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Beach Chicks in beautiful San Blas
Four beach areas not to miss if you are a beach aficionado:
Isla Contadora, Isla Taboga, Bocas del Toro and the San Blas Archipielago.
Beaches near the Panama City
Within driving distance of the capital and near Fort Kobbe by the Panama Canal is Kobbe Beach. It has dressing booths and other facilities you might enjoy. Playa Blanca, Farallin
Playa Blanca is about a 90 minute drive from Panama City and is an excellent beach and rivals Miami Beach. There are may resorts located here including: Royal Decameron Beach Resort, Golf & Casino and Barcel?? Playa Blanca. Isla Taboga
Located in the Archipielago of Panama Bay and only a fifty minute cruise by boat from Panama City, you will find the stunning island of Taboga (known as the "Island of Flowers"). The boats depart from Pier 18 at the Port of Balboa at 8:30, 11:30 and 14:00 and 16:00 and costs is usually $6.00 round trip. On the way you will pass right under the Bridge of the Americas along with the huge container ships going into to and from through the Panama Canal. This island is one of the most tranquil and quietest locations you will ever visit because it has only 1,500 inhabitants and no cars. Taboga‚ magic will fill you with a remarkable feeling of calm and peacefulness. There are many attractions that can be seen as you walk along its beautiful lanes covered with flowers. Taboga is a small island but is large in history. In 1532 the Spaniard, Pizzarro launched his attack against the Inca's from Taboga and the church of San Pedro is the second oldest building in the western hemisphere. In recent years, Taboga has been a fishermen's village and offers a charming and comfortable environment of sand and sun. Exactly how the island got its name is still a question today. A number of people believe that Taboga is an Indian name for fish, and many others believe it means "mountain of water". Founded in the XVI Century by the Spaniards it has been a history of important events, a strategic port for the people from Spain during the time of the conquest of Inca Empire.
Panama Jack recommends going to the private beach of the Taboga Hotel to the right of the port. An entrance fee of $5.00 is worth the money as you can rent a beach umbrella, enjoy a Pin?° Colada with a seafood lunch and enjoy the white sandy beach where the water is so clear and blue. Word has it that if you reserve a room at the hotel before going there, you can go to the island on the hotel's private boat. Bocas del Toro
Bocas is one of Panama's top tourist attractions and with good reason. Where else can you take pleasure in beautiful beaches with scarcely a person in sight? There are many beaches located on and around the 206 islands. Bocas has not been hit by big scale tourism and its marine environment has remained unspoiled. It is a haven for manatees, tarpon fish, fresh water turtles, caimans, the red frog found only in this region, the beautiful red-billed tropic bird, the brown booby and 131 other bird species, 36 of which are on the endangered list according to the World Wildlife Fund. Over a dozen coral reefs (studied by marine researchers of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute) and the red and white mangrove trees protect and nurture a unique marine environment. Las Perlas
Haceinda del Mar is nestled within a chain of islands known as the Pearl Archipelago (Las Perlas) lays the magnificent Isla San Jose. With gentle breezes and surrounded by warm Pacific waters, the resort boasts of organic home grown food, a spring-fed swimming pool and caba?±as that are awesome. Isla Contadora
Isla Contadora Island Resort is a magnificent facility with old-world charm and elegance. It has a casino, boasts 13 beaches of pure white sand, swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and waterskiing, just to mention a few activities and amenities. Isla Contadora Island Resort is awesome. If you are going to stay at the resort a van will pick you up from the runway and transport you to the doors of the hotel. It is a romantic getaway that is worth every cent. Isla Grande, Province of Colon
From Portobelo drive beyond to the village of Guaira and there you can take a small powerboat to the Isla Grande,it is just a few hundred yards offshore). The beach is exceptional and you will probably have to yourself on weekdays. On weekends the locals arrive in force. San Blas Archipelago, San Blas
The San Blas Archipelago is a chain of tropical isles along the Atlantic coast of the Republic of Panama that stretch along approximately 200 miles of Panama's Caribbean coastline. The San Blas territory is defined from the seaward continental shelf to the top of the jungle-clad continental divide. Around 50 of over 365 of these islands that make up the Archipelago chain are inhabited. About half of the islands are within sight and easy traveling distance of the jungle and hills of the mainland The San Blas Islands offer two matchless attractions The Caribbean islands are of spectacular beauty and you have an opportunity to visit the villages of the San Blas Indians to learn about their fascinating culture and way of life. The San Blas Archipelago is situated in indescribably beautiful aqua waters and were selected as one of the top two "best cruising destinations in the world" by Cruising World and Le Monde Voyage magazines. Here you feel refreshingly "away from it all" ‚ ah far from modern civilization and close to nature. The popular CBS‚ Survivor program chose one heavenly San Blas island, Sapbeinega for a thank you reward‚Äù party for the Survivor competitors. The islands have been the subject of numerous National Geographic articles over the years- indeed this is an experience ‚Äúright out of the pages of National Geographic.
