Panama's Wings of the Wild: A Birdwatching and Cultural Journey

Upon arrival to Panama, we will provide a comfortable private transportation for a 30-minute effortless transfer to Central Hotel in the charming old city of Casco Antiguo. After checking in, you will be met by your English-speaking specialist guide for a stroll in the old town and explore Panama’s rich heritage in Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, walking through historic squares, visit ancient monasteries, and soak in the old-world charm amidst a backdrop of modern Panama City. Enjoy the local culture with vibrant restaurants, museums and stunning architecture. For dinner, you will be able to visit the restaurant of your choice, as well as enjoy drinks at a rooftop bar to appreciate the beautiful Panama City skyline (we will provide a list of suggested restaurants and rooftop bars at walking distance). 

After breakfast, we will transfer you for 30 minutes to explore Panama’s history at the Miraflores Visitor Center, where you can watch ships pass through the locks of the iconic Panama Canal and learn about its engineering marvels through an immersive IMAX 3D presentation narrated by Morgan Freeman. 

Continue to the Amador Causeway for views of Panama City’s skyline and the world’s first Biodiversity museum (Biomuseo), a Smithsonian affiliate interpretative museum where you will learn about the connection between the Isthmus of Panama and the biodiversity around it. Also, how this small piece of land changed the world. This museum was the first museum designed by Frank Gehry in Latin America. End your day with a comfortable night of rest at the Central Hotel. 

You will be transferred at 5:15 am for 20 minutes to Albrook Airport, and fly to David, Chiriquí Province, and after a one hour and 15 minute drive you will check in at Los Brezos Hotel. 

The town of Volcan is in a mountainous district located in the extreme west of the country, in the province of Chiriquí. Take in its peaks, forests, rivers, and its mountainous environment, which will set the stage for a completely different birdwatching experience that the journey you have had until now. 

After lunch, you will be transferred for 30 minutes to visit Finca Dracula, an orchid nursery with one of the largest collections in Latin America, home to over 2,000 species. You’ll learn about orchid conservation and enjoy the vibrant blooms, including Dracula orchids, a rare variety prized by collectors. This peaceful and scenic tour offers a glimpse into Panama’s botanical diversity, and it’s a highlight for nature lovers. The day allows for easy walking and an up-close look at some of Panama’s most extraordinary flora. You will be transferred back to Hotel Los Brezos for a comfortable night of rest. 

This full day is dedicated to birdwatching at a private reserve, renowned for spotting the resplendent quetzal, one of Central America’s most beautiful and elusive birds. Led by our specialist guide, the group will be transferred for 45 minutes to visit a reserve inside the La Amistad International Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), to explore lush cloud forest trails at an easy pace, listening to bird calls and looking for species such as tanagers, trogons, and hummingbirds. 

The reserve’s ecosystem supports an astonishing variety of flora and fauna. Cameras and binoculars will come in handy to capture the unique sights and sounds of this rich natural habitat in Panama’s highlands. Lunch for this day is included in the activity, and after the end of the day, you will be transferred back for dinner at leisure and to rest at Los Brezos Hotel. 

After breakfast, you will check out from Los Brezos and for your final adventure in Volcan you will be transferred for 15 minutes for a coffee farm tour, delving into the secrets of the most valuable coffee in the world. 

Explore the coffee roasting process, combined with a tasting session, featuring Panama’s prized Geisha coffee, renowned for its complex and unique flavors, reaching astronomical values of over $2,000 per pound. 

At 11:00 am you will be transferred in a private transportation for 1 hour and 15 minutes to David for lunch and then to take a 3:30 pm flight back to Panama City to continue your birdwatching adventures, and check in to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, deep in the heart of the Panamanian rainforest. 

Begin with an early visit to the Rainforest Discovery Center, an ecotourism gem located next to the Soberania National Park, renowned for birdwatching. 

At the Rainforest Discovery Center, you will go from ground level to canopy level by climbing the stairs of the 40-meter observation tower with your specialist guide, where species like toucans, hummingbirds, and trogons are usually viewed. You will observe the amazing landscape and diversity of trees from different levels when going up the tower. And in the Visitor Center you will love the sanctuary of hummingbirds. 

Afterward, you will board a boat where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Cruise across Gatun Lake, passing colossal cargo ships, heading to Monkey Island, where playful monkeys and other wildlife can be observed in their natural habitat. 

For lunch time, you will be transported back to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Sloth Sanctuary to learn about these gentle animals’ behavior and conservation efforts. This day offers a glimpse into the rainforest’s incredible biodiversity and conservation efforts. 

After dinner you will have the opportunity to participate in a night safari boat ride, in search of birds and nocturnal animals. With the help of reflectors and flashlights, our guide will point out the places where caimans and crocodiles of all sizes usually hunt their prey. If you're lucky you can see their eyes shine with the reflection of the headlights and follow them as they swim down the river. Lodging for the night will be at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. 

You will say farewell to Panama’s jungle as you will be transferred from the Gamboa Rainforest Resort to the Tocumen International Airport for your international flight home., bringing an unforgettable combination of Panama’s unique birdlife, rich cultural experiences, and extraordinary landscapes. 

Through our Learn, Serve & Immerse travel pillars, we have developed a unique journey to this vibrant country that offers many opportunities to discover and learn about the diverse wildlife, indigenous cultures, and adventure in a beautiful tropical rainforest. ​

Highlights and Learning themes unique to this tour include:

• Panama culture and history
• An Immersive two-day homestay in the indigenous village of Soloy, and discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Ngäbe-Buglé people.
• A lovely hike along the Achiote Trail through the Tucán Center, to learn more about the 400 bird species in a lush 4,000-acre protected reserve.
• Explore the Biodiversity Museum
• Harvest coffee beans and learn about coffee plants
• Sustainable tourism and its impact on the local economy

Much more than a traditional tour operator, Global Family Travels’ mission is to “Learn, Serve and Immerse” through culture and community-based travel programs. In partnership with non-profit organizations and schools, we offer family-friendly and sustainable travel experiences in support of education, gender equality, access to clean water, preservation of local cultures, conservation, and economic growth, all of which foster cross-cultural understanding and global citizens.  

Our trips include a unique mix of cultural and educational activities, homestays, and participation in local service projects aimed at improving the lives of people in the communities we visit.    
 
Expect to expand your family circle when you embark on a Global Family Travels trip!  Visit our website for more information: Global Family Travels

Today we will head to Portobelo to begin our exploration. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Portobello served as a Spanish fortress and Caribbean port. Products such as spices, gold and silver that came from Peru and other Spanish Colonies passed through the country, along a trail called the Royal Path, and then were boarded on ships to be transported to Spain. 

Because of the riches stored in the Portobello Customs House, pirates attacked the town on various occasions; the best-known attack was by Henry Morgan. We will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and colonial fortifications of San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria. 

Afterwards, liberate your creativity and create your own work of art. Under the guidance of a local artist, elaborate your own souvenir. 

• Start time: 8:00am hotel pick up. 
• Duration: Full day (up to 8 hours). 
• What to wear/bring: Comfortable clothing and shoes, hat, raincoat, sun protection and insect repellent. 
• Includes: Private transportation/driver, expert guide, entrance fees, art workshop, snacks, bottled water, and lunch.