nous venons de rentrer après un séjour de trois semaines au panama super contente du voyage quelques petits problème concernant voiture de location, conduite etc; dans l'ensemble super bien je peux apporter mon aide sur certains détails à qui personne voudrait avoir des infos je suis à la disposition
nous venons de rentrer après un séjour de trois semaines au panama super contente du voyage quelques petits problème concernant voiture de location, conduite etc; dans l'ensemble super bien je peux apporter mon aide sur certains détails à qui personne voudrait avoir des infos je suis à la disposition
cordialement
bonjour, nous partons 2 semaines au panama en decembre .
voici notre projet 2j panama ciudad
2 ou 3 j a taboga
4 ou 5 j vers boquete
4 ou 5j vers bocas del toro
pas de voiture 2sacs a dos un peu d argent et voila. Quand pensez vous.
tout en sachant que ceci n est q une ebauche.
cordialement
jean2
Je vous conseillerai plutôt Taboga pour une journée, le bateau Calypso Queen à différent horaires. La plage de Taboga n'est pas jolie et il n'y a pas grand chose sur place.
Vers Boquete... Je vous conseille également une nuit à cerro Punta... Bocas j'y passerai 3 nuits maximum afin d'avoir un solde de jour pour les San Blas ou la province d'azuero comme Pedasi et isla Iguana.
Je vous conseillerai plutôt Taboga pour une journée, le bateau Calypso Queen à différent horaires. La plage de Taboga n'est pas jolie et il n'y a pas grand chose sur place.
Vers Boquete... Je vous conseille également une nuit à cerro Punta... Bocas j'y passerai 3 nuits maximum afin d'avoir un solde de jour pour les San Blas ou la province d'azuero comme Pedasi et isla Iguana.
Salutations.
Michael
bonjour,
merci pour les infos, nous allons donc faire l impasse sur taboga.
Concernant cerro punta ca a l air cool, pour Bocas je vais etudier la question un peu plus et enfin pour Pedasi et isla iguana je dis banco!! Penses tu que passer 4 ou 5 jours dans la province d azuero soit une bonne idée?cordialement
jean2
Je prefere Cerro Punta vs. Boquete car c'est un peu plus sauvage et moins d'expat sur place... Pour Cerro Punta je te conseille de prendre un cabanes dans la foret... hotel Los Quetzales et faire des trekkings dans le coin mais avec un guide (preferable). Pour les "petits" budgets ils ont aussi des dortoirs.
Pour Pedasi, normalement je prends conge le vendredi et lundi.... Une journee au village et plage, une journee Isla Iguana et une journee surf a Venao (location de voiture indispensable pour Azuero)
Tu pourrais prolonger ton sejour sur Venao... il y a une bonne ambiance... Bocas max 3 jours... et essaie quand meme les San Blas, deux nuit maximum...
Bonjour,
avant tout j'aimerai connaître vos coups de cœur ? Votre ressenti sur votre voyage.
Pouvez-vous nous donner des infos sur la circulation en voiture, des temps de parcours ?
Pour des raisons de santé nous ne pourrons pas cette année faire beaucoup d'étapes, nous aimerions aller aux iles San Blas, panama bien sûr après nous hésitons : rester vers la valle de Anton et essayer de faire des sauts de puces à la journée en voiture (vers Santiago, Chitré, las Tablas) ou aller plus à l'ouest vers David, Boquete ?
Par avance, merci,
Cordialement,
Virginie
bonsoir,
je vais essayer de vous aider concernant la voiture de location les trajets sont très longs voir panama city via boquete il faut compter pour 400 km je dirais plus de 6 h car la transaméricaine est d'abord limitée en vitesse comme partout ensuite la chaussée n'est pas formidable ce n'est pas l'autoroute. Nous avons commencé par panama city 5 jours un peu trop long d'abord ne pas passer à côté de casco viejo qui est la vieille ville ensuite le marché aux poissons le canal nous avons fait que miraflores le parc soberania ce qui à retenu vraiment mon attention là bas c'est le vieux panama
faire la différence entre le vieux panama est aller jusqu'à la tour au bout de la remblaie c'est à dire ce qui longe toute la côte aller jusqu'à l'hotel en forme de vague nous avons pris les taxis à négocier 4 5 dollard pas plus humer l'odeur de la ville à pied c'est ce qui nous fais ressentir l'atmosphère ce ballader aller dans les boutiques pour cela nous avons pris comme hotel sur trip advisor tryp by panama super Ensuite nous avons pris la direction de boquete ou la avec booking nous sômmes allées au haven spa sympa piscine ensuite un vrai coup de coeur pour ce village nous l'avons parcouru à pied de long en large et en travers; la population très agréable si vous choisisez cet hotel ne pas prendre la chambre à côte de la direction car vraiment très sombre mais le reste est agreable faire ballade en fôret mais nous n'avons pas fait le volcan car nous étions à la période ou il pleuvait et rien n'est balisé alors il faut prendre un guide ensuite direction bocas del toro ou nous avons été a l'hotel faro del colibri sur l'eau sympa mais les bateaux qui font la navette sont un peu fatiguant une seule plage sympa le reste est super sale; Nous n'avons pas fait les sans blas car tout cela nous parait un peut trop commercial peut être que nous avons eu tort je ne saurais donner de réponse; Pour la voiture nous l'avons laissé à almirante mais là je ne sais si vous irez donc je pourrais si vous le faite vous donner plus de renseignements car j'ai trouver quelqu'un de sérieux pour garder votre véhicule chez lui a voir; Ensuite comme nous allions sur santa fé qui est dans les montagnes nous avons fait une halte à davida l'hotel cuidad réserver avec booking absolument rien à dire de l'hotel tout est parfait une ville d'escale avant d'aller sur santa fé petit village d'indiens en pleine montagne tout simple ballade faire du cheval voir de orchidées; nous sommes allée à l'hotel avec booking le coffee mountain 2 jours mais 1 journnée aurait été amplement suffisant; en repartant nous nous sommes arrete au village santiago est là j'ai regreté j'aurais préféré aller dans ce village pourquoi je ne sais pas mais aller visité l'église vraiment bien; Continuons notre périple pour rejoindre panama nous avons fait une halte de deux jours pour voir les plages côté pacifique donc nous avons été a chitré au grand hotel azuero belle piscine du repos et visite des plages aux alentours qu'elle ne fut notre déception nous qui avons frequente les plages des antilles un peu plus propres quand même infecte immonde puante il n'existe pas de mots ni d'odorat pour expliquer tout cela nous devions boire un verre dans un genre de bar mais l'odeur était suffocante donc nous avons pris la voiture et la route; En trois semaines je ne vous précise pas les jours ou nous sommes restés 6 jours panama city boquete 5 jours bocas del toro 2 jours david 1 jour santa fé 2 jours chitre 2 jours et nous arrivons sur panama city de nouveau nous avons pris un hotel sur la remblai là ou sont tout les restaurants et l'animation pour les panaméens l'hotel se situe a coté de l'embarquadère pour aller a taboga nous l'avons loué avec booking aussi il est super bien et vraiment à coté de l'embaquadère ou nous avions pris les billets un jour avant de prendre le bateau il s'appel le beach house de panama à réserver si vous voulez allez à taboga une ile à mon gout certainement plus naturel et moins commercial que les sans blas attention aux arnaques et quelqu'un qui est sur ce site et qui vante l'ile mais je pense qui à un intéret à mon avis peut etre que j'ai tord mais il propose beaucoup ces services et ceci ce n'est pas pour rien; Moi personnellement je n'ai rien à gagne je ne dis tout simplement ce que je ressent ensuite nous avons pris le bateau et nous sommes alles a taboga une petite ile qui m'a fait pensé aux saintes en guadeloupe sans les scooters bien sur sans voiture une iles avec beaucoup de fleurs des habitant très sympatiques deux belles plages nous avions un hotel pris sur booking qui se nomme bb cerrito tropical des gens sympatiques une vue très super sur le passage des bateaux pour aller au canal nous avons passés deux jours et j'ai regretté de ne pas avoir pris plus de jours contrairement à bocas del toro ou par contre nous avons été aux iles zapatillas en bateau une ile au milieu de l'ocean comme les sans blas mais en beaucoup moins chere; RETOUR APRES SUR PANAMA CITY AVANT DE REPRENDRE L'AVION 1 JOUR APRES A REFAIRE MAIS BALLADER VOUS BIEN DANS LE VIEUX PANAMA CAR LA MON COUP DE COEUR FUT SUPER IMPORTANT BOQUETE CHARMANT VILLAGE PEUPLE SUPER SYMPA BOCAS DEL TORO MOYEN TABOGA SIMPLE MAIS PAS TOURISTIQUE DONC SUPER RECHERCHER LA SIMPLICITE MAIS ATTENTION A LA CONDUITE EN VOITURE DANS PANAMA CITY CAR C'EST TRES FOLKORIQUE NOUS AVONS EU LA MESAVENTURE D'AVOIR UN ACCROCHAGE AVEC UN PANAMEEN AVOCAT EN PLUS QUATRE QUATRE CONTRE PETITE VOITURE AUCUNE CAUTION DE RETENUE PAR L AGENCE DE LOCATION POUR NOUS CAR IL N Y AVAIT AUCUN DEGAT MAIS NOUS SOMMES RESTES QUAND MEME TROIS HEURES A ATTENDRE LA POLICE SUR LA ROUTE POUR FAIRE CONSTAT ET LA ABUS DE LA PART DE NOTRE CHER AVOCAT CAR IL A FAIT PASSER LES ACCROCHAGES QU IL AVAIT EU PREALABLEMENT SUR SON VEHICULE POUR LE FAIRE REPARER ET LA C EST UN ABUS DONC ATTENTION ATTENTION ET AUSSI NOUS AVONS RENCONTRES DES FRANCAIS QUI S ETAIT FAIT ARRETER AVEC LA POLICE ET SE FAIRE SOUTIRER DE L ARGENT CELA A MARCHE UNE FOIS MAIS PAS DEUX UN CONSEIL DITE ET MONTRER AU POLICIER QUE VOUS RELEVER SON MATRICULE ET IL CHANGE D AVIS POUR VOUS SOUTIRER DE L' ARGENT COMME QUOI , ,, ,,
JE NE REGRETTE RIEN DE CE VOYAGE CAR J'AI APPRECIE LA GENTILLESSE DES PANAMEENS AINSI QUE LA SECURITE CONTRAIREMENT QUAND ON ARRIVE A PARIS ALORS LA ; LES PLAGES M ONT UN PEU DECUE CAR JE TROUVER QUE CE N EST PAS TRES PROPRES IL MANQUE UN PEU D HYGIENE MAIS L 'ENSEMBLE EST SATISFAISANT LA DIFFERENCE EST UN PEU TROP IMPORTANTE ENTRE LES RICHES ET LES PAUVRES QUAND MEME
BON VOYAGE ET N HESITER PAS A ME POSER DES QUESTIONS
Bonjour Michèle,
merci beaucoup de votre réponse si détaillée et pleins d'infos. Je vais m'y plongée...
Je reviendrai peut-être vers vous sur certains point.
Bien cordialement,
Virginie
Bonjour Yann,
Pour le parcourir dans tous les sens depuis des années, (retraité, j’ai interrompu ici un voyage à la voile), je crois bien connaître le Panama et ses habitants. Si j’avais 3 semaines pour le visiter, j’éviterais de passer plus d’un jour ou deux dans la capitale. En effet à moins d’être un amateur de shopping, de canyoning à pied entre les gratte-ciel ou de sorties nocturnes, une bonne journée suffit pour visiter le Casco Viejo (quartier colonial en rénovation) les ruines de Panama-la-Vieja et les écluses de Miraflores, le tout après une visite matinale au sommet du Cerro Ancon (vue 360° sur la ville et ses environs) et en déjeunant dans l’ambiance très couleur locale des cevicherías du marché aux poissons. Cela me laisserait plus de temps pour me faire une idée de l’éventail des nombreuses autres sources d’intérêt du pays. Et puis, on y repasse généralement le dernier jour avant de retourner prendre l’avion à Tocumen…
Les rencontres avec les Amérindiens Kunas, Emberas et Gnobés. Un post précédent indique que les San Blas sont l’objet de tourisme de masse, certes à l’ouest de l’archipel, desservi par une route assez récente, mais toute la partie orientale est encore authentique et ne reçoit que très peu de voyageurs en quête de vraies rencontres avec les Kunas.
