Panama Itinerary: suggestions?
 

What do people think of this itinerary? My biggest concern is feeling rushed with the drive from the Pacific Coast beaches to Portobello/Isla Grande. Does anyone know how long the drive is?

Saturday: Arrive PTY (night)

Sunday:
Casco Viejo
Avenida Central (shopping)
Isla Taboga

Monday:
Rent Car
Miraflores Locks/Panama Canal
Drive to El Valle; waterfalls/hiking/horseback riding

Tuesday:
Beach day Santa Clara & Farallon, Pacific Coast

Wednesday:
Beach day Santa Clara & Farallon, Pacific Coast

Thursday:
Drive to Portobello on Carribean side/stay Isla Grande

Friday
Isla Grande Beach; drive back to Panama City

Saturday Depart PTY (morning)

looks well thought out think you are fine time wise...

Panama City-Isla Grande: 2 hours in car or bus. ... to David, then 1 ½ hour drive. Panama City-Anton ... 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Panama Time. Panama is on EST (New York City ...

www.vacationscostarica.com/panama/faq.htm

That's funny, that was almost our exact trip, except we stayed a bit longer in some places. Actually my one regret was that we didn't stay longer on Isla Grande. It was so peaceful we probably could have spent a week, even if there wasn't a ton of activities to do.

We did zip lining over the water fall in El Valle - it was awesome. The market in town is a great spot for local fruits and vegetables as well as crafts. Had lunch at Casita Lourdes - yummy!

This is nearly our exact trip also, except that in the middle we are driving over the cordillera to Almirante and going to Bocas del Toro for four nights. Has anyone else been to Bocas? LP says to take malaria pills. However, we did not take them for Costa Rica and did just fine. Any thoughts on this out there?