: Ocean to Ocean Self-Drive

12 days / 11 nights

Explore during this self-drive the best of the provinces of Panama, Colon and Cocle. All these destinations are within a short driving distance to make sure you will have plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of nature and the attractions at the different towns and hotels.

Day : 1 - Arrival in Panama City :

After your arrival to Panama our representative will pick you up at the airport and transfers you to your city hotel. Panama City is the capital and largest city in Panama. It is home to a diverse blend of cultures and a vast historical sector in the Old City, a district famous for its Spanish fortifications and several colonial buildings. Panama City is a location you will surely enjoy during your visit to this gorgeous country!

Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day : 2 - City tour of Panama City & Miraflores Locks :

An English speaking guide will meet you at your hotel from where on you will enjoy a tour of Panama City. You will visit Old Panama, the Casco Antiguo and enjoy a fascinating view on the skyline of modern Panama. The trip continues to the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. From this point you will have a good look on the giant ships passing by. Free afternoon to spend in Panama City.

Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day : 3 - Panama City - Colón :

Free morning to spend in Panama City. At a time indicated by you, your rental car – a Toyota Yaris Au-tomatic with mandatory insurances and unlimited mileage – will be delivered to your hotel and after a short explanation about driving in Panama you are free to explore the country on your own.
From Panama City on the Pacific Ocean you will enjoy a short drive (approx. 1.5h) towards Colón, the main port and entrance to the Panama Canal on the Caribbean side. Colón is also the home of the larg-est free trade zone of the western hemisphere – a paradise for shopping. Five minutes from Colón you will find your hotel for the next two nights – the Meliá Panamá Canal, situated directly at the shore of Lake Gatún.

Overnight at the Meliá Panama Canal, breakfast included.

Day : 4 - Lake Gatún - Colón - Portobelo :

Enjoy a free day at the area. You can either take a tour on Lake Gatún ? your hotel will gladly help you with the arrangements ? or explore the region on your own. Portobelo, an approximately 50 minute?s drive from Colón, is a small bay side town offering various historical sites that have been declared world heritage by the UNESCO. Portobelo was the shipping pont to Spain for all the treasures of the Inca Empire and the favorite target of pirates such as Sir Francis Drake. You will find the ruins of four Spanish forts, the restored customhouse and the local church with its famous ?Black Christ?. As an addition to this historical excursion you might have time for some shopping at the free trade zone or to visit the impressive Gatún Locks of the Panama Canal and see the huge vessels being lifted to the level of Lake Gatún.

Overnight at the Meliá Panama Canal, breakfast included.

Day : 5 - Colón - Gamboa :

Today is just a short drive from Colón to Gamboa (approx. 2 hours). Depending on your preferences you can either spend a free morning in Colón or enjoy the afternoon in Gamboa. The small village of Gamboa has been built during the construction of the Panama Canal and has only one way in and out. Your hotel for the next two nights ? the Gamboa Rainforest Resort ? is located directly at the shore of Lake Gatún and the Chagres River. From the marina you will enjoy spectacular views of giant ships crossing the Panama Canal, the rooms and restaurants offer a calm view over the Chagres River. On a guided nightwalk ? inscription at the reception of the hotel ? you can learn about the birds and mammals living in this rainforest.

Overnight at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, breakfast included.

Day : 6 - Gamboa :

Free day to spend in Gamboa. Take one of the various tours offered by the hotel, visit the close by National Park Soberanía with its famous pipeline road (bird watching) or simply relax at the Swimming Pool of the comfortable resort.

Overnight at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, breakfast included.

Day : 7 - Gamboa ? El Valle :

Enjoy the free morning in Gamboa. A 2.5 hour?s drive takes you over the famous Bridge of the Americas (Puente de las Américas), along the pacific coastline to San Carlos. Shortly after the small town you will see the sign to El Valle. Turn right and follow the curvy road for approximately 25 kilometers uphill to the small and picturesque town set in the midst of an extinct volcanic crater. Here you stay for two nights at the charming family run guest house Park Eden with lush garden setting.

Overnight at the Park Eden Bed & Breakfast, breakfast included.

Day : 8 - El Valle :

A free day to explore the El Valle area with its fresh and agreeable climate. Here there are hiking, horse riding, biking and bird watching opportunities and plenty of flowering plants bloom in its "eternal spring" micro-climate. There are small scale local amusements including the colorful handicrafts and fruits market, some natural thermal water, mud baths, petroglyphs and a waterfall plus the delights of must visit gourmet restaurant "Los Mandarinos".

Overnight at the Park Eden Bed & Breakfast, breakfast included.

Day : 9 - El Valle – Sheraton Bijao Resort:

In the morning, drive down to the Panamerican Highway and follow it further southwest. After approxi-mately a one hour’s drive you will see the signs for Sheraton Bijao Resort, your all-inclusive beach resort for a few relaxing days. A representative of the rental car company will meet you at the hotel to return the rental car.

Overnight at the Sheraton Bijao Resort, Premium Room, all-inclusive.

Day : 10 - Playa Blanca:

Free day to spend at the Sheraton Bijao Resort. Participate in some of the many activities offered by the hotel or simply relax at the beach.

Overnight at the Sheraton Bijao Resort, Premium Room, all-inclusive.

Day : 11 - Playa Blanca :

Free day to spend at the Sheraton Bijao Resort. Participate in some of the many activities offered by the hotel or simply relax at the beach.

Overnight at the Playa Blanca Resort, all-inclusive.

Day : 12 - Sheraton Bijao Resort – Panama City - Departure:

You will be picked up at the Sheraton Bijao Resort and transferred directly to Panama’s international airport for your flight home.