leahinsc

We're looking at going to one of the above in Feb or March. Bugs LOVE me and I would prefer not to be eaten alive or have to wear copious amounts of repellent. Anyone have any suggestions for that time of year - would like to spend a few days at coast/beach and then time inland.

cmcfong

Leah, Feb and March are very good months for travel to Panama. It is dry season. Bugs are an issue, but frankly more in the jungle than on the coast or the Interior. I was in Peru in November and the bugs in Lima were noticeable, but I did not have any problems with them in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes. I have never been to Ecuador and cannot say.
I love Panama, having grown up there; but, I also enjoyed my trip to Peru. As to cost, Panama is the winner and I prefer the beaches there.

leahinsc

Cmcfong - thanks for the reply...I have seen you post on a variety of spots including NC/SC so I am deducing you live somewhere here but travel extensively and born in Panama - how interesting!
My husband has business contacts in Bocas del Toro so that may be one of our destinations. I have also read a lot about the Pacific coast and various attractions there - any advice?

cmcfong

I live in Pinnacle which is off 52 between Mt. Airy and Winston-Salem. I wasn't born in Panama, but my dad was stationed there when I was a kid. It is absolutely gorgeous and has many great options for tourists.
I have never been to Bocas. There are several postings (particularly by Jean) on recent travel there. It is on my " to do" list.
I lived in the area of the Canal Zone called Quarry Heights near the town of Balboa. Some of the houses were originally built by the French who took the first shot at building the Canal. Many of the quarters there have been converted to private residences and embassies. Much of the beauty has been preserved. My house was positioned so we could see the locks and the ships making transit. Really fabulous!
On my last few trips down I have started in Panama City. I have friends there and always enjoy stopping there to see them and do a bit of shopping and sightseeing. Then I go up to either Coronado or Santa Clara (again, friends in the area). Great place to get fresh fish, hang on the beach all day and enjoy a gorgeous sunset. I usually take a day trip to El Valle, which I like more than some of the posters here. They have a lovely walking trail behind the old hotel which is always an adventure and a great Sunday market. Boquete, which is about an hour from David, is a charming small town with great orange groves, coffee estates and flowers beyond your wildest imagination.
That is just a brief description of Panama as I know it. If you have any particular interests, let me know. I am probably headed there in Jan or Feb 2006.

TioGringo

I think you'll be in good shape anywhere that's at a higher elevation, since all that biting action is usually happening along the coasts or in the lower lying jungles.

In Peru, Macchu Pichu and Cuzco should be pretty much mosquito free, as would be places like Quito or Cuenca in Ecuador.

Panama is another story....it's going to be hard to reliably dodge the bite there, so if you go, I'd bring buckets of DEET and a supply of anti-malarial pills. (Ditto with coastal areas or the Amazon basin regions in Ecuador or Peru).

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com