Les sites des vestiges de la colonisation espagnole, en plus du Casco Antiguo déjà cité, la région de Colon : Portobelo et le Fort San Lorenzo près des écluses de Gatun (celles-ci plus impressionnantes que Miraflores, pas de doublon car différentes) et pas loin : le chantier pharaonique des futures écluses.
Et puis, pour les vrais amateurs de la nature vierge, de jungle, de fleuves immenses et de toute leur faune et flore, la région du Darien, c’est incontournable.
Boquete (ou Cerro Punta) et El Valle pour les amateurs de randos ou de trecks.
Pour le farniente, le balnéaire ou la plongée, pas de doute : en dehors des San Blas, le Pacifique, en particulier l’île de Coiba et ses environs. On va me dire : et Bocas del Toro ? tous les gouts sont dans la nature, pour moi pas un must après avoir connu le précédemment décrit.
Voila de quoi bien remplir les trois semaines en prenant surtout son temps pour, c’est à ne pas rater, rencontrer le peuple panaméen. Un modèle du genre dans l’accueil du voyageur !
Dans mon blog sagapanama, je parle de tout ça et de bien d’autres choses, cela peut vous donner d’autres idées de voyage. Bienvenue au Panama !
Permettez moi de commenter certains de vos commentaires afin d'apporter mon point de vue pour le voyageurs de ce forum qui aimerait egalement visiter le Panama:
"bocas del toro ou nous avons été a l'hotel faro del colibri sur l'eau sympa mais les bateaux qui font la navette sont un peu fatiguant une seule plage sympa le reste est super sale"
Bocas del Toro est une province et archipel de differentes iles. Vous etes sans doute alle a la plage de Isla Colon (village) qui est en effet pas tres jolie et sale. Par contre de l'autre cote de l'ile se trouve Boca del Drago ainsi que un petit sentier de 20 minutes au bord de la plage qui vous amenera a la playa de las estrellas qui est pas tres large mais propre et belle avec ses etoiles de mer. Il y a egalement Playa Bluff pour les surfeurs. Donc il n'y a pas que une seule plage sur Isla Colon. Sur l'ile de Bastimentos (10 minutes de bateau) il y a egalement Playa Wizard qui est vierge (40 minute de marche) et la fameuse plage de Red Frog qui est magnifique, sans dechets. Ensuite les islas Zapatillas (tour d'une journee) sont pas mal non plus si la mer n'est pas agitee.
"Nous n'avons pas fait les sans blas car tout cela nous parait un peut trop commercial peut être que nous avons eu tort je ne saurais donner de réponse"
Les San Blas s'etendent sur une centaine de kilometre et sont composee de 400 iles (ilots). Les Kunas possedent leur propre regles et le Panama ne peut pas leur retirer leur terre, construire, hotel, restaurant etc... Donc je doute que les san blas soient commerciales. Le commerce c'est la coco, poissons, artisanat (Mola) et le tourisme. Certes il y a des iles avec plus de touristes que d'autres (celles proche de la route) mais surtout en weekend et saison haute mais en aucun cas le terme "commercial" correspond au San Blas et pour le tourisme ceci est quelque chose de normal. Il y a encore de echange qui se font par le moyen du "troc" ou l'echange de Coco contre denree dans des iles tres retirees.. Je suis d'accord que les Kunas devrait sans doute ameliorer la logisitique, l'accueil et tris de dechet mais il faut comprendre que ces iles sont retirees et le tourisme est quelque chose de nouveau surout depuis la nouvelle route en 2010 et il y a comme dans tous le pays un manque d'education par rapport a l'environement et le tourisme est egalement un facteur car ce sont pas des personnes "entrainees pour ce type d'activite mais ceci devrait s'ameliorer.
"visite des plages aux alentours qu'elle ne fut notre déception nous qui avons frequente les plages des antilles un peu plus propres quand même infecte immonde puante il n'existe pas de mots ni d'odorat pour expliquer tout cela nous devions boire un verre dans un genre de bar mais l'odeur était suffocante"
Comparer les plages de Los Santos (Pacifique) vs. les antilles n'est peut etre pas le meilleur point de comparaison. A maree basse egalement les odeurs remonte. Dommage que vous ne soyez pas descendu un peu plus bas, village de Pedasi - Isla Iguana qui est magnifique sans dechet, sable blanc, corail preserve etc... et egalement a 30 minute de Pedasi se trouve la plage de Venao (surf) qui est fort sympathique avec de magnifique paysage.
"si vous voulez allez à taboga une ile à mon gout certainement plus naturel et moins commercial que les sans blas attention aux arnaques et quelqu'un qui est sur ce site et qui vante l'ile"
Vous comparez une Ile dans le Pacifique a quelques kilometres de Panama-City vs. les ilots de San Blas. Ce sont deux sites et geographie completement differente. San Blas n'est pas seulement une ile mais 400. Taboga est plus commercial car il y a des restaurants, B&B "gringos", plage (sale) avec des parasol en location. Certes l'ile est sympa pour s'y promener dans le village et faire le sendera de la Cruz. Vous pouvez faire Taboga en une journee (bateau Calypso Queen pour s'y rendre). Oui je conseille souvent les voyageurs pour les San Blas et toujours recu de bon commentaire, tout comme SagaPanama egalement present sur ce forum. Je n'ai pas lu des conseille type "arnaque sur ce forum". Nous conseillons surtout les voyageurs pour s'y rendre et mettre en contact les voyageurs avec des familles Kunas que nous connaissons (confiance) afin de simplifier l'organisation de vos voyages et limiter vos doutes.
"bocas del toro ou par contre nous avons été aux iles zapatillas en bateau une ile au milieu de l'ocean comme les sans blas mais en beaucoup moins chere"
Pour vous rendre au Zapitllas, tour numero 3 proposer par les operateur sur l'ile ceci vous coutera envion 30 dollars + 10 dollars de taxe a etre paye a l'ANAM. Le prix d'une nuit dans un cabane basic avec 3 repas inclus, un tours offert dans les alentours des iles vous coutera 50 dollars. Je ne crois pas que ce soit beaucoup moin cher. Pour me rendre a Bocas je paie avion USD 250, hotel 50 dollars, tour 30 dollars, restaurant etc 50 dollars. Je ne crois pas que Bocas soit beaucoup moin cher et de plus Bocas est "commerciale" restaurant tenu par des "gringos", personnes qui vous propose des tours toute les 5 minutes etc... Mais Bocas est quand meme tres appreciable pour 3 jours.
