Panama

[flopnfly]

Started looking at Panama as a new destination. 

We've never been, and you don't hear a lot about it.  I've read some reviews on it and they are mixed.  People are love it or hate it.

We love a good beach, good diving and snorkelling and not too far from the airport (no more than 90 minutes) by bus.  We're not too fussy about the resorts  so long as they are clean and the food doesn't make you sick.

I've seen the decameron come up at a reasonable price.  Is this the only all inclusive resort?

Do you need to go all inclusive or are there lots of nearby restaurants and bars?

What is the diving and snorkelling like?

[Bebbie]

Hi:  As an avid 'Panama' lover........fourth trip is already booked.....I will make a few comments.

     There are other all inclusives.  The only ones that I can think of are Royal Decameron, Playa Blanca, Gamboa and InterContinental Playa Bonita. 

     Playa Blanca and Royal Decameron are about ninety minutes from the airport.  They are pretty isolated.  There are a two or three restaurants down the beach from the Decameron.

   Gamboa apparently has no beach.  InterContinental Playa Bonita is right on the Pacific and apparently has virtually no beach when the tide is out.

     Diving and snorkelling I don't think is good at any of the resorts.  You would probably have to book a tour and go to the Caribbean side to do such. 

     I spoke to a lady who was working the Marine shop at the Decameron and she said the water is usually too murky. 


Bebbie
     

[flopnfly]

thanks Bebbie, that's great info!!

What is it about Panama that you love, and keeps you going back? 

[Bebbie]

You know I have been asked that several times and I don't know how to answer it.   

Love the country, the people.  Definitely would say it is not poverty stricken.

We have been to the Decameron each time.  The workers, food, drinks, grounds, pools, lobbies, beach, are all great.

Been to Cuba once and there is no beating the beaches and water there, but it's Panama that has stolen my heart. 

[flopnfly]

I'm the same with Jamaica.  As much as I love the Cuban beaches, there is a magic about Jamaica that stole my heart.  Haven't been anywhere else that has done that yet.

Who knows?  Maybe Panama will.   

thanks for the info, I'm sure I'll have tons more questions for you.

[Bebbie]

I have some pictures posted at http://community.webshots.com/user/deborahardel

The resort has greatly expanded over the years.  Some people like small quaint resorts, but the size of this one does not bother us at all. 

Also at that site you will see I have an album called Barcelo.  I took those just a month after it opened. We took a walk through and unfortunately I didn't take too many pictures.  It is now called Playa Blanca.

[flopnfly]

Wow!!!  thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.

The resort and beach both look amazing, I think we'll need to up this resort to the top of our list.

You mentioned that you need to go to the other side to do diving, how far away is it?  Any idea?

[Bebbie]

I'm sorry I don't even want to guess at that.  I am sure if you research it further you might be able to get more info.  If I find out anything I will post here. 

 

[Bebbie]

Another plus to Panama is that the vendors do not hassle people at all.   

Not like in Jamaica and Dominican Republic, where you are hounded and shouted at. 

[flopnfly]

That's a good thing to know 

The vendors in DR are horrible, and the ones in Jamaica can be aggressive too.

I've always found that the Jamaica vendors will take a no thank you and move on to the next tourist, but the DR ones won't give up.  I've even been grabbed and dragged over to their stuff.  It's one of the reasons I don't want to go back to the DR.

thanks Bebbie, I'll keep it in mind

[Bebbie]

  It is a real joy to walk past the vendors and not be harrassed. 

  At the Royal Decameron you will see the odd vendor walking up and down the beach calling out their wares, but that is the extent of it.  There is a row of vendors set up down the beach quite a ways, but never have they called out to anyone.  You can browse through their stuff and they won't even bother you.

 

[flopnfly]

I wonder if it's because there isn't as much poverty in Panama as other places?

Perhaps that's why the vendors aren't as desperate for a sale?

[Bebbie]

   That very well could be the reason.