Our family of five will be traveling to Panama this November. We would like to spend some time in Panama City (half day transit, Miraflores Locks visitor center, Amador Causeway, old city, plus any other recommendations while we're in the city) plus day trips to Barro Colorado and Embera Drua adventure. We'd also like to do an overnight trip to the San Blas Islands and coordinate that with a 3-4 day trip right before or right after to the Coral Lodge in Colon which is somewhat nearby to my understanding. Can anyone help me plan the itinerary so I know the best order for these plans. In terms of location convenience, is it better for us to stay at Gamboa or Country Inn during our stay in PC? (Or stay at one during the beginning of our trip with certain, specific activities/daytrips and stay at the other for the end of our stay for the remaining activities/daytrips?) Will the tour operators of the daytrips mentioned pick up equally well from each of these spots? The most consistent recommendations are for Ancon and Panoramic Panama so I would probably use one of those companies. Any help with location, timing, itinerary suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

When we were in Panama a couple years ago, partial transits of the canal were only available on Saturdays (and full transits one Saturday a month). There may be more providers now.

I'd really encourage you to do two nights in San Blas. It takes a while to get there, and you're going to miss out on something fun if you only go for one night. Tours of the villages are fascinating, and the snorkeling was wonderful.

Gamboa is pretty much off by itself. If you stay there, you will pretty much be eating there. Personally, I wouldn't stay at Country Inn while in Panama, seems a shame to travel so far to stay in an American chain hotel. We stayed at SEvilla Suites right downtown, easy walk to many restaurants. We had a full one bedroom suite for under $90.00. Included a decent continental breakfast and the place has a pool. There are several similar properties in the area.

I've never heard of Coral Lodge, so can't help you there.

We used Tammy Liu at Panoramic Panama to book everything, absolutely no problems. She came to our hotel in Panama City and brought all our vouchers and such. Very nice lady.

We struggled with our itinerary for a recent 2 week trip to Panama, but don't think we needed to in retrospect. The areas you mentioned aren't that far apart. You'll probably find you need to just order locations according to availability at various spots. And often (if you're flying anywhere in the interior) you may need to come back to PC. We flew into PC, spent 2 or 3 nights at Gamboa, then a night in PC so we could fly out next am with Ancon to the Darien. After 4 nights in the Darien, we flew back and stayed another night in PC (in fact we stayed at La Estancia - a very nice, reasonably priced B&B on Ancon Hill owned by the previously mentioned Tammy Liu and her husband). You might want to look into her place - we had a huge suite. Totally residential up there, but quite lovely and easy to cab around. Then we flew to David and drove to Boquete and Cerro Punta for 4 nights (that northern mountainous area is beautiful too). Came back to PC for another night and flew home. Worked out really well and never felt rushed. Between our time at Gamboa and PC we were able to see Miraflores, Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo, and Amador Causeway. Did some nice birding hikes around Gamboa (Soberania etc). Gamboa, of course, has its own tour services, lots of variety. You'd need a car to get off the large property there - or hook up with cab/driver, which is what we ended up doing. Gamboa gets mixed reviews. It grew on us, so I was ultimately sad to leave. It's a beautiful property , but there's lots you want to tweak to make it better. Like the food for instance. Or the bar service. We stayed in one of the older villas. Fabulous bird watching right in our back yard. Toucans, trogons, ... . Amador Causeway bar/restaurants are nice place to kick back with drink by the water and watch people as sun goes down. We didn't go to Barro Colorado because the times didn't work (and you will need to reserve in advance). And we also decided we'd see plenty of wildlife elsewhere. But it does sound really interesting. We found the canal fascinating - particularly because we'd both read "A Path Between the Seas" by David McCullough before going. Great book - VERY detailed - but reminds you what an amazing engineering feat the canal is. There are some great restaurants in Panama City too. We'd 50 somethings and weren't travelling with kids, though, so can't comment on what they might like.

We only have seven full days while in Panama. Trying to decide how to split our time between PC, San Blas, and relaxing resort called Coral Lodge in Colon. If we do the half day canal transit while in PC on Saturday, what else on our list will we still have time for? I know I will need two full days in PC, but I'm deciding if I need to make it three. I'm also deciding if it would be best to spend one night or two at Dolphin Lodge in San Blas. Any other input? I will reconsider my choice of accommodations. I'm just not sure how the city if laid out as far as convenience in reaching the tour sites (esp. Embera Drua and canal transit). Thanks!

