Last Updated on March 17, 2023 by PowersToTravel
Albee Adventures
Several months before our departure to Peru in August 2015, Copa Airlines notified us that they were cancelling our return onward flight from Panama City to Boston, and putting us on the next day’s flight. Disappointed, we struggled to find a way to get to Boston from Lima on our original day but there were no options.
Every vacation day for me is hard-won, and with this delay I would later lose a day somewhere else in the world.
We argued with Copa Airlines and they finally offered us a hotel room for the night in Panama City, meals and shuttle transfer to the hotel, and to the airport the next morning. We found ourselves with a half-day extra in our trip. I immediately took advantage of this ‘windfall?’ and located an agency called Albee Adventures, and arranged for a half-day driving tour of Panama City and the Canal.
Timing drove to my decision. Albee offered a private trip at the right time, and with the right flexibility, should our flight from Peru to Panama City be late.
As promised, at their airport terminal service desk, Copa provided us with vouchers for shuttle, hotel and meals. The shuttle dropped us off at the downtown hotel, Hotel Riu Plaza Panama. Oh, my, goodness! What a stunning hotel!
Hotel Riu Plaza, Panama City
Hotel Riu Plaza, Panama City
It was one of the Panama City skyscrapers, not the most stunningly designed on the exterior, but the modern decor with its brightly colored marble, tile and mirrors was breathtaking.
Hotel Riu Plaza, Panama City
The Albee Adventures driver picked us up at the hotel right on time, and took us to the Miraflores Panama Canal Locks to view ships traveling through the canal.
Unfortunately the weather was foggy and the views were nonexistent. Due to the fog no ships were allowed to travel through the locks. Because our tour was private we were able to dally there for an extra hour to wait for a ship, whose arrival had been announced over the loudspeaker. We spent a great deal of time in the visitor’s center and museum. The museum was well designed and very hands-on and visual. We even experienced a movie taken from the pilot house of ship as it traveled through the lock.
We learned that Panama had been in a bit of a drought, and the rainy “bad weather” for us was an event for celebration for the Panamanians.
Happily for us, the fog lifted, the ship arrived, actually two ships, and we were able to see the entire process.
Then the driver took us on a driving tour of the old city. It would have been good to get out of the car a bit more, of course, but with our chosen delay at the locks, there wasn’t time. We drove by the Iglesia San Francisco de Asis, and went into the San Jose Church with its golden alter. We saw enough to know that we would like to return!
The Rui Plaza Panama City
Back at our hotel, we had our dinner out on the patio by the pool. I can’t remember whether we were pleased or not with our food, but we were pleased it was free!
The room was luxurious, the beds soft with nice sheets.
However, the breakfast was truly memorable. We continue to remind each other of the fabulous buffet breakfast.
“Have you ever seen such a huge buffet?”
“Have you ever had such choice before?”
“Have you ever eaten so much for breakfast before?”
Here’s a picture from the afternoon before, before we saw what-all they could put on a buffet. We were too busy eating the next morning to want to take pictures.
The buffet room, Hotel Riu Plaza, Panama City
If Copa Airlines ever cancels your flight, do not hesitate to demand an overnight in Panama City! Even if you don’t have the time to take a tour with Albee Adventures, the hotel, the Rui Plaza Panama, will blow you away.
