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Trip Report
Panama - the clutch of Central and South America, making Latin America complete
Small country, not much crowded by tourists but still with a lot to see & all year round good weather & tasty (sea)food - a hidden gem in Central America with potential of becoming very popular
+ 10
Highs & Lows
Fresh fish served directly after being caught from the sea, two-days trip to close by Taboga island & trip to Bocas del Toro
As solo traveler and young woman from Europe, I felt very often being watched by locals as something they're not used to
Itinerary Overview
Panama City Nice small historic old town - Casco Viejo, Cinta Costera - skyscraper skyline promenade along the sea and Panama Canal
Many say Panama City is not worth a visit, however, there is still a lot to see - starting from the small historical old town called Casco Viejo, completed and settled in 1673, after being attacked by pirates two years before. Stroll through the small lively streets, eat some local fresh seafood and afterward continue along the Cinta Costera, a beautiful promenade with having the sea on one side and a modern skyscraper skyline on the other. If you have more time, go on a day trip to the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and was so important in the history of this country, basically still is.
Boquete It was the perfect destination on our journey through the country, beautiful & colorful nature and surrounded by coffee farms
If you're planning to travel through the country, Boquete is the perfect stop on the way to the West in the direction of Costa Rica. A small town on the Caldera river, surrounded by the Chiriqui Highlands, which are home to coffee plantations and the Baru Volcano National Park. Thanks to its elevation, some 1,200 meters above sea level, the climate is cooler than that of the other lowlands. It has an incredibly scenic location, you're surrounded by breathtaking nature, both fauna, and flora. The colors are just hitting your eye on every corner and the sounds of all animals living there will remain lon
Bocas del Toro Province Beach, seafood, wildlife and the whole scenery of Bocas del Toro, being close to the border with Costa Rica
4+We went by bus from Panama City, it was a very nice half-day journey of about 10-11h, with a lot of refreshment stops on the way. You'll enjoy a ride basically through the whole country, with beautiful natural sceneries. Once arriving in Bocas del Toro providence, plenty of boats of all kinds of sizes are bringing travelers to the various islands, we've been staying on Isla Bastimentos. You can also easily access the islands between themselves. Our stay itself was consisting of purely beach relaxing days and enjoying dinners with plenty of fresh seafood.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
In Panama there is good weather all year round, so you can go anytime. I was there in March/April, September and January and each time it was raining just a bit, heavy shower for about 20min and that's it. People say Panama City is not worth a visit, but I disagree, as it has quite a few things to show and offer. Overall, if you want to see as much as possible from the whole country, I would recommend around 2 weeks of stay, depending on how long you want to relax at the beach and how much time you want to keep for sightseeing.Restaurant recommendations?
Definitely try the restaurants in Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City. There are various cuisines being cooked, I would recommend Nazca 21, which offers mainly Peruvian cuisine, I've eaten there one of the best and tastiest ceviche ever. In general, you will find plenty of fresh food, especially fish and seafood, everywhere. Along the beaches, on Taboga Island same as in Bocas del Toro, you will be served freshly caught fish - you can't miss such an opportunity and delicacy!Tips you would give a friend?
If you're about to travel alone and additionally, you're a woman, be prepared that people will be looking at you a lot as this country is not that much used to tourists, especially tourists from outside the United States. I've never felt insecure or threatened, but you'll just feel the staring.Transportation Tips?
In Panama City everything is easily accessible either by foot, or by taxi (Uber) or by bus. Traveling through the country is easy by buses or collectivos, small buses or vans, leaving once the capacity of the vehicle is reached (often very fast). When going to the close by islands, boats are leaving very frequently. Overall, the transportation in Panama is very good and cheap. Just beware of Easter, where the whole country is on the roads, especially the people living in Panama City are visiting all their relatives in the countryside. It's almost impossible to get a bus ticket, unless you've booked it days or even weeks in advance.Booking details?
All booked via Booking.com
Lodging
Hostal Miami Panama; great location close to the city center and mainly to Cinta Costera, the promenade along the sea and skyscraper skyline; chilling hostel atmosphere with clean room, nearby possibility of shopping and full of young travellers from all around the world
Red Frog Beach Island Resort - situated directly at the beachfront with outstanding food and amazing wildlife. The room was well-equipped and the hosts really nice. Great view, lovely pool, highly recommended for a few chilling days.