September 18-26, 2027
Join us in 9 Days in Panama: An Active Gay Men’s Group Adventure on
9 Days in Panama: An Active Gay Men’s Group Adventure
Our Panama gay men’s group trip brings together an incredible mix of culture, nature, adventure, and community. We will experience the energy and history of Panama City, explore the country’s lush mountain landscapes, and finish among the tropical islands and Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro.
Hosted by Pride Adventures, this journey is designed for gay men who want to experience Panama as part of a welcoming and social small group. From walking through historic neighborhoods and hiking in the cloud forest to whitewater rafting, boating, swimming, and snorkeling, this is an active adventure filled with memorable experiences to share together.
From the Panama Canal to the Caribbean Islands
Our adventure begins in Panama City with a welcome dinner and time to connect as a group. We will explore the historic streets of Casco Viejo and experience one of the world’s great engineering achievements at the Panama Canal before traveling into the mountains of Boquete.
In Boquete, we will trek through the cloud forest, cross hanging bridges, and take on Class III whitewater rafting along the Chiriquí Viejo River. From there, we will continue to Bocas del Toro for tropical island scenery, boating, swimming, and snorkeling around Zapatilla Island. If you love the natural beauty and outdoor experiences of destinations such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Peru, Panama offers an equally exciting adventure with a character all its own.
TRIP HOST
Chris Smith - Los Angeles, CA
Chris serves as Founder | Chief Adventure Officer at Pride Adventures, shaping the vision behind each journey and bringing people together through thoughtfully designed travel experiences around the world.
Chris Smith - Los Angeles, CA Bio
Chris has been leading group trips and outdoor adventures for more than 25 years, with roots that trace back to growing up in Arizona as the middle of seven children in an outdoor-loving family. That early connection to the outdoors and to shared experiences shaped his approach to travel and community from the very beginning.
Before founding Pride Adventures, Chris helped build California Gay Adventures (CGA), creating space for LGBTQ+ people to connect through hiking, camping, and shared outdoor experiences. Over time, that community-first foundation expanded into broader group travel, while staying true to the same values of connection, inclusion, and fun.
Today, Chris focuses on shaping the experiences behind Pride Adventures trips and supporting the hosts and partners who help bring them to life. He believes the best journeys are the ones where people feel welcomed, supported, and connected long after the trip ends.
Itinerary Overview
Experience Panama through three distinct regions, each revealing a completely different side of the country. We will begin in Panama City, where modern city life meets colonial history and the world-famous Panama Canal. From there, an included domestic flight will take us toward the mountains of Boquete for cloud forest hiking, hanging bridges, and whitewater rafting.
We will then travel by private ground transportation and water taxi to Bocas del Toro, where tropical islands, Caribbean waters, boating, swimming, and snorkeling bring the adventure to an unforgettable finish. A final included flight will return us to Panama City for our farewell celebration.
With two domestic flights, private ground transportation, boat transfers, comfortable accommodations, shared meals, and a welcoming group of gay men, this nine-day journey is designed for travelers who want to experience Panama actively and together.
Day 1: Welcome to Panama City
Arrive in Panama City and enjoy an included private transfer from the airport to our hotel. After time to settle in, we will gather for our included welcome dinner, giving everyone an opportunity to meet, connect, and begin our Panama adventure together.
Transportation: Private airport transfer
Stay: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Highlights: Panama City arrival, group welcome, and first evening together
Day 2: Casco Viejo and the Panama Canal
Explore the history, culture, and contrasts of Panama City during a full day of guided discovery. We will walk through the colorful streets of Casco Viejo, the city’s historic district, before visiting the Panama Canal Museum and Miraflores Locks for a closer look at one of the world’s most remarkable engineering achievements.
This day combines considerable walking with fascinating history and an introduction to the country we will spend the week exploring.
