Panama in a week?

Hi Guys,

Sorry to clog up the forum with another thread but I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. For those who have been to Panama, I'm going to be starting out a trip through Central America for around 4 weeks in Panama City.

I'd like to spend around a week in Panama, seeing the basic sights and so I ask you, if I'm moving west towards Costa Rica what are the best things to do and see.

I'm a 24 year old from the US who speaks spanish. I'll be backpacking on this trip, staying in hostels and hanging out with people along the way. I'm into photography, hiking and lots of surfing.

I was planning on staying 2-3 days around Panama City and the canal.
From there go on to Boquete (I've heard about it but not sure what to do there, lots of hiking?)
Then to Bocas del Toro before I move on to Costa Rica.

Does that sound like a plan any of you would reccomend? If so, how much time would you spend in each spot. Thanks so much.

it does sound like a good plan to me. from Boquete you can river raft or hike if you want (volcano Baru or easier day hikes around the area). the question is maybe whether you want to cross to Costa Rica on the Pacific of the Caribbean side. if you like the Caribbean vibes, check out Puerto Viejo and/or Cahuita. Costa Rica's Pacific side is more remote and has some great national parks (Corcovado, La Amistad), but they require some planning - maybe not every backpacker's choice. Access and accommodation possibilities are easier on the Caribbean.
note: i'm just talking about the South Pacific. From Dominical on, backpacking gets easier.

and consider to spend a bit more than a week in Panama. 1 or 2 nights Boquete, 3-5 nights in Bocas

Thanks a ton.

I was expecting to stay a little longer in Panama than 7 days. But keeping in mind I would like to travel much deeper into Central America, I don't want to waste too much time in places early on and then not have enough time later.

1. Panama city 2 days (arrive via plane in the morning, check out the old city and then the panama canal the next)
2. Take the express bus to david and then a bus to boquete hopefully arriving in the mid afternoon and do a short hike in the afternoon. The next day what should I do? - 2 days
3. Travel to Bocas del Toro and spend 4 days there surfing, seeing the sights etc.

8 days total, would I be missing anything if I didn't stay in Panama city 3 days? I feel like I'll be itching to get out of the city by that time.

I was thinking about going the Pacific route into CR but I'm pretty into surfing and I wanted to at least see some surf on the carribean side at one point in my trip. Thanks.

btw. How far into Central America do you think I can get with 4-5 weeks? Nicaragua? Guatemala? Thanks for your help.

Edited by: unc2007

Sounds like you'll have the right amount of time in Panama City, if you just want to see the sights and experience it. You could spend longer if you wanted to just hangout, party and so on. If you're in to hikes and nature then checkout the Lost and Found Lodge on the road between David and Bocas, that could fill your extra couple of days and get you away from the towns and cities.

I haven't been to Panama yet, going next week, but I was in Costa Rica a few years back and although I didn't surf there (too big for me) Puerto Viejo is an excellent place to surf and the easiest place to cross over from Bocas. You take a bus to the border, walk across to CR and then get another bus to Puerto. Then you can hit all the Pacific side surf spots on your way north to Nicaragua.
I personally loved Puerto, went for a few days and stayed for 3 weeks but I don't know how much it has changed since then cause they were just about to pave their first road as I was leaving.

Edited by: jjfoxy

Try inexpensive lodging (as low as $6.60 a nite) at Pension Marilos in Boquete. Get there early! There are only 7 rooms and they go fast but this is a comfortable and well-located place to stay. Use of kitchen and TV included. Tel. (507) 720-1380