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Panama

See our educational approach to program design
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See our educational approach to program design
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8 or 11 days

Panama City, El Valle de Antón, Gatun Lake, Chagres National Park, Portobelo, extension to David and Boquete


Experience the lush biodiversity and rich traditions of Panama. With a mix of modern skyscrapers, historic ruins, and dense rainforests, this isthmus offers a little bit of everything. You'll examine the significance of the Panama Canal, enjoy a folklore dance performance, and connect with local communities. Throughout your journey, balance the bustle of Panama City with outdoor adventures—from hiking El Valle de Antón to canoeing the Rio Chagres.Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Panama tour

Day 1: Fly to Panama

Meet your Field Director at the destination airport

Enjoy dinner in Panama City

Day 2: Panama City

Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City

Take a guided tour of Casco Viejo, known for its vibrant streets and historical architecture

Take a Field Director-led walking tour of Panama City

Visit the Biomuseo, a museum showcasing Panama’s incredible biodiversity

Take a group photo by the Panama sign on the Amador Causeway  

Day 3: Panama City • El Valle de Antón

Take a day trip to El Valle de Antón, a picturesque mountain town nestled in a volcanic crater 

Explore hiking trails in El Valle de Antón  

Enjoy lunch in El Valle de Antón  

See a youth folklore dance show

Day 4: Panama City • Gatun Lake

Take a boat ride on Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal where you will learn about the different species on Monkey Island

Enjoy lunch at Gatun Lake

Enjoy a hike in one of the parks that surround Panama City

Day 5: Panama City

Participate in a cultural exchange with locals 

Stop for a photo at the Panama Canal Administration Building

Visit a pineapple farm

Enjoy lunch on the pineapple farm

Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal

Take a private tour of the Miraflores Locks and learn about its history, engineering and impact on global trade

Hike to the top of Ancon Hill for a stunning view of the Panama City skyline

Day 6: Panama City • Chagres National Park

Take a day trip to Chagres National Park

Visit an Emberá indigenous village to learn about traditional lifestyles and crafts 

Take a canoe ride on the Rio Chagres

Enjoy lunch at the Emberá indigenous village  

Day 7: Panama City

Add this in-depth excursion:


Portobelo

Portobelo

Take a day trip to the Caribbean coast, where you'll spend time snorkeling in the crystalline waters. Afterwards, enjoy an included lunch before setting out to explore the Portobelo Ruins, a historic site that once guarded the treasure fleets of the Spanish Empire. Explore the remnants of this 17th-century fortification and soak in panoramic views of the lush, tropical surroundings.  

Enjoy dinner in Panama City

Day 8: Depart for home


Add 3 more days


Day 8: Panama City • David • Boquete

Fly to David

Travel to Boquete, a charming highland town known for its coffee and stunning scenery

Visit a locally owned and operated farm to learn about how local produce is grown, harvested and sold

Day 9: Boquete

Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs) 

Take a canopy tour, where you’ll: 

  • Travel through the jungle via hanging bridges  
  • Spot unique flora and wildlife as you explore the ecosystem of jungle canopies 
  • Take in amazing aerial views 

Enjoy lunch in Boquete

Day 10: Boquete • David • Panama City

Return to Panama City

Enjoy free time in Panama City

Enjoy dinner in Panama City

Day 11: Depart for home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness

Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions

  • Sample assignments

  • Journal prompts

  • Webinars

  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get

Your experience includes

Transportation
Accommodations
Select meals
End-to-end support
EF Global Learning Toolkit
Field Director
Guided exploration
Field Visits

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