"LES PLAGES M ONT UN PEU DECUE CAR JE TROUVER QUE CE N EST PAS TRES PROPRES IL MANQUE UN PEU D HYGIENE"
Oui, certaines plages sont pas tres propre mais d'autre sont magnifique est preservees. Tout depends votre appreciation et egalement la preparation de l'itineraire de chacun.
Hôtels en forfait tout-inclus › Panama · 6 replies
Eh bien pour commencer, je vais vous dire que c'est génial, comme tout le monde le dit... A l'aéroport, l'accueil est tres bien organisé par Reynald et Valérie…
Hôtels en forfait tout-inclus › Panama · 3 replies
VOYAGE AVEC SUNWING TRES BIEN PARTI EN RETARD DE UNE DEMIE HEURE VOL TRES BIEN LE STAFF SEMBLE INEXPERIMENTER ANGLAIS ET FRANCAIS.. (ALLER RETOUR OK) ARRIVER…
De retour dans la nuit du 5 au 6 mai (GMT - 4 ici aux Antilles françaises), de notre croisière Canal de Panama Complet Est-Ouest. Jusqu'à présent, et nous…
Nous sommes partis le 11 janvier dernier et sommes revenus le 16 février dernier. Tout d'abord nous avions regardé l'époque ou il pleut le mois souvent. dec…
I’m heading to Guatemala for 18 days in August with my 11-year-old and I’m wondering if renting a car makes sense—not so much because of the road conditions, but because I’d like to spend about 3 days in Livingston. Since it’s only accessible by boat, I’d have to leave the car in Río Dulce. Maybe possible at a hotel, but that means paying for a rental for 3 days without using it...
Same issue for Semuc Champey—it’s only reachable by 4x4, and I won’t be renting that type of vehicle.
Also, has anyone traveled from Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) to Cobán (to explore the caves and waterfalls in the area)?
According to Google Maps, it’s a 6-hour, 44-minute drive... so whether by car or minibus, it’s *really* long (same for Cobán-Flores later).
Are there any interesting stops along the way where I could spend a night? And if I’m not renting a car, is it possible to take two private shuttles for this route?
Hello,
We're planning 15 days in Chiapas. We already spent 3 weeks in the Yucatán 4 years ago.
What would you recommend in Chiapas? Our idea is to rent a car so we can move around freely—there’ll be two of us.
Thanks for your tips on great places to stay, restaurants, and sights to visit!
In 2024, I spent two months solo in El Salvador. While I’m still putting together my travel journal on Myatlas, here’s a quick recap.
It’s a country where it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
SAFETY:
For a long time, the country was considered one of the most dangerous in the world because of the "maras," ultra-violent gangs. But today, I think it’s the safest country in Latin America.
BUDGET:
For French tourists, the country is very affordable, especially in the less touristy regions.
TRANSPORT:
I got around everywhere by local bus.
Local buses go everywhere and run all the time. For me, it’s the best way to travel in El Salvador—you’re fully immersed, moving at the pace of the locals, and interacting with Salvadorans who are eager to connect with travelers.
I saw all sorts of things on those buses—I’ve got dozens of stories!
PEOPLE:
I’m used to traveling all over Latin America, and for me, Salvadorans are the warmest and most welcoming. Everywhere you go, people say, "Welcome to El Salvador!"
The connections and long conversations with locals were my favorite part of the trip.
TOURIST CROWDS:
The country isn’t well-known among European tourists, but Americans and Quebecers visit. Overall, it’s still pretty low-key, especially compared to other Central American countries. That said, tourism has been growing since security improved significantly.
WHAT I LOVED ❤️
-Suchitoto, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Central America.
-The volcanoes—there are so many! Santa Ana is the most touristy.
-The lakes—also plentiful. Coatepeque is the most famous, but there are lots of lagoons too.
-The mountainous regions, where the cooler weather is a nice break: La Palma, Perquín, Cerro El Pital, etc.
-The charming villages along the Ruta de las Flores, especially Nahuizalco with its nighttime atmosphere and food stalls. Juayúa and others are great too.
-The conversations with people who lived through the horrors of the civil war in Perquín and Cinquera. I met one of them by chance while waiting for a bus.
For surfers, El Salvador is a paradise, with world-famous beaches.
WHAT I LIKED LESS:
I loved almost everything, but I found the archaeological sites a bit underwhelming. Joyabaj de Cerén is billed as the "Pompeii of El Salvador," which is a stretch (though it *is* a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value).
I’ve been reading some really conflicting info about the best ways and advantages of exchanging euros for Mexican pesos. For those with recent experience, could you shed some light? Is exchanging at the airport currency exchange offices more worthwhile? Other advice suggests that withdrawing with an international bank card is the best option. Thanks for sharing your experiences on this!
Philippe
Hi,
We’re planning a trip to Mexico this summer (loop through Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche). We’re thinking of using public transport or possibly renting a car. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has a lot of recommendations. Are these states safe for solo travelers? Are there any precautions we should take or areas to avoid?
Thanks,
Hi everyone, I’m planning to go to Panama in December and I’d like to know which city is closest to the Panama-Costa Rica border—and just across the border in Costa Rica—to buy the cheapest bus ticket? Just so I have proof of onward travel when I take my flight, thanks.
When planning a trip to Panama, you often hear about Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, or even San Blas. Yet, there’s a region that remains relatively under the radar in travel guides: the Arco Seco.
Located on the Pacific coast, between the provinces of Panamá Oeste, Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos, the Arco Seco enjoys a generally drier climate than the rest of the country. Even during the rainy season, you’ll often find more sunshine here than in other parts of Panama.
For travelers who love alternating between beaches, nature, hikes, and local discoveries, this region is definitely worth a detour.
A few ideas for visits:
• The beaches of La Ensenada, El Palmar, Punta Barco, and Coronado
• Surfing at El Palmar, one of the most well-known spots on the Pacific coast
• Kitesurfing at Punta Chame, which is highly reputed!
