Telephone Consultation +49 221 534109-300
DE / FR / EN
itravel

Thank you for your interest in this trip. If you want to revisit this page, use the QR-code shown or use the following link: http://www.itravel.com/select/6663-oh-how-beautiful-panama-is

Car rental round trip - Panama

Oh how beautiful Panama is

Highlights

  • Discover Panama on your own with a rental car

  • Pristine beaches and beautiful coasts

  • Exciting nature reserves and breathtaking diversity

  • A journey from the metropolises to nature

  • Overnight stays in selected hotels

Description

Are you a nature lover looking for beaches, coasts, and lots of water? Then Panama is just the place for you. A narrow country between the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, it is practically cut in two by the Panama Canal. Experience one of the last paradises on earth and discover Panama City, the famous Panama Canal, and its unique nature.

Destination

Central America

Panama City - El Valle - Pedasi - Boca Chica - Volcan - Bocas del Toro - Panama City

We recommend a trip to Panama during the dry season, from December to March. Although there can be short showers during these months, the temperatures are pleasantly warm and ideal for swimming.

The first day of your trip begins after landing at Tocumen International Airport, where a transfer will take you to Global Hotel Panama. You have excellent conditions to get to know the city since it’s located in the city center. Many stores and restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel. Let the first day end in peace and relax from the journey.

Travel time from the airport - hotel: approx. 20 minutes / approx. 21 km

3 nights at Global Hotel Panama***** with breakfast in a City View Room, Panama City, Panama

Today is free for you to settle in. Strengthen yourself with a hearty breakfast and arrange the day according to your preferences. Stroll through the winding streets and alleys of the city and discover small stores where you can find the first souvenirs. Would you prefer to experience a bit of culture? Then why not take part in our optional excursion:

e5ce6ff6-e858-11e8-9774-068ed014655a

Panama City Tour (for a fee): Learn about the fascinating capital of Panama, and visit the ruins, cathedral, and the San José Church. Get an exciting look behind the scenes at how the Panama Canal works.

After this eventful day, you can look forward to relaxing at the hotel.

Arrange the day as you wish. Did you discover something yesterday that you want to look at today? Or are there corners you haven’t seen yet? Then take a few hours to explore the exciting city.

You can also participate in optional excursions that we offer exclusively:

Partial Crossing of the Panama Canal (for a fee): You can participate in a partial crossing of the Panama Canal every Saturday. You will set out for a four-hour trip through the legendary canal in the morning.

Emberá Village (for a fee): On this excursion, we will take you on an authentic journey into the culture of the people who lived there long before the arrival of the Europeans. Experience tradition and original ways of life.

This morning is all about getting on the road. Pick up your rental car near the hotel and set off for your first stop: El Valle. You will reach the small town at an altitude of about 600 meters and the bottom of a crater cauldron about 20 kilometers in size after about two hours or 130 kilometers. Mango and citrus, palm trees, pines, bamboo, and ferns characterize the landscape. After your arrival, enjoy the unique charm of this place and discover the beautiful landscape on your own. Several hiking trails will lead you to the gorgeous Chorro El Macho waterfall. Take a refreshing swim there at the end of the day.

Trip time from Panama City - El Valle: approx. 2 hours / approx. 130 km

1 night at Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa**** with breakfast in a Deluxe Room, El Valle, Panama

The exciting journey through Panama continues. Today, the route takes you via Penonomé to the Azuero Peninsula in the province of Herrera. On the way there, you can stop at the Sarigua National Park, which impresses with its semi-desert ecosystem. Here you will not find a desert resembling the Sahara but a landscape shaped by the salinization process in the soil caused by tides and deforestation by settlers. Exceptional conditions prevail here, as it is the driest region of the Isthmus of Panama, with cacti, laurel, cork trees, and mangrove forests along the coast. From here, further kilometers lead to Pedasí. On the approximately 230-kilometer route, you will pass through numerous small villages until you arrive at Casa Lajagua Hotel.

Use the rest of the day to relax at the hotel or to enjoy the excellent location by the sea. In addition to water sports activities such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, surfing, or kite surfing, a visit to Isla Iguana and horseback riding along the beach is recommended. Make the end of your day just the way you want it.

El Valle - Pedasi trip duration: approx. 3 hours / approx. 230 km

2 nights at Casa Lajagua*** with breakfast in King Room, Pedasi, Panama

e9691ba2-e858-11e8-91bc-068ed014655a

Today is another free day where you can decide what to do! Perhaps the landscape around the hotel will lure you into nature. An excursion to Isla Iguana is an excellent choice, as you will get to know the rainforest and observe numerous exotic birds and green and black iguanas. Spend a relaxing afternoon snorkeling at one of the nearby coral reefs, which will show you Panama's unique underwater world. Want a little more action? Then how about a surf lesson or boogie boarding on Playa Venao beach?

Of course, you can also spend the day at the hotel or explore the surroundings.

