Visit Boquete, Panama - Travel Information, Sites, Places to Visit

By now there is a good chance that you have heard some of the buzz that has made Boquete - bow-keh-tay, Panama a top destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists as well as a highly-rated retirement destination. As it appears that a period of economic uncertainty may be looming in some parts of the world and rising land prices in Panama may be taking a brief pause, this may be the perfect time to plan your first visit to explore this beautiful little town and check out the real estate offerings. Now the question arises ... How do we get there?

Location

The country of Panama is located between Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. The capital, Panama City and the Panama Canal is located closer to the eastern end, while Boquete and its airport hub, David - dah-veed - is at the opposite end, not far from the border with Costa Rica. This location gives Boquete much of its quiet charm, but requires a little extra planning to make the trip. More information about your travel options will follow.

Best Time to Visit

There are two seasons in Panama and especially Boquete. The green season is September through December, with the heaviest rains in October. Often mornings are clear with rain coming in the late afternoon. The dry season begins in January, making the best months to visit from January through August. Don't forget, even in the green season daily temperatures are in a very comfortable range from the high 60's to high 70's. Nice!

Getting to Panama City

There are indications that a major expansion of the David airport near Boquete is about to begin, bringing with it many more direct flights from the U.S. and other countries. Even as these options increase it is a good idea to spend at least a couple of days in Panama City at the beginning of your adventure. We like SideStep.com for airfare comparisons and TripLister.com for hotel reservations.

There are two airports that serve the Panama City area. The international airport Tocumen - airport code PTY, is located about 20 miles outside of the city center. This is probably where you will enter the country. The smaller, regional airport located just outside of downtown is Albrook - airport code PAC and is where you will connect to flights to David. Departure times are somewhat limited out of Albrook. Another good reason to spend a night, or two, in Panama City. Note: There is another airfare alternative that skips Panama City. You can fly first into San Jose, Costa Rica -airport code SJO then take Air Panama from there to David. This is not recommended unless your schedule from home fits nicely with the limited connecting flights on Air Panama. Once you've arrived at Tocumen International you will need to take a taxi or shuttle into Panama City unless you are renting a car there - beware, the city center is traffic madness. Current price for a taxi is about $27 each way.

It is highly recommended that you make arrangements with a local tour guide to pick you up at the airport. This guide can get you to your hotel, and even take you on a personalized tour of shopping, cultural, canal, scenic areas, so you can get comfortable with the city with a minimum of worries. After that, taxis are just a few dollars to almost anywhere in the city. Although surprises are few, always verify the fare before getting into the cab. A little Spanish practice will be helpful at this point, and all along your journey. Some places to visit while in Panama City might be Casco Viejo, the historical center, the city center - watch out for heavy traffic, the Amador Causeway - walking, bike riding, ocean and canal-ship views, great restaurants, casinos, and, of course, the Panama Canal and its museum. While Panama has a relatively low crime rate there are a few areas to avoid, especially at night. Check with your hotel for advice before heading out on your own.

Heading for David and Boquete

There are three ways to get to Boquete from Panama City. The first option is to take a bus to the city of David, then rent a car there for the 45-minute drive to Boquete. Buses depart from the Albrook airport several times daily for the 7-8 hour ride, with prices about $25 each way. Check with your hotel for details. The second option is to rent a car either at Tocumen Airport or in Panama City and drive to Boquete. Outside of the city, the drive is actually quite easy and the roads are good - Pan-American Highway, four lanes part of the way. The trip will take 6 to 8 hours depending on weather and stops. A side trip to Coronado on the coast or El Valle in the mountains, along the way is a nice break. Most travelers prefer the scenic one-hour flight from Albrook Airport to David. Your two choices are Air Panama or Aeroperlas. You can then rent a car at the David airport from companies like Dollar, National, etc. Here's a tip: Luggage weights are strictly controlled - about 30 pounds per person - on the regional airlines, and you may be charged for overweight bags. Consider leaving some items in a spare suitcase at your hotel in Panama City and pick them up on your return trip.

