Tag Archives: Panama

Top 5 Travel Tips for traveling to Panama

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As told by Ruth Daniels

I would consider myself a little bit of a “seasoned” traveler. I’ve been throughout the Caribbean Islands, to several vacation spots in Mexico, and the all over the U.S. So when I was thinking about going away, I definitely wanted to go somewhere different, somewhere a little more adventurous. My friends and I decided to go to Panama! I found that this booming Central American hotspot has much more going on than its namesake canal.

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – The Westin Playa Bonita Panama

 

Here are my top 5 travel tips for going to this destination:

1.      Fly Non-Stop!

We left from DC where we flew out on Copa Airlines. It was a non-stop flight, which was really nice. They even had blankets and pillows and served meals on the plane! I can’t remember the last time I was on a flight that did that. It definitely added an unexpected touch of luxury.

2.      Private Transfers

For the convenience of Apple Vacations customers, all hotel bookings have private transfers included. Whether you are arriving at the airport or transferring between different hotels in our program, our local ground handler, Gamboa Tours, will provide a private air-conditioned transfer at a time requested by you. This makes booking a double (City & Beach) or triple center vacation (City, Rainforest & Beach) simpler and will ensure you get the most out of your vacation experience in Panama. It’s a really nice added touch, and one less thing to worry about while traveling.

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – Trump Ocean Club Panama

3.      See everything! – Beach & City

We had heard through various contacts that the best way to experience Panama was to stay for a couple nights in the city, and then, spend a few nights at a beach hotel. The first 2 nights we spent at the Riu Panama Plaza. It’s in the financial district close to a lot of boutiques and shopping malls. I definitely came back with my bags a few pounds heavier! Our rooms were on the 17th floor and we had a breathtaking view of the city. From our hotel in Panama City we were less than 20 minutes from the Panama Canal and the Old City ruins. We went to Miraflores Locks and actually got to see a huge boat go through! It was neat to see the water levels change in the locks to get the boat through. The ruins were great too, because we got to see another historic side to Panama. Our last 2 nights were spent at the Sheraton Bijao where we spent some time on the gorgeous white sand beach and enjoyed the spa, bars and sun!

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – Capuchin Monkey, Monkey Island Boat Tour

 4.      Monkeys!  (Technically, it’s the Monkey Island Boat Tour)

You can take a boat tour through secret waterways to find hidden islands where Capuchin monkeys and Howler monkeys can be seen leaping in the trees above! Occasionally, they become curious of visitors and venture down to take a closer look. This tour is roughly a ½ day and includes transportation, English-speaking guide and boat ride around the Gatun Lake.

 Last but not least…

 5.      The Panama Canal Tour

This tour begins at the Flamenco Resort and Marina. After a 45 minute motor coach ride to Gamboa, you will board a boat and enter the canal at Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. While traveling the Cut’s 8.5 miles, you will view the new Centennial Bridge. Next, enter Pedro Miguel Locks and then Miraflores Lake. Once in the Pacific Ocean, sail to the Flamenco Marina and disembark. On the way, pass under the Bridge of the Americas. Admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City’s splendorous skyline. The ½ day tour includes round-trip transportation, bilingual guide, Panama Canal transit with all fees, lunch on board, soft drinks and water. The full day tour includes in addition to the partial transit, you will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River.

Now you can see why Panama is a top destination for adventurists, eco-tourists, history buffs, beach lovers, families and romantics.  What are you waiting for?!? Go find your paradise in Panama!

 

*Apple Vacations Representatives are provided by Gamboa Tours DMC, an independent destination management company operating in Panama and providing services to Apple Vacationers. All prices are per person in U.S. dollars. Prices and excursions subject to change without notice. Excursions operated by local independent suppliers. Some require physical activity. Please consider the nature of the excursion to ensure it is appropriate for your age and physical condition.

 

 

Panama, When do I get to come back?

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I completed my visit to Panama with only one question in mind – “When do I get to come back?”

View of Panama City from Trump Ocean Club Panama Hotel

Without a doubt, Panama is one of the most interesting countries I’ve ever visited.  It’s essentially three destinations – beach area (Playa Blanco and Playa Bonita), the Rain Forest and the metropolitan area of Panama City. Each destination, in and of itself, would make a wonderful vacation, but being able to visit all three areas makes a visit to Pamana something very special indeed.

Upon arrival in Pamana City, you’re struck by the city’s modernity and energy. High-rise hotels, high-rise apartment buildings, banks, casinos, restaurants, shops and businesses make up this bustling area with its very active commerce, arts, culture, nightlight and dining.  And, a visit to the old Colonial City (Casco Viejo) – founded in 1673 – should definitely be part of any Panama itinerary. At the center of Casco Viejo is Independence Plaza that has many restored and colorful buildings.

 

Casco Viejo

 

By the way, I wasn’t aware, until my visit, that the Panama Canal doesn’t run East to West; it runs North to South, with Pamana City anchoring the southern port that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Panama’s official currency is the US Dollar and English is widely spoken as a second language.  Service is “American-style” and the hotels’ and restaurants’ quality is top-notch.

