Hi Everyone,

Can anyone recommend a travel agent in Panama that they have had a great experience with (or even ones to avoid). Planning 2 weeks for late May - early June. Primarily need someone to help us with the logistics of the San Blas portion of our trip - flights, answering questions as to which cabanas/lodges would suit us best.

Any info on travel agents and/or San Blas would be greatly appreciated.

Since there is so little specific info on San Blas I'll report back on our trip when I return.


Thanks!

JeanH recently returned. Do a word search with her name and I think you will turn up a travel agent recommendation in Panama.

JeanH went to Dolphin Lodge... she has a brief description on her post Panama Trip Report...
You can now book your flights online with either Aeroperlas (now TACA Regional) or Turismo Aereo... Sapibenega and Dolphin Lodge both have websites where you can book - just don't expect a very quick response - you may get one or you may not...

If you are looking for a more rustic experience talk to the folks at www.xtrop.com, Scott and his assistant, Vicky, run kayaking trips and lodge based trips to the Kuna Yala and have good relationships with the local chiefs... They use Kuanidup mostly for their lodge trips but also Rio Tigre which is very basic but authentic...

Cheers,
Andrew

We used Tammy Liu from Panoramic Panama for our trip to Panama in January. All transers were right on time. Although we had some trouble with Aeroperlas and their early morning flight to San Blas. Our very early flight was changed to 10am, we were told it was a 'mechanical' problem, but apparently the schedule had changed without notice.

Dolphin Lodge was fun, but I'm really not much of a package tourist. I'm not sure how possible it would be to just take a flight down and find a place to stay.

Jean

I've used Margo Tours/Eco Margo Tours for two trips to San Blas a while back. http://www.margotours.com/ecomargo/eng/ Made reservations while in Panama. They were very helpful and informative.

Gee, I just wrote Sapibenega yesterday and talked with Claudia several times via email with lots of questions. Made my reservations and airline reservations with Turismo in the same day. They were very prompt.

We used Ancon Expeditions and there were 7 in our party and there was not one hitch. Excellent service. I would highly recommend them. I liked Dolphin Lodge, but I think that Xtrop plan sounds even better.