Panama Journals

Cheap Thrills of Panamania

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An April 2006 trip to Panama by Jose Kevo

Redefining Travel Opportunities Photo - Panama, Central America More Photos
Quote: A general Overview of Panama, beyond what guidebooks bother mentioning; and how to indulge on $38 a day including rooms, meals, activities, transportation, even airfare.

Cheap Thrills of Panamania

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Overview

Redefining Travel Opportunities Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Mention to anyone that you're heading-off to Panama, or that you've just returned, and expect discussions to centralize towards what the country's best known for in all but mythical proportions. The Panama Canal is arguably the Western World's most fascinating, man-made novelty. Who can deny the wealth of strategic power and control coursing through its banks? Or, the grandeur of barging from one oceanic realm to another?Concepts of discovering Panama have largely evolved from the decks of luxury cruise ships, lined-up and waiting to maneuver through the channels and locks, which summarizes the universal travel experience. Unless rut of the ditch characterizes interest, it's time for going...Read More

Bang for Your Buck Beds

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Hotel

Suenos del Río, Boquete Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
With no shortages of places to stay within the country, the bulk of Panama's establishments lean towards "low-end" budget travelers. However, rarely do they have websites or advertisements. Lonely Planet's strong-point is listings of budget accommodations, but 2- or 3-sentence descriptions don't offer much insight. Based on what's actually found, sometimes you'll wonder if author ever visited; little alone stayed. April '06 high-season prices hadn't increased much, if any from low-season rates quoted in LPs 2004 Panama edition.Solo travelers definitely end-up paying more. A standard room with double bed, priced $15 a night for two, will likely cost $10 for one. Rooms, with an...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 18, 2006

Bang for your Buck Bites & Sips

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Story/Tip

Beyond Rice and Beans Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Budget conscious travelers won't go hungry in Panama even if food expenses are at the bottom of priority lists. Feasting on three squares a day has real potential, and if ever paying more than $4 for any spread, you've gone to the wrong place! Options are minimal for those looking to have finer dining experiences, where additional costs have more to do with location, atmosphere and presentation than quality and portions of basically the same types of foods. Otherwise, never has my proven formula paid-off with such savings:Look for the Locals + Live like the Locals = Twice the Cultural Experience at Half the CostIn a country where minimum wage is still $1.25 an hour, it w...Read More

Unraveling Tourism and Travel Info

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Story/Tip

Spread the Word! Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Think nothing of traipsing through secluded, jungle-ladened mountains, and stumbling into a family reunion at a picturesque clearing. Or, checking into a beachside hotel that's running full-tilt, and finding you're the only foreigner. Panamanians have long-known how to appreciate where they proudly call home, now they're eager to share it with rest of the world.Panama is justly being promoted as the last hidden gem of the America's; the land of natural wonders, and far beyond the Canal now often touted as 8th Wonder of the World. With such billings of enticements, it won't be undiscovered for long. Over the last decade, Panama tourism has experienced steady growth as travelers are find...Read More

Pack and Prepare as you Know

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Story/Tip

Tell-Tail Evidence Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Geographically SpeakingPanama is best known as the isthmus connecting the Americas, but it befalls in such a way that even the earliest explorers documented directional confusions. While North and South America extend in the directions their names suggest, Panama abruptly snakes from west to east with Pacific Ocean to the south, and Caribbean Sea, (locally referred to as the Atlantic), to the north. Nothing in Panama seems to extend with any true objective course in favor of angling towards the country's irregular shape. Beginning from the arrival aerial tour on, my trusty inner-tracking device never reset causing frequent disorientations.Bring a compass; especia...Read More

Local Smiles and Traveler Scowls

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Story/Tip

Whites of their Eyes Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Places are often remembered by the Faces encountered along the way, and impacts they've made on overall travel experiences. How these make-or-break attributes are characterized is often what separates the travelers from the tourists, whether diving head-first into local culture or preferring seclusion within a private resort, guaranteed to be staffed with nationals. Either way, idiosyncrasies are unavoidable anywhere beyond the confines of home."Simple to a fault" is one of the nicer ways to describe the general population of Latin America, and the people of Panama precisely corroborate every stereotype probably ever heard of, or faced if acquainted with ...Read More

Spending and Communication Trends

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Story/Tip

Cell(f)-Absorbed Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
For gringos, the widely-known Spanish-word for money is dinero, but actual term for cash is efectivo; a word worth remembering. Travelers will frequently come across signs with, "se acepta efectivo, solamente", which roughly translates, "cash only accepted". Panama's currency is the American dollar. Aside from large purchases or paying for multiple-night hotel stays, be sure to always carry plenty of small bills. Whipping out a $20 in most places is like trying to pay with a $100 back in the States. Merchants appear reluctant to make change if they even can.In addition to prices listed as $, you'll sometimes still find costs designated with B/. for The...Read More

Holiday Travel Headaches

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Story/Tip

Cut 'em some Slack! Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
The Holy season of Easter, locally known as La Semana Santa, was unavoidable as part of my travel dates. While I knew this would affect plans, nothing could've prepared for just how so. Lonely Planet has a list of Panama's observed holidays and festivals, with brief details on what travelers should or shouldn't expect. Not only was most of the information inaccurate to extremes, it's also rather glossed-over in stating the obvious. Simply put, travelers should seriously think twice about planning trips during any official holiday season, be it Panama or for any Latin American country.First, la Semana Santa is somewhat misleading to suggest a week's worth of potential i...Read More

Shortcuts for Airfares and Airports

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Story/Tip

Like Autumn Leaves in a Pond Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Panama is Latin America's newest Hot Destination; sizzling with round-trip travel possibilities from the States for $47! How?It's All About the Miles...While most U.S. carriers offer some type of service to Panama's Tocumen International Airport (coded PTY), American Airlines leads the way with three daily flights to/from Miami (MIA), with gate-to-gate travel time of 2-hours heading down, and 2-and-a-half hours returning. Fares range in costs based on season and availability, but budget travelers can earn the biggest savings if they know how to make the frequent flier awards program work best f...Read More

Larger than Life; a Photo Tour

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Story/Tip

Mountain Homes Photo - Panama, Central America
Quote:
Good things come to those whom wait, and chance to finally move Panama from Dream Destinations to the Favorite Destinations lists on my IGO passport was rather monumental. Ongoing-intrigue had been further tempted by veterans Wanderluster and Jemery, but opting for Venezuela in '04 first shelved plans, and Puerto Rico's rainforest and wilderness coast became secondary substitutes when postponement scrapped another attempt for '05.Good things also come to those whose itineraries spread beyond the ...Read More