P anama—land of colorful contrasts and mind-boggling eco-diversity! It’s where you can stand beside the world’s most impressive engineering marvel and visit with indigenous tribes-people whose way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. Where you can snap a photo of your kids ziplining through the rain forest canopy in the morning and shoot an underwater movie of them snorkeling in the afternoon. It’s where you can lounge on a beach in the company of sunbathing iguanas, look for impish capuchin monkeys (or are they looking at you?) along a forest trail, and witness a brilliant flash of red against the blue sky as a scarlet macaw streaks by.

Thomson’s exciting, well-balanced itinerary is designed to showcase the country’s cultural and natural wonders and, of course, the amazing Panama Canal. From multiple vantage points—including a boat ride on Gatun Lake where you gaze vertically up to the bow of gigantic freighters, to a fascinating tour of the intricate workings of the Miraflores Locks—your kids will come away with an understanding of the importance of this 51-mile engineering miracle (and, for once, put the word “awesome” in proper context!).

In addition to hiking through the rain forest in search of wildlife, swimming in clear waterfall-fed pools, rafting on a river that cuts through the rugged Panamanian countryside, investigating coral wonderlands teeming with marine life, marveling at the ruins of a 16th-century Spanish fort targeted by multiple pirate attacks, and sampling delicious foods, you’ll have the rare opportunity to meet the Embera people in a village along the banks of the Chagres River. This personal interaction is sure to be a trip highlight and you’ll be moved by the Embera’s dignified determination to keep their traditional cultural beliefs intact.  

One of the Americas' last undiscovered destinations, Panama truly honors the “something for everyone” promise. This relatively close-to-home destination is perfect for a family vacation, grandparents and grandkids traveling together, or even a multi-generational gathering for active families who share a love of exploration.

2012 Dates

Triple Discount: $300 for child under 12 sharing with 2 adults

Alumni Discount: if you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices

Large Group Discount: if the departure you choose has 11 or more travelers (including your family) a discount of $400-$425 per person will be applied to your final trip price.

Price includes: All entrance and park fees, accommodations based on two to a room, land transportation; private bi-lingual guide throughout, area specialists, all meals, bottled water & snacks in the vehicle, Comprehensive Travel Insurance.

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Day 1 – Depart home / Arrive Panama City

Welcome to Panama! While the Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the modern world, Panama has many more wonders waiting to be explored. From lush forests to magnificent beaches, from the cosmopolitan Panama City to the sleepy village of Pedesi, you’ll discover them all as you embark on this exciting adventure.

Day 2 – Panama City

Indigenous tribes make up roughly 5 percent of the total population of Panama. Many of these groups still hold fast to their ancient dress and traditions.

Welcome breakfast Meet your guide over breakfast; a trip briefing outlines the details of the itinerary. Voyage up the Chagres River At Port El Corotú on the shores of Madden Lake, we’ll board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River. The journey will take us through the jungles of Chagres National Park, the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Meet the Embera (indigenous people) At the Embera village we will be greeted with dancing and music. We will learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale and we will have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. Friends Across Borders Meeting (pen pals) As part of our Friends Across Borders program, we’ve arranged for a pen pal meeting today for the children who exchanged letters with a local student before leaving on their adventure. The kids will all enjoy the eye-opening and truly rewarding experience of making a new friend from a culture very different from their own. Traditional lunch Our lunch today will consist of fish, plantains, and fresh fruit served in a traditional style by the Embera. Swim in a waterfall pool Take a hike on the wild side to a nearby waterfall for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to the hotel.

Day 3 – The Panama Canal

Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of the Panama Canal in person. Cutting 9 miles across the Continental Divide, its locks raising ships 85 feet above sea level, this marvel of modern engineering will amaze you and your family. And that's only the beginning!

Take a train ride to the port city of Colon We’ll ride a train across the Panama Canal Railroad to the city of Colon. The tracks are surrounded by ecological and manmade marvels, like the enormous, artificial Gatun Lake and the flourishing tropical rainforest of Soberania National Park. Bike along a rainforest trail We will ride on a paved trail that cuts straight through the lush Panamanian rainforest – a precious ecosystem teeming with life. We’ll spot sloths, anteaters, monkeys, and toucans up close, and we may even be lucky enough to spot the rare harpy eagle! Enjoy a picnic on the beach We’ll enjoy an afternoon picnic on the beach. This time will offer some much needed relaxation and an opportunity for the kids to cool off in the pristine, crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean. Visit Fort San Lorenzo Fort San Lorenzo, built in the 16th century and destroyed by pirate attacks (adventurous children and teens drool over those words!) several times over the course of its tumultuous history, overlooks the mouth of the busy Chagres River. The original ruins are still visible, but the fort that stands today for us to explore is the version rebuilt in 1761.  

