Panama
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Casa Areka Hostel Review: What €10 Gets You in Panama City
I stayed at Casa Areka during my trip through Panama, when we needed somewhere affordable to stay for our first night in Panama City before continuing toward Bocas del Toro. After staying in hostels all over the world, I’ve learned that what looks great online isn’t necessarily what matters once you get there. So, is Casa Areka actually a good place to stay in Panama City? In this Casa Areka review, I’ll tell you what our stay was actually like, what we paid, what you get for the price and whether I’d stay there again. Casa Areka Hostel Review: My Quick Answer Yes, I’d recommend Casa Areka if you’re looking…
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Panama City in One Day: The Itinerary I’d Follow If I Went Back
Panama City was the first stop of my three-week trip through Central America, and we only had one night and one day before continuing across Panama. We had absolutely nothing planned. We hadn’t researched what to do, hadn’t checked the weather and somehow arrived during rainy season, so our day mostly involved walking around in the pouring rain and figuring things out as we went. If I did it again, I’d plan it a little differently. I’d spend the morning exploring Casco Viejo, go back to the local place where we found a cheap lunch, and then spend the afternoon on the Panama Canal, looking for monkeys and getting out…
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The 5 Best Hostels in Panama City, Panama
Panama City is NOT the place that has endless hostels for you to choose from. I stayed at Casa Areka when I visited Panama City at the beginning of my Central America trip, but if I went back today, there’s actually another hostel I’d choose first. That would be Viajero Casco Viejo. I’ve stayed with Viajero before in Medellín, Colombia, and had such a good experience with the chain that it would easily be my first choice. So, whether you’re looking for somewhere social, somewhere cheap or simply a good place to stay, these are my picks for the best hostels in Panama City. Best Hostels in Panama City: My…
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Is Panama City Worth Visiting? My Experience Visiting Panama’s Capital
Panama City was the first stop of my three-week trip through Central America, where the plan was to travel through eight countries by land and somehow make it to Mexico in time for our flight home. And when I say that was the plan, I mean that was literally the entire plan. My friend asked if I wanted to join him, I said yes, and we ended up starting in Panama City because we found a cheap last-minute direct flight from Madrid. Neither of us was particularly interested in the city, and we were much more excited about getting to Bocas del Toro, but we had one night and one…
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The 5 Best Hostels in Bocas del Toro, Panama
I spent time in Bocas del Toro while traveling through Central America with a friend. This time, I didn’t actually stay in a hostel — we found a cheap private room at Hostal Hansi, which made more sense for the two of us. I normally stay in hostels when I’m traveling solo, so I still wanted to include the hostel options I would personally compare if I were visiting Bocas del Toro alone. In this guide, I’m sharing 5 hostels in Bocas del Toro worth looking at depending on whether you want something social, somewhere right on the water, or simply a cheaper place to stay. Best Hostels in Bocas…
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Bocas del Toro Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
I visited Bocas del Toro during a fast backpacking trip through Central America with a friend, so I only had a limited amount of time to explore the area. Still, I got to experience Bocas Town, Isla Colón, the beaches, and some of the islands around Bocas del Toro. If you’re planning a trip here, this guide covers the things I think are actually useful to know before you go, from how to get to Bocas del Toro and where to stay to the best things to do, how many days you need, when to visit, and what to expect once you’re there. Bocas del Toro Guide: Overview Bocas del…
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Best Things to Do in Bocas del Toro: The Best Beaches, Islands & Activities
Bocas del Toro was one of the stops on my three-week backpacking trip through Central America, where I was traveling on a tight budget and moving through eight countries in a short amount of time. I didn’t have weeks to explore the islands, so I had to be selective about what I spent my time and money on. If you’re looking for things to do in Bocas del Toro, this guide focuses on the experiences I actually had and what I thought was worth doing. I’ll also tell you what I would prioritize if you’re backpacking on a budget or only have a short time in Bocas. Best things to…
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Bocas del Toro Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 4 Days on the Island
I visited Bocas del Toro as part of a fast backpacking trip through Central America, so I didn’t have the luxury of spending a full week exploring every island. I also don’t travel like someone who arrives at a destination after a relaxing vacation and immediately wants to book a full day of activities. After constantly moving from one place to the next, I usually want to get settled, walk around, figure out where I am and actually see the place before jumping into excursions. That’s exactly how I approached Bocas del Toro. I started by exploring Bocas Town and Isla Colón before getting into the bigger activities and trips…
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Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro: My Picks for Every Budget
I’ll keep this one simple because where to stay in Bocas del Toro really comes down to two things: your budget and what kind of trip you want. I stayed in Bocas Town during my visit, and for a short backpacking trip like mine, the location worked really well. But if you have more time or want a different experience, there are a few other areas worth considering. Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro: Quick Answer If you’re wondering where to stay in Bocas del Toro, here’s how I’d break it down: For a short backpacking trip, I would personally stay in Bocas Town again. It’s convenient, you can…
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How to Get to Bocas del Toro: My Experience Traveling Overland
If you’re wondering how to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City, you have a couple of options, but I traveled there by overnight bus and boat. The bus took me from Panama City to Almirante, and from there I continued by boat to Bocas del Toro. It’s not a direct journey, but it’s a straightforward way to get there without flying. In this guide, I’ll explain how to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City, what the journey was like for me, and the other options you have. How to Get to Bocas del Toro From Panama City: Quick Answer There are two main ways to get…
