uglypeanut

So I found a really great rate for Panama in late Dec.

I plan a quick, long weekend type trip for the wife and I.

I was hoping to get to Condolaria Isl. but I'm having difficulty finding a room.

Any suggestions on good hotels there?

Or alternatively, which coast is nicer (nice beaches) the Caribbean or Pacific. Maybe head to the coast and do day trips to islands? Is that possible on either coasts?

AndrewSSH

I assume you mean Contadora Island...

For late December you will have a hard time almost everywhere unless you book right now - This is major holiday time for the locals and all the outlying areas get fully booked very early.

If you headed up the coast a bit to Santa Clara there's a nice set of bungalows called Las Sirenas...

On another island in Las Perlas - San Jose Island there is Hacienda del Mar but it's quite pricey.

The Caribbean coast has very little development yet so there aren't many options in places to stay.

If you only have a couple of days you can base yourself in Panama City and day trip everywhere - it's an hour plus to the Pacific beaches and 2 hours plus to the Caribbean coast.

Cheers,
Andrew

Toucan2

Uglypeanut, what airlines did you find a great rate on? (if you don't mind my asking) We've been considering Panama for December, but just aren't finding a rate that pleases us. And the closer it gets, the less chance we will have at our choice of lodging. I'm starting to give up on the idea.

cmcfong

Several of my friends found great rates on COPA.

Toucan2

Thanks, will look there as well then.