Family-Friendly Adventure in Panama

Our family's adventure both started and ended in Casco Viejo. We chose to do this to be closer to the airport, to not stress with transportation around flights. We started night one, where we made our way to La Concordia Hotel. The hotel's small boutique charm and central location in Casco Viejo provided a perfect introduction to the city. We explored the nearby streets, enjoyed local cuisine and soaked in the vibrant atmosphere. We had a great family-friendly dinner at Madre Pizza, which was a favorite throughout the week and I highly recommend!

For breakfast, we ate at the Delicious Mahalo before we made our way to Buenaventura Resort. The scenic journey allowed us to witness the diverse landscapes of Panama, from urban cityscapes to lush countryside. I recommend using a private transfer to drive you through the ~2+ hour trip unless you are comfortable with traffic and aggressive driving. Upon reaching the resort, we were greeted with warm hospitality and checked into our comfortable accommodations. The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the pool and exploring the resort grounds with some delicious cocktails at the swim-up bar.

Our third day was filled with excitement as we explored Buenaventura's onsite zoo, discovering a variety of exotic animals native to the region. In the afternoon, we took a 4x4 ATV adventure, navigating through the resort's picturesque surroundings to a waterfall. The boys weren't super impressed with the long ATV drive and our youngest had a meltdown from exhaustion when we finally arrived, but we tried to make the most of the waterfall. My sister and her husband did a private Jet Ski Tour to a nearby island that they said was a blast and highly recommend that. The day ended back at the resort with a relaxing evening by the beach, enjoying a beautiful sunset.

This was probably my favorite day of the trip. We ventured out to El Valle on a private guided tour arranged by our resort concierge. El Valle is a charming mountain town surrounded by lush rainforests that took us an hour to get to. My sister and her husband went hiking while the rest of the family went to visit a freshwater pool, a waterfall and even some natural hot springs where we enjoyed mud facials. The natural beauty of El Valle left us in awe, and we enjoyed local cuisine at one of the town's quaint restaurants for pizza and empanadas before returning to Buenaventura.

After a memorable stay at Buenaventura, we transferred back to Panama City and checked into the American Trade Hotel. I was glad that we didn't arrange Buenaventura at the end of our trip as our two-hour drive back turned into three plus hours due to road closures for construction. That would have been stressful in a time crunch to get to a flight. The American Trade Hotel, located in the historic district, provided a luxurious and comfortable base for the next leg of our journey. The evening was spent exploring the nearby attractions and savoring the flavors of Panama City. If you like Craft beer, hit up La Rana Dorado for some delicious local drinks.

One of the main reasons for our trip was a visit to the Panama Canal. We enjoyed the engineering marvels of the locks and learned about the history and significance of this global trade route. The Panama Canal Museum provides great information about the canal's construction and its impact on global trade and is located right down the street from the American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo.

Our final full day in Panama was spent exploring the Gamboa Rainforest. We went on a series of adventures, including an introduction to mountain biking for my seven-year-old and husband, riding the aerial tram for panoramic views of the Rainforest, and visiting the sloth sanctuary. It was a fun-filled day and while there is a resort on a property at Gamboa, you can accomplish most of the activities they have to offer in a day visit rather than staying overnight.

On our final night in the city, my sister and I did the Wine Cellar experience in the basement of the La Compania Hotel.

BEAUTIFUL HOTEL.

I wish we would have stayed there (next time). It was fun and different from most tastings as we were treated to a huge charcuterie board and tasted a variety of wines from countries we never would have tried!

This trip was a perfect blend of cultural exploration, adventure and relaxation. Panama had exceeded our expectations, leaving us with a deep appreciation for its natural beauty and warm hospitality - truly, everyone we met was so kind. We enjoyed the spirit of Panama and will cherish the memories we shared as a family.