August 20, 2004 -- Rife with rainforests, coastlines and Indian ruins, Panama has become one of the top ecological destinations in Central America. Long touted as an adventure tourists dream, Panama is picking up as a go-to spot for beach lovers, history buffs, bird watchers, deep-sea fisherman and surfers. Tour promoters are catching on, offering better and better travel deals to the country that sits at the nexus point between South and Central America and connects the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
General Tours presents travelers with a wide array of ways to experience Panama's diversity. General's seven-day introduction trip to Panama, aptly titled "It's Time to Go To Panama," takes the traveler through the historical intricacies of Panama City and the famous canal, the Gamboa rainforest with its rich animal and plant wildlife, and the lush sandy white beaches and lazy-day resorts. The all-inclusive trip includes round-trip airfare from Miami (add-ons from other U.S. gateways are available through the tour operator), all in-tour flights, breakfasts every day (or two lunches and two dinners), six nights accommodations at top-notch hotels and resorts, and great Panama guides and guest assistance. Prices start at $979 and go up depending on the level of
accommodations you are looking for. The deluxe hotel package starts at $1,309 and increases depending on what time of year you want to go. Taxes for the trip include a charge of $73 covering U.S. departure tax, customs, federal inspection fees and other costs imposed by airlines and the government is not included.
General also offers more tours of shorter or longer length. A short but comprehensive three-day two-night jaunt to Panama City runs $499 plus taxes with airfare included. In addition to a full day on your own and two breakfasts, a tour of the city including the capital area, the Canal and Old Panama are included in the price. See www.generaltours.com for details these packages.
Like General, Tara Tours also offers many packages that allow you to see first-hand Panama's breadth. More specific in scope, Tara's "Super Beach Special" offers double occupant travelers a $744 airfare-included (from Miami, add-ons from other U.S. cities available) seven-day and six-night vacation at the Hotel Beach Resort Royal Decameron, (a four-star hotel by Panama's standards) on the well-heralded and rustic Playa Blanca. Tara's visit to the Gamboa Rainforest is a six-day/five-night eco-adventure that includes an aerial tram tour, kayak trips, hikes, bird-watching walks and spa treatment at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Including airfare, this Thursday-departure package deal costs $835 if you travel between now and December 6, 2004. Other deals and a full-range of day trips and outings can be found at the comprehensive www.taratours.com.
Gate 1 Travel (www.gate1travel.com) also offers a special package to Panama. Focusing primarily on Panama City and outlying areas skimming Panama's ecological treasures, Gate 1's "Best Buy Panama City" is a five-day air-included trip out of Miami (other departure cities available) for $529. (The $529 is the price for the cash discount; $544 is the regular price.) Travelers get a choice of hotels, daily breakfast, and three-serious touring and sightseeing days.
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