The Miraflores Locks – just a half hour north of Panama City – has a wonderful Visitors Center boasting cool and very informative museum outlining the importance of the canal to Panama and the world. There’s a shaded viewing pavilion from which you can watch ships – large and small – pass through the locks.  Some of the larger ships go through with literally inches to spare on either side!  (A visit to the Miraflores canal museum is included in several of Apple Vacations’ optional day-tours and in our Explore Panama program.)

Some cool tidbits about the Panama Canal:

  •  Two million gallons of fresh water are used for every vessel that passes through the Canal locks.
  • A typical transit of the Canal by a cargo ship takes approximately 8 to 10 hours.
  • The highest toll was $419,420, paid by the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl in February 2011.
  • A multi-billion dollar project designed to widened and deepen the canal be will completed in 2014 and will allow ships double the size of today’s canal-capable vessels to go through it.

 

About an hour north of Panama City is the Soberania tropical rainforest that quite literally powers the Panama Canal with the billions of gallons of water it needs annually. The Rain Forest is simply incredible; it’s home to hundreds of types of birds, mammals and reptiles.  What struck me most was how dense and colorful the jungle is in this area, with its flowers the size of dinner plates and incredibly large trees.  From this area, you can hike, bike and take a boat tour of the Chagres River and see rare white-faced monkeys jumping around the trees above.

 

Chagras River, Soberania Rainforest area

 

The beach areas of Playa Bonita and Playa Blanca are, respectively, about 40 minutes and 90 minutes drive from Panama City.  The drive to the beach areas is through very picturesque, rolling hills and small towns and shopping areas.   Playa Blanca is a particularly large beach that stretches along the Pacific Ocean; beach walkers will love the fact that they can walk for miles.  Guests looking for value and fun should look at the Decameron Resort, a family-friendly all-inclusive resort that stretches along the beach; during my visit to the Decameron, it was very clear that families were having a great time.

 

Playa Blanca

 

If you’re thinking about visiting Panama, check out our seven-night “Explore Pamana” tour that splits time in all three areas – Panama City, the Rainforest and Playa Blanca.

So, the answer to my original question “when do I get to go back?” – As soon as possible!

 

Panama – One of the hottest places to vacation in 2012!

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In what country can you go for an early -morning surf in the Pacific ocean, then have a leisurely breakfast gazing at the Caribbean Sea, about an hour away? You can only accomplish this in Panama!

Panama is home to a sleek city, hundreds of picturesque, deserted islands, densely forested wilderness, active volcanoes and exotic wildlife. A variety of activities are popular in Panama including world – class fishing, surfing, kayaking, jungle and mountain trekking, rappelling and white-water rafting.

Salomón Shamah Minister of Tourism of Panama, Tim Mullen, President of Apple Vacations with Kate Murphy from Wings Travel Group and Ernesto Orillac Vice Minister of Tourism at the Philadelphia event.

I spent the past few days attending roadshows across the East coast of the U.S. where the Minister of Tourism personally came to meet some of Apple Vacations’ key travel agency accounts, as well as our own staff, to extol the virtues of Panama. He brought along many government officials and hotel representatives as well. I have to say I was very impressed.

Many people think of Panama as just the canal used for transport, and that is true, but the canal is a tourist destination itself.  Panama also has a region for every Apple Vacationer if you want a city, beach or even a rainforest vacation. 

Panama City is sleek and very modern with the backdrop of history.  It is a thriving cosmopolitan city blending contemporary buildings, cobblestone streets and Spanish architecture from centuries long ago.  The Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower Panama is an architectural masterpiece in Panama City.  

If you are a beach person, looking for a new beach destination, Panama’s beaches will not disappoint! They have hosted world surfing championships.  The resorts include many well – known names including The Westin, Sheraton and Royal Decameron. 

If you want adventure and majestic beauty then head for the rainforest, where another region with spectacular resorts within Panama’s exquisite natural beauty can be found. 

And, if you can’t decide and want to experience every aspect of Panama, then look no further than the Apple Vacations 7 night highlight tour . 

But don’t just take it from me, The New York Times named Panama one of THE places to visit in 2012. New York Times – Travel  and Travel & Leisure named Panama one of the hottest travel destinations of 2012. So go ahead, take a look at Panama for your next Apple Vacation.

Panama

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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

    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 →

SuperSale!

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supersale1It’s Apple Vacations SuperSale! What does this mean? It means we are offering the biggest savings for the winter season! We have worked with many key hotels in Mexico, The Caribbean and Hawaii to get GREAT new rates!

Winter is high season and sometimes it is a shock comparing fall season to winter, but not this year!

Some tips on getting the best price during our SuperSale: avoid Holidays, check midweek departures and look at January departures (especially early in the month).

Look at this great deal: 3 nights at the Riu Palace Punta Cana which is a 5 GOLDEN APPLE PLUS Resort! 3 nights starts from $699.99 and includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations for 3 nights and all meals, drinks & tips! RIU Palace is a luxury beachfront hotel!

This price is available from many cities including Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis for January departures.

Ask an Agent or log on to www.applevacations.com and click “SuperSale” to see more great deals and rates from your departure city.

Final Thoughts & Tips on Panama!

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  • 14Airport 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!
    • canal

    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!

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18Gamboa 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:

221Monkey 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.

monkeyAriel 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.