Isabel was strong with knowledge, communication, and responsiveness. She was our "eye in the sky" throughout the trip guiding us through a wonderfully varied trip of discovery in Panama
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Isabel was strong with knowledge, communication, and responsiveness. She was our "eye in the sky" throughout the trip guiding us through a wonderfully varied trip of discovery in Panama
Hotel Reviews
Central Hotel Panama
Panama City
Location, location, location! Walk to all sites and restaurants within Casco Viejo. Plus and easy $4 Uber ride to Amador for a bike rental to ride the causeway. We spent 4 nights here in total and it was the perfect location. Breakfast was very good. We had snacks and drinks on the rooftop on our first night arrival. Very good, though we found some better value around town during the week.
Authenticity & Character
100+ year old hotel that has modernized without losing old world feeling
Staff
Friendly, helpful, efficient
Cleanliness & Comfort
Well appointed rooms with plenty of space. Very clean
Boquete Tree Trek Mountain Resort
Boquete
Loved the hotel's unique "off the grid" feel with cabins and "pods". Lots of activities (canopy zip lining, hiking etc.) make this an ideal spot if seeking that experience.
Authenticity & Character
Isolated at higher elevation. Beautiful views. Unique within the context of our experience as travelers
Location
Beautiful, isolated location with spectacular views. Off the beaten path and about a 20 minute ride ($15 taxi)up the mountain from Boquete. There is a free shuttle that runs throughout the day. Also note that there was a marked difference in temperature due to higher elevation. Include layers and pajamas in your planning if staying here.
Staff
The staff was friendly and responsive. They knew our names and our cabin number making us feel at home during our two nights there
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our cabin was very tidy and well-appointed.
Palmar Beach Lodge
Isla Bastimentos
No cars. No crowds. Jungle. Private beach. Great staff. Good food. Loved it!
Authenticity & Character
500 meter walk on a jungle path leads to the hotel located on an isolated beach on Bastimentos. Covered, outdoor dining. The sounds of monkeys and birds throughout.
Location
No crowds. Easy boat taxi to other beaches, snorkeling, and Bocas Town.
Staff
Very helpful and responsive. Once minor hiccup upon check in was no safe. One was installed within 20 minutes. Water taxi coordination was very helpful. They even checked in with us one evening we were in Bocas Town to coordinate pickup convenience during a rain shower. Above and beyond!
Cleanliness & Comfort
With a cabin in the middle of the jungle, we expected bugs, lizards etc. Outside yes, but none in the cabin!
Activity Reviews
A Gastronomic Journey Through Casco Antiguo Panama
Panama City
We thoroughly enjoyed this experience of flavors from the area. Every plate was unique (at lease to us) and the wine well matched. All items were chosen for us, which was absolutely fine! One suggestion would be to provide a sheet describing each plate and noting the wine chosen for the pairing.
Quality of Experience
Well organized, great food. Glad Jean (our guide) joined us so that we could continue to pick his brain about the area.
Food
Fresh, well-presented, delicious!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and fun. Great job pacing the plate presentation
Transport
Easy walk from our hotel. Jean, our guide, joined us and had everthing set up
Discover Panama: A Day of Culture, History, and Engineering
Panama City
Our guide Jean was essential in efficiently moving us through the canal experience at the Miraflores locks. We got there early to beat the crowds, and he had an app that showed us the ships that were scheduled to move through the locks while we were there. After the lock experience, he took us to a unique view of the American Bridge at the entrance to the canal from the Pacific. We were the only "tourists" at that spot and would never have thought to go there without Jean. The day also included canal zone history, a trip to Amador, lunch, and a walking tour of Casco Viejo
Quality of Experience
The Panama Canal is one of those "wonders of the world" bucket list items for us and it was thrill to see it in person. An added bonus was seeing it from the air on our flight back later in the week from Bocas del Toro. We were able to comtemplate what we were viewing much better after our on the ground tour.
Jean brought the day to live with his local knowledge and fun personality
Food
Lunch in Amador. It was fine, but felt a bit touristy for our preference. Not a complaint, just one things we would change in retrospect.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jean is a terrific guide. Knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. Made us feel right at home, and removed the stress that can come from navigating an unfamiliar city while on vacation.
Transport
Easy and on time.
Nature, Coffee, and Highlands in Boquete
Boquete
We are now big fans of Boquete!
Plinio was a terrific guide. He started our visit at the visitors center which was a great way to get an overview of the area and set the expectation for the trip. Guided us through the local public park discussing history and pointing out flora and fauna. Butterfly House and Honey Tasting, then Coffee Farm tour and tasting. Full day, learned a ton, met a lot of nice people. Entirely enjoyable!
Quality of Experience
-The personalized coffee experience at Milagrosa with Plinio was a standout. Plinio knows the owner and is permitted to give a personal tour and tasting experience. Much different than a farm that has in house guides and schedule
-the butterfly house and honey tasting was very interesting and relaxing. Lisa was our host there, and she spent much time teaching us about butterflies (and then honey). Liked this much more than we expected
-We lucked out that the Boquete Flower Festival was occurring during our visit. Beautiful!