David, Panama

This city, the capital of Chriqui province, has a population of about125,000 people. While not much for scenery it will be your source for almost all purchases besides groceries, banking and restaurants while living in Boquete. Here in David you will find hardware stores, auto dealerships, most attorneys, government offices, Price Club - Costco, and even that famous American hamburger chain. If your schedule allows it is a good idea to have a look around town at either end of your trip into the highlands.

Beautiful Boquete, Panama

By this time in your journey you will probably be ready for the peace and beauty that is unique to Boquete. The turnoff from the Pan American Highway in David is clearly marked, but anyone can give you directions. The drive is about 45 minutes as the highway gently takes you to the cool elevation of over 3000 feet - 1000 meters - above sea level. Allow a little extra time in the event you get behind a slow-moving truck or bus. The road to Boquete has been approved for widening to four lanes, and construction will begin shortly. As you climb upward the stunning Volcan Baru will come into view. Later, dropping into the little valley of Boquete is a sight you will remember always. That being said, here is a little warning about your first visit: If you have been doing research on Boquete and have pictured a quaint, fairy-tale town out of the Napa Valley wine country, prepare for a little reality check. Boquete, although charming and constantly changing, is still a sleepy Latin-American town. Fear not! Everywhere you go, and everyone you meet, will make you come to understand what a special place this is. Slow down, breathe in the pure air, exchange the local greeting Buenas several times, and you will begin to feel the vibe.

What to See in Boquete

Once you are settled into your hotel - Panamonte Inn, Boquete Garden Inn and Los Establos Inn are all good options, start with a walking tour of downtown Boquete. Practice your Spanish while wandering in and out of the various shops. Visit the Romero Supermercado behind the central park to get an idea of local grocery prices and selection. Coffee, vegetables, fish, rum and chicken are very cheap, while American products like Kraft cheese are not. Also bordering the park is the local indoor farmer's market offering produce at great prices. Next, explore your dining options - Boquete Bistro, Panamonte Inn and Delicias Peru are highly recommended. Now it's time to take a driving tour of the area. There are three main loops to explore, all of which eventually bring you back into town. The first, Volcancito begins at the large visitor center at the top of the hill before heading into the valley, skirts the base of the volcano, and brings you back into town via El Salto Road. For the second loop, bear right at the fork at the top of town, pass the Panamonte Inn, drive up to the Palo Alto coffee-growing area and then back into central Boquete. Don't miss the Mi Jardin gardens just before you re-enter town. The third loop takes you across the bridge at the fairgrounds, near the central park again, up into the Jaramillo area, and then back into civilization passing the Los Establos Inn toward the end of the journey. Your hotel can give you many helpful ideas for activities including a hike up the volcano, coffee plantation tours, white-water rafting, nature and canopy tours, A.T.V. or horseback rides, and many other excursions.

Enjoy your visit to Panama!

Copyright 2008 Daniel Frey

[http://boquetelots.com/BoquetePanama.html]

How Safe is Phuket For Travel?

Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, and yet visitor numbers are well down on previous year. The beaches and streets in Phuket are quiet and businesses are beginning to feel the strain. Thailand's political problems have been well documented by the media, so much so that the country is portrayed as being in complete anarchy. Although the problems have been centered in Bangkok, they have impacted Phuket. But what's the reality of the situation? Should tourists be wary of traveling to Phuket?

The short answer is "no". For a bit of perspective, Thailand has had numerous problems over the years, from coups to bombings. However, it was only the tsunami that really affected tourism in the long run. Thailand's internal problems usually create a few short-term ripples and the media writes of chaos in the streets, but for people living in Thailand, they will tell you that life goes on as usual.

In Phuket, tourism is way down. Hotels are nowhere near full and people on the island are saying that the effect on the industry will be worse in the long term than the tsunami. It's such a dire situation, but it's also completely unnecessary. Travel advisory warnings also don't help.

If you were to visit Phuket right now you'd see a peaceful island. There are no more dangers than normal and everything is safe. There's no fighting in the streets and tourists aren't being victimized or attacked. In fact, there's probably never been a better time to visit Phuket because the island is less crowded than usual.

