Christmas in Costa Rica or Panama?

Hi all,

I am a first-time traveler and will be away for Christmas and NYE in Central America. I fly out of Panama City on 5th January so I am trying to decide where would be best to spend Christmas and NYE.

My options are Costa Rica or Panama!

I am female and will be on my own so would like to feel safe or be able to meet fellow travelers. I'm not really sure how Latin American countries celebrate these days but am happy to do something cultural or just laze on the beach - whatever is recommended!

All suggestions and tips will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Lauren

Quick thought: If it is worth it, I could spend Xmas in CR & then NYE in Panama?? Look forward to hearing your responses :)

Edited by: Freckles_88

Problem is that everyone and their families travel around this time of the year. Transport is full, and you need to reserve places on the beach far in advance.

probaly the worst time to go, anyway you reschedule? what guidebooks have you looked at?

Not sure about CR but last year Bocas Del Toro in Panama was crowded but not too much. Xmas there is a magical with tons of christmas lights and fireworks. It is very safe and there are many new hostels to choose from.

Borders are best avoided between Dec 20 and Jan 5th, its also 15 hours between capitals PC and SJ. Though the caribe side border is a small crossing compared to Pacific side main hwy/Pan Am traffic. You could spend time between BDT and Pt Viejo areas. Its 4-5 hour commute between the 2 areas.

If you just want beach, spend it on one area. Xmas is pretty low key in CR, not sure why or where you need to be. Beaches are booked up and best to secure something asap IMO.

Caribe transport options Panama>Pt Viejo

I don't know about Xmas but we where in Costa Rica and Panamá and I must tell you Costa Rica wins by far.
The people in Panama was not very kind, always trying to get something from us. Costa Ricans instead are super friendly and not focused on get but on give (with a few exceptions of course). Panamá is like a plastic+ destination while CR is still very +natural+ or +for real.

#5, you must be from the Costa Rica Board of Tourism.

Ticos are nice enough, the ones that aren't thieves that is, but much of Costa Rica seemed to me like a marketing confection. Panama is a real, diverse country, not an over-hyped and over-marketed backwater overrun with gringos. Costa Rica is Latin America-Lite, the whitest place between the Midwestern US and Argentina.

#5- thats a good one. What do you have to say about Nicas?

All this information is wrong. Yellow fever shot, wrong. All resorts booked up, wrong. Boarder crossing busy on Christmas, ha ha ha ha. Panama plastic and costa rica real, well yes it's real expensive. People that don't know what they are talking about should not give advice or at least state where you are gleening your info from.
My suggestion is check out peoples personal blogs on the Internet. You can easily filter them by date place etc etc.

Thank you for all the responses - I've been away for a bit so just read through them now. I must say I am no clearer as to what I should do though!!

I'll definitely stick to one place if you say borders can be a bit tricky its just the decision as to what location that should be!

I think I'll do some more research and try book something soon. Unfortunately I can't reschedule as I'm working around a tour to the Galapagos Islands and Rio Carnival but I'm hoping I'll still have an amazing time - regardless of the timings!

Any other advice is still appreciated. Thanks!

Look up bocas. For Christmas it can't be beat and you really don't need to book now unless you are planning on staying at a very small resort.