Experience historical and modern Panama City at attractions as diverse as the technologically advanced Panama Canal and an indigenous Emberá village, along with a cruise through Panama Bay, a walking tour through 17th-century Casa Antiguo, a rum tasting and wonderful dining throughout.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Tocumen International Airport, you will pass through Immigration and Customs and transfer to the luxurious Sofitel Legend Hotel or similar in Panama City.
Dinner and the remainder of the day will be on your own. If you wish to explore Panama City, ask for recommendations at the front desk.
DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to a boat ramp, board a wooden canoe and motor upriver to a village inhabited by the indigenous Emberá people. Chances are, you will see wildlife, particularly tropical birds, along the way.
Upon arriving, you will be welcomed by the village chief and dancers in a display of traditional hospitality. As you will discover by wandering about the village, the Emberá have maintained their culture and lifestyle relatively intact since the Spanish colonized this area centuries ago.
Feel free to interact with the villagers, who will be happy to show you around. Most structures are made with natural materials, although more modern materials are sometimes used, as well. You will be served a traditional Emberá meal of locally sourced ingredients for lunch.
Back at the hotel, you will once again enjoy the remainder of the day and dinner on your own. The Sofitel Legend Hotel is located in the heart of Panama City’s historical district, so there is plenty to do nearby.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will enjoy a panoramic drive to Old Panama City, which Spanish soldier Pedro Arias de Avila founded in 1519. He later became the country’s first governor. Captain Henry Morgan ruthlessly destroyed the city about 150 years later, causing it to be relocated to Casco Antiguo.
You will view the archaeological remains of the original city, which is laid out in a grid like European planned cities of the time. It is so architecturally and culturally important that UNESCO deemed it worthy of a World Heritage site designation.
As a complete contrast to this historical immersion, you will drive through modern Panama City and across Amador Causeway, which was built with excavated material from the construction of the Panama Canal. A staggering 18 million yards of solid rock was taken from the canal’s Gaillard Cut alone.
The causeway was formerly part of a military base, which has been transformed into a flourishing attraction and marina. Lunch will be held at a restaurant in the Amador Zone.
Afterwards, you will cruise in a private boat through Panama Bay, an experience that will offer a unique perspective of Panama City.
Back at the hotel, you will have free time to freshen up before traveling to Casco Antiguo for an enlightening walk through this immensely historical district. Its buildings are a wonderful mix of Caribbean, Republican, Art Deco, French and Colonial architecture.
During the walking tour, you will see the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Theater among other monuments, plazas and buildings. In time, you will stop at the Pedro Mandinga rum bar for a tasting of Pedro Mandinga, Panamas’s first handcrafted rum that uses raspadura – an unrefined sugar with a high molasses content – as its main ingredient. You will likely sample four different rums in special tasting glasses designed to enhance their flavors.
A three-course dinner follows, after which you will return to the hotel for the evening.
DAY 4
After breakfast at your hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Miraflores Locks, an ideal location to watch ships transiting the Panama Canal. You will view the locks from a VIP area in the operational center with a private guide from the Panama Canal Authority. This is a small-group experience with limited availability. Guests must wear closed shoes to access the VIP area.
Afterwards, at the nearby visitors center, you will watch an IMAX film that describes the canal’s operation from start to finish. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the documentary is a perfect complement to seeing the locks in action because it clearly explains the complexities and challenges of the canal, past and present. Through extraordinary shots from the air, historical re-creations and up-close views of various ships passing through the system of locks, you will discover just how ingenious the locks are.
Continuing on into the former Canal Zone, you will see where the U.S. Army troops once lived and pass the community of Balboa, the main area where workers lived during the canal's construction.
After this unique experience, you will transfer to the Panama cruise terminal, where you will embark your cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
• If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm
• If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the PTY Airport (Tocumen International Airport in Panama City)
You will be met at the main exit of the airport terminal. After passing through Immigration and Customs, you will exit through the main doors and enter the arrivals hall. There, you will see a representative with a sign welcoming you to Panama, who will guide you to your transportation to the hotel, where you will to the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Check-in is at 4:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at the Sofitel Legend Hotel in Colonial Panama or similar.
