Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Mexico & Central America
Reload this Page >

URGENT!! Panama Recommendations for Fodor's Travel Journalist

Search

URGENT!! Panama Recommendations for Fodor's Travel Journalist

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 30th, 2009, 01:57 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
URGENT!! Panama Recommendations for Fodor's Travel Journalist

Fellow travelers,

As a travel journalist and 8 time author, I'll be heading to Panama to coauthor Fodor's next travel guide. When researching destinations, I always like to review hotels, sites, services (sports, adventure, etc) and restaurants that are highly recommended. If there are any facilities you suggest I visit during my upcoming trip, I would greatly appreciate your assistance. I will only be covering the Chiriqui Province and Bocas Del Toro Archipelago. My trip will take place between mid-June and mid-July. Also, if you have contact information for the facilities you recommend, please send them my way. Thanks in advance!
Marlise is offline  
Old May 30th, 2009, 02:18 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi, my wife and I stayed at Tropical Suites in Boca del Toro, last year. Check out their web site. We wanted a water-front room, but had to settle for a street-front. It, still, was fine. The rooms are like jr. suites, with mini kitchens, sitting area. The staff was great. If you stay there, book a waterfront room. There are multiple other places "in town" (small, but fun place) and multiple places to stay on the numerous islands around the area. We liked the idea of staying in the town area, and feel, still, that it was the best choice. We hired a boat for a day of touring, beaching, snorkling, etc., and that, too, was great. Boca del Toro is like Florida (where our families are from for several generations) 75 years ago. We're planning on returning and staying at the Tropical Suites. Only bad experience, at the airport at Boca, when we left, you had to give the baggage handlers you carry-ons -- we had a digital camera stolen from a bag. P.S. avoid, at all costs, Panama City rush-hour traffic, it simple is the worst I've experienced.
zzzot2 is offline  
Old May 30th, 2009, 02:43 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for the helpful tips.
Marlise is offline  
Old May 30th, 2009, 04:08 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't been yet but am researching for a future trip. Could you try to include information about the Spanish school options? There are several in Boquete and in Bocas del Toro. Good luck and thanks!
hopefulist is offline  
Old May 31st, 2009, 04:52 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.bocastesoroescondido.com

my fav...
qwovadis is offline  
Old May 31st, 2009, 05:37 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have not already done it, I recommend you read the trip reports posted here.
cmcfong is offline  
Old May 31st, 2009, 06:36 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, if Marlise wouldn't mind my piggybacking on the same discussion ... I'm doing two chapters in the same book: Eastern Panama (San Blas/Kuna Yala and Darien) and Central Panama (everything east of Veraguas and the Azuero peninsula, but not including those, and not including Panama City).

I do look at these forums regularly, but if you know of something new that I should check out and review for inclusion in the book, thank you. And thank you, Marlise.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old May 31st, 2009, 09:23 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have lived in Panama for the past 12 years and have been involved in the tourist industry for most of that time - even was quoted in the last guide (never did receive my free copy!!)

Anyway - here as local resource if you need it - have contacts throughout Panama that I can put you in touch with. You can contact me through my email that's is displayed. Make sure you put Fodor's in the subject so I can make sure you don't get dumped into my spam folder.

Look forward to talking to either or both of you.

Cheers,
Andrew
AndrewSSH is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2009, 02:20 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you, Andrew. I'll drop you an E-mail in the next couple of days.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2009, 10:02 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you qwovadis, cmcfong (yes, I have read all the reports, just looking for moree), and Andrew for your help.
Andrew, I will contact you in a couple days for your assistance (really appreciate it).

Thanks again.
Marlise is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2009, 11:02 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greetings Jeff,
glad to hear we are both working on this assignment. If there is any information I come across that may be of benefit to you, I will be sure to send it your way. Happy travels! Marlise
Marlise is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2009, 05:31 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Igualmente, Marlise.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2009, 11:59 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for this information. Panamonte and Seagull Cove were highly recommended in the Fodor's book, so I'll be stopping by both locations for site inspections during my visit. Your property near Dominical sounds amazing. I'm actually flying out of Costa Rica and was looking to spend a few days in that area prior to my departure. How long have you been in business? If you are fairly new, I could probably get you featured in a few publications. For more info about my work, please see www.marlisekast.com . Thanks again for your feedback.
Marlise is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2009, 02:07 PM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Excellent. I've sent you a bit more information through your website. Feel free to contact me via email. Thanks!
Marlise is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2009, 02:42 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Marlise,
I've spent some time in Panama with my family & loved it! WE've only explored a little bit & can't wait to see more. In the area u r covering we stayed at Boutique Hotel Cala Mia on Isla Boca Brava......very cool!!!!
I think I have "somewhat" of a trip report here, not certain if I ever actually completed it though.
Faith
bellaboo is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2009, 03:18 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your advice. I'll be stopping Hotel Cala Mia for sure -- it received Fodor's Choice Award in our current edition. Feel free to send any other great finds my way!
Marlise is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2009, 09:39 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just wanted to top this, as we're headed to Panama next month. I'm working on our last minute (love that) itinerary now. Any more recommendations, anyone? Jeff - are you the same Jeff as at CR Surf?? If so, you were a great help on our CR trip last year!
Continental_Drifter is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2009, 11:40 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No, that wasn't me. I don't surf. Sorry.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2009, 04:48 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LOL... CR Surf is a travel agency out of Florida that I found online. They book rental cars with great deals, all insurance included, with terrific service and arrangements out of Liberia. Oh... and he does know the surf market and locations also!

Continental_Drifter is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2009, 09:45 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In Bocas check out Al Natural Resort - a very unique place on Isla Bastimentos...
Amanda23 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -