help from a Panamanian
#3
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Thanks Camilo- It's a little difficult to get info about Panama on this site. Staying at Playa Bonita for a month in January. What should we look for in the area, such as restaurants, sites, etc ? I assume we will need a rental car. Any recommendations ? I've heard the extra fees are huge. What side trips are "must see" ?
#4
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hi,
Alright goods and bads about Playa Bonita
Goods.
Infrastructure, there are two resorts at Playa Bonita, Westin amd Secrets, both have good infraestructure, nice pools and rooms.
Location, away from the city, it means no noise, smoke, etc.
bads.
Location, away from everything, these resorts are located in the middle of nowhere in the road to Veracruz, you are not able to go anywhere walking, so you will acyually need a rental car or private transportation, no restaurants, except for those not too fancy restaurants in "have to be carefull place" of Veracruz beach (if you are with a local you should be good, but is not great food so it doesn?t worth the hassle)
Beach, Polluted, can't swim on it
Location again, being away from everything, means you will be spending more money in transport.
Regarding your question about what you should look for restaurants or sites? answer is none.
For rental cars, is always advised to not drive in the city, panamanians are very aggresive, spcially yellow cabs, traffic and almost non existent parking places, difficult to understand road signs, construction everywhere. you can easilly get lost or spend 1 hour in a 15 minutes ride. If you are planning driving further away from the city you will be ok renting a car.
What extra fees are you refering to?
Alright goods and bads about Playa Bonita
Goods.
Infrastructure, there are two resorts at Playa Bonita, Westin amd Secrets, both have good infraestructure, nice pools and rooms.
Location, away from the city, it means no noise, smoke, etc.
bads.
Location, away from everything, these resorts are located in the middle of nowhere in the road to Veracruz, you are not able to go anywhere walking, so you will acyually need a rental car or private transportation, no restaurants, except for those not too fancy restaurants in "have to be carefull place" of Veracruz beach (if you are with a local you should be good, but is not great food so it doesn?t worth the hassle)
Beach, Polluted, can't swim on it
Location again, being away from everything, means you will be spending more money in transport.
Regarding your question about what you should look for restaurants or sites? answer is none.
For rental cars, is always advised to not drive in the city, panamanians are very aggresive, spcially yellow cabs, traffic and almost non existent parking places, difficult to understand road signs, construction everywhere. you can easilly get lost or spend 1 hour in a 15 minutes ride. If you are planning driving further away from the city you will be ok renting a car.
What extra fees are you refering to?
#5
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Someone suggested that car rental agencies require you purchase their insurance, and post a large deposit, even if you purchase their insurance. We will have a car, but I read the cost of a taxi from Playa Bonita is reasonable. Thanks
#6
Join Date: Sep 2013
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So glad to find this topic. We're hoping to visit Panama over Christmas this year. Our 26 year old son will be with us and will want to go off on his own to explore. He's pretty fearless, outdoorsy and an avid photographer. We are a little older, enjoy organized day trips plus relaxing. I'm just starting to put an itinerary together so information you are giving here is invaluable. Thank you, Camilo.
#10
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Sorry, yes, i'm here, not too many questions, so i dont review this forum many often. Alright, peacock bass fishing in gatun lake is very common, locals eat these, no problems so far, but some people prefer not to eat them, lake gatun is the main lake at the Panama Canal, that means a lot of big ships cross the lake every day. I don't think you are going to die, however i hear they don't taste too good, i never tried that one.
#12
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Camilo- I too have been away too long. Thanks for the response. I love to fish, and love to eat fish (as many on here do ). Any recommendations on where to fish, or what fish to eat ? Thanks again.
#13
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Hi Camilo - Question for you. I'm planning on doing a combination trip of Panama and Costa Rica. Is it possible if flying into Tocumen to make my way up to the David area of Panama and then cross into CR near the Osa Peninsula? Also without renting a car, what's the best way to get around this area of Panama?
#14
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Hello,
I think Camilo is out from this forum. Can't open his profile. Yes you can fly to David with Copa Airlines from Tocumen or fly with AirPanama from Albrook Domestic aiport. Or take a day or night bus to David (approx. 7 hours). I would still rent a car in David to visit the area, return the car in David and then cross the border in go to Osa. Car rental is very useful in the part of Panama but you can also do it with local transportation if you are not in a rush. You can consider from David to visit, the highlands (Cerro Punta, Boquete), the Caribean Bocas del Toro and the Pacific beach in Las Lajas.
I think Camilo is out from this forum. Can't open his profile. Yes you can fly to David with Copa Airlines from Tocumen or fly with AirPanama from Albrook Domestic aiport. Or take a day or night bus to David (approx. 7 hours). I would still rent a car in David to visit the area, return the car in David and then cross the border in go to Osa. Car rental is very useful in the part of Panama but you can also do it with local transportation if you are not in a rush. You can consider from David to visit, the highlands (Cerro Punta, Boquete), the Caribean Bocas del Toro and the Pacific beach in Las Lajas.