Today you have another journey through Panama ahead of you. About 325 kilometers will take you to the western province of Panama, Chiriquí. Today’s destination is Boca Chica, where you will stay at Boutique Hotel Bocas del Mar. In addition to exploring the nearby mangroves around Bahia de los Muertos (Bay of the Dead), a visit to the Gulf of Chiriquí Marine National Park, which you can reach after a 20-minute boat ride, is a must. The entire area is a refuge for parrots, howler monkeys, and sea turtles that come here to lay their eggs.

Trip time from Pedasi - Boca Chica: approx. 5 hours / approx. 325 km

2 nights at Bocas del Mar Boutique Hotel***** with breakfast in a standard bungalow, Boca Chica, Panama

Once again, set off in the rental car to explore new landscapes. Today's route takes you about 130 kilometers into the mountainous terrain of Chiriquí. This region is characterized by wet cloud forests, rugged valleys, and roaring rivers that create beautiful photo opportunities. These sights will entice you to get out of your rental car to soak in the uniqueness of the landscape.

Today's destination: Bambito, near Volcán, one of the most picturesque places in the province. You will certainly not get bored during your stay. There’s something offered for everyone: fishing, birdwatching, and excursions to volcanoes and hot springs.

Trip time from Boca Chica - Volcán: approx. 2.5 hours / approx. 130 km

2 nights at Hotel Bambito**** with breakfast included in a Junior Suite, Volcán, Panama

You can experience Panama's excitement when you get to know the surroundings around Volcán. There are countless possibilities for leisure activities. For those who like to be active on vacation, we recommend the numerous hiking trails of the Quetzal Trail. It is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in Central America! Or you can climb the volcano Barú, which is only recommended for experienced hikers. For culture and exciting insights, visit the historic site of Barilles and the Dracula Orchid Farm. Are you a coffee lover? Why not pay a visit to one of the various coffee fincas?

A route of about 250 kilometers awaits you today and will take you to the most beautiful spots along the Caribbean coast. First, go from Volcán to David Airport, where you will drop off your rental car and begin your onward journey by private transfer. You will see the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range and experience Panama from a new perspective. The drive then takes you along the picturesque Caribbean coast around the harbor to Almirante. Board a water cab that will take you across the shallow waters to Colón Island.

Welcome to a whole new world! Enjoy the Afro-Caribbean flair and let the "easy way of life" of the islanders infect you. After you arrive at the hotel, we recommend visiting the surroundings around the hotel because you can discover the beautiful Bastimentos Island Marine National Park.

Trip from Volcán - Bocas del Toro: approx. 4 hours / approx. 225 km

3 nights at Al Natural Resort**** with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a superior bungalow, Bocas del Toro, Panama

After the numerous impressions of the last few days, you have earned a relaxing day. Enjoy the sunny days at the hotel or take advantage of the tours offered by the hotel to gain further exciting impressions of Panama. If you want to do something on your own, you can rent snorkeling equipment or kayaks from the hotel and also get to know the country's underwater world.

We hope you had a good rest and got to know Bocas del Toro better. Today is already time to say goodbye to the beautiful island. The transfer will take you back to the main island of Colón, where the small airport of Bocas is located. From here you will take off in the afternoon, because the plane will bring you back to Panama City, where you will spend your last night in Panama. From the airport you will be transferred to your hotel.

Bocas del Toro - Panama City flight duration: approx. 1 hour

1 night at Central Hotel Panama***** with breakfast in a Deluxe Room, Panama City, Panama

The last days flew by, and now it is time to say goodbye. Let the memories of the previous days wash over you during the flight back home.

We hope you have experienced an unforgettable journey with us and return home with countless new impressions.

itravel — for that moment.

Global Hotel Panama*****, Panama City, Panama (3 nights)

Global Hotel Panama welcomes you with an outdoor pool and a fitness center, a 10-minute drive from the Old Town of Panama City. Rooms and suites offer a seating area, flat-screen TV, DVD player, air conditioning, a minibar, a coffee maker, an Apple docking station, and complimentary WiFi. Other amenities include a private bathroom, shower, hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries. All rooms will delight you with their sea and mountain views. Other facilities include a restaurant, luggage storage, and free parking.

Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa****, El Valle, Panama (1 night)

Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa welcomes you to El Quije, a 5-minute drive from the zoo and the artisan market. They offer a complimentary breakfast buffet, an outdoor pool, and free WiFi. Suites feature a flat-screen TV, a living room, a desk, a dining area, and air conditioning. The private bathroom is equipped with a whirlpool bath and shower. The on-site restaurant serves fresh dishes from 07:00 to 23:00. A terrace and a large garden invite guests to relax at Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa. Other facilities include a game room and a children's playground. Free parking is available at the accommodation. You are within a 10-minute drive of the Del Valle Museum and hot springs. Panama - Tocumen Airport is a two-hour drive away.