The beaches are still there and the popular sites are waiting for visitors to trickle in. Of course, travelers should still exercise the same caution they would when visiting Phuket any time of the year. Traveling alone on a motorcycle at night isn't a good idea and care should be taken when out and about. But don't let the news reports put you off a trip to Phuket.

It's a sad state of affairs, but hotel-booking websites have been reporting a huge decline in bookings. The same is true of airlines, who are now throwing out offers left, right and center to entice people to visit Thailand. There are bargains to be snapped up at the moment.

So if Phuket is safe for tourists, then what about Bangkok, where most of the trouble has been? There have been protests and airport closures and all sorts. However, unless you had a plane to catch during that time, if you were in Bangkok, you wouldn't have noticed much out of the ordinary other than when you turned on the news. Everything carried on as usual. It always does.

After the most recent coup, the tanks and soldiers became a tourist attraction. The resultant protests were mostly jovial affairs with picnics and concerts. Some media reports were speculating that Thailand was about to become a bloodbath, similar to revolutions of the past, but such events didn't materialize.

Forums, blogs and phone lines have been inundated with people asking if Phuket is still safe for travel. It is safe, and it likely will be for a long time to come.

Check our Phuket Vogue for the latest information about Phuket parties, Phuket girls and restaurants.

Phuket Island - Popular Travel Destination in Thailand

Phuket has grown into one of the premier holiday destinations in South East Asia and is one of the busiest travel destinations of Thailand. It has replaced Bali as the most popular holiday island in the region.

What makes Phuket island such a great travel destination?

Phuket is first of all an inexpensive holiday destination. Phuket hotels, resorts and guesthouses can be found in all price categories and ratings and prices are considerably cheaper then what one would encounter in Europe or America.

Dining in restaurants or buying drinks in bars or clubs on Phuket is also less expensive then what most tourists are used to paying back in their home countries.

Phuket Beaches

The palm tree lined beaches of Phuket Island are of course world famous due to its crystal white sand and clear water of the Andaman Sea. Some of the nicest and most popular beaches found on Phuket Island are the beaches at Patong, Kamala, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn.

Phuket Nightlife

The Phuket nightlife is another reason why many tourists visit Phuket each year on holiday. Many tourists seem to keep coming back each year for especially the nightlife and bars of Phuket.

Most Phuket island nightlife venues can be found in Patong beach along the well known Soi Bangla. A number of large clubs are located along Bangla road in Patong including the very popular Tiger disco and the new Seduction Disco.

You can also find along Bangla road and the many small streets leading into Soi Bangla hundreds of beer bars. Each beer bar has a number of beautiful Thai ladies working for them who there to please the clients.

Phuket Shopping

Going shopping in Phuket in the past was not one of the most interesting activities for tourists due to the lack of a good variety of shops and products. Most of the shops sold the same tailor made clothing, bootleg movies and software and fake designer clothing.

Over the last few years however, a number of large shopping malls have opened on Phuket housing well known international retailers, unique local boutiques as well as international restaurant outlets such as Outback steakhouse and Burger King.

If you are going to visit Phuket for a holiday then please make sure to visit the brand new Phuket Junkceylon mall in Patong or the Central Carnival Mall along the Phuket by-pass road.

James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Samui in his Samui Guide.

The Countryside Can Be Cheaper If You Are After Budget Travel

If you're interested in adding a little budget travel to your itinerary, and who isn't once in a while, think about getting out into the countryside instead of spending all of your time in the big cities. No matter where you're traveling in the world, the countryside will almost always be cheaper than cities.

To maximize the benefit of this formula, you have to refine it even more, and plan when you'll be in the city and when you should spend time in the countryside.

If you're on a driving trip in your home country or one next door, this type of budget travel planning is easy. You've got your car, so you can do both city and countryside. Even when you want to spend time in a city, you can save money by just staying on the edge of the city or in a suburb.

Then you can drive in... or better yet, take public transportation in and avoid the frustration of trying to find parking, not to mention the cost. Parking can be expensive in almost any city in the world.

