Panama Tours & Holidays

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

Overview

Central America’s southernmost country, Panama presents visitors with a staggeringly rich diversity of indigenous culture, history, adventure and natural beauty. Nestling between the waters of the Caribbean and the South Pacific, Panama is fast earning a reputation as one of the most desirable travel destinations in the Americas. A land of stark contrasts, Panama’s small size means that you can experience a rich mix of natural and cultural highlights relatively easily and quickly. ...

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HIGHLIGHTS OF PANAMA

BEST EXPERIENCES

Learn about Emberá tribal traditions

Learn about Emberá tribal traditions

Cruise down the Chagres River on a piroque to an Emberá village, where you will be welcomed with traditional dancing and music and can learn about the fascinating Emberá traditions and their close relationship with nature.

Explore Panama City and Panama Canal

Explore Panama City and Panama Canal

Discover the fascinating blend of old and new in Panama City as you explore the historic Casco Viejo in the company of a former gang member and take in the engineering genius of the Panama Canal.

Soak up stunning rainforests and colourful reefs

Soak up stunning rainforests and colourful reefs

Home to some of the largest rainforests in Central America, the islands of Bocas del Toro are also a haven of coral atolls and palm fringed beaches that provide refuge to a remarkable collection of fauna and marine life.

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WHEN TO GO

Meet The Expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

Just a canal? Think again. Beyond that historic work of human engineering, rich rain forest biodiversity, Caribbean and Pacific coasts and islands beckon; as does the opportunity to meet unique indigenous communities.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations 

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Panama though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.  

Currency 

In Panama the official unit of currency is the US Dollar and the Panamanian balboa. Usually you would only use US Dollars if the price is advertised in USD. The Panamanian balboa is the same value as the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. It circulates in denominations of 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢ coins. Balboa coins are sized similarly to their U.S. counterparts.  

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.  

Cultural Sensitivity 

On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.  

In the churches and cathedrals women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat and also cover their shoulders, while men should take their hats off.   

Language & Religion 

Spanish is the official language spoken in Panama and it is spoken nationwide. English is a second language but this is mainly oriented around the tourist and international business sectors so it is useful to have a basic grasp of Spanish before you travel. Although the government does not collect official statistics, it is thought that 75% of the population is Roman Catholic and the rest is evangelical Christian. 

Time 

Panama operates on Panama Time which is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT – 5).

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.  

Food and drink 

Panama’s food is simple yet tasty, with many regional variations and specialities found across the country. Typically, most dishes will include rice, beans and some kind of meat or fish, as empanadas (fried corn tortillas filled with meat). The national dish is sancocho, a spicy stew with chicken and vegetables. Seafood is also plentiful and delicious.