- Panama
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Hostel in Panama City's Casci Viejo area. Probably one of the most friendly hostels I have been to. Great communal areas with hammocks to relax, lots of places to use the internet but good WI-FI also. Amazing views over the old town and the business district from the balconies, great for relaxing and having a beer while watching sunset. Also happens to be a great bar downstairs which is popular with travellers, good happy hour for those staying at Luna's Castle making it really cheap. Overall great place to mingle, find out about other people's adventures in Central America and plan your next places to visit.
www.lunascastlehostel.com/
3-28 Calle 9na, Casco Viejo, Panama City Calle 9a Oeste 3-28, Panama
+507 262 1540
Google map: bit.ly/KpaNOn
They are a group of just less than 400 islands in the Caribbean of which only about 50 are inhabited by the Kuna people. For the most spectacular deserted island scenery, I couldn't recommend it more. Catch a boat for a few days and relax on your own paradise while local fisherman sail up next to you to offer their catch of the day. These islands are so unspoiled and beautiful, you'll never want to leave.
Google map: bit.ly/Anxjww
A boat ride through the bright blue Caribbean Sea, dolphins playing in the water beside you, snorkelling the reef and finally, paradise.
From Bocas del Toro in Panama you can take a tour with a number of companies to Cayos Zapatillas, a small group of uninhabited desert islands. The boat moors and you hop out into the warm sea to splash your way to the shore. The islands consist of a patch of jungle surrounded by a border of white sand and clear water and the afternoon is just spent relaxing in and out of the water (or, in the case of some lads on our tour, dashing in and out of the jungle, trying to knock a coconut out of a tree). It literally looks like the scene in Pirates of the Caribbean when Jack and Elizabeth are stranded on a Caribbean island. Except the whole British army aren't looking for you. Thank God, beacause we didn't want to leave!
www.bocas-del-toro.org/zapatillas/index.htm
Google map: bit.ly/yZMHZA
A long journey to get there so give yourself five days at least! Fly in to Bocas del Toro, stock up on cocktail supplies then grab a cab along the white sand road through the rainforest to Bluff Beach Retreat - 20 minutes away. The beach is pristine, long, soft, gold and deserted. All yours. All day. Or hire a boat for away day coral dives, dolphin spotting, island hopping and surfing. Then back to the retreat, a v friendly shared kitchen, relaxation and a dip in the pool.
www.BluffBeachRetreat.com
Google map: bit.ly/qeUx8U
If you're looking for paradise, this is as close as you'll ever get. Unspoiled, uninhabited islands where you can camp under the stars, snorkel in pristine waters and marvel at what a beautiful world we live in.
Try the Darien Gapster to experience life with the Kuna people and camp on these beautiful islands.
www.thedariengapster.com
Google map: bit.ly/qINTVA
It is an amazing second hand book shop on the road between Boquete and David, stocked with 1000s of books. It is run by an American who is very knowledgeable and he also provides comfy chairs and a rest room.
On the road betwenn Boquete and David
Beautiful restaurant run by a European chef with an extensive wine list. Have not been able to beat it for ambiance, service, food or price.
Best tip for taxis is just wave one down on the street and pretend you know what you are doing. The rates are set according to a zona mapa and there are no metres. Pay $2 for a small trip or $3 for say El Cangrejo to Albrook Mall. Avoid the hustlers / taxis outside of hotels, they will want up to four times as much. Best decent hotel is the Milan currently at $57 cash, El Cangrejo
Located in El Cangrejo near the Veneto hotel.
Av 2A Norte
Panamá
Google map: tinyurl.com/35xbneu
Aqua is quite possibly the best backpacker-style beach haunt I have ever come across. It is located on a small island in the group called Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast of Panama. Easily accessible from the mainland by small taxi boat, the hostel/bar has been built above the water with a swimming pool area cut out of the decking. The vibe is chilled out Caribbean with a characterful collection of international staff. Key attractions: cheap accommodation ($10 a night), amazing surfing and snorkelling opportunities accessible by boat, swimming literally off the decking, hammocks to relax in by day, a sea trampoline, AMAZING parties twice a week and easy access to the main island (a $1 taxi or 15 minute swim!) where there are cheap club nights every night. Also, on ladies' night, girls drink for free!
www.bocasaqualounge.info
507 6711 8264
507 6456 4659
Google map: tinyurl.com/397jbho
Since "Hats Off to Panama" was written in 2008 there seem to have been a lot of new places opening in the Old Quarter of Panama City. We ended up staying four nights and not leaving the area except to see the Canal. Our favorite places were an art cafe called "Diablo Rosso", the steakhouse "Puerta de Tierra", and a massive live music hall called something like "Music Bunker of Havana". The fish market is not to be missed.
Casco Antiguo, Panama City, Panama
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9gqrq9
For anybody on a backpacking budget, then this place is ideal. Located in the old town, Casco Viejo, the rooms at the front of the hostel have surely, the best views of the city. I found myself just staring at the skyline for half of the day. The actual hostel itself is very accomodating, social and clean.
Casco Viejo has a bad reputation. However, there is a big police presence and everybody I met was charming and wanted to talk.
Also, if he's still there, the guy in the cathedral square sells the best value for money hot dogs-35cents with all the trimmings! Just beautiful!
www.hosteltrail.com/lunascastle/
Casco Viejo
Panama City
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