• El Valle de Antón, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, with its hikes, waterfalls, artisan market, and hot springs
• Various hikes offering stunning panoramas
• The waterfalls in the San Carlos and El Valle areas
• Golf at Vista Mar or Coronado
• Fishing villages where you can still buy freshly caught fish directly from local fishermen
What I particularly love about this region is that it lets you discover a more authentic and peaceful side of Panama while remaining easily accessible from Panama City.
I’ve been living in San Carlos for several years now, and I’m still discovering new places, trails, beaches, and hidden gems.
If anyone is planning a trip to this region and has questions, I’d be happy to share my favorite spots and personal recommendations.
I’m reaching out to tap into your knowledge and experiences, as my partner and I are heading to Guatemala and Belize for the entire month of February 2020, and we could really use some tips.
I was thinking of spending 20 days in Guatemala and 10 days in Belize, especially since our flight arrives in Guatemala City and departs from Belize.
We were considering hiring a driver-guide for part of our time in Guatemala. Which part do you think would be best? We’re choosing this country for all the culture and traditions it has to offer, so skipping a guide entirely would be a shame—but I can imagine it’d be tough to keep one for all 20 days.
So maybe a week or ten days. What kind of budget should we plan for? And most importantly, do you have any contacts for reliable driver-guides?
Thanks in advance for your valuable advice.
Marilyne
Hi there! We’ve decided to head to Panama this summer and would love to do a road trip with a rental car—there are four of us, and our kids are 20 and 23. Do you have any recommendations on must-see spots and things to avoid? Any great tips for accommodation, restaurants, or activities? Thanks so much for your help
Hello,
We’re heading to Playa del Carmen for two weeks in August with our 4-year-old child.
We’ve seen that you can visit places like Tulum or Cozumel on your own using colectivos. For Coba, we’re hesitant to go alone because we’d like to see the cenotes and the Mayan village.
But we’d prefer to find a French-speaking agency that guarantees small-group tours, especially for Sian Ka’an.
We’d rather avoid the "mimi tours" even though they’re recommended by a lot of people and the *Guide du Routard*, based on the reviews we’ve read.
I’m interested in the agency Muuch Ximbal, which seems to offer slightly different outings. There’s also H and L Tours or Delphine Fautré’s agency (though the last two don’t list excursion prices). We also found Promomaya, but apparently, they don’t have an on-site agency.
Do you have any tips or other agencies to recommend?
We’d also like to swim with dolphins but outside of the Xcaret and Xel-Há parks. Do you know of other ways to swim with them, maybe even in the open sea???
I’ve also seen that it’s possible to swim with whale sharks—is this doable with a 4-year-old who doesn’t like putting her head underwater yet? Have any of you done it? This excursion is quite expensive, and I’d be okay with swimming with them, but just sailing on a boat without being able to see them would be disappointing.
PS: Our Spanish isn’t very good.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
we’re traveling as a couple to Guatemala from Feb 8 to 22.
We’ve realized that given the distances, it feels a bit short.
So, we’ve decided to limit ourselves to:
- Antigua: 3 nights (from Feb 8 to 11), including the arrival day
- Lake Atitlán: from Feb 11 to 14 – 3 nights in San Juan La Laguna, including the morning trip from Antigua to Lake Atitlán
- Chichicastenango: from Feb 14 to 15 – 1 night to attend the Sunday market and visit the cemetery
We have 7 days left that we’re not sure how to organize to cover:
Flores – Tikal – El Remate, then head back to Guatemala City for our flight on Feb 22.
Actually, I have a few questions:
Do you think the time in Antigua and at the lake is enough?
We might do the Pacaya Volcano, which is accessible for beginners, and that’s it.
Should we spend a bit more time at these two spots: Antigua and the lake? If so, we’d have to skip the Chichicastenango market.
We’re also thinking of leaving Chichicastenango to head to Flores, then staying overnight in El Remate. Does that seem doable in one day?
We’ve noted that the trips are long, and since we don’t want to rush, we’ve reduced the number of accommodations. Even though we know we won’t see everything, we don’t want to miss the must-sees.
We’re also wondering if we’ve planned the route in the right direction, or if we should head straight to Tikal when we arrive.
Anyway, I know this is long, but we’re a bit lost.
Thanks so much for your help!
Annick
My partner and I would like to travel to Mexico during the Christmas holidays. We’re well aware that this is a peak tourist season, but it’s the only time of year when we can take a long trip (over two weeks) due to work commitments.
We’re looking to avoid overly touristy areas and travel independently (renting a car). We want to explore Mexico’s history, take our time, and enjoy nature and the sea.
I’ve never been to Mexico before, and I’m considering the following regions (not all of them, of course): Yucatán (outside Quintana Roo), Baja California, Oaxaca, or Chiapas.
I’ve more or less ruled out Chiapas for safety reasons (even though the nature there looks amazing), and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the other regions. From experience, I know that even in highly touristy areas, you can often find quieter spots with good planning and by avoiding the main hotspots. For example, we were in Thailand last year during the same period, and aside from 2-3 places, we had a very peaceful trip—sometimes even being the only Westerners around. Would the same be true for Yucatán or Baja California?
Do you have any recommendations for nice, less touristy spots? What are your thoughts on the regions I mentioned?
Thanks so much for your help, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi there,
We’ve had to change our plans, so we’re heading to Guatemala from October 16 to 25, 2025 (in just 6 days 😱 😊😕), with two kids aged 8 and 10. No time difference for us.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Morning: Arrival in Guatemala City at 9 AM. Drive to Antigua (1-hour shuttle) / Afternoon: Stroll around Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 2: Explore Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 3: Visit the area around Antigua OR hike a volcano (Acatenango?) / Night: Antigua
Day 4: Drive to Chichicastenango for the big market (how many hours?) / Afternoon: Iximche ruins? Or the hanging bridges at Atitlán Reserve? Or spend the day in Chichicastenango / Night: Panajachel
Day 5: A day by boat visiting villages around the lake and checking out local crafts (which villages to pick?), Night: Panajachel
Day 6: Drive to Flores with 1 stop? Should we go to Semuc Champey? (how many hours?), Night: ??
Day 7: Drive to Flores (how many hours?), Night: Flores
Day 8: Yaxha (1.5-hour drive each way with a driver), Night: Flores
Day 9: Day trip to Tikal, Night: Flores
Day 10:: Flight from Flores to Guatemala City, then departure at 4:30 PM
About hiking a volcano, I’ve read mixed reviews. Some say it’s easy, others say it’s tough.
Is there a kid-friendly hike where we could see lava from a volcano? Is it only visible at night? Do we *have* to sleep at the top and come down the next day?
I’ve heard of people doing it with 2-year-olds by carrying them, and others using horses—but I guess the horses don’t go all the way up? Seeing a real volcano would be amazing! I think it’d be a memorable experience for the kids. It’d be so cool to say, "We did that as a family!" But maybe it’s way too hard and a bad idea...
I’m struggling to find reliable info on travel times:
- How long is the drive from Antigua to Chichicastenango, please?
I’ve read shuttles leave at 7 AM and arrive at the market by 8:30 AM, but I’ve also seen people say it’s a 4-hour trip 😕.
Are the times on Google Maps reliable?
A blog mentioned visiting Chichicastenango’s market in the morning and Iximché in the afternoon. That seems like a lot of driving, especially after leaving Antigua in the morning. What should we do in the afternoon instead?
Days 6 and 7: The trip from Panajachel to Flores. Any advice on taking an overnight bus?
Should we go during the day with a stop at Semuc Champey? Or fly and spend the extra day somewhere else?
Day 8: Is a full day at Yaxha too much?
Thanks so much for your help—it’s *so* valuable with such short notice! 😅 😅 😅 THANK YOU
PS: If you have recommendations for private drivers, shuttle services, or any firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it!
Hi, a friend will be in Panama at an all-inclusive resort and was wondering if it's worth visiting the Canal in a single day, and also which attractions shouldn't be missed.
Is it better to choose a package deal? What's the recommended mode of transport for this trip?
Thanks
We’re a retired couple in our 70s looking to spend six weeks in Costa Rica between mid-January and mid-March 2026. We’d like to stay in comfortable bungalows (2x3 weeks) and rent a car for the entire period. We enjoy light hiking and some beach time, but we also love relaxing on a shaded veranda, reading, and unwinding. Which places would suit these preferences? We have a lot of experience with this kind of stay in the French West Indies or Indian Ocean islands but have never been to Central America. Does anyone have good tips?
Hi there, after my trip to Nicaragua in January, I’m planning to visit Honduras and El Salvador during the same journey. Can anyone tell me where to cross the border from Nicaragua to Honduras by bus? Is it doable? Safe? And most importantly, what’s a good route to take and what’s worth seeing in Honduras in a safe way?
Is it better to travel with a group (through an agency) or is solo travel no problem?
P.S.: And for El Salvador, same question—what’s a good route and what’s generally worth seeing? Is it better to start in the south (El Salvador) and then head north to Honduras before continuing to Guatemala, or...?
I spent two months alone in Guatemala this summer, without a guide or agency, and I’d love to share a quick recap of my impressions.
● First off, it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
If you want a guide for excursions, you can easily find one through the many agencies in Antigua or Panajachel. In Flores, there are also plenty of agencies offering multi-day jungle treks.
● I got around by shuttle for part of the "classic" and more touristy route. To step off that path, I took "camionetas" (chicken buses) or minibuses.
For me, "camionetas" are the best way to get around Guatemala. They let you travel everywhere, fully immersed, at the local pace. They run all the time and are even an adventure in themselves.
Shuttles are direct, but local buses aren’t.
No matter how you travel, trips take a while because roads are often in bad shape, and in the mountains, you can’t overtake.
● As for safety, there’s nothing unusual compared to other Latin American countries. Just keep in mind it’s not Europe. As a solo woman, I try not to draw too much attention—though traveling alone already does that. Like in other countries, I was often asked where my kids and husband were, and I just gave whatever answer I felt like.
● Budget-wise, Guatemala isn’t too expensive for French tourists, but Antigua and Panajachel—two very touristy spots—are pricier.
● Guatemala is a small country but incredibly rich in culture and nature (volcanoes, mountains, beaches, etc.). You can easily spend several days (or even weeks) in each region.
● My top picks ❤️:
- The Mayan markets, especially the one in San Francisco El Alto
- The Ixil Triangle: Nebaj, Chajul, Acul
- The stunning landscapes around Todos Santos Cuchumatán
- Antigua, very touristy but beautiful
- Lake Atitlán, also touristy but gorgeous
I planned to climb Pacaya Volcano, but early in my trip, there was an earthquake in Antigua, and by the end, I wasn’t in the mood. Climbing Acatenango is more spectacular but also more challenging.
● Biggest highlights ❤️ ❤️:
- Tikal—it’s THE must-see site, an incredible mix of archaeology and nature!
- The Joyabaj Fair, which I hadn’t planned to visit but ended up spending a week at: Mayan ceremonies, equestrian parades, diverse dances, processions with Mayan priests, and especially the "palo volador"—the highlight of the festival!
● Small letdown 👎:
- Ranchitos del Quetzal, where I went hoping to spot the quetzal. I knew it wasn’t the right season, but I was still disappointed—I didn’t see any other birds either, and the hiking options were limited. It also took me a slight detour from Cobán.
If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
● If you’re interested, I kept a more detailed travel journal, and I’m working on another one just about the Joyabaj Fair:
We’re planning a 15-day family trip in February 2026 (with 3 teens). We’ll be visiting friends who live in Puebla. Initially, I was thinking of the Yucatán, but after reading up on it, I don’t think it’s the right fit for us (too crowded, too touristy).
So, we’re leaning toward something like this:
- Mexico City: 2 days (Teotihuacán + city)
- Puebla: 3 days
- Tehuacán: 2 days (to break up the trip—is this a good choice? Is there enough to do for 2 days?)
- Oaxaca: 3 days (Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán, city/tours)
- Pacific Coast: 4 days (snorkeling, excursions)
Does this seem balanced? We’d like to end on the coast for some relaxation, ocean time, and fun for the kids. I’ve seen lots of excursions offered along the coast but can’t decide where to stay. Puerto Escondido? Huatulco? The beaches seem better for snorkeling in Huatulco, but I’ve read mixed things, and it’s farther away. What do you think?
For transportation, is this doable by bus? I’m struggling to find a decent bus between Tehuacán and Oaxaca (overnight schedules), and I’m not sure how to get around the coast. Also, how do we handle luggage between cities? We usually rent a car.
Finally, I’d love feedback on the Pacific Coast excursions—I get the feeling some are worth it and others aren’t. Is bioluminescence really magical? Are dolphin-watching tours ethical and not too "factory-like"? (We skipped them in Quebec and just watched whales from shore.) Can you see sea turtles up close?
Hi everyone,
There’s not much info out there on Nicaragua in general, which is why I posted my questions here on the forum... but didn’t get many answers since it’s tough to find any anyway.
It’s a stunning country, but my experience was mixed.
There are areas with very few tourists (which is exactly what we were looking for), but as a result, there’s almost no way to get around (unless you walk, and even that’s not easy or always possible) and no real tourist infrastructure.
Finding info is nearly impossible—there’s practically nothing, so it’s hard to know what you’ll find in a given place, whether it’s worth taking a 12-hour bus ride across the country, only to turn around 48 hours later.
The easy and pleasant spots: Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur and the Pacific beaches, León, and the Corn Islands. These are the places mentioned in guidebooks (the rest is jungle to the east, not many roads south of the lake, and no boats on the lake either—except for the Rivas-Ometepe connection). Venturing off the beaten path is really tough.
The Caribbean coast: aside from the Corn Islands (which are very touristy but not easy to reach by ferry from Bluefields), or if you want to take a flight with La Costeña, book in advance—there are often very few seats! The rest isn’t particularly satisfying, especially Pearl Lagoon, where swimming isn’t possible due to unsafe water. Don’t expect a postcard-perfect setting. But everything’s worth it if you have the time...
Buses: there are plenty, and they’re super cheap—but be warned, they stop everywhere, take forever, and are loud (though kind of charming in a vintage way). Too many buses can ruin a trip.
Lodges: affordable on a small budget, except in Managua and along the entire Caribbean coast! For example, beaches like El Tránsito (which is gorgeous) charge at least $50 or $60 per night for a basic room. Good to know.
In Matagalpa, we tried to rent a motorcycle to get around—impossible. I asked everywhere, but there was no way. So we cut our stay short because once you’ve explored Selva Negra, there’s not much else to do (an 8-hour bus ride to see a waterfall? No thanks). These might seem like small details, but they really matter when you want to enjoy where you are and discover nice spots—you end up stuck.
Bring plenty of mosquito spray + oral antihistamines: mosquitoes and bites are a *serious* nuisance. (I got over 200 bites in one go during a trip to a humid tropical forest, even though I was covered and protected.)
All in all, it’s an adventurous, exploratory trip. The people are great, and we never felt unsafe (even though some travelers have had *really* bad experiences). I thought there’d be a carnival since it was the right time of year—nothing. No dancing, not festive at all (compared to Brazil, for example, it’s the complete opposite).
We saw animals, but no toucans, for example!
For a beautiful, pristine, and well-organized trip, everyone agrees—go to Costa Rica, but be prepared to pay a lot more. Nicaragua is something else entirely. For surfers, though, it’s amazing! Personally, I love watching fish in clear, calm waters, hiking in nature, and swimming—I think I picked the wrong destination, but I’m glad I got to experience this totally wild side of Central America! :-)
Here’s our itinerary for 15 days in Guatemala.
Does it seem logical in terms of distances to avoid overly long trips? If not, which stop should we cut?
- Antigua
- Atitlán
- Lanquín
- Río Dulce
- El Remate – Flores
- Guatemala City
Could you help me estimate the approximate travel time for these routes by tourist bus or shuttle?
- Atitlán – Lanquín
- Lanquín – Río Dulce
- Río Dulce – El Remate
- Flores – Guatemala City
Hi everyone,
I’m so happy 🙂 to be traveling again after 5 years without a trip. I’m heading back to Costa Rica for 18 days from December 12th to 30th with a friend. We’re doing San José-Sarapiquí (2 nights), then Sarapiquí-Tortuguero (3 nights), then from Tortuguero heading to the Cahuita and Puerto Viejo area. We’ll spend about ten days in that region, then make a 2-day stop somewhere before flying back out of San José.
From what I’ve read on this blog, Puerto Viejo seems like the "rasta," party-friendly spot, which is honestly the kind of place I tend to avoid—too touristy. I’m looking for places surrounded by beautiful nature. I’ve already spent several weeks in Drake Bay (in 2019 and 10 years before that) and loved it. My friend also wants to visit the Bri Bri.
Could you recommend some authentic spots in this southern Caribbean area? Your favorite places—whether it’s sights to see, accommodations, or even your favorite little restaurants 😛?
What’s the most authentic way to visit the Bri Bri? What’s your take on that?
And finally, what beautiful stop would you recommend before heading back to San José?
A huge thank you to everyone!
Have a great day,
Zineb
We’d like to do a tour to Yaxchilan and Bonampak from Palenque, but it seems there are tons of travel agencies offering this tour. We’ve also read about a lot of disappointments... any recommendations?
Hi,
I’m heading to Cancun next January and I’m looking for a rental car.
I’m overwhelmed by all these cheap offers from sites like Booking, Carigami, and others...
Some reviews mention extra insurance fees that had to be paid on the spot.
I’d love to hear about your experiences—what company did you use? Were you charged any additional costs?
A lot of ads redirect to Touracancun, but they don’t seem trustworthy to me.
Thanks for your feedback!
My son is finishing up a year of working holiday in Canada soon. His plan is to take a bus from Montreal to Florida on 10/26, stay there for a few days, then fly to Cancun, Mexico. From there, he doesn’t have a precise plan yet, except to head down to Panama if the security situation in the countries he’ll cross allows it. Then, in March 2026, he’ll take a flight to Martinique, where he’d like to either find a sailboat (as crew) for the return transatlantic crossing (option 1) or do a sailing internship that includes the crossing (option 2).
So my questions are:
- Will he be able to re-enter Mexico without an exit date or proof of a flight back to Belgium? Would being able to prove his return by sailboat with a specific date (option 2, the sailing internship) make things easier?
