Panama

[Debbie]

DD(16) has it in her head that she and 3 friends (along with at least 2 parents) will head down to Panama next March break. I haven't a clue about the place, and won't be able to go, myself. Has anyone been? Tips?

 

[Cdn Gal]

Are they staying right at a resort or are they going to be off doing some independent touring?

 

[Debbie]

I don't know that they have totally thought about that aspect. They are looking at an all-inclusive, so that includes boating, snorkeling, biking etc.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Friends of ours lived in Panama for 4-5 years. They were teaching down there and ended up adopting two beautiful children. During the day in certain areas they said that you were safe, but once it's dark don't go out. Our friend was once out after dark, driving down the street to get home and out of nowhere a gang attacked his car. Luckily he escaped. It got to the point where he started carrying a gun and machette with him wherever he went for protection. (even when he went fishing) Now to be fair, our friend was, and always will be about 'empowering the people,' so I'm sure that in some instances he was in places that the average tourist would not go. With all of that said, I would check with the Canadian Consolite about Panama. If there is a Cdn travel advisory about Panama I would definetly not let her go. Friends of ours who are high up in the military, have said many times again, to follow the travel warnings, no matter how 'safe' the resorts make it out to be. The warnings are there for a reason. I hope all works out for you. I know first hand that teenagers can be tough!

 

[MickeyMacks]

Have them take a look at this Canadian company for fun touring with small groups - Great Adventure People (G.A.P.) I haven't travelled with them yet but I've been dreaming over several of their trips. Their website is www.gaptravel.com

They're on the up-and-up, have won several travel awards, including National Geographic's Top 25 Adventure Travel companies in the world. (They're the company that lost its little red Expedition ship in Antarctica last year and handled the crisis very well.)

This company has tours to Panama where there's a guide who's from the area, they look after (low cost but clean) accommodations, transportation and some meals and there's a loose itinerary but they pretty much accommodate it to suit the desire of the group (usually no more than 10 people). They also advise you what documents & shots you need and suggest what to bring.

There are other locations where they can do all those fun things too. Belize (east of Guatemala) has a barrier reef second only to Australia's apparently. There's ecotourism in the rainforests, great beaches and boat tours, etc.