Who can come to this? The Native Like Water Panama Inter-national Exchange is designed as a fellowship of unity for our greater public community whom feel to join us on an experience curated through an indigenous lens. It is for folks whom have sincere interest in intellectual, cultural exchange, and self-healing that is enjoyable, may push your comfort zone, and is renewing. Ideal for any educational level. No one - regardless of age or education feels out of place. This fellowship is a comforting, inter-generational learning experience.   This is small group fellowship with no more than 8 people.

What Steps should I take to come?

Step 1: Get Passport. It’s Easy.
Begin your passport application at your local post office, you will need certified birth certificate, two pictures, and your appointment at the U.S. Post Office, passport services office or on-line. Service time for processing passports for expedited is 4-6 weeks OR visit a Federal Office for day turn around if available. Please see full instructions and how to apply on-line visit: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/new.html

Step 2: Early Registration Cost, Confirmation
Registration is now open and we will post here when full.
Fill out the google doc by clicking here: registration form here.

Program Cost per person is $1500, private room or $1300 for Shared double room . International flight is separate.

1st payment deposit of $500 per person will be required. This will guarantee your space in program and is non-refundable, however there will be some flex if you must change your travel plans, unexpectedly (refunds explained below).

The remaining payments can be made in installments, months leading up to travel. Final payment will need to be on or before arrival day

All payments can also be made On-Line. The last on-line payment must arrive prior to Jan 18. You do have the option of paying with one payment now or earlier if you choose. If you need to fundraise, please make a goal and request a support letter from NLW or Revolutionary Healing.
OPTION: Add-on Extended Stay, see itinerary bottom of page for more info

Once deposit is received, a receipt instantly is sent to you. Payments are registered with our office and folks may put various amounts of multiple payments using the black button Payment link below.

Further information, what to bring, waivers and Complete Registration Form will also be sent to you, separately. Please contact us for more information if needed.
Please specify if you are a family/couple group of 2 or more. 

Payments: Credit Card Option button (above) or Check or Money Order Made to:
One World BRIDGE (non-profit 501c3)
6 Elm Ave.
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Memo: Participate Name (s) Panama 25
Tax ID or Accounting info may call or write us: 619-708-7858

Step 3: Shop your Flight Not included in the registration is your international flight to Panama, PTY-Tocumen Airport. Please shop early, ASAP, for your flights. Be mindful that during busy seasons, finding a ticket early is recommended. Depending on airport and when you book, tickets average $500-$700 Roundtrip. Airport transfers (pick-up/ and drop off) are provided by Native Like Water.

Flight to Panama (PTY) Tocumen Airport should be booked as follows:
Arrival Jan 18 (no later than 8pm) and Departure Jan 23 (anytime).
Any Early arrivals, early departures or late departures and/or extended stays. No problem. Can be co-arranged with you and NLW , just let us know.   

Step 4: Travel Confirmation Letter Participant will be notified once 1st payment is received with a receipt and registration. Participant will receive travel voucher, liability waivers and a link of what to bring.

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

What is included in the Program Cost? Includes Lodging, Daily Meals, (lunch on own), Private Transportation to all locations named, Personalized Tours and Admissions, logistics, gratuities, individual pick-up/drop at airport, inter-tribal community teaching. 

Not included in cost: International Flight (average cost $500-$700 round-trip) to Panama (PTY- Tocumen), beverages with alcohol, any extra tours not listed on itinerary.  

What is the purpose of this trip? Small group travel of 8 people.  We follow the vibe of practice and leadership of NLW and OLP to take a close look into local environments, Panamanian Arts, Culture, Sovereignty and Sustainability of the Indigenous People and Afro-Panamanian story. Special attention will be given to ecological sustainability, self sustainability, leisure, wellness and culture.

Is there physical difficulty in the activities? The experience and adventure is casual and physical demand is very mild. Participant always retains the decision on how and when to participate in activities, according to their comfort level. One should have an affinity with outdoor activity.

What is the weather like? Temperature and climate is primarily tropical and mild in the mountains. Temps range from 60 degrees to 95 degrees. There will be sun and rain and mild humidity. Nothing unbearable. March dates are pleasant with low humidity and rain.

Are there Scholarships Available? not at this time. If you would like to sponsor a scholarship, please contact us.

Curators /Group Leaders? A NLW Director and at least 1 other leader from One Love Panama will maintain logistics and lead the exchange experience along with local cultural specialists and tour guides. We will follow the educational guide and safety cues of local professionals during visits and travel.

Keeping in touch with participant? Direct cell phone numbers are provided to reach NLW staff for emergency, with the exception when in areas of limited cell access. There will be access to WiFi Internet during at least 85% of the time while in Panama. Enough leisure time will be provided to stay connected to friends and family via your favorite text/vid app. 

Where do participants sleep and what are the arrangements? Accommodations will always be clean, comfortable and will consist of acclaimed local Black and Indigenous owned bed and breakfast. Male and female participants, unless traveling as significant others are normally separated. Shared room lodging is the option, however, there are two private rooms which can also be requested for couples. There is 3 staff member to every 5 participants. Like all our programs, we are respectful to the wishes of all families and preferences. Please contact us if you have further questions or concerns.

Safety? Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin America. Like on all U.S. reservations, urban areas, and localized areas that Native Like Water visits, we are guided by locals with group safety as main priority.  We respect local law of the land and provide safety orientations on the first day of the tour. Native Like Water Tour leaders have worked safely with youth and adults in North America and Latin America/Caribbean, including Panama for over 20 years.

Monetary Exchange: Panama uses the U.S. Dollar and is also referred to as “Balboas”, but is the same US currency. U.S. Dollars are used for all local transactions and given ATMs.

Refunds? What if I cancel before the Trip and I already paid my first payment of $500?
If an unseen circumstance arises and participant is unable to travel on Jan 18, participant’s first payment cannot be refunded. However, we must be notified at least 7 days in advance. The initial payment, however, can be used for additional travel with NLW, minus a 20% logistic and booking fee. We do offer Panama, Jamaica and Mexico programs throughout the year and we can apply this as a credit to further booking. The 20% is a small fee for NLW to adjust logistics and cancellations to our vendors and local tour agents whom have held your place.

Refunds, after second payment? The second or subsequent payment can be fully refunded (minus a 3% processing fee) if given NLW notice prior to Jan 8. 

If contacting NLW after Jan 8th that participant is unable to travel, after you have made your second payment, 50% of your payment will be refunded. Native Like Water will need to be contacted at the very latest, three days prior to program start of Jan 18th. Unfortunately, we are unable to refund payments after this date, due to reservation commitments made on participant’s behalf in Panama.

Note: Participant international flight refund of ticket (booked separately on your own) will be good for 1 year upon contacting the airline for canceling. You must contact the airline directly and immediately if this occurs. Airline may incur a fee to change your ticket, but you will not lose airline ticket. Usually, you may use it up to one year and may be used for NLW following program to Panama.