Day 4 – Panama City / Chiriquí Highlands

Cloudforests, volcanic peaks and coffee plantations create the remarkable landscape of the Chiriqui Highlands.

Take a jungle boat adventure Voyage across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal passing gigantic cargo and passenger ships. Children are never disappointed with how immense some of these vessels really are. Many dwarf everything in sight! And of course you’ll see plenty of wildlife too – iguanas, crocodiles and howler monkeys just to name a few. Tour the Miraflores Locks If your kids are into Legos or Lincoln logs they will love this engineering phenomenon. Stretching almost a mile long, Miraflores is part of a lock system that takes ships from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific (and vice versa). After watching a ship go through the locks make sure to hit the museum – you won’t be disappointed. Flight to David Later we depart for the local airport where we will board our flight to David in the Chiriqui Highlands. Our flying time this afternoon is approximately 60 minutes. **Remember there is a 25 lb weight limitation on internal flights in Panama.**

Days 5 and 6 – Chiriquí Highlands

Chiriquí, the “Valley of the Moon,” hosts a stunning diversity of tropical Central American landscapes, from beaches and plains to mountains and dense rainforest. Due to abundant rainfall and a temperate climate, the Chiriquí highlands are one of Panama’s most productive growing regions, with crops consisting of oranges, strawberries, and coffee beans.

River raft on the Fonseca River or Chiriquí Grande With rushing rapids and calmer, more tranquil sections, the river will have the perfect balance of excitement and serenity to please everyone on our family adventure! The wet ride will take us through the rugged Panamanian countryside, as well as the Ngobe Indigenous Reservation. Eat lunch on the river We’ll stay on the riverside for a midday picnic lunch in an idyllic setting, stopping to contemplate the sheer beauty of our surroundings – this lunch is a great time to take it all in and share memories with the family while in the midst of developing them. Roam the streets of Boquete Now we’ll have some free time to walk around the small town of Boquete on the Caldera River. Nestled in Panama’s mountain highlands, Boquete is surrounded by a thriving rainforest and enjoys cooler, more comfortable temperatures than the lower areas of Panama. It is also well known for its spectacular afternoon rainbows! Visit Gamez Island (Isla Gamez) in the Gulf of Chiriquí  Today, we’ll take a boat out to the gorgeous uninhabited island of Gamez. The island, lined with palm trees and unspoiled white sand beaches, is the perfect place to enjoy a total lack of obligations. We’ll bask in the Central American sun or snorkel around undersea rock formations and colorful coral. Share a picnic on a secluded beach After a demanding day of carefree lounging on a remote island paradise, we’ll unwind and eat a picnic lunch in this splendid setting.

Day 7 – Chiriquí Highlands / Panama City

Glide through the rain forest canopy Glide through the emerald treetops using virtually the same time-tested methods utilized by Panama’s indigenous people! We’ll traverse the dense forest using a zipline in the same way the native peoples of Panama did it hundreds of years ago (with a few small changes to ensure total safety). Free time in Panama City After lunch, we will return to Panama City, where we’ll have time to relax at the hotel. We can meander around the neighborhood, check out some the shops in the area, or simply kick back and enjoy the sun. Farewell dinner in Panama City's Casco Antiguo For the final evening of our family adventure, we’ll head into Casco Antiguo (also known as Casco Viejo), the city’s renowned French Quarter. We’ll meet in the Cathedral Plaza for our bittersweet farewell dinner, where we’ll have a host of fresh memories to share with our families and new friends.

Day 8 – Depart Panama City / Arrive home

Unfortunately, it has to happen sometime! Today we’ll say our goodbyes to this enchanting land and return to reality, where we’ll undoubtedly be at a loss for words in our attempts to do justice to such an indescribable experience. Hasta luego...

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

Why Panama?