Transportation: Private transportation to included activities and walking
Stay: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Casco Viejo, Panama Canal Museum, Miraflores Locks, history, and culture
Days 3 to 4: Boquete Cloud Forest and Whitewater Rafting
After breakfast, we will leave Panama City and take an included domestic flight to the Boquete region. Upon arrival, private ground transportation will take us from the airport to our hotel. Transportation to our included activities throughout our stay is also provided.
Surrounded by cooler mountain air and lush tropical landscapes, we will venture into the Boquete cloud forest for a guided trek and hanging bridges experience. This immersive adventure allows us to walk among tropical vegetation, experience the forest from above, and discover the remarkable biodiversity of Panama’s highlands.
The following day, we will take on Class III whitewater rafting along the Chiriquí Viejo River. This exciting river adventure offers an active way to experience Panama’s natural beauty as we paddle through rapids and forested landscapes together.
Transportation: Included domestic flight from Panama City, private airport transfer, and private transportation to included activities
Stay: Boquete Garden Inn
Included Meals: Breakfast daily
Highlights: Domestic flight, cloud forest trekking, hanging bridges, mountain scenery, and Class III whitewater rafting
Days 5 to 7: Bocas del Toro and Zapatilla Island
After breakfast, we will travel by private ground transportation from Boquete to Almirante, where we will board a water taxi to Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival, included transportation will take us to our accommodations on Isla Colón.
During our stay, we will enjoy an included excursion to Zapatilla Island, with opportunities for boating, swimming, snorkeling, and additional island activities. We will also have a flexible day to relax, enjoy the tropical surroundings, or select from optional experiences in Bocas del Toro.
Transportation: Private ground transportation from Boquete to Almirante, water taxi to Bocas del Toro, and transportation to included activities
Stay: Island Plantation
Included Meals: Breakfast daily
Highlights: Domestic flight, Zapatilla Island, Caribbean scenery, boating, swimming, snorkeling, marine life, and free time
Day 8: Return to Panama City and Farewell Dinner
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport and take our included domestic flight from Bocas del Toro back to Panama City. Upon arrival, private transportation will take us to our hotel for our final night together.
That evening, we will gather for our included farewell dinner to celebrate the adventures, friendships, and memories we have shared across Panama.
Transportation: Private airport transfers and included domestic flight to Panama City
Stay: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Highlights: Domestic flight, return to Panama City, and farewell celebration
Day 9: Departure or Continue Your Adventure
Enjoy a final breakfast together before departing Panama City. Private transportation to the airport is included for travelers beginning their journey home.
Those who would like to spend more time in Panama can extend their stay independently, continue exploring Panama City, or travel onward to another destination. Additional post-trip opportunities and extension ideas can be shared as we get closer to departure.
Transportation: Included private airport transfer
Included Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Final morning in Panama City, departure, or continued independent travel
Booking Options
Choose the option that fits your travel style. Whether you want to share the experience with a roommate or enjoy your own private room, both booking options include the complete itinerary, accommodations, included activities, and the same welcoming Pride Adventures experience.
Your trip price includes two domestic flights, private ground transportation, and boat transfers connecting three distinctive regions of Panama. Your adventure also includes dedicated Pride Adventures hosting, knowledgeable local guides, shared meals, signature adventure experiences, covered basic gratuities, pre-trip communication, and access to our private Departure Lounge.
Throughout the journey, you’ll experience Panama as part of a welcoming gay men’s group, sharing adventures, discovering new places, and building friendships along the way. Please see our Inclusions section for a complete overview of everything included in your trip price.
Shared Room | We Can Match You
$2999
Traveling solo? No problem. We can match you with another traveler in our group.
Shared accommodations are double occupancy, offering a great way to connect with another traveler while keeping your trip price lower. You can register with someone you already know or allow Pride Adventures to coordinate a roommate match for you.
Photos: Images shown represent Island Plantation Hotel in Bocas del Toro. Accommodations are subject to change.
Private Room | Your Own Space
$3699
Enjoy your own private room throughout the trip while remaining fully part of the group experience.
