PANAMA - tell me everything

[dealiah]

Greetings all.

I am looking for any and all info on PANAMA.
(The country, BTW, not the city in Florida.)

I need to get info on flights, especially how to find a cheap one. The only ones I've come across so far involve changing planes 3x and they are a fortune.

Any recommendations? Places to stay? Places to see? Family of yours I should visit? Etc Etc Etc

Whatever you know, I want to know too!

Thanks much in advance RFD ppl.

[IceQue]

www.google.com

www.tripadvisor.com

[shan]

I was once obsessed with Panama after spending many late nights reading about it on the internet. I finally made the trip in January. I found the cheapest way to get there was through Orlando. Once you get to Orlando (there always seem to be good deals to orlando) take spirit airlines to panama city which should cost around $250 USD incl. tax for roundtrip airfare (~$78 each way plus tax).

This could be a hassle for most but works out costing a bit less than flying from Toronto which at the time I was trying to book cost around $900.

I think dry season ends in May so you should go before then. Don't spend too much time in Panama City; head to Bocas Del Toro via a domestic flight.

[cupofjoe]

I won't go into great detail about the places but here is my take:

Panama is very, very hot. It is on par with Bangkok, Rio etc. The people are generally very friendly and helpful. Use the local airlines to get around (especially bocas) as the $60-$70 gets you anywhere in about an hour.

I highly recommended Bocas as a 'laid-back, hang-out' place. Some interesting tours etc, but the focus of most people here is to relax. Stayed at Hotel Oles, highly recommended, nice patio, clean rooms, and good value. Only small drawback is the impersonal mgmt.

Panama City is worth 3-4 days, can use it as a base to explore the Panama Canal, shop, see old Panama etc. Panama City has a couple of dangerous neighborhoods, but they are pretty easy to avoid with a bit of research (ie lonely planet)

Boquete is a charming town, with good hikes and very pleasant temperatures. It is higher up in elevation, daytime highs are around 24-28 celsius.

Have a great trip

Cheers

ps, I just relized that this is my 5 post in about 5 years, does that qualify me as bit of a lurker???

[theinfamous]

Check this thread for more info as well...

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=710290

[dealiah]

IceQue - thanks but that is just an easy and obvious answer LOL

shan - good reminder about dry season or not!
- and yes, hoping to avoid the 900- which is what I keep finding
- definitely planned on spending time outside the city too; thx for the specific tip

cupofjoe - feel free to go into detail! unless you are worried about your posting numbers reaching dbl digits...
- not so sure about doing hotels, but will check pricing on those; thx

theinfamous - oh thx for that; don't know how I missed it

[notanexpert]

You can get to Panama from Toronto on Continental for under $500 taxes in. One stop required, Houston or Newark.
Of course you have to check their website often, and check different dates, ususally mid-week is when the prices are the best. NOT during March break is a given if you want a decent price! Also not on a long weekend, other holidays, US holidays, the carnival in Panama, etc. Just a regular nothing special weekday.

[jazzi2003]

Above poster is absolutley right I'm going my family. We went with Continental, April 23rd-May 2nd. Price was $522cdn each 1 stop over in newark for an hour.