OK... maybe your time is limited, and you don't want to waste time getting into town. If you want to stay in the city rather than on the edge of it, remember that most cities will be cheaper on weekends when the business people are gone. Hotels sometimes have cheaper weekend prices, and there could be more going on in the way of plays and entertainment.

And if you think about it... the countryside will be cheaper during the week when most people are working.... so if you're a budget traveler, you want to plan to be in the city on weekends and in the countryside on weekdays. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are days that can save you money in the countryside.

And that will be especially true if the countryside you're visiting is a real get-away destination for those city folks you're trying to avoid. In this case you get that equal and opposite effect. If you're in a popular get-away destination, it will be more crowded and expensive on the weekends.

If you're traveling internationally or you've flown to your destination, you'll have to factor in the cost of a rental car or some kind of transportation to get to the countryside. You can take a bus or a train. Some European areas popular with tourists have trains and buses that run conveniently. Some even have train and bus routes that will take you on a circle tour to some of the prettier and smaller towns.

In the United State, public transportation isn't as good, but it is improving, so check around. In Asia, public transportation is good in some countries and spotty in others. In Australia, it's probably easiest to drive. It always pays to ask at the tourist information offices if you're interested in something like this.

So see, you don't have to give up the sights you want to see to trim your budget, you just have to plan smart to save. Lay out a calendar, and work your itinerary so that you spend most of your weekends in those cities and the weekdays in the country.

You'll be money ahead. That's budget travel made easy!

This travel tip is brought to you by the Australian specialists in NSW Central Coast accommodation. http://www.BookCentralCoast.com.au and our Travel Tips Blog. We hope that you enjoyed it.

Allowing the Travel Dream

The travel business is incredible. It is filled with multiple opportunities to investigate on line. Look at the multitude of sites dedicated to travel on the web, in magazines, on television and or radio. Advertisers bombard us with their "Best Price!, Exotic locations and the hottest deals". When you travel, what are your main concerns? Is it the costs, or types of accommodations, or what can we do with the kids? Maybe your trip is for business travel, which has completely different concerns than vacations. Just to be in a financial position to actually get away for short or long periods of time these days may be a perk.

The economy dictates so much of the details a person has to consider if planning to travel. Businesses are re-thinking the associated costs of sending associates or sales teams out of the office vs. using new technology to conduct office web-conferences. But I am wanting to discuss mental vacations for this article. My question then is does the internet provide all of the necessary options?

By searching the web, the destinations are bountiful. Where in the United States can we go? Just a click and maybe it is skiing in Colorado or Utah; or golfing in Arizona or Florida; or the many parks and natural treasures throughout all the states can be invigorating. Maybe it is to site-see in South America or Australia; run on the Great Wall; tour the vineries of Portugal. Now that would be a fabulous trip to take. With technology today, one can 'see' these areas on the internet. The current economy makes this more of an option at this time.

The volatility of oil prices this year, which is less today due the supply being greater than demand, there are cost effective options to look at to possibly take some sort of trip. If you reside in the western portion of the United States, traveling to the Rocky Mountains for skiing is viable. The amount of snow at many resorts has been ahead of years past that powdered eyebrows and ice cycles dangling from one's nose, are truly in reach. Availability at most lodges can still be found even though it may take some researching. But that is what makes the internet so impressive.

Or maybe your idea of getting away would be a warmer climate. I know that the older I get, the more warmth I can be surrounded by, the less 'snap-like' the bones become. Weather in the Phoenix/Scottsdale (not to mention the current excitement for their beloved football team) is perfect for swinging those metal implements of frustration. Or Florida would be more practical due to your proximity. Can you imagine lounging on the beaches along the coast of Florida? With winter weather, imagining can be such a powerful mental exercise. Feeling the comfortable breezes crossing the tops of the ears, the grainy sands captivating your toes, and umbrella drinks that color the tongue. Can you just feel it?

Decisions, decisions.

