Ancon Expeditions
 

I am looking at an early December departure to Panama to do some active hiking,snorkeling,wildlife viewing etc.I am cosidering two tours that Ancon Expeditions hosts,the first being the Ultimate Darien Tour,and the second being the Isla Coiba tour.Has anyone done these tours,or used this company for Panama travel?.From what I have read,these people come quite highly regarded.In between tours,I plan to stay at Canal House in PC-is it close to some good restaurants?As for hotels close to the international airport,what are my choices for a decently priced clean and safe room?
Thanks for any or all input!

We went to the Darien with Ancon a few years ago. Here's the link to my trip report http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...t-2-darien.cfm If the link doesn't work just click on my name and scroll down to Just back - Part 2 Darien - or something like that. We loved the trip and Ancon took great care of us. .

Thanks for the link to your great report glover-can't wait to get down there!Seems like the Darien is a very special place.

I see that I didn't mention our exciting first(?) night at Cana. For lights, they have only a generator, which they shut down at 8 pm or so if memory serves. . . . That was ok as we went to bed and got up early while there. The first night my husband and I were snug in our separate twin beds. Ours was one of a handful or so very spare bedrooms in a rustic bunkhouse - (two shared baths for all).

We were awakened in the middle of the night (everything pitch black in the middle of the jungle) to someone banging on the door of the bunkhouse. H and I remained frozen in our beds. We didn't even communicate for fear of giving our presence away. I could only imagine that this must be the FARC. Who else would be banging on our door in this hostile fashion in the pitch black in the middle of the Darien jungle? And I was kicking myself for coming (geez. . . I'd read it could be risky yada yada). Soon we heard our California friend (the young woman of the couple who were occupying a room closer to the door) talking to "them" . "They" spoke Spanish. She wasn't understanding, and they kept repeating "gasolina, gasolina". I thought my god they're going to burn us out. . .. after a bit it seemed that some of the staff (sleeping in cabana up the hill) was rousted. There was muffled conversation . . . and then nothing. Somehow we dropped off to sleep. The next am we discovered that someone had walked from the nearest town (a 13 hour walk - there's no road) with supplies. The guy was new on the job, hence had started later than he should have - arrived late - and had no idea which building to go to or who to really look for. Among the things he'd brought was gasoline. He was walking his horse, which our guide later said laid down on arrival - so tired was it. . . .

That's a great memory glover,but one that I'm not sure I would like to experience,especially on my first night in the wilds of the infamous Darien!