Accommodations consist of simple and comfortable native style cabins with roofs and walls made of thatched palm trees. The all natural accommodations blend in perfectly with the tropical scenery and are in harmony with nature. You may find Panama Mel Gibson hanging out with friends on one of these beaches, Mel has purchased a large tract of Panama beachfront.
 
By David Kaufman
(Budget Travel) -- Even the most sophisticated traveler could be forgiven for thinking that there's little more to Panama than its iconic canal, seaside capital, and snorkeler-packed Bocas del Toro islands
The Los Santos region of Panama has spectacular rolling farmlands and blissfully empty beaches.
But there's a more secret and equally spectacular side to the country about a five-hour drive west from Panama City: the Pacific coast region of Los Santos. Here, rolling farmlands and stands of mahogany and cocobolo trees hug an azure coastline, luring surfers, nature buffs, and, increasingly, travelers and second-home owners from all over.Although roadside real-estate billboards suggest a far more developed future, Los Santos has managed to stay blessedly free of resorts. In their place are a handful of low-key -- and far more affordable -- boutique hotels. The most stylish is the seven-room Villa Camilla, just outside the fishing village of Pedasí. The red-tiled hideaway, located on an 800-acre parcel of the Azuero Peninsula, started out as a private escape for French interior designer Gilles St.-Gilles and his wife, Camilla. "The area reminded us of Tuscany," says St.-Gilles, who landscaped the estate with fragrant jasmine, plumeria, and hibiscus. In 2005, the couple opened their place as a hotel, and last fall they added 20 new seaside duplex lofts. As stylish as they are family-friendly, the setups come with full-size kitchens, extra guest beds, and mosaic-tile flooring. An in-house stable is ready for shoreline horseback rides, and you can sign up for snorkeling trips to nearby Isla Cañas, a palm-fringed refuge where thousands of leatherback turtles converge to build nests.Farther inland, the center of Pedasí has a cow-town vibe: Picture low-slung cottages painted bright green and yellow, and ranchers wearing handmade Panama hats. Yellow is also the color of choice at the new Casita Margarita. This five-room B&B comes with locally crafted cocobolo furniture and a wraparound veranda overlooking Pedasí's main street. Perhaps best of all, it's within walking distance of local hangout Mano Surf Community, a pro shop that does double duty as a café and juice bar, and El Gringo Dusek, a no-frills, alfresco cantina run by retired U.S. Navy officer Joseph Dusek, which serves the best barbecue ribs in Los Santos.Of course, beyond the culinary surf and turf, the region's big draw is its blissfully empty beaches: Some of Panama's most scenic -- Los Destiladeros, Modroño, and the black-sand Playa Venao with its eight-foot breaks -- are short drives from Pedasí. Closer to home, Pedasí's El Arenal is a good launchpad for day trips to Iguana Island. (Fishermen stationed by the pier rent their motorboats, captain included, for about $50 round trip.) The hotel-free and nearly visitor-free isle is named for its resident black and green iguanas. Sign up for an Iguana Island Foundation snorkeling and hiking tour; you might just get a good look at some hatchlings.While it may be hard to top that sight, 77-year-old Dalila Vera de Quintero knows how to command equal wows. Her lemon-yellow bakery in a bungalow, Dulceria Yely, is famous across Panama for its home-style sweets, like almond queques (pound cakes) and creamy chicheme, a shake blended from sweetened milk, fresh corn, and crushed vanilla beans. She also stashes a cake or two in the kitchen for favorite customers, such as former Panamanian president and Pedasí native Mireya Moscoso. Swoon loudly enough and Quintero may just reward you with a thick presidential slice.
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Caribbean Panama
A Weekend in San Blas story by Jeremy Shorenstein
In a world where there are few places left that can truly be called paradise, San Blas easily fits the bill with its beautiful sandy beaches, temperate clear waters, and native cuisine. My friend Juan Carlos told me that I must visit San Blas during my one week visit to Panama or else it would be a wasted trip. While driving in Juan Carlos’s truck (a 4x4 is a must when driving to San Blas), we were given an amazing view over the tropical rainforest while en route to Carti, a coastal town with an air strip, where caught a boat with the native Kuna Yala people to Isla Aguja(a-goo-ha). When the boat pulled up to the island I felt as if I were in a fairytale; I thought only places this stunning existed in children’s stories and on postcards. Aguja is one of 365 beautiful small islands scattered with palm trees, giving ample space to set up a hammock and relax. For what felt like a steal of a price, we received three meals a day and sleeping arrangements in a small tent. The food was exquisite! Unfortunately we took our trip during the time of lobster repopulation; however we were pleasantly greeted with fried fish, coconut rice, and patacones (fried plantains). After arriving, eating, and setting up our tent for the night, the rest of the day was spent relaxing in the sun and spying on the secret lives of barracuda, squid, and an assortment of colorful reef fish. That evening we had another delicious meal, followed by conversation with other international travelers varying from Chilé to South Africa. While drinking coconut juice out of a freshly opened coconut, a Russian man named Serge told us how he spends one month of every year in San Blas because it is so gorgeous. Before bed we smoked Cuban cigars on the dock, looked at the stars, and wondered how such an enchanting place could exist.
