1

Hello,

I am sure you will have a great time in Panama. Two weeks is plenty of time to relax and to a great trip here.

Beginning with the nice weather, in Panama it's kind of a lottery, sometimes it rains a lot and other time its very sunny. December is not summer yet but most days should be sunny, hopefully.

You are only looking for beaches on the Pacific side? Kuna Yala and Bocas del Toro are on the Caribbean side which definitely have nicer beaches. Panama is very small and all national flights would take less than an hour so is very easy to get from one place to another. You should book all your flights as soon as you can on Air Panama http://www.flyairpanama.com/ which is currently the only airline doing national flights.

Kuna Yala
Here is hard to really find a nice hotel. All locations would be great of course but most hotels are not what most would consider luxurious. The best hotel in the area would be http://www.corallodge.com/ which is a bit pricey or http://www.yandupisland.com/ which is also very nice. Coral Lodge is not exactly on an island as Yandup is but both are great options.

Barro Colorado
Its very close to Panama City so theres no need to stay at an hotel there but if you do I have heard that http://www.canopytower.com/ its a good option. In their website you will find the many activities you can do around there.

Isla Taboga
Is part of the Archipielago de las Perlas. Isla Taboga is not worth going but Isla San José in the Archipielago definitely is. You must stay in this hotel http://www.haciendadelmar.net/.

Isla Bocas Del Toro.
Here it usually rains but its the best spot for New Years Eve if you are looking for more activity. Even if you are not it's worth going for sure. The best hotels in Bocas Town are http://www.bocastropical.com/ and http://www.palmaroyale.com/ but there are plenty of hotels and bungalows in the surrounding areas and most are still relatively close.

El Valle is a nice mountain retreat and the best hotel over there is http://www.losmandarinos.com/ but I assure you a much more better mountain retreat experience in Boquete where the best hotels are http://www.veresort.com/, http://panamonte.com/ and http://boquetespa.com/.

Santa Fe I don't think its a great for 2 weeks here but the best option would be to go to Santa Catalina where http://www.onthereefpanama.com/ is the best and only "luxury" option and from there make a tour around the Island Coiba which is very nice.

Lago Gatun would be the same than Isla Barro Colorado I believe, I am not sure if there is a hotel ad that island.

Burbayar is very nice to appreciate the indigenous culture it's a very fun trip for sure but it's not very luxurious. The accommodations would probably not be worth the cost but maybe the experience is.

In the Gulf of Chiriqui I would recommend http://www.boutiquehotelcalamia.com/ a lot it's very nice, relatively close to Boquete an hour and a half drive.

Another places I would highly recommend are:

Pedasi
Its close to Isla Iguana which is very nice and a great hotel http://www.villacamillapanama.com/.

Porobelo
http://www.elotrolado.com.pa/weben/ an amazing hotel over there but very expensive.

In Panama I would recommend to stay in Casco Viejo at the hotel Las Clementinas or closer to Panama City at the Bristol.

The right itinerary would be something like Pedasi, then flight to David, drive to Boquete and then drive to the Gulf of Chiriqui hotel Cala Mia and then back to David and flight or drive (I recommend always flight) to Bocas del Toro. Then fly back to Panama and go visit Kuna Yala. You should have a couple of days in the city to enjoy it well and go visit the Gatun Lake, Panama Canal and different places from there. Maybe try to include Burbaya Lodge for the cultural experience but you might have enough with Kuna Yala which I recommend more.

Best of luck

Edited by: ramman

2

Hey

Thank you SO much for your advice - so very helpful...
Honestly, so nice to be able to hear about it from somebody as don't know anyone that has been. And my boyfriend doesn't have much time to look into.

I've gone through your comments - and made a more 'final' list -- but obviously things need to be cut down...!! So any help you can offer would be great in terms of best places, how long to spend, order of itinerary etc...

i've also added some extra places - such as boqette; would love to hear your advice if you know anything about those places. (marked them as **)

Thank you - I owe you a coffee and cake?!

• Comarca De Kuna Yala

• isla barro colorado

Worth going for day trip?

• isla san jose

• Bocas del Toro

No 1 choice but im really worried about the weather as we're going last 2 weeks december...

• golfo de chiriqui

• • - Posada Cerro La Viega

• • - Parque Nacional Coiba

• • - Boquette

• • - Panama Rail Road

• • - Isla Grande

3

Hey,

No worries, its a pleasure to help you. I have been everywhere in Panama as I was born and raised here and I love traveling as well.

I would divided like this.

You arrive to Panama, stay at the Bristol for one or two nights to relax. You can go visit The Panama Canal, The Causeway of Amador, go around the city to the different shopping malls or visit the Metropolitan park or the Gatun lake for amor Eco friendly experience. There are may great restaurants in Panama City. You should go to Maito and Grapes both are very good. You can see more information at www.degustapanama.com.

Don't waste time in Barro Colorado. Do the following.

Stay in Panama for 2 nights to relax
First fly to Isla San José to relax with in the beach with a nice sun. Stay there 2 nights maybe 3. Then fly to David, Chiriqui and from there rent a car and drive 30 minutes to Boquete for a mountain retreat kind of trip (I love Boquete). Stay there 3 more nights. Then drive back to David and fly to Bocas Del Toro and stay there 3 more nights. Then fly back to Panama City and stay in Las Clementinas in the Old Town of Casco Antiguo. There are many museums and theaters around there I am sure the receptionist can help you with activities. There are also many restaurants and bars over there. Stay there 2 nights. Then fly or drive (ask the hotel for assistance) to Kuna Yala for 2 more nights max.

I recommend to stay only a couple of nights in each place because there aren't really a lot of things to do and with a few days it's usually enough but if you don't feel like moving so much you should eliminate one place from the list. Probably Bocas del Toro, although it's very nice and it's the hottest destination in Panama for NYE with great parties, I believe that the islands in Kuna Yala are a little bit nicer and both are in the Caribbean side. In the Pacific side Isla San José is the best for me, then Villa Camila in Pedasi and Cala Mia in the Gulf of Chiriqui you should check the hotels to see what do you like the most.

4

Thanks yet again for your reply and suggested itinerary...

Do you think the weather will be ok in Bocas Del Toro and Kuna Yala?

Also after doing some research, maybe Santa Fe would be a bit more chilled and less touristy than Boquette, would you agree and is it similar scenery? Or is Boquette busier for a good reason?

Would you recommend any of these places to fit into the itinerary / or to go instead of one place already suggested?

Parque Nacional Coiba
Azuero Coastline
Panama Rail Road

Thanks again :)

5

Hey!

If you go to Santa Catalina or Pedasi they are both on the Azuero Coastline and from Santa Catalina you can visit the Island of Coiba. It's very nice but I like Kuna Yala, San José and Bocas del Toro more.

Now between Boquete and Santa Fe, I assure you that Boquete is much more nicer and it's absolutely worth the trip. I visit Boquete every few months and I love it every time.

You'r welcome, if I can help with anything else please let me know.

6

Hanka - 1 comment from me... You should seriously consider a visit to the San Blas Islands which you can organise out of Panama City or before you go. It truly is paradise there and if you're not on a tight budget then it's definitely worth the expense. One of my favourite worldwide beach experiences - truly paradise... I've got a few photos below if you want a glimpse of what it'll be like.

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Will weather in December be ok for San Blas so you think?

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January to Jun is probably the best time of year to visit but the islands should be OK most of the year as they are relatively close to the equator. Hope the weather's good for you in December, you'll love them if it is.