Casa Lajagua***, Pedasí, Panama (2 nights)

Located in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Pedasí, this family-run bed & breakfast welcomes you about a five-minute drive from the beach. Rooms feature air-conditioning, a rain shower, and a veranda with seating. Depending on the category, you'll find a king- or queen-size bed in your room. Suites are also equipped with an LCD TV and a DVD player. Enjoy breakfast at the restaurant before participating in one of the many activities offered by the hotel. For example, take a trip to Isla Iguana or try surfing.

Bocas Del Mar Boutique Hotel*****, Boca Chica, Panama (2 nights)

Bocas del Mar Hotel in Chiriquí is a stunning boutique hotel that offers modern luxury. Its exclusive location on the coast is perfect for a relaxing vacation. As a guest, you can count on quality service with an eye for detail.

Stay in one of the 20 spacious rooms in a modern bungalow style. Or do you prefer our magnificent First Suite? The rooms are in the tropical gardens along the sparkling deep blue waters. When you open the curtains in the morning, you'll be greeted by the tranquil ocean!

Enjoy a swim in one of the two elegant infinity pools, sunbathe on our spacious terraces, or in our small private bay. We are also happy to pamper you in our stylish restaurant and bar while you enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings, the sailboats on the water, and the islands beyond.

Hotel Bambito****, Volcán, Panama (2 nights)

Nestled in the shadows of Barú Volcano, the country's highest mountain, Hotel Bombito Resort is your retreat to a world of beautiful nature. The boutique hotel impresses with large and comfortable rooms and suites, all of which have breathtaking views of the alpine panorama. The 47 rooms and suites are comfortably furnished and characterized by pleasant earth tones in the decor. Room amenities include a TV, minibar, coffeemaker, telephone, and free WiFi.

Al Natural Resort****, Bocas del Toro, Panama (3 nights)

This resort is idyllic and secluded on the back side of Bastimentos Island, at Punta Vieja, and is a 45-minute boat ride from the main island of Colón. The resort elegantly combines traditional Ngöbe-Buglé Indian craftsmanship with new technologies to harness solar energy and limit the impact on the ecosystem. The resort is beautifully built into nature, between lush rainforest and a small secluded beach, away from the tourist hustle and bustle of the main island! To offer maximum privacy to each guest, there are only seven beach bungalows, each with a different size and unique design. Al Natural is an authentic eco-resort with a relaxed atmosphere and personalized service. Excursions, including diving, can be booked at the resort.

The seven bungalows are on stilts (almost) directly on the sea. The front of the bungalows is open in the direction of the sea but can be closed with curtains at any time, and the back is closed. So there are neither doors nor windows! All bungalows have mosquito nets, hammocks or hammock reading chairs, and a safe for valuables.

Central Hotel Panama****, Panama City, Panama (1 night)

This hotel is located in Panama City's historic district and is the ideal base for exploring cultural heritage. Each of the 135 rooms features modern furnishings and splendid views of the Plaza de la Independencia, the cathedral, or the city streets. Amenities include air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a coffeemaker, a safe, an iron/ironing board, and a desk. La Central restaurant offers a wide selection of seasonal and homemade pasta dishes. At the 9 Reinas restaurant, you can indulge in Argentine delicacies. Enjoy a drink here after an eventful day, or relax by the outdoor pool. At Central Hotel Panama, you can use the WiFi free of charge. There is also a spa and a gym for your use.

Duration of the trip: 15 days / 14 nights

Included

  • All transfers from/to the airports
  • National flight Bocas del Toro - Panama City in tourist class (baggage limit 12 kg/person, excess baggage approx. USD 2,- /kg)
  • 14 nights in the mentioned hotels
  • At Al Natural Resort: snorkeling equipment, kayak, full board (incl. ¼ liter wine with dinner)
  • 8 days rental car (Toyota Yaris Advance or similar) incl. fully comprehensive and theft insurance (without deductible), liability insurance, passenger accident insurance, tire and glass insurance, local taxes, unlimited mileage, one additional driver, drop-off fee)
  • Boat ticket Almirante - Isla Colón
  • Meals according to description
  • Detailed travel documentation

Not included

  • International flights
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the scope of services
  • Excursions and entrance fees
  • Gasoline
  • Highway toll (only in Panama City and surroundings)
  • Additional driver
  • Personal expenses, like minibar and tips

Rental car

  • Minimum age: 23 years
  • The renter must be in possession of a valid driver's license, passport and valid return ticket, international driver's license recommended.
  • A major international credit card is required for deposit (between USD 500 and USD 1.000).

Notes

  • All optional excursions must be booked and paid before departure to Panama.

Additional experiences

Panama City Tour

  1. Price per person from 125 € excl. Flight
Add Remove

Embera village tour

  1. Price per person from 145 € excl. Flight
Add Remove

Partial Crossing of the Panama Canal

  1. Price per person from 138 € excl. Flight
Add Remove

Other interesting trips

Categories