Dec-Jan High Season Travel - hidden gems?

Hello everyone,

we cannot help it, we "only" get travel time this year from Dec 8 to Jan 5 - which is pretty much high season period in Panama (mid dec- mid jan) - unfortunately. Reading here and there, I am bit shocked about prices and not sure what to expect in terms of great places being "booked out" and hordes of package tourists around...

Anyone to give advice on ...
... great, remote places without the (xmas tourist) masses? ie affordable beach locations, great diving/surfing around, top spot for spending xmas days on the beach, "hidden gems"
... places to absolutey avoid? I am guessing Bocas del Toro (full of US tourists?)
... skipping the idea of "pack and just go"? Do we need to pre-book pretty much everything? flights to San Blas?
... anything else important we need to know at this time of the year?
... combining other countries / areas into our travels?

We are both mid-30s, well traveled, experienced backpacker couple - but no longer relying on a shoestring budget. Mixing accomodation from low-key beach bungalow to (occassionally) a luxurious eco lodge type of place. We like nature, diving, surfing, trekking and ... less partying all night.

Last year we travelled in Nicaragua in Nov/Dec- what prices to expect in Panama in comparison? (in high season)

Itinerary:
HOME-Miami 2 days-Panama City-~3 weeks Panama-1 week parque nacional corcovado (Costa Rica)-San Jose (1 day)-Miami-HOME (Germany)

Muchas gracias a todos!
Ingo (& Dorothy)

Anywhere not on a beach, and or a remote area hard to get to. But its HIGH Season, and people want to be warm, from the cold north.

Have you a guidebook on Panama? I spent 10 days at Xmas in Pavones CR near the Panama border on the Osa, nearest ATM was 2 hours drive...no tourist to speak of.

Remote beach I would suggest you the San Blas Islands but NOT on the weekends. Go to Azuero, as well, Pedasi, Isla Iguana (great snorkelling) - Playa Venao (surfing). Bocas del Toro is going to be packed but great fun as well and there is always "hidden" beaches.

Note: You do not need to fly to San Blas unless you go to south of the Archipelago. San Blas can be now reached easily by road (3 hours). I will send you my blog in MP with more info about it.

Mr. Moto has never been so he has no idea what he is talking about. Getting a bus/collectivo van is very easy even many remote places in Panama. That is because most people don't have cars and yet they still want to travel. Bocas won't be packed until after the 15th. The only "package tourists" you will see are Costa Rican and Panamanian families. The international'communy and inner Panamanian tourist far outway "American" tourists. Bocas is a huge place with many areas that are always empty. Check out Punta Vieja on Bastimentos.

thanks everyone for your advice! in the end we decided to spend 4 weeks in colombia ...not panama :) but all helpful to other travellers! m u c h a s