Panama

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Tina Tiano

Tina Tiano, Apple Vacations Senior Manager of Sales for the Midwest, visited Panama on a recent trip.

To say I was impressed with Panama is an understatement. I think it offers a great deal to the average American traveler and is truly a newly discovered gem. There are several main tourist areas – Panama City and environs (i.e. the Canal), Playa Blanca – the main beach area on the Pacific, and the rainforest both near the city and on the Caribbean as well as north towards Costa Rica (i.e. Boca Del Toro) – Truly something for everyone.

What I loved about Panama -

It’s close to the USA. It is a relatively short flight even with a connection and change of planes. Nonstop flights from the east coast are approx. 4 ½ hours.

Playa Blanca Beach

The main attractions in Panama are close and easy to get to – the canal, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Panama City, are all within a 1-1.5 hour drive or less. You can swim in the Caribbean, drive one hour and swim in the Pacific. This is not just a beach destination, not just an “eco” destination and not just a city destination- it is the combination of all three. It is a great place for those that want to participate in multiple excursions and have multiple vacation experiences. You can go to Panama City to eat, shop, see the canal etc. as well as go to the beach for relaxation and the rainforest for soft adventure all in one vacation.
Because the USA controlled the canal area for so long, everything is up to US standards, including the water which is safe to drink straight from the tap just about anywhere you go. Medical facilities are also up to US standards and many Panamanian doctors are US trained. Continue reading →

Final Thoughts & Tips on Panama!

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

Airport expansion — in anticipation of the upcoming growth, the airport is adding an additional 6 gates slated to be done by the end of next year and another runway and additional gates to be done in 2012.
It is a relatively short flight (even with a connection) to the US. Nonstop flights from the east coast are approx 4 ½ hours.
The official currency used is the US dollar. Easy and convenient – you know exactly what you are spending. There are ATMs everywhere in the city and in small neighboring towns. Things are relatively inexpensive to purchase in comparison to similar items in the United States.
Everything is within close proximity — the canal, the Caribbean, the Pacific, the city, all are within a 1–2 hour or less drive.
There are a lot of available excursions. You can swim in the Caribbean, drive 1 hour and swim in the Pacific.
This is not just a beach destination, not just an “eco” destination and not just a city destination— it is the combination of all three. Vacationers are likely to participate in multiple excursions. They are going to want to go to the city to eat, to shop, to see the canal etc. as well as go to the beach and rainforest.
Because the USA reigned over the area for so long, everything is U.S. standards, including the water which is safe to drink from the tap just about anywhere
Much like Puerto Vallarta, Panama is known for its restaurants and dining. The food is wonderful — tons of fusion restaurants (because of the mix of cultures), excellent seafood, Panamanian, Japanese, Italian, and steakhouses as well as familiar chains for Americans that have to see KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut to feel comfortable!

Panama Canal

Native Panamanian food is much like Puerto Rican — but not at all spicy.
The hotel food on average was on par with the resorts in Punta Cana and Mexico, more along the lines of a Jamaican All Inclusive.
Many US brands of food and liquor that are familiar to Americans are a daily staple in Panama.
There are plenty of places to shop! Malls and upscale stores as well as the usual local artisan stalls selling local goods.
There is very little language barrier — all the hotel/restaurant employees, as well as the average Panamanian, speak English.
The people are warm, open and very friendly much like Dominicans and Mexicans.
I felt safe & very comfortable walking around the city on my own.
Large, full service casinos on similar to those found in Nassau and Aruba.
Panama is a world-class fishing destination specializing in marlin, tuna, wahoo and swordfish.
Golf — 3 championship courses including the Summit Golf and Resort, an 18 hole course located on the east bank of the Panama Canal and designed by Jeffery Myers. The Coronado Golf and Beach Resort, an 18 hole course designed by Tom Fazio and located about 1 hour outside the city and lastly the Costa Blanca Golf & Villas located at the Decameron on Playa Blanca that is lit allowing you to play both day and night.

Panama for Families!

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

Gamboa Rainforest Resort (Inclusive). If I was traveling with kids to Panama this would be my choice of hotel. Only ½ hour drive from Panama City brings you into the heart of the rainforest just minutes from the Canal. It has the feel of a really upscale lodge and is set right in the middle of the Soberania National Park. It is reminiscent of a Disney themed property. The rooms are large with a rustic feel and large glass windows that overlook the property and swimming pools. Some have 2 twin beds and a loft bedroom with a king bed accessed by a circular metal staircase. The bathrooms are nicely appointed and done in white and blue tile. There is internet access, a library, and family’s activities room as well as a world class spa. There are 3 restaurants with the highlight being the Chagres River View, which offers fine dining and an extensive selection of wines. The highlight of the property however is the numerous optional excursions offered by the resort, which include biking, boat tours and aerial tram views of the rainforest and canal. The hotel has a tour desk which co-ordinates all of its excursions.

