Panama City has become a popular vacation destination for those seeking a tropical climate, a variety of things to do, and a budget-friendly city to visit. While you can certainly pay extra for the privilege of enjoying total luxury in Panama City, you can also find plenty of nice accommodations, restaurants and activities if you have a smaller budget. Here are some tips on enjoying Panama City without breaking the bank:
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Travel during the rainy season. Panama, like many tropical locations, experiences a wetter season from May to December, and a drier season, from January to April. The latter is the more popular time for tourists to visit, and, as you might imagine, the prices are higher. If you go during the summer or fall, though, you can get a better bargain. For the most part, “rainy season” consists of humid days and nights, with a rainy period each afternoon or early evening. Daytime highs will be between 80 and 90 degrees, and the nights will be about 10 or 15 degrees cooler.
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Consider one of the all-inclusive resorts. These include not only your accommodations, but also your meals and alcohol. The Royal Decameron Golf Resort is one that costs about $150 per night for a small villa. You can swim in 11 pools (eight of which are adults-only), hang out at 11 bars, and eat at eight sit-down restaurants or two buffet-style restaurants. This resort offers amenities such as a spa, karaoke, disco and several boutiques. There are other resorts that are more or less expensive accommodations, with varying amenities. Of course, you can also choose one of the quaint bed-and-breakfasts or a chain hotel. There are plenty of budget-friendly eateries, featuring all sorts of cuisines, in the city if your meals are not included with your hotel or resort.
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Think about how you’ll get around. Driving around Panama City can be difficult, and it’s not really walkable as a whole. The public transportation system is being upgraded, so it might be hit or miss when you go. The good news is that taxis in the area are affordable. There are no meters; you and the driver will need to negotiate a price for your destination. If a fare seems too high, simply say no and wait for another taxi to come along; there are plenty of them.
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Consider staying outside the city. The problem with this, of course, is that you’ll have to pay for transportation into the city when you want to visit the more major attractions. But you can have plenty of fun lounging on the Pacific beaches, going on adventures like ziplining or snorkeling, and watching the wildlife in this interesting area of the world. You can stay in a hostel for a few dollars per night, which will get you dormitory-like accommodations, if you really want to save money.
Panama in general is a haven for budget-minded world travelers, and is also a safe and interesting place to take the whole family. Talk to your travel agent about booking your trip to Panama City today!
Here are some great photos of Panama:
Panama City
Gatun Lake
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