So let's look at this for a moment. Every travel site I clicked upon had many interesting destinations. One of the places I would love to get to is Portugal. Watching the European Golf Tour, which has a few events there, has tingled the desire to visit. This area of the world just intrigues me. I went to Portugal online. What a trip! The scenes of traditional villages, narrow streets winding through vibrant cities, the expanse of vineyards scattered in the country. The views along the Atlantic with dramatic windswept cliffs and sun-drenched backdrops, it is one dream that I am aspiring for.

See how simple the mental imagery and the power of the internet can supplement actually making the trip? No, it's not like the real thing however, it does provide me the visionary motivation needed to plan a visit within two years.

Could a vision of a sunrise conjure up serenity by watching the unwrapping of those brilliant red rock vortexes that reach up from around Sedona, Arizona? The reflection of the reddish cliffs from the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing can mysteriously energize the soul. This area truly has mystical sources of energy that previously could only be found on the prairies after enjoying peyote around the campfire.

Just a few mental exercises like these can plant a seed to plan a vacation so simple or outlandishly exotic. Would you be able to put one on your 2009 agenda? Why not! We are not getting any younger. Many places we want to see and experience, even before you begin to fill out a 'Bucket List , can be within reach provided a plan is formulated. Now would be a great time to begin the mental process by getting on-line to start researching ideas. This is the early stages of the planning process and provides the best time to fantasize about the exotics locations before wandering back to the practical.

Look for a trip you never thought of. The web can provide this type of entertainment as we deluge our fantasy of being at that far away place. Maybe our own little "Lost" adventure, only with umbrella drinks, doting pool boys or scantily clad bunnies, clean beaches, gentle ocean breezes with waves seducing us to sleep. Oh the dreamy thoughts one can conjure now. Allow your mind to wander. Go to places, mentally, that you have always dreamed about. By taking this first step, the mental vacation, the coming days, afternoons, or evenings of coming weeks may create a happier time. Because this is all about relaxing.

Now let us look at the coming year. Could there be a short trip in say, the near future, for anyone of us? Or maybe a shorter four day outing in the early summer. The ideas are abundant. To treat ourselves from time to time is necessary when most of what we hear or read is negative. Now with the 'hope' that has been touted for nearly two years and put in place this past January 20th, why not "HOPE" a vacation is in your future. Some would say that if we all spend a little more money, pumping it in to the economy, we might get things going again. "Hope springs eternal".

Most people believe they are not able to believe a vacation is possible. They are choosing to hold out for some period of time till things improve. Lets say that time may be on your side to plan a vacation. Time may be on your side to save and/or make the money needed to do so. If a second income could encourage a trip, a goal within reach, investigate any opportunity and achieve that goal. If your dream trip would be an ultimate goal, it could behoove you to research a multitude of opportunity, and you just may reach that dream much sooner.

An article by T R Adami
To Soar with Eagles, They Must First Remove Their Grip from the Branch!
Can you Benefit from a Good Mentor?

Choosing a Travel Agent - How to Get the Best

The best vacations happen mostly because of good travel agents. This is why selecting a travel agent is a task that you should focus on. A remarkable agent is one who will ask a lot of questions such as where your vacation will take place, the reason for it, how much your budget is, the activities you want to do, etc. Once you work with fine travel agents, you can expect your trip to be unforgettable, enjoyable, and one that fits your budget.

When it comes to selecting travel agents, there are a few pointers to remember. First you have to know your needs. Of course, a good travel agent will without doubt ask about your needs, but it is still easier if you volunteer the information yourself. You have to share with your agent the following information:

o Vacation purpose
o Vacation spot and activities you'll want to engage in once you reach your destination
o Transportation e.g. cruise, long drive by car, etc. and if you'll need a car to rent while in your vacation spot
o Your maximum budget

Part of the process of remarkable travel agent selection is for you to ask the right questions. You should find out if the agent has his or her specialties e.g. cruise line specialty, island hopping specialty, and the likes. Prior to selecting an agent, you should also ask if you can contact your agent 24 x 7, or if there are only specific times within the day that he or she is available for questions and concerns. Another essential question to ask is what kind of services the travel agent offers and how much is the fee per service.

