Carnival
Mardi Gras in Panama
February 5 - 13, 2005

PARTY OF THE YEAR!

For Panamanians, Carnival is the most eagerly anticipated annual event, with a popularity comparable to the famous Brazilian Carnival in Rio—both in terms of popular participation and fun, and in the creation and display of elaborate, splendorous costumes. The entire country, a multitude of people from all races and social backgrounds, take to the streets for four days and five nights with the sole purpose of having fun.
     The Carnival in Las Tablas, in the Province of Los Santos, about 4 hours away from Panama City, has become the most famous in the country and a true spectacle of beauty and extravaganza garnering national and international fame. Its well earned prestige is based upon the luxury of its costumes and allegorical carts that exhibit the Queens, the main attraction of the celebration and the competing groups known as "tunas." Members of the newly emerging gay community of Panama flocks to Las Tablas for Carnival, where for several days they can let their hair down and be themselves in the festive, “anything goes,” accepting atmosphere.
     Panama offers far more than this big party, however. It has an incredible variety of attractions, boasting exotic tropical rainforests, gorgeous mountain refuges, Caribbean-style beaches, seven living Indian cultures, a Miami-style capital city, historic venues (Columbus and Balboa both came to Panama), adventure tours, diving, rafting, kayaking—not to mention one of the world's engineering marvels: The Panama Canal.
     There are many good reasons to visit Panama. The country is safe, with a first-world (not third-world) infrastructure of roads, medical care, communications, and business services. It is tourist friendly, with English spoken as a second language. It is just a short plane ride away, with seven major U.S. cities offering direct daily flights.
     Panama is one of the best places in the world for ecotourism today. It has world-class adventure with river running, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canyoning, trekking, rappelling, surfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. It has a wide selection of beaches, with a long twisting coast and hundreds of islands on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
     Discover the best of what Panama has to offer! During this incredible adventure you’ll revel in the sights and sounds of Carnival, explore an extinct volcano in El Valle, relax on the sandy beaches of the Pearl Islands, and tour Panama City and its world-famous Panama Canal. If you have a love of Latin culture, not to mention gorgeous men, you won't want to miss this exciting tour!

ITINERARY

Saturday, February 5, 2005
Arrival in Panama City

Arrange your international flight to arrive in Panama City, the capital of Panama by 6pm today if possible. Call to inquire about discounted airfare! You will be met at the airport and transferred to our downtown hotel. Tonight Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at our hotel, which is just three blocks from the Via Espana where all the Carnival festivities happen. Overnight at Hotel Las Huacas.     (Dinner Included)

Sunday, February 6, 2005
Panama City Sightseeing

After breakfast take a walking tour of Panama Viejo (the Old City), which was destroyed by pirate Henry Morgan (for whom Morgan’s Rum was named) in 1671. Explore the narrow streets, plazas and public parks of the Colonial area of Casco Viejo. The tour continues to the commercial and banking center of modern Panama City. Afterwards, tour the country’s famous Canal, learning about its operation and fascinating history. Watch as massive ships traverse the Miraflores Lock. Later this evening you will hit the streets once again for more Carnival festivities.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Monday, February 7, 2005
Las Tablas

After breakfast, transfer to Los Santos, our base of operations for the Carnival in Las Tablas, recognized as the country’s best. By tradition, the town is divided into two groups called “tunas:” calle arriba and calle abajo. They compete in every aspect of the Carnival. In the morning, there are water, blue dye and shaving cream fights in the central plaza, and the two tunas parade in street clothes, dancing and singing songs praising their own group or ridiculing the other. Dress (or, more appropriately, undress) for getting wet! At night people gussy up in party clothes, dancing in the street parades and on decorated floats. Overnight at Hotel Las Villas in Los Santos.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Las Tablas

Enjoy another day of fun and wild Carnival festivities in town. Today’s events follow a similar pattern to those of yesterday, but that doesn’t mean you will doing or seeing exactly the same things. There is always something new you haven’t experienced to attract your attention. Overnight again at Hotel Las Villas in Los Santos.     (All Meals)

Wednesday, February 9, 2005
El Valle

After breakfast travel to El Valle, a picturesque little mountain town situated 2,300 feet above sea level inside the crater of a gigantic extinct volcano. It is famous for its handicrafts, strange rock formations and waterfalls. The afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own. Overnight at the Hotel Rincon Vallero.     (Breakfast)

Thursday, February 10, 2005
Pearl Islands

This morning enjoy free time or undertake one of three optional tours inside the crater: a canopy adventure around spectacular El Macho waterfall, a guided hike on the volcano's rim, or a guided walk through the rainforest (price of optional tours not included). After lunch, drive back to the Panama City Airport, to catch a short, late afternoon flight to Isla Contadora in the Pearl Islands chain, made famous by the Survivor TV series. Upon arrival the evening is free to relax at the resort or stroll along the beach. Overnight at the Punta Galeon Beach Resort.     (Breakfast)

Friday, February 11, 2005
Beach Day

The entire day is free to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the island. The Pacific waters here are typically warm, turquoise-colored, and ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Scuba diving, jet skiing, sport fishing, and boat tours are all available through the resort. Panama’s only nude beach is found on Contadora’s southern shore.     (Breakfast)

Saturday, February 12, 2005
Farewell Dinner

This morning is free to enjoy the beach one more time. After lunch take an afternoon flight back to Panama City and check in at our hotel. This evening Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell Dinner to celebrate the conclusion of our Carnival in Panama, followed by an evening enjoying the city’s nightlife.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, February 13, 2005
Departure

The tour officially ends after breakfast. Arrange your return flight home for any convenient time today. Toto Tours has arranged one group transfer from our hotel to the airport.     (Breakfast)