looking for a beach vacation in combination with a few days in panama city. favoring bocas. if san blas or contradora is appreciably different, maybe spending a few days in one or the other. looking for advice.................

www.isla-contadora.com

best beach close to PC

San Blas exotic primitive more interesting more rain

Bocas farther away more touristy more rain still nice

www.tesoroescondido.com my fav there

If you just want a nice beach close to PC Contadora

I loved our two days in San Blas. I wouldn't call it a beach vacation though, it was more of a short introduction to the lifestyle of the Kuna.

We stayed at Dolphin Lodge, one of the few places (at that time) that had private bathrooms.

We did some hiking, toured the Kuna village on a nearby island, and spent an afternoon on a small deserted island for snorkeling.

It was an awesome time, but, certainly not luxurious. No hot water, no screens on the windows, had to chase the resident lizard out of the sink every morning. Food was so so, although the night we had lobster it was excellent. Very little English spoken, we were the only Americans there.

We also spent several days on Bocas. Unfortunately for us, it rained and it rained. I knew Bocas was rainy, but this was record setting rain, even for them. We stayed right in town on Isla Colon, no real beaches there. We did spend some time on Bastimentos, lovely beaches there.

Those are three very different destinations. As Jean mentioned above, you don't go to San Blas for strictly a beach vacation. The draw there is experiencing the indigenous Kuna culture. Most of the lodgings there are rustic and expensive for what they offer. So if it's a "beach vacation," (your words), I wouldn't choose San Blas (even though the islands have nice beaches).

thank you! very informative. does contradora have a town for shopping and restaurants? set-up for tourists?