Hi guys!
I just came back from 5 weeks of Panama and wow: I really loved and enjoyed this country! I noticed, by reading the most recent Lonely, that some things are not written down. So, I would love to give you some tips:
Santa Catalina:
- If you visit Santa Catalina (what you should do anyway): stay in Rancho Estaro. The owners of this beautiful spot, Zigor and a German girl (from surfshop Surf and Shake) are really friendly. They have several cabanas to stay for 40 usd per night for 2 persons. The Cabanas are all having sea view, so you can daily check the waves to surf! You can also rent some boards (soft top and hard top) and having lessons from Zigor. There is an open kitchen and a common place to chill in the evening.
- I not really missed it, but it will be nice to have a map from Santa Catalina for the first days. There is only one big street with several side roads, but you can hardly see on which side road your hostel is!
- Everyone gets in love with the view of Surf Point Hostel at the end of the big street in Santa Catalina. Chill down there after a good surf and watch the waves and the beach.
Playa Venao:
- Another nice surfers place in Panama is Playa Venao (people also call it: Playa Benao). It is not that far from Santa Catalina and you can easily get there in 5 hours by using the public transport (Go to Las Tablas, Chitre, Santiago and than Santa Catalina). Everyone wants to stay there at Eco Venao, which is good, but if you want to sit next to the beach and a clean, nice room: GO TO VENAO COVE! This place from a Australian couple is so nice. They have a free kitchen to use, clean dorms (12 usd per night) and with 2 steps you are in the sea with your board. The owners are always willing to help you. It is a place to chill down in you hammock and over think your life.
From Santa Catalina > Bocas del Toro:
Not many people are planning to do it, but so we did! And what a lot of fun we had. Maybe you don't need it, but you never know:
- Your trip starts at 13.00 pm in Santa Catalina at the supermarket.
{ You take the bus to Sona > 1,5 hours
{ From Sona to Santiago > 1 hours
This will cost you 10 usd together. If you are arriving in Santiago at 4 pm, it's little American place, you have to go to terminal Los Tucanes (or ask the bus driver to drop you there). There is a little office where you can buy a ticket for the night bus to Bocas del Toro (18,5 usd). The bus will leave at 11 pm, which means that you have wait for 7 hours to leave. So what did we? We went to the cinema! Hold a taxi and ask for the MC Donalds: the cinema is next to it. After seeing a movie you can have dinner in one of the fast food restaurants.
Bocas del Toro:
- Isla Colon, a nice, touristic spot, but with some beautiful hidden places. We stayed at Hostel Casa Verde. This place is a little out of the "centre" (whatever that means in Bocas) and have every night live, local music. You will meet many other backpackers, families or couples over there. I will not advice you to stay in the dorms, but to have a private room. It only a difference of 5 usd per night. ;-)
- From Casa Verde you can take the shuttle to Isla Bastimentos at 16.00 pm. They will take you to Palmar Tent Lodge. This place is not so well know, but great for two days. You will stay in private big tents next to the beach. Nowadays it is run by American and Canadian volunteers. You can stay in a private tent for 50/55 usd per night for two persons or in the (clean!) dorm for 12 usd per night.
- When you are back at Isla Colon, go for a break to La Buguita. It almost look the same like Casa Verde. They have nice breakfast, smoothies and lunches. It is not that expensive!
- If you want to stay close to beaches like Playa Buff or Punch, you must stay in Panamas Paradise (Jenny's Cabanas). This place is run by the friendly Dutch lady Jenny and her 2 kids. She is very flexible and always willing to help you, like doing your laundry or making special prices in low season. You should ask for Jon's Place. She also runs this place and it has a incredible sea view! Free bikes are included, but they are not working that wel.. ;-)
- If you have to back to Panama City from Bocas that you have to by night bus. Notice that you have to book this in time (about 2 days before leaving) otherwise it will be full! The night bus will leave daily at 7 pm and will take you 8 hours of (speed) driving to Panama City. You will arrive there mostly between 4 or 5 am. Most travellers are going directly to the San Blas Islands. I will definitely advice you that, because most of the hostel are open at 7/8 am! And you don't want to wait at Albrook... The price for the night bus is 28 usd.
So, this was it for now. I hope you and of course the team of Lonely Planet will enjoy my tips for Panama! ;-)
Have a wonderful holiday or trip.
Cheers, Xantoucha
