Panama is more than a destination—it’s a vibe, a story, and a celebration of Afro-Latino and Caribbean heritage. From the historic streets of Casco Viejo to the powerful legacy of the Panama Canal, every corner holds a tale worth exploring. We’ll connect with vibrant communities in Colón, dance to Congo rhythms, and soak in the sun on the Caribbean shores of the San Blas Islands. This tour is curated for culture lovers, history seekers, and anyone ready to experience Panama’s soul with style. I’ve got the logistics covered—just bring your curiosity, your crew, and your energy. Let’s make this journey unforgettable.
Panama’s people are a vibrant mosaic of cultures, and at the heart of that tapestry is the powerful legacy of Afro-Latino and Caribbean heritage. The Afro-Panamanian community traces its roots to two major waves: the Afro-Colonials, descendants of Africans brought during the Spanish colonial era starting in the early 1500s, and the Afro-Antilleans, who arrived from islands like Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to help build the Panama Canal. Panama’s Afro-Latino and Caribbean roots aren’t just history—they’re alive in the people, the streets, and the soul of the nation.
Panamanian cuisine is a flavorful fusion born from centuries of cultural crossroads. As the bridge between North and South America—and a global hub thanks to the Panama Canal—Panama’s food reflects Indigenous roots, African heritage, Spanish influence, and Caribbean flair. Panama’s strategic location brought waves of culinary traditions—from Spanish settlers to Afro-Antillean canal workers, Chinese immigrants, and West Indian communities. This created a rich blend of flavors and techniques, where dishes like carimañolas (yuca fritters stuffed with beef), tamales wrapped in banana leaves, and ceviche became everyday favorites.
Panama is a cultural crossroads, and its people reflect a rich blend of Indigenous, European, Afro-Latino, and Caribbean heritage. This diversity is deeply woven into the country’s languages, traditions, and historical identity. Spanish is the official language and spoken by nearly 90% of the population. Indigenous languages like Ngäbere, Guna, and Emberá are still spoken in native communities, preserving ancient cultural roots. Creole English, especially in Colón and Bocas del Toro, reflects the Afro-Caribbean influence. It’s a blend of English, Spanish, and African languages, brought by Caribbean immigrants during the canal era.
Panama’s landscape is as dynamic as its cultural history—lush rainforests, tropical coastlines, highland valleys, and the iconic isthmus that links two continents. From the Caribbean shores of Colón and Bocas del Toro to the Pacific cliffs near Panama City, the terrain has shaped migration, trade, and resistance.
Panama’s land isn’t just beautiful—it’s a living archive of Afro-diasporic resilience, migration, and cultural brilliance. The perfect backdrop for the kind of immersive storytelling our tours are known for.
PANAMA AUGUST 1, 2026 - AUGUST 9, 2026
AUGUST 1 - Welcome to Panama City
On arrival at Tocumen airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel located in Panama City.
* Tonight, you will have a welcome dinner at La Tapa del Coco
AUGUST 2 Panama City
Tour of Casco - focused on Afro-Latino History
Duration: 3–4 hours
Discover the rich Afro-Latino heritage woven into the streets of Casco Antiguo. Walk through this UNESCO-listed district with a knowledgeable guide, uncovering stories of African descendants who shaped Panama’s culture, music, cuisine, and traditions. Visit historic landmarks, hidden alleyways, and vibrant plazas while learning about the community’s struggles, resilience, and lasting influence on the nation’s identity. Visit to the Afro-Anillan Museum.
AUGUST 3 Panama City
San Blas Day Experience (Private)
Duration: Full day
Lunch Included
Explore three island communities and swim in a crystalline natural pool, guided by local Guna hosts who share insights into their forest-to-sea way of life. Witness traditional stilt-house villages, tropical birdlife, and vibrant coral gardens. After a leisurely island lunch, relax on sun-dappled sands before returning to Panama City.
AUGUST 4 Panama City
Portobelo Cultural Day (with Congo Dance)
Duration: Full day
Lunch Included
Depart Panama City for a scenic coastal ride to the historic town of Portobelo, once a strategic Caribbean port along the Royal Path. Upon arrival, explore the UNESCO-listed colonial fortifications of San Gerónimo and Santiago de la Gloria, the ruins of the old customs house, and the iconic Church of the Black Christ. Dive into Portobelo’s Afro-Panamanian heritage through a powerful Congo dance. Under the guidance of a local artist, take part in a creative workshop where you’ll craft your own souvenir inspired by Congo symbolism. This full day experience offers a meaningful connection to the region’s history and vibrant culture before returning to Panama City in the late afternoon.
