My trip to Panama was preceded by a few weeks in Costa Rica. The first difference was the heat in Panama but that was why I was here. But let's start with the planning.
Reyna was awesome from the start. I explained what I wanted to try and accomplish, and she really did a great job setting things up for me in a variety of locations and activities. I'm not sure she was expecting an old guy (60) lol, to want to do as many active or even risky activities but thats me. She was always on... read more
My trip to Panama was preceded by a few weeks in Costa Rica. The first difference was the heat in Panama but that was why I was here. But let's start with the planning.
Reyna was awesome from the start. I explained what I wanted to try and accomplish, and she really did a great job setting things up for me in a variety of locations and activities. I'm not sure she was expecting an old guy (60) lol, to want to do as many active or even risky activities but thats me. She was always on the spot, and I could contact her anywhere I had a signal, and she would promptly respond. A few things we scheduled I decided to modify on the fly and she made sure this went seamlessly. This was nothing she did, but more from me seeing something a little crazier and wanting to modify my activities. I can't say enough good things about her.
I started in Panama City at the Tryp hotel which was centrally located with nearby restaurants and amenities. I then began my activities the next morning. Bianca, my guide contacted me and suggested we leave earlier to catch more wildlife. I suggested an even earlier start to catch the sunrise and the animals and it was simply amazing. Bianca would be my gude for two days and she was so full of information and fun. She spoke perfect English and we hit all kinds of local stuff, local eateries at my request, (sorry I chickened out on the pigs feet, a local favorite jajaja! We Kayaked into the jungle and visited the Enberra people. Awesome.
The next day we would canoe out to a beautiful waterfall and then indigenous village. It was awesome. The food and the cultural display were very cool I took a hike around the area on my own to try and get a better idea of the people and was met and followed by the children and befriended by them It was very moving! Do this if you go!
I visited some monkey islands in the canal the next day and Casco Viejo and it was also very intereting. One more night then off Valle de Anton.
Valle De Anton was a beautiful Place and I stayed at the Mandarino Hotel. It was very beautiful in a beautiful location. If I had a complaint about any part of my trip it would be here at reception at the Mandarino. It was the only time I would encounter people that seemed to have a poor attitude towards me. They were just unpleasant, and this would be on check in and checkout. The rest of the staff I encountered were wonderful. The breakfast was great, and the beauty was spectacular. I went on a hike the next day and was contacted by Nico, an independent guide, and Cecilio the driver for the day and also my guide and driver the next day. We did a tour of different areas and a short hike, and it was awesome. Both of these guys were so good, and I would highly recommend requesting them when setting up your tours in Anton Valley.
Next up was Boca Chica. After a slight delay at the regional airport, I was off to Boca Del Mar. It was even more Beautiful than the Mandarino. Because we were arriving late the driver contacted the hotel and they stayed open so I could have a hot dinner when I arrived. The dinner was awesome, and the view was off the charts. I would take a day off and get a massage in the evening. I strongly recommend this if you are staying here. The massage was one of the best Ive ever received and I was married to a trained masseuse!! I then did the 4 hour Island tour here and it was awesome. I set this up while at the hotel Reyna had scheduled a few days of just relaxing and this was definitely the place to do that, but I was ready for action, so I did the tour. It too was absolutely breathtaking, and I highly recommend this. My final stop would be Boquete in the mountains.
I was picked up by Fernando and highly recommended requesting him for your transportation while in Boquete. He knows the entire area and most of the people with a long history here in the mountains. FGLtaxi@icloud.com He gave me many local tips and also was on the spot when I needed driver outside of the activities planned by Reyna. Reyna learned that I was on the go constantly even after the tours etc. I would stay at Finca Lerida, a working coffee plantation. The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful and made great suggestions for me when I arrived early. The hike to the local waterfall was beautiful as were the entire area around me. I did the mini canyon tour, and it was a little crowded for me, but it was a holiday, and it was hot, so a lot of people were there. It did not stop me from doing a few backflips into the river though! I had a great dinner at an Argentine restaurant in town and then called Fernando when I was ready, and he drove me back to my room. My last hike was up the gasline road and to a waterfall. We saw all kinds of wildlife and had a family of Howler Monkeys come through and put on quite a show in the canopy above us. It was a great end to the adventures for tomorrow was back to Panama City and then home.
