Casco Viejo in Panama City, Panama 

After spending nearly a decade in the travel business, I know very well that everyone has a very different idea of what a “dream vacation” means.  Some folks like pure relaxation, others prefer adventure.  Some travelers enjoy a more “authentic” experience, while those more likely to be defined as “vacationers”  often don’t mind an all-inclusive stay at a mega-resort. 

But as they say, “there’s a reason there are menus in restaurants”…so I humbly submit to you MY concept for a perfect Panama vacation.  Bear in mind, this assumes you have a few bucks to spend on great lodging and that you can only spare 8 nights.  I realize that time limitation isn’t exactly “perfect”, but I’m realistic about how much vacation time I can afford annually, and to be honest, I get antsy after more than a week on the road.

Day 1:  Arrive to the very cosmo Panama City in the afternoon.  Check into the exquisite Bristol Hotel.  This place just oozes class.  The staff ralso eally understands service.  Dine in their fantastic restaurant, then taxi to The Amador Causeway for a cocktail at Alberto’s restaurant and observe the fantastic boats docked there.

Day 2:  Get up early for a Caving Tour with Panama Pete’s adventures.  This is a fantastic adventure tour to nearby (1.5 hours) Lake Bayano, on the road toward the mysterious and unexplored Darien Province.  Explore an ancient cave with millions of bats, rock formations, and chest-deep pools.  Wade upstream to an opening in the cave where light and lush greenery enters a crevasse.  Push further ahead until the huge crack opens to create an indoor-outdoor area where you eat your mid-hike lunch before returning.  This is a truly unique experience and is moderately challenging.  If you are terrified of bats and darkness, you might not dig it.

Return to the City.  In the evening, dine in Panama’s historic Casco Viejo…our version of New Orleans’ French Quarter.  My suggestion is Restaurante Ego.  Retire to your room at The Bristol.

Day 3: Time for a change of scenery!  Taxi to the Albrook airport for an AM flight to the mountain town of Boquete for a little cool weather and high altitude adventure.  Stay at the Hotel Panamonte, right in downtown Boquete.  Take a coffee plantation tour then hit the Spa at the Panamonte.  Hey, you hiked a long way yesterday, you deserve it!

Day 4: Adrenaline time!  Take a white water rafting tour of the Chiriqui River.  Ride the brisk waters on Class III rapids and take in the lovely scenery.  If you have the energy in the afternoon, contract a guide to give you a driving tour of the nearby area…with the goal being to arrive at the strawberry farms of Volcan, where you can enjoy scrumptious locally grown strawberries and fresh cream.  Mmmmm.  Snooze at the Panamonte.

Day 5: Take AM flight to Bocas del Toro, Panama’s Caribbean archipelago with a distinctively Afro-Carib cool vibe.  Stay at the island eco-resort, Tranquilo Bay.  The water is turquoise, the sand white and the beer is cheap.

Day 6: Take an adventure tour of your choice with the hotel’s in-house tour co.  Snorkeling is fantastic, as is the sailing and inshore fishing.

Day 7:  Chill out and breathe deeply.  Relax on the beach, visit the entertaining town of Bocatown on the main island or just chill out in a hammock.  Use the day wisely…it’s almost time to go home.

Day 8: Take an early AM flight back to Panama City and await your Int’l flight home.

END VACATION

This is just one itinerary that explores perhaps 15% of Panama’s best scenery.  There is sooo much to see in Panama and the regions are so very diverse.  Unfortunately, Panama’s destinations aren’t yet connected with a great air/land transport system, so it’s ideal to see them over several 7-8 day trips or if you can afford it, a two-week itinerary. 

I can think of at least half a dozen other destination combos that would make for a fantastic trip, depending on your tastes.  Some other 3-location winners that combine well:

P. City - Santa Clara - Pedasi: city, resort beach, my #1 pick for a remote beach area (with airport!)

Boquete - Bocas - Boca Chica: mountains (fly right into David Int’l) Carribbean island chain, Pacific fishing area with offshore islands and my fave hotel…Cala Mia.

P. City - San Blas - Pearl Islands: city, indigenous carribbean island experience, luxury pacific white sand islands

So hurry up and visit Panama….BEFORE all the tourists get here!

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Photos from Panama Tourism Institute: www.ipat.gob.pa except for Caving, which my friend Darin C. took during our caving expedition.

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Filed under: Country Guide on March 28th, 2008