The Perfect Panama Itinerary for Families

The Perfect Panama Itinerary for Families

Your clients have already ”done” Costa Rica. Or maybe they are on the hunt for a destination that offers indigenous cultures, a cool city vibe, wildlife, adventure AND beautiful beaches. And is accessible via a relatively short nonstop flight from North America. And is warm, doesn’t come with altitude concerns, can be experienced within a week and is safe.

Panama checks all of these boxes and more and has been perhaps our most-requested destination so far in 2020. Travelers are often surprised at how modern and well-developed Panama is. Great infrastructure, paved highways and the USD as currency stand in contrast to 16th century fortifications, dense, impenetrable rainforest and indigenous groups such as the Embera and Guna Yala who maintain traditional lifestyles in the rainforest and on islands. The cultural diversity of the country is often unexpected as well, though the whole world has been transiting Panama for centuries and the influence of African, Chinese, Indian and European cultures can be observed especially well in the country’s culinary scene, a standout in Central America.

With our partners at El Otro Lado Private Retreat in Portobelo and Isla Palenque in the Gulf of Chiriquí, we’ve put together an ideal 8-Day/7-NightPanama Family Itinerary featuring the two best properties in Panama catering to the high-end traveler market while still being accessible, authentic and without pretense. For outstanding service, unique experiences and a selection of room options that work for families of different sizes (plus pools & water toys at both properties to occupy the kids while parents can sip a cocktail), this trip is hard to beat and has been thoroughly vetted and approved by Clark’s two sons, ages 7 and 10. (And they are tough to impress - having been every where!)

Highlights include:

• Watching huge cargo ships traverse Gatun Lake from the Panama Canal Railway

• Getting a lesson in percussion and rhythm from students at La Escuelita Del Ritmo in Portobelo (a free music school supported by El Otro Lado)

• Learning about Congo cultural traditions and then painting in the Congo style

• Wake boarding in front of a 16th century fort

• Searching for Howler monkeys and sloths

• Boogie boarding the waves at Isla Palenque

• Discovering the remains of ancient, vanished cultures on the Secrets of the Island Walk

• Snorkeling among coral reefs and visiting uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Chiriqui

• Watching humpback whales breach and play with their babies in the waters around Isla Palenque (late July - early November)

Drumming lessons at El Otro Lado

Wake boarding in Bahia de Portobelo in front on UNESCO ruins

Art class with other guests

Proud & aspiring Congo artists

Pedal boats on El Otro Lado’s private lake, which was created during Panama Canal construction

The Little Rhythm School in Bahia Portobelo provides more than 100 local students with free music & voice classes

Ancient fortifications once defended Portobelo against Captain Henry Morgan

Boogie boarding at Isla Palenque

Taking the plunge on a day trip for snorkeling

When you’re tired of the beach there is always the pool

Unplugged and soaking in nature

Heading out to SUP

Hanging with new friends at Isla Palenque

Stone tools and pottery shards from ancient cultures abound on Isla Palenque

Who doesn’t love an outdoor bathtub?

The itinerary has been written with the travel professional in mind and is full of our notes on timing, flight options and recommended experiences in Panama City. We invite you to download this trip as a Word Document to send to prospective travelers, customizing as you see fit. You can also send it directly to your preferred Panama DMC or Tour Operator partner for a quote & their input or contact Kirsten at kirsten@clarkkotula.com for suggestions on how to put it all together.