I would be back at Tryo hotel who let me check out late and were awesome as they were at the beginning of the trip. I stayed in the pool until the last minute and was transported once again to the Airport and Home.
Summary
Reyna was absolutely awesome as my trip coordinator.
My Guides and transport through Miguel tours were great. Ask for Bianca in Panama City. Nico and Cecilio in Valle De Anton, and Fernando at FGLtaxi in Boquete.
Great job KimKim. Second trip with you guys and it was perfect!
Hotel Reviews
Hotel Finca Lerida
Boquete
First off, awesome reception staff!! The facility was beautiful, the staff very pleasant, the location unbelievable and the breakfast was amazing. The views from the deck at the restaurant were spectacular. I did all the hikes around the plantation, and it was fun and beautiful If your adventurous check out the waterfall hike. The trail has a few scrambling parts, but it is so worth it. I would stay here again!
Authenticity & Character
Old world charm
Location
The overall beauty, the temperature and the views.
Staff
Super happy and cheerful Very helpful.
Bocas Del Mar Hotel
Boca Chica
Absolutely gorgeous location and hotel Awesome helpful staff.
Location
Look at any picture online and then magnify it by 10 in person. Absolutely stunning!
Staff
Helpful and cheerful.
Los Mandarinos Boutique Spa and Hotel
El Valle de Anton
A beautiful location and hotel kind of spoiled by reception staff and lack of information.
Staff
Reception staff needs some hospitality training. Everyone else was great!
Tryp Panama Centro by Wyndham
Panama City
Everyone here was super helpful. Decent location, but im not a big city person. Great room with a good view on New Years of the mayhem outside from the safety of my room lol.
Activity Reviews
Sunset Sea Kayak - Panama Canal (half day)
Panama City
Bianca making the suggestionof an earlier start made it an unforgettable experience. The sunrise, the serene lake, the crazy amount of wildlife, especially for birdwatchers, and excellant guide.
Do this tour!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bianca was the best! Could not ask for a better guide.
Transport
Bianca made it awesome. Learned so much just coming and going.
Embera cultural tour OR Gastronomic tour in Colon
Panama City
Emberra Cultural tour! Bianca again, so lucky. Absolutely beautiful, fun and informative.
Food
The Enberra lunch was delicious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bianca=Awesome. Intelligent, cheerful and fun.
Canal Rainforest Boat experience
Panama City
It was a different tour checking out all the islands. I went to late to really catch the wildlife my mistake.. Should have requestedearlier start as Reyna and Miguel Tours I know would have made it happen.
Valle de Anton - Local Highlights
Valle de anton
Really cool tour that you select activities. Nico and Cecilio and hiking around made it awesome. Nico is a wealth of knowledge, and I would request him for your tours in the Valle
Quality of Experience
The entire day was great and I learned so much. I wanted an authentic hat but we were almost back and they turned around and we went and found one. Very cool!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cecilio was great driver and we guide me the next day
Slot canyon waterfall
Valle de anton
So, I had Cecilio today and we had a great morning hike in the rainforest and then a crazy -in the best way- drive to the waterfall the hike was really what I had been waiting for and he made it really fun the waterfall was absolutely breath =taking and the water colors so vibrant. I jumped off the higher points after watching the locals and it was a blast.
Quality of Experience
I loved the whole day from start to finish. Fun Challenging and beautiful
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ask for Cecilio
Transport
Cecilio knowledge of the backcountry trails.
Cloud Forest "Pipeline Trail"
Boquete
Really fun easy hike with lots of wildlife and beauty. Cool waterfall at the end. It hadnt rained in a while so not as much water but after rain it is probably insane.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guuide actually grew up near the hike and his family still lived near the starting point. Lots of local info and very knowledgeable of the entire thing.
Local specialist: Reyna Ulloa