I'm sure you'll figure out by my screen name that I am an avid Costa Rica fan-have been there 7 times and am booking again for next year. A friend that I will be travelling with next year would like to try to fit Panama into the mix. I'm hoping some fellow fodorites with experience in both countries can give me some comparisons. I LOVE Costa Rica for the wildlife, adventure, beaches, friendly Ticos, etc. Can anyone suggest areas in Panama that would compare to CR, as I feel I've been spoiled. I am not into busy resort areas or all inclusives. Gracias!

Hi costaricalover,

I have not been to Panama (yet), but have read some good trip reports by people who have visited both countries. Shillmac/motmot visited Panama last year I believe (or possibly it was 2007). If I remember correctly, she visited CR during that same trip.

I haven't found the new forum format to be so friendly in searching for older posts, but if you can locate her trip report, it may give you some good info. I also remember reading a report by faithie (who now posts under bellaboo; gotta love the occasional flakiness of the forum that sometimes 'loses' your login info!).

bellaboo loves Panama, as does cmcfong, who spent years there (canal zone) as a teen. We liked it as well, and went twice as an excursion out of CR.

I would like to visit more, as there are areas we haven't been to such as San Blas. Would also enjoy another trip to Gamboa/canal. Any birder would LOVE Canopy Tower and the opportunity to bird at Pipeline Road and other places. I'd like to go to the Smithsonian Study site there, as well.

We spent 4 days at Bocas del Toro back in 2006; flew Nature Air, returned via the border crossing at Sixaola. Bocas was a great place to visit for a few days. Distinctively different and fun to explore. Good snorkeling/coral/dolphin watching, etc.

Then in 2007 we went down for a week, flying Air Panama into Albrook airport in Panama City. Spent 3 nights at Canopy Tower, 1 night at La Estancia in PC. Flew to David, rented a car, spent 2 nights at Boquete, followed by 2 nights at Las Olas, an all-inclusive resort on the beach north of David.

We enjoyed it all as something new and different (especially the canal area and Boquete), but thought the people less friendly; not UNfriendly, just not as warm and helpful. That may be related to the canal and the long term U.S. presence in their country. Not sure. Would go back in a heartbeat, though.

Thanks cmerrell and shillmac. Shillmac, did you fly Nature Air from San Jose to Panama? If so, how long was the trip and was it expensive?

I've been to Costa Rica a couple times, and Panama once. I enjoyed them both. For me, the highlight of Panama was our stay in the San Blas islands. Completely different than anything we've ever done. The Kuna culture is fascinating, the snorkeling was great, it was just fun.

We also stayed at Canopy Towers for a couple nights. We aren't avid birders, but really enjoyed our stay, and saw some neat birds, but the highlight was seeing a jaguarundi on the Pipeline Road. Really cool cat.

Even Panama City was fun, good restaurants, nice hotels, all at bargain prices.

It rained most of the time we were at Bocas, but we enjoyed our stay anyway. Met lots of fun people.

Shillmac, when are you coming to Belize?

Love Costa Rica....love Panama.

As far as nature, topography in general it's quite similar.

Panama offers super "island" expeirences that are fairly easily accessible. San Blas, Bocas, Isla Coiba, Isla Boca Brava, Isla Grande.

Panama City is great, lots of History, an "old town" to visit, the canal of course, a jungle on the doorstep, pipeline road, the Kuna, Embera....etc. etc.

It's the same but different, lol!

We flew Air Panama (a less comforting experience than Nature Air--attendants never smiled!) from SJO to Panama City. They changed the time of departure forward 4 hours and didn't notify us. We sat at the airport waiting the entire time, and it, of course, affected our plans upon arrival. There was a brief stop at David enroute to Panama City. I think the airfare was close to $200 each every time we traveled. We flew Air Panama 3 times. SJO-Panama City; Panama City to David; David back to SJO.

Nature Air only flies to Bocas.

jeanH, we are leaving Monday, the 16th. I will e-mail you this week. Must decide on which tours, fishing, etc. Hate to wait until we arrive as we will waste time being indecisive! We will be on Ambergris the nights of 16, 17, 18. Anxious to meet you!

JeanH, the San Blas islands are on my radar! Have you heard of a place called Kuanidup? It looks quite cool-cabins located right in the water,and the beaches look quite nice. Or, has anybody got any other suggestions on San Blas?
Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Has anyone heard of Yandup? I think I'm mixing it up with Kuanidup...

We stayed at Dolphin Lodge in San Blas. No beach to speak of, although people were swimming off the shore. They took us to a nearby uninhabited island to snorkel from. Ours was a relatively expensive package deal out of Panama City, but turned out to be worth every cent.