Carnival in Panama advice/questions

Hi,

I had my heart set on Carnival in Barranquilla for my 2013 CA/SA trip, but since I'm starting in Costa or Nica in January, I wouldn't make it to Colombia in time without rushing. So research reveals Panama is quite the place to be as well. Any comparisons anyone can make?

I would appreciate any advice in general, but have a few questions. I see Las Tablas is the place to be, but that people skip around to surrounding towns for different days, etc. How do you go about finding out where to be when, etc? And is it super jam packed to the point where I won't be able to find a hostel if I wing it? Everything says to book in advance. And it is doable in a day of travel by bus from, say Playa Dominical? I looked up domestic flight info but didn't see flights to Santiago, and flying into PC seems a bit silly. Only checked one airline though.

Just trying to put this together in my head. Any info on costs would be helpful as well. Thanks!

miamimike who posts on this forum from time to time about the best Azuero festivals is the one to ask. http://miamimikeshostel.com/home and Chitre and Mike's are a good base of operations.
You could get from Dominical to Santiago or Chitre in a long bus day...maybe...but you would be better off breaking that trip up in David.
Flying, there are not a lot of options there and it has gotten prohibitively expensive even short hops.

Carnaval on the Azuero Peninsula is really famous (just google it), Las Tablas seems so be the most popular place. Two years ago I tried to get a room in Las Tablas (within one month before carnaval), which did not succeed. Actually that was the most important reason I went to Chitré (were I was still able to fin a room, although expensive).

Celebrated carnaval for three days in Chitré which was great, just before noon I took 2 times a bus to the neighbouring village of Villa de los Santos (only 30 cts, maybe 20 mins?). There was a nice small carnaval around the local square. After that I went back to Chitré were carnaval really had started at that time. Be prepared for a lot of water in the afternoon, I think then they went home to dry and came back for the evening event. Anyway I loved the carnaval in an around Chitré, this pics will give you some impressions. If you have made your choise I think it's good to reserve a bed or a room early.

Hi
Great photos!Post #2
Here at Miami Mike s Hostel,in Chitre we are in the epicenter of Carnaval and the Azuero Peninsula itself.
Visiting The Azuero is definitely off the Gringo Trail and its cheap and safe here as well.We are near the beaches and not too far from Las Tablas,Pedasi, and the old colonial town of Parita too.

Thanks guys,

so would the advice be to base in Chitre and just take the bus to other towns for the day?

Only know about the bus to Villa de los Santos which went regularly when I was there during carnaval. Propably Miama Mike can tell how long it is by bus to places mentioned above and if there is regular transport during carnaval. But also the carnaval in Chitré is nice and worth visiting.

Chitre is a good centralize base here in the Azuero Peninsula and for Carnaval as well.
30 minutes from LAs Tablas(buses run all night during Carnaval)
10 minutes from La Villa de Los Santos
15 from PArita
Lots of travellers try to party in different towns each Carnaval day!
LAs Tablas is the better one,but Chitre is a closed second...