Thread: Resort Recommendations please

We are coming down to Panama for our first visit over the new year. We are using this trip as a vacation as well as a scouting mission for a possible move in the next 5 years.

We are staying in several locations but we are having an issue deciding where to stay on the Boca leg. With some of the unflattering news on Boca we don't know where to stay or even if we should visit.

We don't want to stay in the middle of a heavy tourist area and probably not on an island as we want to tour the area.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a nice small resorts near the Boca area?

Are there any other areas on the Caribbean side that people would recommend (we plan to try Portabelo and avoid Colon)

Thanks in advance for any replies

sjc

I love the Aezuro Peninsula and specifically Pedasi. I would try there.

Thanks for the reply

Pedasi is definitely on our list and plan to stay in the area a few nights (not sure on the exact resorts at the moment)

We are currently planning to go to Pedasi, Boquete, Boca, Portabelo and Panama and stay a few days in each location to start

Boca is the one stop we are having issues with. Should we go to Boca at all and if so where is a nice place to stay that we can use to explore the area

sjc

Bocas is worth seeing and visiting in my opinion. Very different than the other areas you mention. Laid back and very relaxed. Some love it, some don't. Lots of choices for accommodations depending on your budget from hostels to $50 B&B to $200 a night places. Tripadvisor always has lots of good input. Once you are there your hotel can advise you of some of the day trips. There is a new zip line by Red Frog Beach and the locals I have spoken to really enjoyed it. Also snorkeling, surfing, Drago Beach... In my opinion it should be an agenda on any Panama visit if you want to get a feel for the diversity of the country. I have been to all the other areas mentioned. Portobella is pretty slim for tourist accommodations but a couple places around. If you have a rental car you can do a day trip to cover that region from the city.

La Coralina Bocas del Toro Beachfront Hotel La Coralina is lovely if you want to be a bit out of town.

With their cancellation policy I wouldn't stay there - I hope noone else either until the change it - seems abusive to me.

1. You reserve 7 days, place turns out to be dead - you lose 3.5 days * rate.
2. Boat connection problems to Bocas - you lose 50 % of the days you miss.
3. Pre-payment of 50 % of stay.
4. On top of their already steep rates they add 10 % too.

Their restaurant looks reasonable though, but they add 17 % to all bills.

Anyway, if you do go there I would negotiate the rate, with an option to add more days and pay nothing in advance - max 10 %.

Originally Posted by pomelo

La Coralina Bocas del Toro Beachfront Hotel La Coralina is lovely if you want to be a bit out of town.

Originally Posted by EdBowers

With their cancellation policy I wouldn't stay there - I hope noone else either until the change it - seems abusive to me.

1. You reserve 7 days, place turns out to be dead - you lose 3.5 days * rate.
2. Boat connection problems to Bocas - you lose 50 % of the days you miss.
3. Pre-payment of 50 % of stay.
4. On top of their already steep rates they add 10 % too.

Their restaurant looks reasonable though, but they add 17 % to all bills.

Anyway, if you do go there I would negotiate the rate, with an option to add more days and pay nothing in advance - max 10 %.

This kind of info is the reason I like this site so much.

I stayed two weeks in Bocas recently. Don't stay in Bocas Town because it is very noisy all night. The islands are close together and water taxis are everywhere to transport you between Islands. I would use vrbo.com and you will find loads of Bocas rentals. The prices are negotiable as there are more rooms than there are tourists. There are no flights from Bocas to David and this has hurt tourism even more. I was told the Saigon Bay area is not nice and to avoid a rental there. Be sure and visit Isla Estrella, hundreds of very large starfish and crystal clear water. Avoid dragon beach on Isla colon $40 cab ride and not attractive with poor restuarant service. Eating out is reasonable. The water in Bocas is not safe to drink. I was told you can bathe and brush teeth but don't drink it. There was no problem with Mosquitos there and it was safe overall. I would say check it out so you can use it for comparison to ther areas. I almost skipped this area myself but Mr.WooHoo insisted I try it and I had a good time. There is a place called super Gourmet on the mainstreet towards the port. Check it out, very clean good food and the Owner will give you lots of tips on what to do or see in the area. Hope this helps.