We are having the same issues, sactomama. We (2 adults in our mid-30s) will also have 7 full days in Panama, with a partial day (just hours, actually) on arrival and departure.

Day 1: Half-day Canal transit and Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, Amador Causeway
Day 2: Gamboa exhibits and aerial tram
Day 3: El Valle for canyoning/rappelling (using Adventures in Panama--their website is well-organized)
Days 4-5-6: Coral Lodge (including a tour of the San Blas islands, Portobello, cross-isthmus train ride on return to PC). David, the owner, has been a pleasure to deal with, and the hotel is getting some great reviews on TripAdvisor.

I wanted to stay at Gamboa for Days 1-2-3, but without renting a car, the transfers are too costly and time-consuming. So we'll content ourselves with just a visit. We arrive VERY late our first night (not included in the 7 full day count) and depart VERY early on our last day (again, not included in the 7 day count). The flight to El Porvenir (for Coral Lodge) also leaves EXTREMELY early, and I think staying in Panama City versus at Gamboa will save a bit of time and hassle.

We're staying at the Bristol the last night (before our VERY early departure back to the US), but for the first three nights, I would prefer a hotel with a pool, in the event that we have some free time after our activities.

Right now, we're booked at the Radisson Decapolis, but the hotel room decor is really modern and may not work for me(one wall of the room is glass, and it's the wall between the bedroom and bathroom); but I like the location (connected to the Multiplaza Mall) and the rates are great (including a $20 per day food/beverage credit and $25 match play in the casino). I also like the Inter-Continental Miramar, but they are "nickel-and-diming" us by charging an extra $20 for each additional guest after the first one. The Marriott and Caesar Park are also in the running.

We tried to fit in a trip to David/Boquete in order to do the Tree Trek and some downhill mountain biking, but it was just too complicated to add another location to our short trip.

Did you check out the Melia Panama Canal as an option to Gamboa or the Country Inn? It looks pretty nice, and is located on Gatun Lake near the Canal.

I'm sorry that I can't offer any help, but I wanted you to know that you're not alone with your itinerary-planning problems.

To Fluffnfold, are you doing the morning day trip to San Blas (as recommended by Coral Lodge) or are you doing an overnight stay at San Blas? When will you be in Panama? If it's before us, please post your trip report so I know how your itinerary worked out and what you wished you would have done differently, if anything!

Sorry, sactomama. We aren't going to Panama until February of 2007, so I'm hoping to benefit from YOUR experience! We are doing the morning trip to San Blas, as recommended by Coral Lodge--NOT staying overnight. It just sounds too rustic for me to stay overnight, but I'm sure that you will have a much fuller experience for having done so. If I do any fine-tuning to my itinerary, I will let you know. (Right now, I'm planning a trip to Spain for August, so I'm kind of tied up with that.)

Fluffnfold, we are currently planning for another trip as well so we understand the time crunch. I will be sure to post our trip report at the end of November so be sure to check back. Hopefully we can pass on some good tips and advise you on your itinerary.

Visited Panama last Feb and went to many of the areas you mention. Lots to see in Panama La Vieja - took several walking tours. Do not recommend staying in Gamboa - too pricey and too far away from everything. If you have a car go to Gamboa for lunch only - Lagartos restaurant on the Chagres river. Stay in PC instead. Canal day trip is only on weekends and is very - very long and can be crowded. Did a day-stay at Gamboa (way pricey) and took the aerial tram - do not recommend as it runs at times that are not condusive to seeing fauna. Loved the Miraflores visitor center - had lunch there. Took a day trip to the Wounaan indian village close by Gamboa. Spent several days at the Intercontinental pool - $10 per adult for day visit.
Returning to Panama in December/January. We have a 3-day/2-night stay in San Blas with Ancon Expeditions. Spending New Year's at Playa Blanca resort on the Pacific side.
Recommend the Moon guide on Panama; Sep/05 is latest issue. Lonely Planet guide also OK but out of date - Nov/04.

Where can you get the Moon guide to Panama? Is it an actual travel book you would find in a bookstore?

Yes - go to any book store (ie: Barnes & Noble) and look at the travel guides for Panama. See attached link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...5791&itm=2
Also recommend you read Path Between the Seas; see attached: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...4094&itm=1

sactomama and fluffnfold,

Have lived in Panama for last 9 years and am involved in tourism... Note: I am not affiliated with any of the hotels or attractions mentioned but more than willing to help in any way...

