Panama Pricing

This retreat to Panama is perfect for you if you are an active person ready to get out for an amazing yoga adventure with like-minded people. We will experience most places by walking and you can expect daily yoga practices in the morning and evening.

We have planned the days to include plenty of downtime to relax enjoy the surroundings and hotel amenities. You don’t need any yoga, painting or surf experience just an open mind, open heart, and a reasonably good fitness level.

This trip may not be right for you if you have conditions or injuries that limit your ability to participate in these kinds of activities as many locations do not have alternate points of access. Please consult with your physician to make sure these activities are safe for your body. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs.  You are not required to participate in the hiking activities, if you wish to, you may stay at the lodge and enjoy some downtime.

What’s Included:

• Transportation to and from the airport and for all scheduled activities
• 2 nights hotel in Panama City
• 7 nights hotel in Santa Catalina
• 26 mouthwatering meals and non-alcoholic beverages
• 1 surf lesson
• Painting lessons
• Excursion to Cohiba Island
• Excursion to the Waterfall
• Star Gazing
• Daily Yoga/meditation practices
• The incomparable beauty of Panama
• The most amazing sunrises ever
• Peace and tranquility

What’s Not Included

• Any items of a personal nature including souvenirs, personal care items, snacks etc.
• Lunch on Day 1 and Lunch on Day 10
• Spa Services
• Surf and paddle board rental (except for surf lesson)
• Additional surf lessons
• Optional transportation to and from town outside of scheduled activities
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Tips

Your trip, your time!  

While we have planned this adventure to provide a good balance of activity and downtime, we understand that you may wish to ‘sit this one out’ occasionally.  Maybe sleep-in instead of doing a sunrise meditation or spend time in the spa instead of on the trail.  That’s fine by us! Just let your trip leaders know your plan so we can work with you.  

Most of our retreats are lodging based so you can easily stay and relax instead of participating in an activity and we work to make sure we have alternatives for anything on a trip that might be more difficult than the rest of the itinerary. However, on trips where we have a moving base, transition day activities may be required to get from one point to another in the journey.  

A 10% deposit is required at the time of registration, unless the booking is made within the 25%, 50%, or 100% amount due window in which case the deposit amount will reflect the amount of the trip non-refundable. Deposit is refundable up to 120 days from the start of the retreat. Cancellations between 90 and 119 days of the retreat will result in a 25% loss of the full trip price. Cancellations made between 60 and 89 days of the start date of the retreat will result in a 50% loss of the total trip price.

Any cancellation made between 59 days and the date of departure will result in the total loss of funds. Reservations made within any time window above will immediately subject to the cancellation policy for that time period. We reserve the right to cancel the trip at any time and for any reason including force majeure and in such an event we will refund the full price of the retreat.

We always recommend that you purchase trip insurance whenever making travel plans and strongly suggest you consider trip insurance that includes covid coverage. You can use our suggested insurance provider and choose a policy option that is best for you.

Payment Due Dates: 

10% Deposit upon reservation prior to May 1st.

50% of balance due May 1st

100% of the balance due June 1st

If you are traveling solo and would like to book the lower double occupancy rate simply check the roommate request form.  We will make every effort to match you with a same gender roommate, if we are unable to find a match, you will not be charged for the single occupancy surcharge.  

This trip is for adults only due to the nature of the activities involved.  Your partner and adult children 18 years or older are welcome to participate.

You will fly into the Panama Tocumen International Airport on July 27^th returning on August 5^th from the same airport.

Yes, we will provide transportation from the airport on the 27^th and to the airport on the 5^th.  If you choose a different return date to spend more time in Panama City then you will be responsible for your own transportation after the 5^th.

We make sure that every meal on every adventure is healthy and vegan friendly in keeping with our wellness adventure theme.  This ensures that vegetarians can be accommodated and of course those who eat meat will find options during most meals on our journeys unless specified in the itinerary as “vegan”.  Other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated but we need to know these well in advance so that we can work with restaurants, chefs and other providers to ensure we can take care of your needs.  Please fill out the dietary restrictions section of the booking form at the time of booking and we will go to work to meet your requests.

Most parts of Panama are considered safe, and the people are very friendly; however, crime does happen in all parts of the world so you should always exercise caution to avoid getting into a situation where you may be a target for pick pocketing, robbery, or assault.

• Always arrange for a taxi through your hotel or restaurant and never hail a cab on the street or accept rides from soliciting cabs.
• Always travel in groups of 2-3 after dark and avoid dark or vacant streets.
• Never leave your drink unattended in a bar and use caution when ordering mixed drinks in some kinds of places.
• Don’t carry more cash than you need and be discreet with it.
• Only bring your credit card and passport with you when you will need them.
• Avoid using ATMs after dark.
• Use common sense and ask the hotel staff if you are unsure about the safety of an area or activity.
• Leave the expensive watches and jewelry at home.

You should always exercise caution when traveling at home or abroad and check with the State Department website for any updates.

July is considered the “green season” in Panama which means you can expect a daily rain shower in the afternoon.  Expect daily high temperatures in the upper 80’s and nightly low temperatures in the upper 70’s.   

The places we are staying have both 220V and 110V flat power outlets.  So you do not need to bring an adaptor or converter with you.  

We always recommend that you do not drink the water when traveling internationally.  The hotel has filtered water and you can filter your own or purchase bottled water.  While you may not have a sensitivity to water in a particular country, the consequences of finding out are not worth it.  