An undiscovered destination, with something for everyone: history, nature, culture You know about its legendary canal, that stunning marvel of modern engineering. But what about its misty mountains and brilliantly colored orchids? Its exotic wildlife, staggering eco-diversity, amazing snorkeling and warm, welcoming people?
Panama is one of the last undiscovered destinations in the Americas, and whether you are traveling with youngster or teens, or grandparents looking to share an adventure with your grandchildren, we have created an itinerary that specializes in activities that are fun and informative for all ages. Panama is home to a largely tourist-free system of national parks, an abundance of plants and wildlife to rival neighboring Costa Rica, and easy access to both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. And Panama is just a short plane ride away from the US! Fascinating canal system and interesting history There is something very moving when seeing the Panama Canal for the first time. The enormity of this engineering marvel boggles the mind. There’s the vast jungle that had to be divided, the massive locks that had to be constructed, and then there are the 40 ships that pass through the Canal every day.
History books can supply the amazing facts about this monumental achievement, but actually standing in full view of the Canal itself brings its story palpably and eloquently to life in a way that no book can match—and in a way that your kids will never forget. In Panama, history is one cool adventure. Stunning landscapes and a variety of wildlife Within our stunning itinerary, you’ll experience cloud forests and rainforest canopies, rolling hills and brilliant white sand beaches. From soaring frigatebirds to lounging lizards and capuchin monkeys, and from profusions of orchids to undersea coral gardens, Panama offers show-stopping eco-diversity that rivals most countries on earth. Meeting the Embera One of six indigenous groups that still maintain their cultures and traditions, the Embera recently migrated to the riverbanks of Chagres National Park near Panama City from farther south in the Darien province.  Villagers will share the story of their migration with you, a rare and special opportunity. Isla Iguana Isla Iguana is quite a special place. The island is a National Wildlife Refuge, and it is home to its own astounding protected ecosystem. There are, of course, many lounging iguanas on its white sand beaches, as well as loads of magnificent frigatebirds, brown boobies, brown pelicans, and countless other species of majestic sea birds. This island is a great place to relax, take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water, and enjoy a variety of animal life that can’t be found elsewhere.

Why Panama with Thomson?

Zipline tour Gliding from platform to platform high in the rainforest canopy is an indescribable thrill as you wind your way along a zipline course. Hike up to the first platform where everyone is outfitted, safely and securely, for an unforgettable Panama experience. Dugout canoe ride to Embera Village Board motorized dugout canoes and head down the Chagras River, deep into the rain forest. As you wind your way to an Embera village keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the shores. Upon arrival, you and your family will be met by welcoming and traditionally dressed members of the Embera and escorted to the village. You’ll learn about their traditions and history, including songs and dances, food and crafts, traditional medicines, and the story of their people.  Kids (and adults) might opt to receive a traditional tattoo!  (Don’t worry; it’s painless and made from vegetable dye, and will only last about a week.) Friends Across Borders—Meeting your pen pal Thomson families love this program! Children traveling with us can choose to exchange letters with a local Embera child of a similar age before leaving on their adventure. In Panama, your child will get to meet his or her pen pal through a fun activity while visiting the Embera Village. It’s amazing how much kids learn about one another—and the appreciation they gain for one another’s culture—when they meet through this eye-opening program. Jungle boat adventure in the Panama Canal Set out on a journey across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal in our jungle boat, cruising past gigantic cargo and passenger ships. You’ll all be amazed at how big some of these vessels are—they dwarf everything in sight! And of course you’ll likely see plenty of wildlife along the way in the rain forest—iguanas, crocodiles, monkeys and peacocks, just to name a few. Miraflores Locks If your kids are into Legos or Lincoln Logs, they’ll love this engineering phenomenon. Stretching almost a mile long, Miraflores is part of a lock system that takes ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific (and vice versa). After watching a ship go through the locks make sure to visit the museum—the exhibits and views from there are fantastic! Included travel insurance As a family company, we understand the value of peace of mind. For that very reason, travel insurance is automatically included for all scheduled adventures. This covers your family for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, travel delay, lost baggage, and more. Stop at Quesos Chela Quesos Chela is gastronomical heaven – stop here to get your fill of scrumptious homemade cheeses, amazing hot empanadas, and fresh fruit drinks. Anyone who is used to traveling with teens knows that it is absolutely imperative to keep them fed and satisfied, and the Quesos Chela is an excellent find for filling and delicious Panamanian delights.