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Waterways & Wetlands in Panama

8 days in Panama City, Galeta Point, and Gamboa

Ships passing through the locks of the Panama Canal on a waterways and wetlands tour.
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OVERVIEW

Experience Panama through the science of water, from wetland restoration and marine ecosystems to the Panama Canal

Students experience Panama as a place where water connects nearly everything: ecosystems, communities, conservation efforts, and global commerce. Students are first acquainted with Panama City’s history before diving into wetlands science through an interactive conservation workshop and beach clean-up. At Punta Chame, they take a boat ride along the coast, witness thriving mangrove habitats, and participate in hands-on restoration by harvesting and planting propagules. On the Caribbean Coast, students learn about coastal ecosystems, conduct water analysis, and snorkel among marine life. The tour culminates with a biologist-led boat ride on the Panama Canal and a visit to the Miraflores Visitor Center, where students examine the engineering decisions behind one of the world’s most influential waterways and consider how human-built systems interact with natural ones.

Map of EF Educational Tours Waterways and Wetlands in Panama tour

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Panama City

Board your international flight to Panama City

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Day 2: Panama City

Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City

Take a tour of Casco Viejo

Visit the Biomuseo

Day 3: Panama City

Participate in an interactive workshop focused on the importance of wetlands conservation

Participate in a beach clean-up

Day 4: Panama City

Travel to Punta Chame

Participate in a mangrove project at Punta Chame:

  • Take a boat ride along the coast to witness healthy mangrove populations

  • Harvest propagules

Participate in a reforestation activity

Day 5: Panama City

Enjoy an expert-led tour of Metropolitan Natural Park

Take an evening walk with a biologist

Day 6: Panama City • Caribbean Coast

Take a day trip to the Caribbean Coast

Learn about coastal ecosystems and conduct a water analysis

Travel to Portobelo

Go snorkeling

Day 7: Panama City • Gamboa

Travel to Gamboa

Take a biologist-led boat ride on the Panama Canal

Travel to Panama City

Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal

Hike to the top of Ancon Hill for a stunning view of the Panama City skyline

Participate in a folklore evening with authentic Panamanian food and a traditional dance show

Day 8: Depart for home

Board your flight home from Panama City

What makes this tour special?

See the Panama Canal up close and learn about how this engineering marvel shaped global commerce

See the Panama Canal up close and learn about how this engineering marvel shaped global commerce

Work closely with local conservationists to harvest and plant mangrove propagules, exploring how restoration efforts support biodiversity

Work closely with local conservationists to harvest and plant mangrove propagules, exploring how restoration efforts support biodiversity

Go on a snorkeling adventure off the coast of Portobelo and admire the vibrant marine life

Go on a snorkeling adventure off the coast of Portobelo and admire the vibrant marine life

All of our tours are powered by our proven EF Method

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Your experience includes

Airfare & transportation
Hotels
Meals
Entrances
Full-time Tour Director
Expert Local Guides
Continuous Support
24-hour Emergency Service
Personalized Learning Support
Worldwide Presence

Travelers save when you lead this tour before October 1, 2027

See 2027 pricing

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Payment plan options

Pay over time interest-free or pay all at once

Fundraising

Every traveler receives a no-fee donation page

Global Citizen Scholarship

Every year EF awards $100,000 to student travelers

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Frequently asked questions

Let’s unpack that

We’ll connect you with your personal Tour Consultant—someone who works with other teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF tours. They’ll walk you through this itinerary (along with other tours in our portfolio that match your curriculum or catch your eye), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.

Once you decide to lead a tour, your Tour Consultant will help you get school administrators on board, students excited, and families ready to enroll. You’ll host an informational meeting to kick off the enrollment period, and we’ll provide everything you need—from a digital presentation to printed handouts, parent resources, and more.

You’ll have a dedicated Tour Director who will guide your group from the moment you land in your first destination until your final goodbye. They:

  • Take all the same transportation and stay in the same hotels as your group

  • Speak the local language (but lead the tour in English!)

  • Support you 24/7 as your right hand

  • Offer deep cultural context to help students feel connected to their destination

  • Handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to

  • Are the secret ingredient that makes your tour truly shine

Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone of your choosing. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s four free chaperone spots in addition to yours.

All travelers on international EF tours must have a valid passport. When it comes to documentation, every traveler and destination is different, so once your group starts enrolling, we’ll help direct you and your families to relevant resources.
 
Passports should have at least three blank pages and be valid for at least six months after your return date.

EF has set the standard for travel-based learning for over 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons you’re already exploring in your classroom, but they also help build more empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.
 
Our educational philosophy, the EF Method, is built into every itinerary, so your students are immersed in a continuous journey of engaging, hands-on learning in real-world situations from the moment they step off the plane.

Yes! Plan to explore each destination primarily on foot, so be sure to pack your comfiest sneakers. You’ll have time to rest on the bus while traveling between cities and activities. If any travelers need accommodations, just let your EF Travel Team know in advance.

Every hotel your group stays in is required to meet EF’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and cleanliness. (We have an entire team dedicated to ensuring that!) However, it’s important to remember that international hotels designed for student travel may feel a little different from what students are familiar with. For example, some hotels may not have an elevator. Rooms will have multiple single beds or shared double beds, and every room will have a private bathroom.

You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect:

  • Daily breakfast is served continental-style at your hotel.

  • Most tours include daily group dinners, which take place at local restaurants (or your hotel) and feature a mix of familiar favorites and local dishes from a set menu.

  • Lunches are usually not included, but this varies by itinerary. If lunch isn’t included, this is the perfect opportunity for students to explore local markets and discover their new favorite food.

Travelers will share allergy or dietary information with EF after signing up, and we’ll help make the necessary accommodations.

We’re here to help! Start a live one-on-one chat with a team member.

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