This option is perfect for travelers who prefer additional privacy and their own space at the end of each adventurous day.
Note: Private rooms are limited because several accommodations on this itinerary are smaller boutique properties. Private rooms will be offered based on availability and must be reserved in advance.
Photos: Images shown represent Boquete Garden Inn in Boquete, Panama. Accommodations are subject to change.
Adventure Activities
Experience the moments that make this active journey through Panama unforgettable. From historic city streets and one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements to cloud forest trails, river rapids, tropical islands, and Caribbean waters, these are six of the signature highlights included in our adventure.
There is much more to experience along the way. Throughout the trip, we will spend time exploring local communities, enjoying additional group activities, sharing meals, and connecting as a group. Travelers will also have opportunities to experience Panama’s gay nightlife, which is always optional. Together, these adventures and social experiences create a journey that is active, welcoming, and filled with opportunities to experience Panama beyond the traditional tourist highlights.
Casco Viejo Guided Walking Tour
Walk through the historic streets of Casco Viejo, where colorful colonial architecture, lively plazas, churches, cafés, and modern Panamanian culture come together. Our guided experience will introduce us to the stories and landmarks of Panama City’s historic district while giving us an active and engaging way to explore the city on foot.
Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks
Experience the world-famous Panama Canal and see the remarkable system that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. We will visit the museum and Miraflores Locks, learning how this extraordinary engineering achievement transformed global travel and trade while watching the canal’s operations from one of its most iconic viewing locations.
Boquete Cloud Forest Trek
Venture into the lush mountain landscapes of Boquete during a guided trek through Panama’s tropical cloud forest. Surrounded by dense vegetation, misty scenery, and the sounds of the forest, we will explore this remarkable environment on foot and experience the natural beauty and biodiversity of Panama’s highlands.
Boquete Hanging Bridges
See the cloud forest from an entirely different perspective as we cross a series of hanging bridges above the forest floor. This elevated adventure offers sweeping views across the surrounding vegetation and mountains while allowing us to experience the layers of the forest from trails and bridges suspended among the treetops.
Chiriquí Viejo Whitewater Rafting
Get ready for one of the most exciting experiences of the trip: Class III whitewater rafting on the Chiriquí Viejo River. Working together as a team, we will paddle through rapids surrounded by the tropical landscapes of western Panama. This active river adventure combines adrenaline, natural beauty, and an unforgettable group experience.
Zapatilla Island and Snorkeling Adventure
Travel by boat through the Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro for an island adventure centered around Zapatilla Island. We will spend the day surrounded by tropical scenery, with opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, boating, and additional island activities. It is an incredible way to experience the marine environment and natural beauty of Panama’s Caribbean coast.
Why Travel With Pride?
Travel is about where you go, but it is just as much about who you experience it with. With Pride Adventures, you are not simply booking a tour. You are joining a thoughtfully curated small-group experience created for gay men who want to explore, connect, and share meaningful adventures together.
Our travel style is active, social, comfortable, and thoughtfully hosted. We combine signature experiences with time to enjoy each destination, connect with the local community, and have fun as a group. A dedicated Pride Adventures host, trusted local partners, coordinated transportation, shared meals, covered basic gratuities, and pre-trip support allow you to focus on the experience instead of managing the logistics.
Whether you arrive with a friend or travel on your own, you will be welcomed into a community where you can relax, be yourself, and experience Panama with a group that is ready to explore.
Travel Made for You: The Pride Adventures Experience
Pride Adventures creates small-group journeys that bring LGBTQ+ travelers together through adventure, community, and shared discovery. We believe travel should feel personal, welcoming, and exciting from the moment you register until long after you return home.
Our trips are designed for people who want more than a traditional tour. We explore actively, experience local culture, share memorable moments, and create space for genuine friendships to grow. Watch our video to learn more about who we are, how we travel, and why so many guests return for another adventure.
