My expertise with Copa Airways’ Panama Stopover program

Two locations for the value of 1 virtually appears too good to be true — that is what I assumed, no less than — however positive sufficient, it is actual. This fall, I took my very first Copa Airways flight and acquired to expertise how the airline is making Panama extra accessible than ever with the relaunch of its Panama Stopover program.

One flight worth, two holidays and entry to one of the fascinating locations I’ve ever been to. Here is tips on how to guide an epic journey to Panama as a stopover to your ultimate vacation spot — with out having to pay the value of an additional flight.

What’s Copa Airways’ Panama Stopover program?

Copa Airways affords direct flights to over 86 locations in 32 international locations throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. This previous summer time, the airline debuted its new direct flight service from San Diego to Panama Metropolis, and I acquired an opportunity to expertise each the flight and Copa’s Panama Stopover program.

This system is delightfully easy: While you guide your Copa Airways flight, you may construct in a cease in Panama on both your outbound or returning flight at no additional value. And the size of keep is versatile; you may select anyplace from one to seven days to discover the Crossroads of the Americas.

When you guide your flights, you unlock dozens of unique affords for eating, lodge stays, excursions, actions and extra whereas experiencing Panama. (Observe: To take pleasure in these unique advantages, vacationers should current their journey reservation affirmation or the Panama Stopover voucher e-mail, together with identification, to certify themselves as a Panama Stopover passenger.)

Flying from San Diego to Panama Metropolis

The flight itself could not have been extra comfy, even for a red-eye. I used to be seated in Copa’s spacious Financial system Further class (accessible on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane), which options additional legroom — and, fortunate me, I scored an entire row to myself! — plus extra recline and — my private favourite — 10-inch touchscreens with entry to loads of leisure choices to take pleasure in at some point of the flight.

For my in a single day flight, the pleasant cabin crew got here by means of a number of occasions to supply drinks and likewise served each dinner and an early breakfast.

These seated in Copa’s Enterprise Dream class will take pleasure in lie-flat seats, courtesy toiletry kits, 16-inch touchscreens, spacious tray tables and loads of room for storing baggage.

Navigating Tocumen Worldwide Airport (PTY)

Certainly one of my favourite components of all the Copa Airways expertise was arriving at Tocumen Worldwide Airport (PTY) and being greeted by a VIP escort (referred to as a Tocumen Royal Saloon VIP) proper at my gate.

Collectively, we zipped by means of the terminal in a non-public shuttle to worldwide arrivals, the place I used to be expedited by means of customs, had help with my suitcase at baggage declare and was then greeted curbside with a luxurious Mercedes van switch that took me on to my lodge. How’s that for door-to-door service?

The entire expertise was utterly seamless, and I used to be definitely grateful for it after a red-eye flight.

The place to remain whereas having fun with the Panama Stopover program

As talked about above, Copa Airways works with a number of accomplice manufacturers on the bottom in Panama, one in every of which is the Accor-operated Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, which I used to be fortunate to name dwelling for 3 nights. The epitome of pared-back fashion and class, the lodge sits within the coronary heart of the historic Casco Viejo neighborhood and is perched elegantly on the fringe of the Pacific, with sweeping views of Panama Metropolis’s skyline above the glimmering water.

My fourth-floor Oceanfront Magnifique room was brilliant and ethereal, matching the vibe of the lodge’s public areas. The truth is, it was so lovely that I typically discovered it laborious to step away (although the ocean-facing pool was fairly the draw, too).

My room’s modern mahogany four-poster king mattress, dressed with crisp white linens, was deliciously cozy, and I particularly loved the spacious room’s stylish seating space, which featured a jewel-toned, velvet-upholstered armchair and couch. Past this was the perfect half: two picturesque French doorways resulting in a balcony, replete with ornate ironwork and a desk simply good for having fun with the in-room French press Panamanian espresso every morning.

After all, I made positive to avoid wasting time for a calming tub (full with tub salts delivered to my room throughout turndown service) within the white- and blue-tiled toilet’s soaking tub. A gleaming marble countertop and gold accents all through this house made the toilet simple on the eyes, and the Diptyque tub facilities smelled unbelievable.

And due to the property’s prime location within the Casco Viejo neighborhood, I discovered that there was a lot to do exactly steps from the lodge in my downtime. Recognized for its UNESCO World Heritage designation, aesthetes will love wandering the neighborhood’s meandering streets, plentiful in a placing mixture of Caribbean, neoclassical, Spanish and French colonial structure.

On the bottom in Panama Metropolis

For my stopover, I spent two lovely days taking in Panama Metropolis’s wealthy historical past, exploring pure landscapes, studying in regards to the Panama Canal and eating at unbelievable eating places within the charming Casco Viejo neighborhood.

My first day consisted of a wildlife boat tour by means of the coves and inlets of Gatun Lake, a human-made freshwater lake on the middle of the Panama Canal. Right here, the wildlife is plentiful and assorted — I noticed a number of kinds of monkeys (howler, white face capuchin and tamarin), in addition to crocodiles (I stored my distance), bats and dozens of hen species.

After the boat tour, I headed again to the Casco Viejo neighborhood with my group for lunch at an area favourite, Fonda Lo Que Hay, the place I dined on a few of the finest meals I’ve had in current reminiscence. My favorites included a cassava tostada with tuna, pho caldito (a therapeutic rooster broth), contemporary fish and raspao (a shaved ice dessert).

After lunch, I took a strolling tour by means of Casco Viejo that ended at a espresso tasting, throughout which I sipped Panama’s uncommon geisha espresso, recognized for its delicate and nuanced taste, and likewise tried native goodies.

My second day concerned just a little extra journey, nevertheless it was so well worth the journey. My tour group drove an hour and a half out of Panama Metropolis to go to the Embera Quera group. There, we discovered in regards to the group’s indigenous historical past and heritage, together with its governing system, its sustainable agricultural and fishing practices, native artisan work and the varsity system. We even acquired to take pleasure in a lunch of native fruit and freshly caught fish with a number of members of the group earlier than heading again towards the town.

My ultimate exercise was a go to to the Miraflores Locks for a guided tour and a close-up view of the Herculean feat that’s the Panama Canal and its intricate lock system that strikes ships from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean — and I even acquired to look at a number of cargo ships go by means of the locks.

My ultimate dinner was at Cantina del Tigre, the place I loved a gradual stream of contemporary seafood all night time (suppose: citrus-forward ceviches, contemporary octopus and langostine tamales), plus scrumptious craft cocktails.

It was a jam-packed two days, however due to Panama’s manageable measurement, I felt like I used to be in a position to see (and eat!) a lot in a really brief time period by means of Copa’s Panama Stopover program.

Easy methods to guide a visit utilizing Copa Airways’ Panama Stopover program

You probably have plans to go to any of the 86 locations that Copa Airways providers, it’s nicely value contemplating a stopover in Panama — whether or not for a day or so long as a complete week — to expertise this particular, various vacation spot that brings collectively so many cultures from throughout the Americas.

To guide a visit and make the most of Copa Airways’ Panama Stopover program, head to this hyperlink to start planning your journey.