Traveling around Panama

Hello,

I'm planning a trip for a week to Panama in August, and based on forums/discussions with friends who have been, I've decided to go to the following places:

1. start out: casca viejo (in Panama City; main location)

2. Kuna Yala

3. Boca de Toro

My main question is whether I should book my travel accommodations to Kuna Yaya and Boca de Toro once I'm in Panama City or before I leave the States? Are there affordable and easy ways to plan these trips from Panama City or should I consult a travel agent in the States for assistance? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Since you only have a week for Panama, you really need to have reserved flights if you want to
see Bocas del Toro in the extreme north and the San Blas in the south. The collapse of Aeroperlas
leaves only Air Panama flying to these places and flights may be completely booked out if you wait
until arriving in the country to arrange them. You could check out what Panama Travel Unlimited.com
has on offer for the San Blas. You'll find Kuanidup Grande a good value (kuanidup.com) in the Kuna Yala
(San Blas Islands). You fly from Panama City into El Porvenir to get there.

www.theandiamo.com for kuna yala sailing!

Luna's Castle in Casco Viejo organises 2 night trips to San Blas (or one night if you so wish). You start off 5am & arrive at the island of choice midday with departures at 8-9am. Arrive back approx 2pm which is enough time to fit in seeing the Miraflores Lock by taxi before getting an overnight bus to Bocas from Albrook bus terminal, Panama City at 8.30pm daily & you arrive at ~7am.

It's tough going as you only have a week but you can still have 2 nights in the city, 2 in san blas & 2-3 in Bocas. Perhaps getting a flight back from Bocas to Panama City but flying the other routes may not necessarily save you all that much time