AUGUST 5 Panama City
Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Afro-Caribbean Panama (departing from Casco Viejo)
Duration: 6 hours
Lunch or Dinner is Included (depending on pick-up time)
Savor the vibrant flavors of Panama’s Afro-Caribbean heritage on a guided culinary walk through Casco Viejo. Enjoy traditional dishes and street food favorites inspired by the country’s Caribbean coast, while learning the stories, ingredients, and cultural influences behind each bite. From fragrant spices to fresh seafood, this experience is a delicious journey through history.
Then head to the Panama Canal – Backstage at the Miraflores Locks
Pickup Time: Depends on availability
Duration: 2–3 hours
Private transportation/driver, expert guide, Canal Authority rep.
Gain exclusive backstage access to the Miraflores Visitor Center on a private transfer to the Panama Canal, where you will be joined by a representative from the Panama Canal Authority. Explore restricted platforms and vantage points to observe lock operations up close, learning the intricate processes that allow massive vessels to navigate this engineering marvel. Delve into the canal’s rich history and technical innovations as you wander areas typically off-limits to the public, capturing memorable photographs of the lock chambers and surrounding waterways. This insider’s perspective reveals both the scale of the canal’s machinery and its enduring significance in global maritime trade.
AUGUST 6 Panama City
Embera Indigenous Encounter
Duration: 5–6 hours
Lunch Included
Depart by transfer to El Corotu on Madden Lake and board a motorized piragua for a river journey through Chagres National Park’s 320,000-acre rainforest. Along the Chagres River, watch for little blue and green herons, great egrets, anhingas, neotropical cormorants, kingfishers, and ospreys. Arrive at an Embera village to be greeted with traditional song and dance, then learn about the Embera’s deep connection to nature, their basket weaving, mask carving, and tagua jewelry. Try jagua body painting in the indigenous style and browse handmade crafts before sharing a hearty Embera lunch.
AUGUST 7 Panama City
The day is at leisure.
AUGUST 8 Panama City
The day is at leisure.
Evening Pickup Time: 6:30–7:00pm
Panama Folkloric Dinner & Show
Duration: 2.5 hours
Enjoy a delightful evening of Panamanian cuisine and culture with a private transfer to a traditional local restaurant. Savor classic dishes like sancocho, tamales, seafood, plantains, and tropical fruits, showcasing the country’s rich culinary fusion. After dinner, experience a folkloric show featuring traditional dances like Punta, Travesado, and Diablos Sucios, set to live marimbas and drums. End the night with a relaxing ride back to your hotel, carrying memories of Panama’s flavors, music, and heritage.
AUGUST 9 Departure
Today at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Tocumen International Airport for your departure flight.
RATES & ACCOMMODATIONS:
$2870 P/P DBL OCC
SINGLE OCC ADD $537 P/P
8 nights at TRYP by WINDHAM PANAMA CENTRO
All transfers and transportation by private vehicle (Only 1 group transfer for airport arrival & departure)
Government/local taxes at existing rates
All tours as noted below:
Casco Walking tour focused on Afro-Latino History
Afro-Anillan Museum
San Blas Day Experience
Portobelo Cultural Day (with Congo dance)
Gastronomic tour
Panama Canal tour
Embera Indigenous Encounter
Panama Folkloric dinner and show
Meals as noted below:
8 Breakfasts
3 or 4 lunches (depending on tour departure time)
2 or 3 dinners (depending on tour departure time)
Rate Excludes:
Round-Trip Air Transportation
Additional charges will apply for extra transfers if anyone in the group is arriving or departing on different flights.
Any future fuel surcharges on land arrangements or additional costs due to COVID rules
Personal items (e.g. laundry, phone calls etc.) Meals unless listed in itinerary or noted above and all drinks
Tips & Gratuities
Early check-in & late check out of rooms (standard check-in time is 3pm and check out 10am)
Travel Insurance, or Visas (Visa currently not Required for US Citizens)
"Services are arranged by AureliaTours. Aurelia Tours is a tour coordinator and is responsible for arranging services. The suppliers providing transportation, lodging, sightseeing, touring, and other services are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of AureliaTours. AureliaTours is not responsible or liable for and expressly disclaims any responsibility for loss, expense, accident, injury or damage to any person or property that results directly or indirectly from any willful or negligent act or omission by any service provider."