Inclusions:
What's Included:
✓ 8 nights of accommodations across three distinctive regions of Panama:
- 3 nights at Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel in Panama City
- 2 nights at Boquete Garden Inn
- 3 nights at Island Plantation in Bocas del Toro
✓ Breakfast daily, beginning the morning after arrival
✓ Two included lunches during scheduled adventure activities
✓ Two hosted group dinners:
- Welcome Dinner in Panama City
- Farewell Dinner in Panama City
✓ Two included domestic flights: Panama City to David (for Boquete) and Bocas del Toro to Panama City.
✓ Private ground transportation and airport transfers between destinations, accommodations, and included activities.
✓ Boat and water taxi transportation required for the itinerary and island experiences.
✓ Included guided adventure experiences:
- Casco Viejo guided walking tour
- Panama Canal Museum and Miraflores Locks experience
- Boquete cloud forest trek
- Boquete hanging bridges experience
- Class III whitewater rafting on the Chiriquí Viejo River
- Zapatilla Island excursion with snorkeling and additional island activities
✓ Scenic and cultural highlights throughout Panama City, Boquete, and Bocas del Toro
✓ Experienced trip leadership and knowledgeable local guides during included experiences
✓ Pride Adventures host traveling with the group
✓ Basic gratuities for included local guides, drivers, meals, and services, along with a base gratuity for the local tour leader
✓ Pre-trip communication and access to our private Travel with Pride Departure Lounge
✓ A thoughtfully hosted small-group experience with Pride Adventures and fellow gay travelers
What's Not Included:
× International airfare to and from Panama City
× Travel insurance, which is required for participation
× Meals not specifically listed as included in the itinerary
× Alcoholic beverages, snacks, and other drinks not specifically listed as included
× Optional activities and free-time experiences not listed as included
× Ticketed nightlife, gay nightlife events, or other special events unless specifically added to the final itinerary
× Pre-trip and post-trip hotel nights outside the included travel dates
× Personal expenses, including souvenirs, laundry, spa services, and similar purchases
× Excess baggage charges beyond the allowances provided with the included domestic flights
× Additional tips for hotel staff, personal services, or optional gratuities beyond those already included
Physical Rating, Service Level & Travel Style:
Physical Rating: 3 Moderate
This active trip includes considerable walking, cloud forest hiking, uneven and potentially wet terrain, hanging bridges, boat transfers, swimming, snorkeling, and Class III whitewater rafting. Travelers should have reasonable mobility, balance, stamina, and comfort participating in outdoor and water activities.
Service Level: Comfortable Adventure
Enjoy eight nights of comfortable accommodations, combining a modern Panama City hotel with intimate boutique properties in Boquete and Bocas del Toro. Our hotels are selected for comfort, character, amenities, and convenient access to the included experiences.
Travel Style: Active Adventure
Experience Panama actively through cultural exploration, hiking, rafting, boating, swimming, and snorkeling. With two included domestic flights, private ground transportation, and boat transfers, our small group will explore three distinctive regions of Panama while enjoying shared adventures and time to connect along the way.
Important Documents & Links:
JoinCGA.com – California Gay Adventures
Documents containing personal information will be delivered privately to attendees via email and/or text as the trip dates approach. For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Important Documents & Links:
We’ve included a few important links below to help you review trip details:
Pride Adventures Panama Trip Guide (coming soon)
Adventure Updates
🟡 Trip Status: Not Yet Confirmed
This trip will be confirmed once we reach our minimum of 8 travelers.
Please do not book flights yet. We’ll notify all registered travelers as soon as the trip is officially confirmed so you can book with confidence.
🌈 Private Departure Lounge
Once the trip is confirmed, travelers will receive access to our private Travel with Pride Departure Lounge.
This will be the main place for future trip updates, flight guidance, packing reminders, pre trip details, group introductions, and important departure information as we get closer to the trip.
❓ Questions?
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].