Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Set out to discover Panama City alongside your students on this exciting week-long adventure. Your students can look forward to visiting Biomuseo—Panama’s newest museum dedicated to biodiversity, enjoying a panga boat ride around Gatun Lake, and learning about the vital work of animal & habitat conservation at a sloth sanctuary in Gamboa Rainforest. Your group will also visit a working pineapple plantation and enjoy a lunch with members of the indigenous Emberá community.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Panama City
Groups flying from the West Coast may be required to depart on Day 0.
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
Panama City guided sightseeing tour
Casco Viejo, The National Handicraft Market visit, Biomuseo
Miraflores Visitors centre visit
Discover the fascinating history and global significance of the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Visitor centre. Enjoy interactive exhibits, an engaging short film, and observation decks where you can watch ships navigate the locks. Experience history on the big screen at the IMAX theatre.
Punta Culebra Nature centre visit
Punta Culebra Nature centre (PCNC) is a non-profit initiative of STRI that relies on the support of the Smithsonian Foundation of Panama and international entities. It offers visitors an open-air museum focusing mainly on marine science and education, conservation and interpretation of marine coastal environments. More than 700,000 students and visitors have visited PCNC since it opened in 1996, and hundreds of schools have taken part in its educational program.
Day 3
Gatun Lake boat tour
Lake Gatun is situated in the heart of the Isthmus of Panama. It was constructed between 1910-14 to make the Panama Canal possible. From the lake's shore you will board a fast panga style boat for a voyage of discovery. Navigate ancient routes that crossed the isthmus long before the lake’s creation. Huge ships can be seen transiting across the ocean, the canal is a water bridge that links the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Go past the rainforest to a scenic region of the lake and witness firsthand the splendor and excitement of the jungle. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that you can view in their native surroundings.
Sloth Sanctuary & Nature Labs guided visit
Welcome to Gamboa Rainforest, a tropical ecosystem and home to the first official sloth sanctuary in Panama. Learn about the starkly different sloths and the conservation program in place to protect these unique mammals. See the protected Frog Pond containing two species of poisonous frogs and the Butterfly Garden, with more than 15 species of butterflies while learning about their life cycle and the flora that feeds them.
La Granja Campo y Aventura visit
“La Granja” or “The Farm” offers a huge variety of agricultural and adventure activities. Try your hand at composting or learn about the farm’s thriving animal population. End on an adventurous note with a ziplining tour and kayaking Gatun Lake.
Day 4
Travel to La Chorrera
Pineapple Farm visit
Pineapples are Panama's second most exported product, only behind bananas. Visit a working plantation and learn about the process from sowing to harvest and the export process.
Day 5
El Valle de Anton excursion
“El Valle,” situated in Panama's Coclé province, is a picturesque town set within the crater of an extinct volcano, making it the largest populated volcanic crater globally. Renowned for its verdant landscapes, the region is teeming with wildlife, including sloths, toucans, and the elusive golden frog. The hike to Cerro Gaital offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the distinctive ridge of La India Dormida, or the Sleeping Indian Maiden, known to reflect the silhouette of a sleeping maiden when seen from afar.
Day 6
Travel to Embera Village
Chagres National Park and Emberá village excursion
Sail a traditional piragua canoe through the lush rainforest of Chagres National Park, rich with wildlife and tropical flora. Enjoy a guided hike to a refreshing waterfall, then visit an Emberá village. Share a traditional lunch and learn about their vibrant culture, ancestral traditions, and handmade crafts.
Day 7
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Panama
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.