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Five hundred years ago, the great discoverer Christopher Columbus arrived at a tropical paradise in the western Caribbean coast of what is now Panama. Overwhelmed by the most incredible contrasts of vivid color and sheer unspoiled natural surroundings, Columbus decided to drop anchor and immerse in this heavenly place.

Not much has changed since that pristine time with the exception of the provocative Calypso beat, the constant smiles of the people and the alluring island accent of the Caribbean inhabitants. Bocas is the best place to sink your toes in the white sand, to explore lush tropical rainforests and coral reefs and to look for the faithful sea turtles that have come to these islands for millennia.

Day 1 - Panama City - Bocas Del Drago Tour

This morning transfer from your hotel in Panama City to Albrook domestic airport to board the scheduled flight to the town of Bocas in Colon Island, the capital of Bocas del Toro province. You will be met at the local airport on arrival. After checking in at the Bocas Inn, receive a briefing on the activities that will take place during our trip.

Start the adventure with a boat ride around Colon Island to Boca del Drago. Weather permitting, visit Swan's Cay - a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, which serves as rookery for Red-billed tropic birds (the only place to be found in Panama) and Brown boobies. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the beach at Boca del Drago and search for colorful giant starfish. Along the coastline, returning to the lodge, make stops at coral reefs and mangrove isles for snorkeling.

Accommodations: Bocas Inn
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - Salt Creek Village - Bastimentos Marine National Park

Depart by boat from the Bocas Inn early in the morning traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park. Reach Salt Creek by navigating through clusters of Red Mangroves, which provide sea creatures with a protective area during their reproductive and development stages. Upon arrival, first enjoy a walk along Caiman trail. This trail takes us through several stages of lowland forest dynamics. Here, look for birds such as Red-throated Ant Tanager and Golden-collared Manakin (Cerritus sub sp.). Mammals such as Night Monkeys, White-faced Capuchins and Three-toed Sloths also live here. An older tract of rainforest has tall trees that provide life to birds such as the Three-wattled Bellbird and Green-breasted Mango.

A nearby lagoon is home to Spectacled Cayman and Slider Turtle. On the ground, look for the tiny endemic poison dart frog Dendrobates pumilio. After the hike, enjoy a visit to the Ngobe Bugle indigenous community to have a chance to purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and handbags, followed by lunch. In the afternoon snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs, searching for numerous fish species, as well as dynamic and brightly colored sea fans, sponges and brittle starfish.

Accommodations: Bocas Inn
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Bocas Del Toro - Panama

This morning enjoy more reef snorkeling at Nancy’s Key, near Hospital Point. After another delicious Caribbean style lunch at the Bocas Inn we are ready to come back to Panama City. On arrival to the city we are transferred back to our hotel.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch



Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips on one of our Panama or Costa Rica expedition cruises.

Itinerary Notes: The Bocas del Toro Adventure is designed to be a trip extension and may only be booked in conjunction with our Panama Small Ship Cruises, our longer Panama Tours or as part of a Custom Panama Tour. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Included: All lodging, land, air and water transportation within Panama, all airport/hotel transfers when arriving and departing on the stated arrival and departure dates of the group, meals as specified in the itinerary, hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking are included unless otherwise specified, guide services as specified in the itinerary.

Exclusions: Airfare to Panama, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, tourist card ($5), gratuities to transfer and naturalist guides, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, Snorkeling equipment (can be rented at a small fee at the Uaguinega Lodge), and insurance of any kind.

Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 30 lbs (11 kg) of checked luggage and 5 lbs (2.5 kg) of carry-on per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.

Arrival & Departure: The Bocas Del Toro Adventure begins and ends in Panama City. A pre and post hotel night is required. Please plan flights to arrive one day prior and depart one day after the outlined itinerary from the Tocumen International Airport.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $500 is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days - 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days - 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: This trip is available to any individuals or families with a love of nature and sense of adventure.


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