I did the following tours:

221 Monkey Island Tour
Clients travel by boat thru the canal in search of regional wildlife such as alligators, caimans and monkeys. You are escorted by a naturalist guide and are able to observe Capuchin and Howler monkeys at a very close range as they often jump on the roof of the boat. This tour would be great for kids.

Lunch at Los Lagartos Restaurant/Gamboa Resort
The Las Lagartos Restaurant is in a unique setting at the marina with a terrace overlooking the water where you can view turtles, caiman and fish from the dock while you are eating. The menu consists of normal sandwich/hamburger fare as well as locally caught fish. Food and service were both excellent.

monkey Ariel Tram
Clients travel the rainforest canopy in a tram up to an observation tower where they have incredible views of the Canal and Chagres River. You are able to see monkeys and exotic birds both on the way up and down. After the tram trip you are taken by the naturalist to a butterfly farm, an orchid farm, a reptile house and a small aquarium with indigenous fish and turtles from the surrounding area.

Also available at the Gamboa Resort are kayaks, fishing excursions, hiking tours, bird watching, boat tours on the Chagres River and safari night excursions.

Dinner.
We dined at Chagres Riverview Restaurant at the Gamboa Resort. This is their fine dining restaurant. Menu consisted of typical continental fare as well as locally caught seafood. They have an extensive wine list. Food and service were excellent.

Drive to Playa Blanca

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

Breezes Playa Blanca

The drive to Playa Blanca was approximately 1 and ½ hours on great highway through scenic areas. It went quickly and was very enjoyable. I checked into Breezes and strolled the property. First impression of the Playa Blanca area — This is definitely what Apple Vacationers are used to when looking for a “sun” destination. The beach itself is on par with the likes of Riviera Nayarit. The sand is lighter but the color of water is a darker blue as most Pacific beaches tend to be. They do have occasional rip currents and most beaches have lifeguards. Interesting note — because of the way the land curves you can actually see the sun rise over the water on the Pacific coast in this area. The hotel appeared full and was active with families. The first children I’d seen at any hotel in several days! I had dinner at the a la carte Japanese restaurant called Munason. It consisted of the typical tapenyaki/sushi fare. The restaurant tries to seat clients into English and Spanish speaking tables because they seat ten. Food was ok, service excellent.

Breezes Playa Blanca

The hotel is a higher standard than some of the other Breezes properties I have visited. It is shaped like a U and is compact and easy to maneuver. The open-air lobby is at the top of an incline and offers sweeping views of the pools and beach below. The rooms are spacious and were well appointed with flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and stocked mini bars. The décor is bright and tropical. The entire hotel itself feels very light and airy. There are 2 a la carte restaurants in addition to the buffet and snack bar (Japanese and Italian). I spoke with clients staying at the resort and most commented on the good service level. There is a kids club and teen center and the hotel appears very active. Good for families and young people. The pool is 3 tiered and houses a large Jacuzzi near the snack bar at the beach. They serve hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos etc. There is a swim up pool bar. As I mentioned before the beach is long and quite beautiful.

Royal Decameron

I also visited the Royal Decameron which is all-inclusive. This property is so large all guest should receive a map and flare gun upon check in! It is built parallel to the beach so you are never too far from the water. Also, each section has its own pool, snack bar and restaurants nearby — so you don’t have far to walk for a drink or to grab a bite to eat. They often tend to put families in one section, couples in another etc. The entire resort is built on a fairly steep incline, so those booking an ocean view room should keep in mind that they will have an uphill walk consisting of a lot of stairs back to their room. This is definitely a full service hotel and the type of resort our clients are used to as far as amenities go i.e. 10 restaurants 9 pools, 11 bars, a casino, a spa, shops etc. The rooms themselves are moderate and locally decorated with a Panamanian flair. Nice spa facility. The disco is open air and located at the end of the property to keep the noise away from the rooms. The beach is long and wide and the sand in this area appears very white. The hotel offers a lot of palapas and tented chairs for shade on the beach. There is a convention center on property. This hotel also has a section of independently owned vacation villas located on a golf course across the street. The 18-hole course is well maintained and designed by Randall Thomson. This would be a great group hotel option and suitable for families, singles and couples.

The Tinajas Folkloric Show

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

In Panama, I attended The Tinajas Folkloric Show, which was a dinner & historical dance show consisting of a Panamanian style dinner. You are seated family style at large tables. The dancing lasted approximately 1 hour and was done in full native costume. The commentary is done in English and Spanish for those of us that are “multi-language challenged”. Food was good and makes for an entertaining evening out. Very similar to the Mexican folkloric shows offered in Mexico. This might be another optional tour worth offering and a fun time!