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Panama itinerary advice - already been to Costa Rica, Belize, & Guatemala

Replies: 6 - Last Post: Feb 18, 2013 11:26 PM Last Post By: Fletcherali

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Kmevan08CRNA

Kmevan08CRNA avatar

Nov 5, 2012 11:18 AM
Posts:  4

Panama itinerary advice - already been to Costa Rica, Belize, & Guatemala

Hello, I realize that these are all different countries but I am looking for a unique, AUTHENTIC Panama experience. I have visited volcanoes, coffee plantations etc. in Guatemala and Costa Rica, and beaches in Caye Caulker Belize and I am afraid that i will be doubling up on similar experiences. Here is my Panama itinerary. Any advice is welcomed!

Day 1: arrive in Panama city, tour the town a bit and Casco Viejo
Day 2: tour the Miraflores locks and Canal, drive or tour to Soberania national parque
Day 3-5: flight or 4x4 to San Blas islands for an experience that I cannot get anywhere else ( I hope this is true) for a saling trip there
Day 6: white water rafting somewhere
Day 7: finish up in Panama city

I like the descriptions of Bocas del Toro but it sounds a lot like Belize to me- has anyone been to both? Boquete also resonates with parts of Costa Rica to me - but I could be wrong. Again ANY advice is welcomed. Thank you in advance.

toughcookie

toughcookie avatar

Nov 5, 2012 3:49 PM
Posts:  152

1

yes bocas del toro is a little bit like belize
I think casco viejo is worth a few hours. otherwise PC is a big smelly grimy noisy city, like any other. i wouldnt spend any more time there than necessary.

Kmevan08CRNA

Kmevan08CRNA avatar

Nov 6, 2012 4:04 PM
Posts:  4

2

Thank you for your reply toughcookie. Any advice on Kuna Yala/San Blas or Boquete is welcomed ;)

toughcookie

toughcookie avatar

Nov 7, 2012 4:45 AM
Posts:  152

3

No experience Boquete. Read a lot of reports, like it's overrated, overrun, drag.
Eddy and I sailed KY 2 nights on the Andiamo with Tony Santos. That is now defunct. Last time I heard, Tony Santos was helping people connect with other sailors through his website. You might check it out:
WWW.THEANDIAMO.COM

ramman

ramman avatar

Nov 12, 2012 12:03 AM
Posts:  11

4

The San Blas sailing experience is very nice just make sure you are getting what you pay for. Boquete is very nice, there are plenty of hotels over there it's great for a mountain retreat experience with plenty of different activities, one of my favorite spots on Panama. Bocas del Toro also has very nice beaches some of the nicest in Panama along with San Blas. Bocas Town is well populated and there you will find a very international crowd with tons of restaurantes, bars and clubs.

If you tell me more info about your group, ages and what you are looking to I might be able to recommend you better.

ramman

ramman avatar

Nov 12, 2012 12:07 AM
Posts:  11

5

Also I believe Panama City to be a very nice city. There is great shopping and many cultural and entertainment places to visit. Boquete is definitely not overrated or overrun. Go to hotel Valle Escondido, Haven Spa or Panamonte for a top luxury experience.

Make sure the sailboat in San Blas has air conditioner it can get very hot inside.

Regards

Fletcherali

Fletcherali avatar

Feb 18, 2013 11:26 PM
Posts:  6

6

I was wondering if you've taken your trip and what you decided for your itinerary. I have the same questions and am trying to decide where to spend our time while in Panama. Kmevan - Can you share your thoughts?
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