We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
You’ll also need some extra money to cover meals not included in the tour price, other sightseeing, airport taxes (approx. US$40 - included in some air ticket fares), souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry. US$ bills must not have any marks or tears.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Panama |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$0.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$10.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$15.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$18.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
$10.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Back to top
Visa Requirements
UK, CAN, USA, NZ and AUS citizens do not require a visa for a stay up to 30 days.
Entry requirements: you must have proof of US$500 or a credit card to enter Panama. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Back to top
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to top
Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Back to top
Vaccinations & Protection
All passengers please note: Foreign Office now advise that from the 01 Nov 2008 yellow fever certificates will only be required for those entering Panama from an ‘At Risk’ country for yellow fever transmission. If you are planning on booking the Chagres NP option we recommend as a precaution measure to get a vaccination against yellow fever as this area is considered at risk.
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on malaria.
Back to top
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to top
Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to top
Preparing for your tour
Climate
Panama has a tropical climate with high temperature and humidity, the average temperature 30°C. The rainy season is from May to November and the summer from December to April. The rainfall is of a tropical nature, falling for 1-2 hours in the afternoon.
Back to top
Additional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/ weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.
Back to top
Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to top
Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to top
One main piece of luggage and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage – don’t overload yourself.
You will need a smaller bag for days 4-10 as there is a luggage limit of 12kg (check-in and 5kg hand luggage) on the internal flight from Bocas del Toro. Your excess luggage will be stored securely in Panama City.
Back to top
Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to top
Clothing
Pack essentially for ‘Hot Conditions’. Lightweight clothing is essential though a warmer sweater is advisable for cooler evenings in the highlands. A waterproof is essential. The jungle lowlands are hot and muggy, and it can rain at any time of year. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are recommended on jungle walks.
Back to top
Footwear
Lightweight trail/walking boots for jungle walks, comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals for travelling.
Back to top
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent, umbrella and a waterbottle. Binoculars are very useful for bird and animal spotting, we recommend that you carry these in your hand luggage. Snorkel kit and mask can be hired locally.
Back to top
Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to top
Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to top
General Information
Trip Summary
Travellers have mysteriously long overlooked Panama as a destination in Central America, despite the fact that this small country offers greater diversity than its larger neighbours. Less than 50 miles across from Pacific to Caribbean, it acts as a landbridge between North and South America – the bird migrations are literally funnelled through this narrow strip making this country one of the premier ornithological locations in the world. Primary rainforest is a 30 minute drive from Panama City, and forms a corridor across the isthmus. There is a long legacy of trade and settlement: the Spanish sailed their gold north from Peru to Panama City, then hauled it by mule to the waiting Galleons for the journey back home. Panama City rose from the dense rainforest on the back of this trade, we experience the atmospheric architecture of this city, along with the forts built to fend off the buccaneers. Panama has a strong indigenous population with several dozen tribes, this in combination with the hispanics, Afro-Caribbeans and Chinese make it one of the most culturally varied countries in the Americas. Add to this the prospect of travelling by launch and train along the Panama Canal, walks and Quetzal spotting in the cooler western highlands & the chance to swim and snorkel in the clear, warm waters of the Caribbean, we will certainly have an adventure to remember. Note that you can opt out of all walks.
Back to top
Please note:
PN22DEC10 please note; XL customers only will have an extra night in Panama at the end of this trip.
Back to top
Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to top
Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the UK and European website
