, El Valle

Morning visit to picturesque El Valle, a town situated in the crater of a dormant volcano. Scenic drive of the village's charming homes. Visit the local artisan marketplace. Lunch. Enjoy a carefree leisurely afternoon at your resort. Dinner. BLD

Day 7 -Panama Canal Cruise

Today enjoy an unforgettable six hour adventure as you cruise the Panama Canal. Your small vessel allows for close- up views of the opening and closing of the enormous six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. See at eye-level how transiting vessels are guided by small tugboats and pulled by small trains. Enter the Gaillard Cut and cross the Continental Divide. Enjoy lunch on board. Disembark at Gamboa on Gatun Lake. Return to Panama City for another two night stay in this lively cosmopolitan city. Enjoy free time in Panama City. Dinner. BLD

Day 8 -Casco Viejo, Handicrafts

Morning visit to Casco Viejo, the old French Quarter. See the wide brick streets and ornate wood balconies. Visit the Canal Museum. Learn Panama's prominent role as the major transit route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, from Pre-Columbian times to present day. See the Gold Altar at San José Cathedral. Enjoy views from French Park, a tribute to the early French canal workers. Enjoy lunch on Amador Island. This afternoon visit a Kuna Indian marketplace. Shop for colorful mola embroidery depicting rainforest animals and marine life. Dinner. Next, a night lights drive of this dazzling city. Panama City is a combination of Manhattan, Miami and Las Vegas blended with Latin American flavor and style. BLD

Day 9 - Panama City

Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Caravan provides transfers to Panama's Tocumen airport, arriving at 5:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Hasta la vista! B

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the tour price?

Virtually everything! Hotels, all meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan's professional Tour Directors conduct every land tour from start to finish. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry free vacation.

What is not included in the tour price?

Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director and Driver. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour's price.

Can your tours be enjoyed by all age groups?

Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Most tours will be joined by adults of all ages. Children age five (5) and over are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation.

How long will each day be?

A well paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation and you will arrive at your hotels between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each day.

How large will my group be?

Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and lodges and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers.

Are meals included?

All meals are included on your Panama tour. Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Bottled water is provided free on the motorcoach and purified water is provided at the meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified.