A Solo Trip to Panama
Solo travel is still near and dear to my heart. I love being able to make my own rules without having to consider someone else. I recently took a very relaxing solo trip to Panama and felt completely safe. I ended up randomly meeting a group of amazing women there. Here is all you need to know.
Entry Requirements:
Negative Covid19 test 72 hours prior to departure to be uploaded.
Vaccinated travelers do not need to submit a test. Your vaccine card must be uploaded.
A health affidavit form filled out online.
Depending on the country you are traveling from you may need to quarantine.
To see a list of high risk countries and most accurate requirements please check the tourism board at tourismpanama.com
Getting Here:
I arrived in Panama City, Panama via nonstop flight from John F Kennedy airport with Delta airlines for $270 roundtrip. Immigration was pretty fast and easy when I flew in. Taxis will be waiting outside of the airport but be sure to negotiate your rates before going. Panama’s currency is USD so there is no need for American citizens to exchange money. Additionally, all major credit cards are widely accepted. The primary language spoken in Panama is Spanish but you’ll come across locals who speak English.
Getting Around:
In Panama City I found it easy to get around via Uber. The prices were super cheap around $4 - $6 to get around the city and this was for rides as long as 20-30 minutes. Be aware that traffic can get hectic so factor this in when you are planning outings and activities. You can also take taxis but these are much more expensive.
Where to Stay:
Sortis Hotel Spa and Casino: This hotel is centrally located, very clean and not to mention affordable luxury. I loved the rooftop pool and how large the rooms were. The bathroom shower had a wall to wall bench and the decor was very modern. I stayed here two nights and the total was $270 for a double room.
W Panama: A popular luxury hotel in the city starting at $120 per night which is much more affordable than many of their other locations. I was going to stay here but Sortis had better rates and was just as nice.
JW Marriott: They have a great pool area and another great affordable luxury option.
Things to Do:
Explore Casca Viejo : Also known as old town Panama City, this area is picturesque and loaded with restaurants and bars on every corner. Be sure to checkout the vibrant nightlife on the weekends.
The Panama Canal: The biggest tourist site to see in the country due to its vast history. You can take a tour of the Canal or just go see it for yourself. However there isn’t much to do here other than watch the boats pass through.
Museum of Biodiversity: Also known as ‘Biomuseo’ I was intrigued by the colorful abstract display outside and it’s focused on the natural history of Panama.
San Blas Islands: Visit here if you plan to unplug from the outside world. Yes that means no wifi, no air conditioning or hot water. You can take a 30 minute boat tour and spend the night (it’s a bit lengthy of a distance to do it as a day trip) and catch up on your much. Needed R&R. Fun Fact: For those that watched Money Heist on Netflix, San Blas is where Tokyo and Rio were living before getting caught. I opted out of San Blas due to my severe motion sickness on boats. But it seems like a beautiful place that’s worth a visit.
Boat Tours: You can take a boat tour from Panama City to one of the closer islands such as Taboga and Pearl Islands. These tours start at around $90 per person.
Go Shopping: I was shocked to see so many places to shop in Panama City. Pacific mall is loaded with luxury stores like Cartier, Tiffany Gucci and Hermes. It also has many familiar brands found in U.S. malls such as Zara and Nike.
Where to Eat:
CasaBlanca: I personally did not like the food here but a few others recommended it so perhaps someone else will. I also found the prices here and quite a few others in Casco Viejo to be a bit more expensive than other parts of Central America.
Tarantulo: A good restaurant and rooftop bar with beautiful artwork. I tried the Cajun Mac & Cheese which was pretty good.
Casa Casco: A great rooftop bar with good drinks and music on the weekends.
Bocas Del Toro
I’m a sucker for a fun beach town so when I came across Bocas del Toro I had to make my way there.
Getting Here:
I arrived in Bocas del Toro via direct flight via Air Panama. It’s important to note these flights leave from a different airport in Panama City. The two airports in Panama City are Tocumen International Airport (PTY) which is the gateway to Panama. This is what connects Panama City to the rest of the world and it’s the one I flew into from NYC. The other is Albrook (PAC) airport which is much smaller with mainly domestic flights. The airports are about 30-40 mins apart depending on traffic so please plan accordingly.
In order to visit Bocas, you must fly from PAC and it will cost anywhere between $80-$120 one way and the flight is one hour. An alternative route is to take a bus or drive from Panama City which in total is about 11 hours.
Things to Know:
Bocas Del Toro isn’t as modern as Panama City. The wifi is spotty and things are a bit slower in pace.
Tours and boat taxis only accept cash so make sure you carry enough. There is only one bank in town and the ATM fee is high ($5.25)
There are group tour options as well as private tours. Be sure to negotiate your prices before picking.
It’s actually an archipelago so there are little small remote islands with great places to stay if you’re looking to be off the grid.
Getting Around:
I loved that water taxi’s are readily available throughout Bocas town starting at $1. Getting around the town itself is pretty easy by walking or renting a scooter.
Beach Hopping: Bocas Del Toro is an archipelago so it’s important to get around and see some of those beautiful beaches. I spent the day at Playa Estrella (Starfish Beach) and it was exactly what I needed. Calm beautiful waters perfect for non swimmers and authentic local food all along the way. You can grab a meal from any of the beach restaurants for $10. Other beaches to visit are Zapatillo, and Red Frog beach.
Where to Eat:
La Buga: Touristy place(and a tad bit pricey) but it has really good music and drinks. It’s also colorful with a natural pool inside and a swing.
Kinga Sauce: Local food will always be my first choice. I stumbled across this place when getting off of a water taxi and was shocked at how affordable it was. I had red snapper, rice & peas, salad and plantains all for $8.
Restaurante Chitre: Another great local spot with nice views of the ocean and affordable food. My meal here was $10.
Where to Stay:
Bocas has some very authentic lodging options in town and in its neighboring islands which are easily accessible.
Casa Acuario: A rustic and beautiful property just five minutes away from Bocas town via water taxi. I stayed here for two nights and had no issues with my stay. Wifi was a bit spotty but thats expected and they have great breakfast options. Additionally there are quite a few restaurants less than 5 minutes walking from the property. My stay for two nights was $283.
Palma Royal Hotel: I stayed here one night so I could be closer to the airport. I had large room which was almost like an apartment. It had a living room area, two queen sized beds and a large balcony. My one night stay was $125.
Sol Bungalows: There are lots of overwater bungalow options in Bocas del Toro. This place was completely booked but it looked amazing and I would consider it the next time.
Urraca Private Island: Another place that gets booked up quick due to its affordable bungalows on the ocean. It’s about a 30 minute boat ride from Bocas town so plan accordingly.
Upon a returning to the U.S., American citizens must take a Covid test no more than 24 hours to departure. You can do this at the Panama City (PTY) airport for $50 (cash and cards are accepted). The results take about 20 minutes and there will be a line to take a test to please plan accordingly.
Panama was the relaxing solo trip I needed and I would recommend it (especially Bocas del Toro) for anyone.