Collette Vacations is adding Panama land tours to its offerings in Latin America.
The tour operator had offered Panama as a pre- or post-cruise product in the past, but this will be the first time Collette is offering Panama as an entire product.
Starting in 2011, there will be two Panama itineraries available.
The nine-day Treasures of Panama tour includes Panama City, Monkey Island, a Panama Canal cruise, Gamboa and Playa Bonita. The nine-day Discover Panama tour starts in Panama City and includes stops along the Miraflores Locks, a Monkey Island cruise, a ride aboard the Panama Canal Railway and a Panama Canal cruise.
Discover Panama's first departure is Feb. 23, with additional dates in April, October and December as well as a few in 2012. Treasures of Panama's first departure is Oct. 26, with additional dates in 2012.
"We're predicting that Panama will become a huge seller," Melissa McKee, a public relations specialist at Collette, wrote in an email. It's "the ideal destination for the client who has expressed interest in Costa Rica. Panama has the rain forest, wildlife and beaches, like its neighbor, but includes a partial transit canal cruise and rail journey."