Central America - visiting 3 countries in 1-2 months
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Hoping to do a 1 -2 month trip in Central America next year - likely between Oct 2025 & March 2026. Just started researching some options & looking to get input or suggestions. We will be flying from the US. We are a mid-50s active couple in good shape that love outdoor activities (my husband not a huge hiking fan) as well as experiencing the local culture. We prefer moderate or rustic accomodations vs luxury. Here is what we are currently looking at Belize - Placencia, Costa Rica - Tortuguera & Puerto Viejo, and Panama - Bocas Del Toro & Pedesi.
Here are some questions as I am researching:
- is it feasible to do all 3 countries in 1-2 months and not have to rush?
- what airports should we fly into for each country? or is there a better means of transportation (e.g. Puerto Viejo to Bocas Del Toro)?
- what is recommended transportation from city to city within each country?
- we hae US Passports - any other travel documents needed?
- any special vaccines we should consider getting prior to traveling
- any other recommendations for areas we should see in those countries?
Appreciate any tips/tricks or suggestions as we continue planning. Thanks so much in advance for sharing your insight an expertise!
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Sounds like a fab trip, hope you have a wonderful time. One month gives you a week or more in each country. Two months gives you two weeks or more in each country. It's a good idea to research one leg/country at a time as you're planning (and whether you're posting here, on facebook, or elsewhere, you'll get better responses if you show you've done some research/ask one question per post).
I don't believe Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica has an airport. To get to Panama from Costa Rica: you can drive to the nearest airport or take a nice bus over the border, see Rome2Rio.com for some examples of options.
Here's some important info for Panama:
IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION
Immigration
US/Canadian citizens: You must have a passport to visit Panama. You do not need to apply for a tourist visa. Check your passport's expiration date—it must be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival. No visa application is required. Be prepared to show proof of solvency & of intended departure. Panama law requires adults to carry ID at all times.
For years, Panama Immigration has been allowing US/Canada visitors to stay for as long as 180 days (even though the law stipulates 90). Please note that this is not guaranteed and can change at any time in the future.
All information in this message is subject to change. Always check with your home country’s foreign affairs office (e.g. US State Dept/Government of Canada travel advisory webpages) prior to travel to see whether there are any alerts due to health issues, protests, etc.It’s always wise to double check websites/social media for updates from airlines/airports, embassies/consulates, government travel advisory issuers, etc.
Additional resources you may find helpful:
The US Embassy in Panama website: https://pa.usembassy.gov.
Panama's tourism authority: www.tourismpanama.com.
Resources & Trip Planning
Arriving/Departing: Most travelers fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY), aka the Hub of the Americas. East of the Panama City center, it's our only major international airport. As Latin America’s largest airline, Copa helped transform Tocumen into the region’s busiest hub with a growing selection of international flights (and domestic flights between Panama City & David).
Many other airlines also serve Tocumen—check United, Delta, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, or whatever airline you prefer. You can get important updates by monitoring airlines on social media and/or by signing up for mailings. If flying from Canada, Sunwing or Air Transat might offer packages/charter flights direct to the beach region airport, Scarlett Martinez (about a half-hour’s drive from Coronado, near Playa Blanca/Rio Hato). Promotional fares are often available via Copa and United online. Spirit offers budget flights to Panama.
*If you need help planning your visit, contact a travel agent or make use of travel and airfare tracker websites such as Kayak.com.
Hotels/accommodations: For help choosing a place to stay you can use online services like TripAdvisor, Airbnb, or Google Maps to ensure your pick has good reviews that are also recent.
Panama City: If staying in Panama City: the Riande Airport & Crowne Plaza Airport Hotels are far from city conveniences, so you may want to choose central/downtown areas for ease of exploration (Obarrio and El Cangrejo are popular neighborhoods for good value hotels, metro access, & walkability while Bella Vista offers excellent ocean and Cinta Costera views and a little more luxury in its hotels).
I often use Uber to get around Panama City as it's inexpensive and GPS-tracked. Yellow taxis are readily available but I do not recommend using them in Panama City. They don't use meters & they charge extra for pickup at hotels, airports, and tourist destinations. Always settle on the fare with the driver before getting in. For safety I also recommend taking a photo of the cab number/plates and sending to a friend or family member. Don't tip unless the driver has gone above & beyond. Though I personally avoid taxis in Panama City, I do use them in other parts of the country (such as Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro).
White "tourism taxis" are the only ones authorized for pickup right outside airport doors. These & private ground transport companies charge $35 and up to/from city center. I try not to use them, as Ubers are often cheaper/better. Uber pick up is from the middle lane or airport parking lot.
Domestic air travel: The Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Panama City's Albrook sector is a hub for domestic airline Air Panama with flights to popular sites such as David, Bocas del Toro, Contadora, Guna Yala (formerly San Blas) and sometimes Chitré/Pedasí.
