Panama - more than a canal

Dec 21

Dec 21 Panama - more than a canal

Panama, you were quite the surprise. My preconceptions were of an average city with average beaches. This is rare.... but I'll admit I was wrong.

Two distinct parts made up our Panama adventure: the islands of Bocas del Toro and the bright city lights of Panama City.

Bocas del Toro

Dangling off the Caribbean coast of Panama are a chain of islands, Bocas del Toro. We opted to stay on Isla Bastimentos to get away from the crowds. It's a remote little paradise reachable only by boat. It has pristine beaches with turquoise water and protected rainforests - your daily activity schedule can only be to surf, swim or sloth. I like all of these options.

Glamping and nature...a match made in heaven

We need more painted signs like this in Sydney

Palmer Lodges' beautiful alfresco dining / bar area

Daily morning yoga in the open air, sea-side yoga pavilion
Rent a surfboard
Lose your bikini top in the sea
Strut the empty beach
Try your hand at slack lining
Play Cards Against Humanity with people you've just met #classic

EAT & DRINK

Isla Bastimentos:

You can't go past the entire menu at Palmer Lodge nom, nom, nom

Bocas Town:

Toro Loco just off the main square in Bocas Town. Great burgers, cheap beers, sport and 2 dart boards.
Ice cream at Heladeria Artesenal, 2nds street intersection above the bookstore

SLEEP

Isla Bastimentos:

Glamping at Palmer Beach Lodge. See our post on unique accommodation, this place was a trip highlight. It rains most nights and you can fall asleep to the sounds of the tropical rain.

Bocas Town:

Aqua Lounge on ... overlooking Bocas Town.

One's OK...Two's company...but Three's a PARTY

Explains why Aqua Lounge has a reputation for parties.

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Panama City

One of the greatest contrasts of Panama is the old city (Casco Viejo) vs. the new city. Imagine: historic UNESCO protected town only four avenues wide compared to new high rises and Trump Tower (urgh).

Exploring Casco Viejo is a must. It's hip, colourful and compact. Embark on your own walking tour to take it all in. Follow this by a pint of ceviche at the local fish markets - seriously yummy!

On to the unexpected highlight - Panama Canal. I expected this to be good but no more than a big boat and water. Wrong! I spent 8 hours lapping this place up. The new Panama Canal is fully functioning, as is the old Canal so we were fortunate to see four ships pass through both old and new. Interesting side note is the comparison between the canals' super tankers and the dilapidated fishing vessels used by locals to ply the Pacific waters.

Check out @thelisaphillips on Instagram for a time lapse of the ship coming through.

Can't believe someone's swam through this!

Wonder how many rubber chickens could be transported in a crate???

The Tally

Tropical downpours caught in: 2
Beds - 4
Boats - 7
Buses - 4
Slack lines attempted - 2
Ships seen passing through Panama Canal - 4

The other end of Panama's on-water culture

This is our last stop in Central America. It's now time to meet some friends for Christmas on San Andrés Island, off the coast of Colombia.

Farewell Central America. South America, here we come.