Meet and Greet and transfers
• Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
• Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
• Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
• If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
7:00am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Pick-up at the hotel
10:00am Arrive at Emberá Village embarkation area for a canoe ride to the village
10:30am Tour the village and enjoy lunch
2:00pm Depart the village by canoe
2:30pm Depart for the hotel
4:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Evening at leisure and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Sofitel Legend Hotel or similar
DAY 3
7:00am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Depart for Old Panama City
9:15am Visit Old Panama City
10:30am Panoramic drive through modern Panama City
12:30pm Lunch at a restaurant in the Amador Zone
2:00pm Cruise the bay while enjoying views of Panama City and its historical district
3:30pm Depart for the hotel
4:00pm Arrive at the hotel for free time to freshen up
5:30pm Meet in the hotel lobby for a walking tour of colonial Panama
6:45pm Savor a Pedro Mandinga rum tasting
7:30pm Dinner at a restaurant in colonial Panama City
9:30pm Return to the hotel
Overnight at the Sofitel Legend Hotel or similar
DAY 4
7:00am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Hotel check out
8:45am Pick-up at hotel for Panama Canal experience
9:30am Arrive at the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks
9:45am Watch ship transit the Miraflores Locks,
Take a VIP tour through the visitor center
Watch a 45-minute IMAX documentary on the Panama Canal
11:30am Depart for a panoramic tour of the former Canal Zone
12:30pm Depart for to the Panama cruise terminal
1:00pm Arrive at the port for check in and embarkation
Luggage
Panama City stay does not include local flights. Please refer to your airline for any limitations on that side and luggage allowance.
Expected Weather
Panama is usually hot and humid with an average temperature ranging between min 18.5°C (65°F) and max 34°C (93°F).
What to Bring
Bring light, weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable walking shoes with closed toes, a change of clothes for the evenings, sunglasses, camera, sunblock cream, a hat and all your personal needs such as medicines. For dinners, casual clothing is fine for most local restaurants, however, shorts or open sandals are not recommended for men.
Local Currency
The U.S. dollar.
Electricity
In Panama the standard voltage is 110 V and the frequency is 60 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Panama, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 110 - 127 V (as is in the U.S., Canada and most South American countries). No adaptors should be needed.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport and ID is required. U.S. citizens don’t need a visa to enter the country, however we recommend reviewing online any updates on this and requirements based on your passport/origin. For reference, you can access information in the following link for the Panama embassy in the United States: https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1
Hotel
Sofitel Legend Hotel Casco Viejo
Calle Primera Oeste - San Felipe, Casco Viejo, Panamá
Hotel located in Colonial Panama District
Phone: +507-3024300
*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in the program.
Please Note: Please see above program details to verify any special requirement for the experience or during the tours. Times can always be modified based on the final operational needs; however, all changes will be notified with enough time in advance (if applicable). This program has been created especially for OCI Turn Operations in Panama City, so all services will be provided exclusively for you. We cannot guarantee seeing any specific wildlife, areas or species during tours. Also, in the Canal Visitor Center visit, seeing transiting vessels is not guaranteed.
Program Includes for guests:
• Transfers
• 3-night hotel accommodations at Sofitel Legend Hotel in Casco Viejo with breakfast, WIFI and all applicable hotel fees and taxes (King Ocean View Room).
• Hospitality desk at the hotel on specific schedules during the days of the program. A staff member at the hotel will assist guests from group and provide program information.
• 1 full-day tour (Canal – Miraflores) with all entrance fees, VIP service at Canal Visitors Center, lunch at a local restaurant, transportation and English-speaking guide
• 1 full-day tour (Cultural - Emberá) with all entrance fees, attractions, lunch and soft drinks, transportation and English-speaking guide
• 1 full-day tour (Historical – Panama City) with all entrance fees, attractions mentioned, lunch at local restaurant (3-crouse meal with 1 drink), transportation and English-speaking guide.
• Dinner for Night 3 at local restaurant with unique and private experience for the group
• Bottle of water, sodas, and soft drinks onboard buses for all services
• Any applicable taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
• International flights
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities for drivers and guides (as optional for guests)
• Non-mentioned services
• Non-mentioned meals
• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
