Single female in Panama- 10 days

Bocas del Toro - Great place for meeting international travellers - mainly back packers from Europe many hostels on the island.
Good place for outdoor ocean related activities on sunny days but the town lacks evening and rain day activities. I have watched steady rain there for up to 15 days straight - kinda puts a damper on a short vacation.

FYI - If you go don't drink the tap water!!! Don't drop your guard!
Stuff not reported by the local newspaper : As of Jan.2012 as _reported_ to the local police - one missing young female tourist, 2 - rapes, 4 sexual assaults, 2 island home invasions, 6 armed robberies on the local islands/ crusier vessels and loads of petty theft on the island...that's the short list. (Reported stuff) Travel safe - find a travel buddy.

Thanks, Reckless. Bocas del Toro is definitely on top of my list. Seems like it would have everything I am looking for. Thanks for the information; I Traveled CR alone and didn't have any issues. I used common sense and didn't put myself in a situation that could turn ugly.

You will be fine in Panama if you figured out the ropes in CR.

I have only been to BDT for a night, but I think you would find it really nice and up your alley. There is some nice info on the Darien Gap, that is about as off the grid as it gets I think..but regardless the Kuna/Yala indigenous tribes having been nagging me for years, that may may hit your target from the sounds of things.

Maliante is the guy to know for whats up and where in BDT, PM Him. Stuart at this hostel below is a contributor here and is really a wealth of solid and honest advice.

[http://www.mamallena.com/]

If the Moon is as good as the CR/Nicaragua editions, give that a browse.

The FAQ has some great Panama info, trip reports and links too.

Have fun and report back..

Tim

falling off the grid for a minute is diggable, but what about falling into sketch sitch? good try, Scoot.

I am quite a bit older than you but travel by myself all the time and had a house in Costa Rica for 13 years. I am going to soposo.com from August 29 through September 1. I am the only there at that time and Max usually only has perhaps 20 visitors a year. It's definitely off the grid! Then I'm heading over to Bocas to stay in a house on Bocas del Drago for 6 days. You might want to check out Buccaneer Resort on Carenero Island which is only two minutes away from Bocas or the Palmar Tent Lodge on Bocas. I've been in touch with both of them and they are fabulous people. I'm going on the cacao tour and you might want to email Adam Armstrong (californiaadam@yahoo.com) who sets up the tours if it interests you. There's lots to do but like in CR just watch getting off the main streets by yourself. Be very careful over at Bastimento Island if you go to the park. Lots of thieves. Same at Red Frog Beach. You'll be okay. Just be vigilent.

Check into Santa Catalina and beaches outside Pedasi on the Azuero Peninsula.

website is santacatalinabeach.com

I second Santa Catalina, and Isla Coiba. Also if you are thinking about heading towards bocas get off the grid for some hiking and nature at the lost and found echostel www.lostandfoundlodge.com . I recommend not making bocas a main base and spending a couple of days else where before you arrive in bocas then just take the long one way bus back or hop the flight from bocas to Panama city.

Hi, I am looking to travel to central America from about Sept 4 th for 7-10 days. Panama sounds good. I've been to Costa Rica twice and love it. Are you looking for someone travel with? I am 30 year old female and was going to travel alone somewhere in September but would rather travel with a buddy. I am looking to experience the culture and enjoy outdoor activities.