You will want to bring some cash with you for miscellaneous items. US currency is accepted in Panama and usually also given in change so it’s not necessary to exchange your cash.  Always notify your bank of your travel plans for the use of credit cards or debit cards.  Most places accept credit cards and any optional services at Catalina’s Hideaway such as spa services, tips, or miscellaneous transportation can be charged to the room and settled when you check out.  

Passport with at least 6 months left before expiration from the entry date into Panama. You will need this throughout the trip. Check with your issuing government to be sure you don’t need other travel visas based on your country of origin. Currently US Passport holders do not need other authorizations to enter Panama.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor or a travel clinic at least 30 days prior to travel.  The clinic will review your itinerary and advise you of recommended vaccinations for the area of travel such as Yellow Fever.  The clinic can also prescribe medications for motion sickness, stomach ailments and other things that are nice to have with you just in case.  There are no vaccination requirements to enter Panama when traveling from the US at this time.

Packing List:

Clothing:   

• Comfortable clothes for travel days
• Casual clothes for walking around Panama City
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
• Flip flops or sandals
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Yoga Clothes
• Swimsuit and pool/beach clothes
• Underwear and Socks

Note that this is a laid-back coastal area, you will not need to dress up. 

Gear:

• Day pack. A 20–30-liter day pack including water capacity is very handy to carry filtered water and personal items for travel days. This is optional, you can also bring a water bottle.
• Grayl Water Filter.  I always recommend traveling with these and only drinking water you have filtered.  You can also purchase bottled water but the Grayl reduces plastic consumption.
• Surf Board (optional, there are surf shops that rent boards)
• Yoga Mat 
• Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, protective clothing.
• Camera

Toiletries and medicine:  

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Shampoo, conditioner, and soap (optional, hotels have this)
• Hair Brush
• Deodorant
• Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes
• Medicines including any prescriptions, Imodium, Pepto-bismol, Tums, eye drops, allergy medicine and Advil or Tylenol
• Travel first aid kit

Food:

• Snacks for the airplane and road trips:  Nuts, dried fruit, energy bars, trail mix, etc
• Electrolytes
• Food and snacks are available at the Hideaway and shops in town 

Day 1: July 27^th Arrive in Panama City

Arrive at La Concordia Hotel in Casca Viejo in the afternoon.

• Lunch on your own depending on your flight schedule.
• Free time to get settled and freshen up from the flight.
• Light yoga practice to stretch out from the trip.
• Dinner/orientation for the week ahead
• Exploring Casca Viejo

Day 2: July 28th-Panama Canal and Santa Catalina

• Sunrise meditation/Morning yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Panama Canal tour
• Early lunch in Casca
• Travel to Catalina’s Hideaway
• Dinner
• Evening yin practice

Day 3: July 29^th -Learn to Surf and Paint

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Surf Lesson in Santa Catalina
• Lunch at the Hideaway
• Afternoon free for relaxation and Painting Class
• Dinner
• Evening meditation

Day 4: July 30^th-Relaxing at the hideaway

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Option to surf, paddleboard, or relax and enjoy the peace and quiet
• Lunch at the hideaway
• Option to paint, journal, swim, or relax on the beach.
• Dinner at the Hideaway
• Evening yin or meditation practice

Day 5: July 31^st -Snorkeling at Cohiba Island

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Travel by boat to Cohiba Island for snorkeling
• Lunch on the boat
• Return to the Hideaway in the afternoon
• Dinner at the Hideaway
• Evening mindfulness practice

Day 6: August 1st-Relaxing at the hideaway

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Option to surf, paddleboard, or relax and enjoy the peace and quiet
• Lunch at the hideaway
• Option to paint, journal, swim, or relax on the beach.
• Dinner at the Hideaway
• Evening dance practice with a DJ

Day 7: August 2^nd -Rainforest and Waterfall

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Travel by bus to the rainforest trailhead
• Hike to waterfall for lunch
• Return to the Hideaway in the afternoon
• Dinner at the hideaway
• Evening meditation

Day 8: August 3rd-Relaxing at the hideaway

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Option to surf, paddleboard, or relax and enjoy the peace and quiet
• Lunch at the hideaway
• Option to paint, journal, swim, or relax on the beach.
• Dinner at the Hideaway
• Closing Bonfire Circle

Day 9: August 4^th-Travel Back to Panama City

• Sunrise meditation/yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Pack and check out
• Early lunch
• Travel back to Panama City
• Check into La Concordia Hotel
• Dinner in Casca Viejo
• Explore the shops in Casca

Day 10: August 5^th-Travel home

• Morning yoga practice
• Breakfast
• Check out and travel to the airport

While the group size may vary depending on single and double occupancy we expect around 12-14.

Where:  

Santa Catalina, Panama  

When:

July27th-August 5^th 2023

Arrival:  

We will have an opening dinner around 6pm on July 27^th.  

Departure: 

You may depart Panama anytime on August 5^th.  Hotel check out is 11am.

Activity Level: Easy/Moderate

Daily yoga, walking on hilly terrain, surfing, swimming, and snorkeling.

Difficulty Level:

Easy-Moderate.  For Surfers there are different levels to choose from.

Places Visited:  

Panama City/Casca Viejo

Panama Canal

Santa Catalina

Cohiba Island

Meals Included: 

26 meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 10

Included activities: Yoga/meditation, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, light hiking, painting

Optional activities (not included in the price):

Spa Services

Daily surfing after the first day lesson 

Additional surf lessons

Scuba Diving

Stand up Paddleboarding