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 believed, not less than — however certain sufficient, it is actual. This fall, I took my very first Copa Airways flight and obtained to expertise how the airline is making Panama extra accessible than ever with the relaunch of its Panama Stopover program.

One flight value, two holidays and entry to probably the most fascinating locations I’ve ever been to. Here is the way to ebook 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 obtained an opportunity to expertise each the flight and Copa’s Panama Stopover program.

This system is delightfully easy: While you ebook 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 ebook 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 throughout the flight.

For my in a single day flight, the pleasant cabin crew got here by a number of occasions to supply drinks and in addition 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)

One among my favourite elements of the whole 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 the terminal in a personal shuttle to worldwide arrivals, the place I used to be expedited by 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 fully 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 companion manufacturers on the bottom in Panama, considered one of which is the Accor-operated Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, which I used to be fortunate to name house for 3 nights. The epitome of pared-back type 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 vivid and ethereal, matching the vibe of the lodge’s public areas. In truth, it was so lovely that I typically discovered it onerous to step away (although the ocean-facing pool was fairly the draw, too).

My room’s glossy 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 most effective 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.

In fact, I made certain 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 lavatory’s soaking tub. A gleaming marble countertop and gold accents all through this house made the lavatory straightforward 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. Identified for its UNESCO World Heritage designation, aesthetes will love wandering the neighborhood’s meandering streets, ample in a hanging 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 concerning 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 the coves and inlets of Gatun Lake, a human-made freshwater lake on the heart of the Panama Canal. Right here, the wildlife is plentiful and assorted — I noticed a number of varieties of monkeys (howler, white face capuchin and tamarin), in addition to crocodiles (I saved my distance), bats and dozens of fowl 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 number of the greatest meals I’ve had in latest reminiscence. My favorites included a cassava tostada with tuna, pho caldito (a therapeutic hen broth), recent fish and raspao (a shaved ice dessert).

After lunch, I took a strolling tour by 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 in addition tried native sweets.

My second day concerned somewhat extra journey, but it surely 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 neighborhood. There, we discovered concerning the neighborhood’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 obtained to take pleasure in a lunch of native fruit and freshly caught fish with a number of members of the neighborhood earlier than heading again towards 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 obtained to observe a number of cargo ships go by the locks.

My ultimate dinner was at Cantina del Tigre, the place I loved a gentle stream of recent seafood all evening (assume: citrus-forward ceviches, recent octopus and langostine tamales), plus scrumptious craft cocktails.

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

ebook 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 properly value contemplating a stopover in Panama — whether or not for a day or so long as a whole week — to expertise this particular, various vacation spot that brings collectively so many cultures from throughout the Americas.

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