The following morning we were greeted with an offer to take a ride to Isla Perro (Dog Island) where a sunken ship has become a snorkeler’s paradise. We snorkeled around the entire island, easily seeing down 20-30 feet, followed by a quick nap in the sun, some dinner, and another nap under a palm tree. While leaving that night I felt as if I had been transported to another world and was now leaving what could easily be described as heaven. Fortunately the drive back left for another amazing evening view over the rolling hills of Panamanian rainforest. I have never experienced such serenity as I did on those islands and plan to return as soon as I can for some pure and undeniable relaxation.
Caribbean Panama extends from the very first settlement in Panama at Santa Maria la Antigua , adjacent to the northern coast of Colombia , through the islands of San Blas, Colon and the Colon Free Zone and on to Bocas del Toro adjacent to Costa Rica .
Fisherman´s Dream
The Caribbean is known for its warm waters and almost no tides. In fact, tides rise just about 1 foot as opposed to the Pacific where tides climb up to 20 feet. There is an abundance of coral reefs and rivers that flow into the coast line. The coral reefs provide ideal habitats for spiney lobster, reef fish, conks, octopus, and reef dependant organisms that attract immense schools of foraging game fish. The rivers produce marine life wellsprings. This in turn produces large populations of Tarpon, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle, Shark, Great Barracuda (adults can swim at an astonishing 40 mph), Amberjack, Snook and more, making fishing on the Caribbean coast a sport fisherman's paradise. The amazing thing is that a fishing aficionado can engage in his favorite sport on two oceans on one vacation trip. On thing to keep in mind is the wind factor. Winds are strong from December to March, Panama 's dry season.
San Blas Archipelago  
Some of the best fishing is done in the deeper waters off the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of 365 islands one for each day of the year. The Kuna Indians own and rule in this part of Panama . Kuna are very much in control of their communities and their customs are rigorously preserved. Schools teach in Spanish and the Kuna language. The central government of Panama allows the Kuna to do as they please and do impose any unpopular measures there.
The islands actually have owners. On one very memorable trip, we drove east then north of Panama City to Carti, where there also happens to be a landing strip. A group of young Kunas offered to take us on a boat ride to camp on one of the tiny uninhabited islands. Our car they said would be safe where it was. We believed them because after all we were on San Blas territory, where rules are very strict. We stopped off at an island town to get lunch after our five-hour long trip from Panama City and then continued on to "our" island, about 40 minutes away. The only people living there was a family that owned the land. We were asked to pay $20 (but we managed to bring the fee down a bit). We did not bring enough food for lunch the next day, so some of us ended up eating coconuts and drinking coconut water for breakfast and lunch. The bathroom was a tiny thatched hut with a hole in the ground. When planning a trip to San Blas BRING WATER as very little fresh water is available. We swam, snorkeled and saw multi-colored little fishes, walked on the beautiful white sand and reveled in the turquoise-colored water. In the evening we ate our sandwiches and warm sodas, talked to the Kunas, enjoyed the gentle flow of the water on the shore and the sway of the palm leaves of the coconut trees. At noon the following day, we were taken back to the mainland and hopped on our Mitsubishi 4x4.
Province of Bocas del Toro
Another notable area to visit on the Caribbean coast is the Province of Bocas del Toro . When visiting there you may be reminded of Belize City . The atmosphere is distinctly Caribbean: the languages spoken, the music, folk dances and the idiosyncrasies of its people. There are ethnic Jamaicans, Barbadians, Trinidadians , Chinese, Mestizo, native Ngobe Indians, Arabs, Castilian, and Americans plus a mixture of all of these ethnic groups. Being of different skin tones in Bocas del Toro is not looked down on or scorned. They have an excellent attitude toward life and a slow and calm way about them. They are never in a hurry! The area has accommodations for all tourist budgets from quaint private cabins on stilts over the water to student hostels in town. Like the San Blas seafood is abundant and ranges from expensive lobster to delicious fried fish.
You can reach Bocas by land and ferry or you can fly there, just over an hour from Panama City . A marine taxi ride away is Changuinola, on the Costa Rican border, a former secret paradise for the higher ranking personnel of the United Fruit Company, now Bocas Fruit Company. In Changuinola you will see the spectacular banana plantations that are present all over the Caribbean coast of Central America
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