Boquete/David: You can drive, take a bus, or fly from Panama City (Air Panama from the domestic airport in Albrook or Copa from Tocumen International Airport) to David. (The Enrique Malek airport in David offers flights to/from Costa Rica; all other flights are domestic.) You can rent a car at the David airport if you want to. The drive/bus ride from David to Boquete is usually around 40 mins.
Coronado/Arco Seco Pacific beach region: The Scarlett Martinez airport at Rio Hato serves mostly charter flights from Canada.
Tours/ground transportation: There are many providers offering road trips, tours (day tours, eco-tours, etc.), ground transportation, airport pickups, travel agency assistance, etc. Here are a few options, but you’ll find many, many more on review websites like TripAdvisor:
• Ancon Expeditions anconexpeditions.com
• Roadrunner Panama panamaroadrunner.com
• Inside Panama transport@insidepma.com
• Namu Travel Group namutravel.com
• (Coronado Region) Services Coronado servicescoronado.comRental Cars: There are many options, including National Rent A Car (www.nationalpanama.com/english/index.htm), which in my experience tends to have good rates/service.
Waze is a great driving app to help you navigate Panama City if you have local data. If not, you can download Panama City, Panama to your smartphone’s Google Maps app for offline access. For local cell/data service, you can buy a cheap cell phone or Panama sim card for your international/unlocked cell phone at Tocumen airport or at local malls.
Many restaurants have WiFi if you don’t have data or don’t want to incur roaming charges.
Money matters:
Panama uses the US dollar ($). It is locally referred to as the Balboa (B/.). Paper currency is all US but you will see some Panama-minted coins.
Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted in Panama City. Amex is not widely accepted in this country. Outside the city you may need cash for many expenditures, including lodging (as always in travel, assume nothing & ask before you go).
Foreign exchange: If coming to Panama with euro (or any other currency aside from USD), note that this is not a country where you’ll find exchange posts around every corner. You can withdraw USD from ATMs in Panama City, use your credit card for purchases, or take care of your exchange needs on arrival in Tocumen Airport.
Climate & weather
Average temperatures at sea level in Panama City: 88F daytime/78F nighttime. The Coronado beach region is often a few degrees cooler.
Dry season: December through April in most parts of the country. Rainy season: starts in May, with most of the country experiencing only afternoon showers. Heaviest rains: usually from August through November.
Boquete & Bocas del Toro get almost 2x as much rain as the Pacific region. Boquete/mountain regions can be cool (60F) at night. Wherever you go, bring a light cardigan/jacket. Bus, boat, & plane rides in Panama are often extremely cold.
There are no hurricanes here. For current weather information consult a trusted news/weather source like Weather.com.
Best of luck with all your Panama plans.
Serious about Panama? Step it up with IL’s best-selling book on Panama. Escape to Panama, by Jess Ramesch, is the ultimate resource for anyone looking to live/invest here. It's a treasure-trove of detailed info on everything from high-value destinations to property law, taxes, & visas. Find out more at www.ilbookstore.com.
Information on the next International Living seminar in Panama City, Panama will be posted at https://internationalliving.com/conferences as it becomes available. To contact IL Events see Internationalliving.com/events-questions/, or call toll free from the US/Canada: 1-800-681-2402. International/direct dial (not toll-free): + 443-353-4232.
Panama Holidays* 2024
Jan 1, 2024: New Year's Day
Jan 9, 2024: Martyr’s Day (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Feb 9-13, 2024: Carnival
Feb 14, 2024: Ash Wednesday
(Feb 16-18: International Living’s Fast Track Panama Event**)
Mar 28-31, 2024: Holy Week (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1, 2024: Labor Day
July 1, 2024: Presidential Investiture (every five years)
Aug 15, 2024: Founding of Panama La Vieja (Original Site of Panama City)
Nov 2, 2024: Day of the Dead (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Nov 3-5, 10 (11), 28, 2024: Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
Dec 8 (9), 2024: Mother’s Day
Dec 20, 2024: National Day of Mourning (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Dec 25, 2024: Christmas Day (Many businesses close at noon Dec 24 & 31)2025
Jan 1, 2025: New Year's Day
Jan 9, 2025: Martyr’s Day (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
(Feb 7-9: International Living’s Fast Track Panama Event**)
Feb 28-March 4, 2025: Carnival
Mar 5, 2025: Ash Wednesday
Apr 17-20, 2025: Holy Week (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1, 2025: Labor Day
Aug 15, 2025: Founding of Panama La Vieja (Original Site of Panama City)
Nov 2, 2025: Day of the Dead (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Nov 3-5, 10, 28, 2025: Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
Dec 8, 2025: Mother’s Day
Dec 20, 2025: National Day of Mourning (Dry - no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Dec 25, 2025: Christmas Day (Many businesses close at noon Dec 24 & 31)- Subject to change. If a holiday falls on a weekend observance may be moved to the following Monday via executive decree (dates in parentheses). May be announced only days ahead of time.
Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch
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Wow Jess - thank you so much!! This is fantastic information. I will definitely do more research as I am in the early planning stages and the above helps immensely. Appreciate the tip about asking one question per post - wasn't sure since we are looking at doing multiple countries in one trip.