Food
Lunch in Boquete with Plinio and Uncle Pepe. Not a place would have found on our own, another reason to have a local guide. So good!
He also recommended a restaurant (La Cueva del Pitufo) that he frequents with his family. Very good, and easy on the pocketbook!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Plinio is awesome! It was obvious that he is a popular/active citizen of the Boquete/Chiquiri. Everywhere we went, people waved, shouted, and greeted. He rode shotgun as his retired Uncle Pepe drove. Uncle Pepe spoke very little English, though he was a delight!
Transport
Plinio met us at the airport in David, and we were driven to Boquete (about 60 minutes). No hiccups and enjoyed the area overview as we rode.
A Sunrise Adventure at Volcán Barú: Witness the Dawn from Panama's Highest Peak
Boquete
Stunning with views of Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as Costa Rica. A must
Quality of Experience
Needs to be seen
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The park only allows specifically licensed drivers to go to the peak. Plinio set us up with a driver who was experienced and had top notch equipment. While others were racing to the top, Elmer (sp?) just took his time and got us there in plenty of time. All of the vehicle drivers seemed to look after one another, which was reassuring.
Transport
On time, which is especially important at 330am. Elmer(sp?) knows what he is doing and has the right equipment to get it done.
Hiking Adventure in Boquete and Scenic Transfer to Bocas del Toro
Panama
Pipeline Trail was a good experience. Not a difficult hike for us novices. An area for bird watching, particularly the Quetzal, though not this time of year. Did cross some lovely mountain streams and saw a 1000 year old tree, which was cool!
Quality of Experience
As advertised
Food
A homemade picnic lunch prepared by Plinio was enhanced with a piece of cake, fresh strawberries, and local rum to celebrate a birthday. A surprising and kind gesture that is truly appreciated.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
It was fun to meet Plinio's son Sebastian during the hike. Uncle Pepe was back in the drivers seat. he was much more animated on the trip to the seaport, and it was a unique and fun time hearing his descriptions of the damn, lake and pipeline...all in Spanish, mind you (which we know very little) but he got the points across (along with some translation from the passenger seat. It was funny and fun, we had a great time!
Transport
Beautiful drive. We got to the ferry port safely and in plenty of time
Cayo Zapatilla: Snorkel, Savor & Soar in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro
Blue water, pristine beaches, lovely scenery. Found a sloth, saw dolphins. Plenty of snorkeling, and beach time on Zapatista.
Quality of Experience
Zapatilla was beautiful. Our captain dropped us on one side of the island. We explored the trails, then lounged on the beach on the other side of the island where a captain picked us up a couple of hours later
Food
Great vibe dock restaurant on the water (Restaurante Jasmin). Can only get there by boat. Try the whole red snapper if they have it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alejandro Robert was born and raised in Bocas. Knowlegeable, fun, and knew how to handle a boat. Cooler full of H20 and Balboa (Panama's National Beer) was a nice touch
Transport
On time. Well kept boat. Experienced and knowledgeable captain
Cultural Immersion: The Chocolate Traditions of Bocas Del Toro
Panama
Green Acres Cacao Farm. Included a nature walk with Gary, the owner/conservationalist, where we met sloths, monkeys, and poison green frogs while learning about the flora and fauna of the area. Sampled raw cacao, as well as the various finished product. Took some home of course. Highly recommend
Quality of Experience
We knew we would be learning about Cacao and the process. The bonus was the nature walk that included so much more than the theme of cacao.
Food
A different waterfront restaurant that was at least as good, maybe better than the previous! Family run, they tie your boat up to their dock, see you to your table and cook the food on a grill right there on the dock. Loved it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
-Alejandro was our boat captain on this trip. He was a lot of fun, and took additional pictures which he shared with us.
-Gary is the owner of Green Acres. He is passionate about his mission, and makes the tour interesting and fun
Transport
Alejandro took good care of us throughout the day and we had a blast. Cooler stocked with water and Balboa. Upon departure, he helped us with luggage from the boat to meet the taxi that he arranged to take us to the airport.
Isla Colón Unveiled: A Boat Journey Through Bocas’ Best-Kept Secrets
Bocas del Toro
Starfish Beach, Bird island, lunch on the water. Another super day on the water!
Food
A restaurant on the beach after visiting bird island. I asked Mikey what he liked, and he said he always orders the fish soup. it was good, just know they use all of the fish parts...lol. We also got the snails which were very good. The Balboa was cold, and Everything was fresh of course!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mikey was captain with his first mate, Jordan. They are a lot of fun. Terrific sloth spotters, they were able to find one that we watched and filmed for probably 45 minutes. Mikey also prepared a wonderful pineapple treat served on a platter of fresh cut banana leaves and adorned with gathered hibiscus. Another birthday treat, and a kind touch.
Transport
transport was the same boat we had been using all week, just a different captain (they all work together). It was fun getting to meat so many different people each day.
Local specialist: Isabel Acevedo