PC is actually quite small area-wise as is the country really...

I agree with comments re Country Inn and Suites - other than a great view of the Canal, you are a bit isolated, La Estancia is a great place but again is a bit out of the way - definitely a better choice than Country Inn - Seville Suites is very central in the city and there are other options close by: Marbella, Coral Suites, Ambassador Suites, Milan - all with different pricing...
Gamboa is a large resort well off the beaten track and 30 to 40 minutes drive from the city - nothing around it either so you are stuck with eating at their restaurants etc... You could do the exhibits and aerial tram as a day trip from the city rather than the other way around though I agree with earlier comments on price and timings...

If you are going to Coral Lodge then you really don't need to overnight in the San Blas you can day trip there from Coral Suites and you should take them up on their tour option on the morning you arrive otherwise there's not much else to do... Flights leave the Albrook airport for Porvenir at 6am so you need to be at the airport by 5:15am leaving your city hotel at 5:00 am - or Gamboa at 4:45am...

If you do the partial transit, you would certainly have time in the afternoon to explore the Casco Viejo area (including the Canal Museum) and then the Causeway (or vice versa)... You could also go back to the Miraflores visitor's center but I don't think it's necessary after seeing the canal operate from a boat - the Canal Museum offers an insight into its history etc...

You can easily do the Embera day trip from the city - actually one of my favorites especially if you go to the Embera Drua village - it's the furthest into the rainforest up the Chagres River...

Assuming you arrive on a Friday:
Day 1 - Partial transit - book directly with Canal and Bay Tours or Panama Marine Adventures, then either taxi or arrange tour to Casco Viejo, see the Canal Museum, the cathedral, church with the golden altar etc., then head to the Causeway - lots of options for dinner etc...
Day 2 - El Valle day trip - Sunday market, zoo, canopy zip line, petroglyphs etc. or the Gamboa exhibits and aerial tram...
Day 3 - Embera Drua village trip
Day 4 - early flight to Porvenir - tour San Blas - head to Coral Lodge
Day 5 and 6 - Coral Lodge - if you are flying out on the 7th day then you need to be back in Panama City the night of the 6th day otherwise you can get back to PC on the
7th day and if you get there early enough maybe a visit to Panama Viejo - the old 500 year old ruins - they are 15 minutes from the center of town...

Hope this helps...
Andrew
andrew at selectsmallhotels dot com

Andrew,

Thanks for your input. I was interested in staying at some SSH when I first began planning my trip, but all of my e-mails went unanswered, to both the group itself and the individual hotels. I was interested in La Casa de Lourdes in El Valle and Los Establos in Boquete. Both looked really cute and boutiquey, which I wasn't finding in other hotels in those areas. I just gave up due to lack of response, and now I don't think that I can fit in excursions to either one (although I might still try for Casa de Lourdes when I take my canyoning/rapelling trip rather than day-tripping from PC). I think that I wasn't able to book rooms online because it was too far in advance (I was trying back in late May/early June), so I tried sending the e-mails, but without any successful response. You may want to check that out.

Andrew,
Lots of helpful info. Thanks! What's your input on one night or two at Dolphin Lodge in San Blas in November? Should we give up our Partial Transit to spend two nights there or should we do Partial Transit and one overnight at San Blas? My husband definitely wants to do at least one night (as opposed to just a day trip from Coral Lodge) but thinks it's a lot of money to fly over for just one night... What will the weather be like in mid-to-late November? We definitely want to do three nights at Coral Lodge (maybe without the san blas tour but possibly an alternative?) How would you compare the Embera Drua experience to the Kuna experience at San Blas? Too much of the same thing for the same trip? As far as PC hotel, we have children so that's why I thought they'd get a kick out of the canal view at Country Inn. Also, it seemed well situated to be picked up for tours/airport, etc. I like the looks of La Estancia but it seems a bit isolated and have to get a cab (for five?) to get into town with limited time... From the online websites and talk boards like Trip Advisor, the other places you mention get good reviews by people in the travel industry but not by people who stay there and rate those places so I'm still very unsure about where to stay in PC!! HELP!! (to all the above questions/concerns!) =)

fluffnfold:
Very sorry to hear about the lack of response - that's not like us and I honestly don't recall receiving any emails regarding La Casa de Lourdes and Los Establos - to what email address did you send them? We always try to answer within 24 hours at least to say we received your email... Sorry about lack of response but I can only think your emails ended up in limbo for some reason - feel free to email me at the address shown... and I promise to get back to you within hours if it's during the day...