When choosing travel agents, you also have to consider how knowledgeable they are. For example, a travel agent who only knows everything about cruises, but is not that knowledgeable about vacation sprees involving hiking, camping, etc. may not be suited for you if you and your family love being one with nature during your trip. Likewise, a full time agent may also be more knowledgeable and may be able to give better deals than an agent who works part time.

In the process of selecting an agent, you should also decide whether you need an agent with good product knowledge, fine destination knowledge, or both. For instance, you have travelled to Hawaii for a couple of times and know which hotel you want to stay at, but have no idea about the current price of tours and activities in the island - what you need is one with the product knowledge who will be able to present you with affordable packages that suit your likes or needs. A person who is a first time traveler to Hawaii, on the other hand, may benefit more by selecting a traveling agent who has both the destination and the product knowledge.

Finding the right agent for your planned vacation may seem difficult at first, but by knowing what you want to do, where you want to stay, your budget, and so on, you will easily get to transact with a good travel agent who will make your trip worthwhile.

There are places where you can buy mailing list of travel agents with email address, phone, fax etc. Big-mailing-lists.com is a highly recommended site for purchasing direct mailing lists of the ones in your country to suit your direct marketing projects.

Asia Travel, Cheaper Flights to Kuala Lupur and Singapore

Currently for those on a tight budget, one of the ways to save money is to fly from KL to Johor Bahru, and then to travel overland to Singapore. This adds around 1 hour to the time to complete the trip into downtown Singapore, as you need to deal with the hassles of organizing a taxi or bus into Singapore. This detour is pretty straight forward after you have done it once, but a bit daunting, for newcomers to the route, with the biggest complaint being a lack of adequate, maps, signage or an impartial information desk to explain the process at Senai Airport. You also need to queue for a while at the Singapore border.

New rules will allow flights between the two cities which should start in Dec or January, and it is expected that there will be two flights a day by the low cost air carries Currently flights between Singapore and KL are available on Singapore Air and Malaysia Air, but the flights are premium priced, there is a real incentive to pay the extra as the train system, especially in Singapore, is really easy to use, and the cheapest and fastest way to move around Singapore regardless of the street traffic.

Speculation is that there will be a lot of interest by the governments of other capitol cites in region, that currently have restrictive polices on access, mainly to protect their flag carriers from value airlines like Tiger Air and Air Asia, two of the stronger regional budget airlines operating in the Asia region. Indonesia and its capitol city of Jakarta, it is hopeful, will see the advantages and create an atmosphere that encourages the budget carriers to operate, which will create more opportunities for business to flourish in the southern Asian region.

Recently between the cities with a stop to do some lets say scuba diving in Sipadan, it was very clear that something was remiss in that you could not fly from Singapore to Sipadan * to KL, but needed to fly either into Johor Bahru or KL, and add another flight segment or overland detour. You can bet that many travelers, through the southern Asian region would like to be able to book itineraries that could look like Bangkok to Phuket Thailand, to KL Malaysia to Sipadan in Borneo to Angeles City or Manila in the Philippines, to Singapore, to Bali Indonesia, back to Bangkok. Which would be a great smorgasbord of all that the region offers; if you could get that as a 5 to 10 stop package I think you would have a real winner for Asia visitors.

Fred Tittle has lived and worked in holiday vacation resorts his entire life, from Lake Geneva's Playboy Club, as a rock jock for KSPN FM in Aspen Colorado, he became a PADI Pro Scuba Diver in Hawaii, diving on Maui, Kauai, Kona on the big island, and Waikiki on Oahu. He founded EcoSea Dive in Sihanoukville Cambodia. He teaches SSI and PADI scuba diving courses and runs liveaboards in the gulf of Thailand and Asia adventure tours, http://www.ecosea.com

Fred's new project http://www.CheapCharliesHotels.com where he reviews cheap hotels, budget guesthouses, discount accommodations and really cheap Asian flights, but is really an excuse to go scuba diving on vacation more, Fred is in Phnom Penh Cambodia with a trip to Saigon and scuba diving in Nha Trang Vietnam up next.