The drive into the city may pass the bay and modern skyline, offering a first glimpse of Panama’s economic centre. There are no planned activities during the afternoon or evening after the flight. Travellers with energy can walk along the Cinta Costera or have dinner in Casco Antiguo, but the first evening does not need to be filled with sightseeing.

Squares, churches and views over the bay help place the colonial history in context. Later, the tour continues to the Panama Canal. At Miraflores, canal traffic is observed when the schedule allows. The guide explains both the engineering and the political and economic forces that have made the canal so important to Panama.

After check-out, the journey continues from the capital. If the next transport leaves later, a free morning can be used for a museum visit or walk.

The journey from Panama City and the Panama Canal to Gamboa and Soberanía is by private transfer. On arrival, the transfer continues to the accommodation.

From Panama City, the road follows the Canal Zone towards Gamboa. In less than an hour, motorways and high-rises give way to water, dense forest and smaller roads.

With a nature guide, the walk follows a trail in the Soberanía area, often stopping frequently for calls and movement high in the trees. Later, a smaller boat heads onto Gatún Lake or the canal’s side channels. From the water, the forest is seen from a different perspective and monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and waterbirds may appear along the shores. Ships moving through the main channel provide an unusual contrast to the rainforest.

From Gamboa, the journey continues to the next part of Panama. With a later departure, the morning can begin with a short birding excursion before the transfer continues back towards Panama City, the airport or further west through the country.

The journey from Gamboa and Soberanía to El Valle de Antón is by private transfer. On arrival, the transfer continues to the accommodation.

The Pan-American Highway leads west from Panama City before the road turns up into the mountains. The broad green valley comes into view only near the end of the journey, enclosed by the old crater rim.

A trail towards the crater rim provides broad views over the valley, while a gentler alternative stays closer to forest and streams. A local guide helps find birds, plants and smaller wildlife that would otherwise be easy to miss. After lunch there is time for a swim, a garden visit or simply a free afternoon at the valley’s slower pace.

The road leaves the El Valle caldera and continues towards the next part of Panama. The route may continue towards Azuero, Santa Catalina and the Pacific coast or return towards Panama City.

The journey from El Valle de Antón to Boquete is by private transfer. On arrival, the transfer continues to the accommodation.

From David, the road climbs quickly into the Chiriquí highlands. The heat eases, slopes become greener and coffee farms begin to appear between patches of forest. A walk in Boquete suits the quiet first afternoon.

The guide follows the work from the fields through picking and processing to drying and roasting, with a tasting that makes the differences understandable in the cup. Geisha has made Boquete internationally famous, but the visit becomes more interesting when other varieties and the farming itself are also included in the discussion. After lunch there is time to remain in the highlands without more fixed visits.

A cloud-forest walk can follow mountain trails where quetzals and other highland birds occur, while a more active day may include rafting or hanging bridges. The choice is made according to weather, water levels and individual fitness. It is better to choose one activity that fits well than to try to fit several into the same day.

From Boquete, the road descends towards David and continues by air or road. The journey can also continue directly towards the Gulf of Chiriquí or Bocas del Toro.

The road crosses the mountain range to Almirante and the journey then continues by boat to Bocas del Toro.

After arrival in Bocas, the journey continues to the hotel, sometimes with a final section by small boat depending on the chosen island.

The route is determined by wind, rain and visibility. Mangrove channels may be followed slowly before the boat continues to a beach or snorkelling site. The guide looks for dolphins, birds and other wildlife without crowding or chasing them. Locations are selected according to wind, sea conditions and what works best on the day.

Kayaking through calm channels, a surf lesson, diving, a nature walk or a long day at the beach are all possible. Some beaches have strong currents and the sea is not always suitable for swimming, so local advice matters more than plans made far in advance. A long lunch and a few hours with no planned activity also fit the rhythm of the islands well.

Depending on flight connections, the journey continues by domestic flight or by boat and road transfer back towards Panama City. Weather and local boat operations mean connections require plenty of time.

In Panama City, connect with the international flight home to Scandinavia. Exact flight times and transport from Bocas del Toro are coordinated in the final itinerary.

Arrival in Scandinavia after the overnight flight.