sactomama:
Dolphin is one of the "better" lodges - catering to the foreigner with a slightly better infrastructure... The only think is that Dolphin Lodge is down around Mamitupu - so doubt if the boat from Coral Lodge would go that far to pick you up... Maybe Sapibenega which is close to Playon Chico and is closer to Porvenir but still not that close - you can contact David at Coral Lodge and ask him how far they are willing to go to pick you up... Otherwise you would be flying back to Panama City and then back to Porvenir and you can't do that in the same day...
Mid-November can be very variable - with periods of heavy rain as it is the start of the transition back to dry season...
Alternatives to Coral Lodge: Punta Caracol or Tranquilo Bay in the Bocas Archipaelego... What ages are the kids - neither Coral Lodge nor Punta Caracol are recommended for smaller kids (like under 8 or 9)...
As for the hotels - I can agree - the ones I mentioned are... hotels... in the city... The one thing with Country Inn at Amador is the lack of options for eating within walking distance - at the end of the causeway - a good 1/2 hour walk are a half decent selection nearby is only TGIF's and the Balboa Yacht Club - it's also a taxi ride into town from there - not much different to La Estancia in that regard...
How about a B&B right in town - restored houses: check out La Cresta de Oro or the Bella Vista Guest House... There's a new B&B opening in the next month or so called Le Chateaux de Xello - fairly central with pool and gardens...
Embera Drua are very different to the Kuna - more "stone-age" without wanting to sound condescending - a much simpler way of life in the heart of the jungle... Definitely worth seeing the two cultures - especially for the kids...
Feel free to contact me at my email...
Hope this helps,
Andrew

Andrew,
Again, thank you for your helpful suggestions. My big question is should we do a half day transit and one overnight at San Blas (Dolphin Lodge) with a day trip visit to other San Blas Islands tacked on to our Coral Lodge stay, .....or...... should we forgo the half day transit to do 2 full days and nights at Dolphin Lodge and then find an alternate activity to the San Blas day trip once we're at Coral Lodge???

Andrew,
hoping you're around and can answer this last question... (above)

I just returned from Panama. I don't have a ton of information b/c we were at Playa Blanca on the pacific side for 4 nights and didn't go anywhere from there (husband had meetings all day) but I can give my quick insights. First, if you are looking for luxury, and a quiet getaway, I would not recommend Playa Blanca on the Pacific Side (can't say anything about the other Playa Blanca, which I believe is on the Caribbean). It was filled with kids, and the food was okay...service was not great either. I would not recommend it to most people, but I do realize that everyone enjoys different things..That's just my opinion. I really wanted to do El Valle, but did not get to. Hopefully next time. We stayed at the Marriott in Panama. Everyone was very nice at that hotel. Our room was nice and the hotel is nice. There was some slight noise at night from either the street or bar, but not a huge problem for us. I noticed it but my husband did not. I made sure to ask for a high floor room and on the quiet side of the hotel. We didn't get a super high floor (floor 6) but it was fine. I would recommend the hotel.
We did a half-day city tour and merely visited the Miraflores locks. I would not do the 1/2 day transit. I think once you see it, that is enough. And the visitors center with the movie is nice. I know some people want to experience the actual transit but I think it is better to enjoy Panama City than sit on a boat. Before we left I wasn't sure if I made the right decision with that, but I was happy with the decision after visiting the center. We spent one day scuba diving, which was nice. Not the best diving we have done (we've been spoiled) but a really enjoyable an enjoyable day. I would have liked more time in Panama. We did not get to do a lot given our short time there. It is so green and the people are really friendly. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them to the best I can.

Thank you for your insights. There are very few people on this board who have been to Panama and are able to give advice!
I'm a little concerned now because my Moon Guide travel book says that you shouldn't swim in the water because it is used for waste (sewage) disposal... Anyone care to comment?

I too am going to be in Panama over Christmas/New Years (whee!). We're staying at an all-inclusive Playa Blanca. I've never done this before but I'm looking forward to anything that gets me out of Toronto in December for a week. I just wanted to add that the day trips people have mentioned here and the specific tips have been *wonderfully* helpful.