- Are there any countries to avoid between Mexico and Panama? He’s traveling backpacker-style on a small budget.
Hi everyone, absolute travel lovers after our 20 trips to the USA, we’ve decided to head to Mexico in February (flight already booked: Nice to Cancun on February 20th, returning on the evening of March 1st).
I’m mainly hesitating about trying to do too much, as usual when discovering a new country. Here’s my itinerary—I’m unsure about a few things:
- **Day 1**: Should we stay relaxed at the resort we booked, or should we do Isla Mujeres instead? If we stay, when’s the best time to visit the island?
- **Day 3**: If we visit Chichén Itzá right at opening, will the Ik-Kil cenote be quieter in terms of tourists? If not, which cenote nearby would you recommend?
- **Big decision**: Should we go all the way down to Bacalar or not? After that, it feels a bit rushed. **Day 6** is mandatory, or are there other options? Honestly, I’m counting on your advice!
For context, we’re a family of four (with very grown-up kids who are used to traveling), and we’ve already rented an SUV for this period. Thanks in advance for your help—it’ll be invaluable!
**Departure – February 20th**: Arrival in Cancún
Arrival at 8:20 PM, pick up rental car.
Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 1 – February 21st**: Isla Mujeres
Ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres.
Playa Norte, snorkeling, golf cart tour.
Return to Cancún. Overnight in Cancún.
Drive (~3.5h). Settle in Tulum.
Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum (stunning ocean view).
Swim in Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera.
End the day at Playa Paraíso.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 6 – February 26th**: Sian Ka’an Reserve
Guided excursion:
Option Muyil (half-day): boat tour + swim in the Mayan canal.
Option Punta Allen (full-day): dolphins, turtles, snorkeling on the reef.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 7 – February 27th**: Tulum → Akumal → Playa del Carmen
Morning: snorkeling with turtles in Akumal.
Lunch, then drive to Playa del Carmen.
Evening on 5th Avenue.
Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
**Day 8 – February 28th**: Playa del Carmen → Puerto Morelos
Free morning in Playa del Carmen (beach or Cenotes Azul & Cristalino).
Afternoon: drive to Puerto Morelos (~30 min).
Overnight in Puerto Morelos.
**Day 9 – March 1st**: Puerto Morelos → Cancún → Return flight
Relaxing morning in Puerto Morelos.
Drive (~30 min) to Cancún Airport.
Return rental car. Return flight.
Back in 2002, we spent two weeks in Playa del Carmen. We did day trips to Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Xcaret.
We’re heading back at Christmas with our two daughters, aged 15 and 19. I’m sure it’s changed a lot with the booming tourism.
Flights are booked: Paris-Cancún on 19/12 (arriving at 8:20 PM) and Cancún-Paris on 01/01 at 1:30 PM. We’re still finalizing the itinerary because we want to explore but don’t want to switch hotels too often. We’ll be there for 13 nights and 12 days, so we’re choosing among:
- Playa del Carmen
- Cozumel
- Holbox
- Valladolid
- Tulum
- Mahahual
We won’t do everything, so any tips would be great! I’m also unsure if renting a car is the best option.
Hi, can you tell me if there’s a bus or shuttle from Alajuela to the Nicaragua border via Los Chiles? I’d like to avoid going through San José.
Thanks for your help!
A fantastic trip, dominated by the Altiplano, volcanoes, and especially the Mayan people!
Our route: Antigua – San Lucas de Toliman (Lake Atitlán) – Chichicastenango – Sayaxché – El Remate – Flores – Río Dulce – Livingston – Antigua
I won’t describe our trip in detail but will highlight a few points that go beyond the usual routes and really won us over.
In Antigua, it’s easy to take a chicken bus from the bus station next to the central market in the eastern part of the city to visit nearby villages. We went to Santa María de Jesús on a Sunday without seeing any other Westerners. We got lost in its colorful market, ate at a *comedor* with local dishes we didn’t find anywhere else, and were surrounded by incredibly welcoming Mayans.
Several villages around Lake Atitlán are well-covered by travelers and guides like *Routard* and *Lonely Planet*, but if you want to stay somewhere more authentic, I recommend San Lucas de Toliman (we stayed at *Casa Qatzil*—great place!). It’s in the southeast of the lake, with a market on Tuesdays and Fridays, a central square full of locals (more of those super-friendly Mayans!), and the option to visit other villages by *lancha* (boat) for the day. A walk toward the lake lets you pass by the washhouses, and there are hikes accessible by *pick-up* (shared transport), like the twin volcanoes Tolimán and Atitlán or Cerro del Oro (less challenging!). We loved visiting Santa Catarina Palopó—get lost in its maze of steep alleys, admiring the blue facades with their characteristic paintings. There are direct *chicken bus* connections to Chichicastenango in 1.5 hours. Cheap and convenient, though a bit bumpy!
Chichicastenango is famous for its market, described as the largest in Central America, on Thursdays and Sundays. A flood of tourists arrives between 10 AM and 1 PM, shuttled in by organized buses from Lake Atitlán and Antigua. But if you have time, stay overnight the day before and enjoy the market before 10 AM or in the afternoon. This little town (more of those welcoming Mayans!) is worth lingering in for a day or two to visit the cemetery, extraordinarily colorful and a site of Mayan rituals. Also take time to go to *Plaza Baktun*, a site considered sacred in Mayan culture where religious ceremonies take place around seven sculptures several meters tall.
The ruins of Aguateca are barely excavated (most structures are still covered in vegetation) and are only accessible by boat, traveling up a tributary of the Río de la Pasión to the sound of howler monkeys and birdsong (1.5 hours from Sayaxché). We felt like we got a sense of daily life in the ancient city—not just its religious dimension—with its ravine for sheltering women and children during attacks, its cliff, and defensive walls. Alone with our *lancha* driver, who acted as our guide in the barely cleared jungle, this site doesn’t overlap with Tikal at all—the vibe is completely different.
We stayed in El Remate instead of Flores to visit Yaxhá and Tikal, at *Posada Ixchel* (great place!). This quiet little town lets you stroll along the lake and hike in *Cerro Cahui*, a protected biotope leading to a viewpoint. Plus, it’s on the way to the sites, saving 45 minutes per trip.
Feel free to ask me questions about the places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!