Where is the best place to go snorkeling in Panama? We like to stay in nice (4 - 5 star) hotels and I am prone to seasickness so I am hoping to find a great hotel on the beach where you can just walk right in from shore and snorkel in the surrounding waters. Maybe I am asking too much? Does such a place exist in Panama?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions,
Joni

You might look into Punta Caracol (www.puntalcaracol.com) in Bocas del Toro. You can snorkel right off the balcony of your room.

This is probably a dumb question but I've never stayed at one of these hotels that is over the water. It looks great! But I am prone to seasickness. Does the room sway at all or does it feel just like being on land (with a great view)?

Thanks,
Joni

Bocas del Toro has something of a rap for occasionally cloudy waters, mostly during the rainy season. When I was there in March though, the waters were spectacularly clear.

Punta Caracol is a class act, but if you're on a budget, just about every hotel and rooming house in the town itself will give you a room for $50. They're nowhere near as exclusive or as cool as Punta Caracol, but hey, they don't charge like it either.

You might also consider San Blas if snorkling is really your bag. I've been told it's even nicer than Bocas...

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

I haven't stayed at Punta Caracol yet (I'll be there later next month), but I have stayed in an over-water bungalow in French Polynesia and it felt just like being on land. Once in the room, you really couldn't tell you were over the water except for the sound of the waves. I'm hoping the water will be clear for us, but we are going in the rainy season so it will be a gamble.

Isla Grande is just over an hour from Panama City and is also a great place to snorkel. Bananas resort is a nice place to stay there but there are much cheaper places in Portobello (the mainland). The Pacific side of Panama also offers incredible snorkeling. Cohiba Island is supposed to be the best.

Casey

It depends upon what you're used to. We stayed at Punta Caracol which was beautiful but don't expect much from the snorkelling. You need to getr a boat and head down to Bastimentos Island. During the rainy season, expect reduced visiblities, 10-20 feet, but thge reefs are beautiful and healthy!. Snorkelling during the dry season would much improve visibility due top reduced runoff.

How about places like:

Coronado Hotel and Beach resort in Coronado on the Pacific coast? Is there snorkeling there or is it too wavy? Or jellyfish?

Or Hacienda del Mar in Isla San Jose? Is the snorkeling good there?

Or Las Olas Beach Resort near David on the Pacific?

I'm looking for a nice hotel that is also close to good snorkeling. I am not real keen on boats (get seasick easily) so I need to minimize the time I have to spend on a boat.

Keep the suggestions coming and thanks!
Joni

Hi!

I second Casey's opinion on Isla Grande. Bananas Village Resort is nice, and the snorkeling right outside the hotel is great! They have gear for guests to use at no charge. Hope that helps!

Tell me more about Isla Grande and Bananas. What sorts of things did you do while you were there? Do they have day trips you can take with a guide? Are other islands nearby and worth checking out?

Thanks!
Joni