Panama Travel Site Reviews |
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CAREFULLY
SELECTED PANAMA TRAVEL |
| A collection of great travel sites, both international and Panama-based, that are involved with travel and tourism in Panama. We've done the searching, selecting, and vetting for you. Browse these recommended sites and plan your trip, your tour, your life change(!) with confidence. | |
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Panama Tours &
Vacation Packages Panama Air Travel Alternatives Panama Guidebooks...& History too! Panama Travel Insurance |
Panama Canal
Cruises Panama Hotels Panama Car Rental Panama Travel Info: Visas etc. |
Panama Travel: Tours & Vacation Packages |
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InfoHub Travel Site -
Go To This Site Fantastic source of info for both standard and adventure tours to Panama, Central America, the world. In their own words: "Internet's largest portal on specialty travel. Search over 11,000 guided or self-guided specialty vacations offered by over 1,300 travel suppliers. Get in touch with the travel suppliers to ask questions, order free travel brochures, and book a trip." |
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11th Hour Vacations -
Go To This Site Now Well-done, comprehensive site that truly does offer '11th hour deals' on all types of travel and especially, vacation packages. Well-organized, one can search quickly via departure city, desired destination, cruise ship...or browse their recommended romance, budget, and "Top 11" packages. |
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Altrec Adventure Travel & Travel Gear-
Go To This Site Now Nine tours came up when we entered "Panama"... some included Costa Rica. Ranked 5 stars by Epinion users, this is a good site to include in one's search for the ultimate Central American adventure. |
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e vacations - Go To This Site Now
Although a world-wide company (part of Rail Europe Group), this site has an impressive focus on Latin America, and in particular, vacation packages to the region. Also has an interesting layaway purchase plan that, depending on the vacation, allows one to put as little as $100 down, and pay the rest later. |
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Tours.com -
Go To This Site Now Bill themselves as "The most comprehensive, unbiased database for vacation packages on the web". Very complete listing of tours for Central America when we checked, and nicely broken down into various categories. |
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Gorp Travel - Go To This Site
Now Great clearinghouse site for all types of tours, including especially those in the adventure category. When we last checked, they had 8 different tours listed for Panama and over a 100 for Central American countries in general. In their own words: "[Gorp travel is a] one-stop shop for thousands of active and adventure vacation packages. GORPtravel is the only adventure travel company and reservation service that works with hundreds of the world's best travel outfitters and lodges. GORPtravel is your travel agent for hiking, biking, rafting, multisport, ranch, safari, and many more active vacations that match your level of adventure" |
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| Panama Tavel: Panama Canal Cruises | |
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World Choice Travel -
Go To This Site Now An easy to use cruise site with excellent features: listing of Hot Deals, cruise searches of a wide array of cruise lines including specialty cruises, and 360 degree ship tours. Best of all, their own well-written & researched guides on all aspects of taking a cruise, including excellent information on finding cruise bargains. |
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Online Cruise Agency -
Go To This Site Now Super comprehensive and price-oriented online cruise agency. Offer cruises by Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Norweigian, Princess, Radisson, Royal Carribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar. In their own words, about what they offer: "Your best choice for cruises online. ... With OnlineCruiseAgency.com you will find the best cruise at the lowest rate to match your budget, needs and expectations. We offer online reservations, real-time availability, pricing, ship and cabin pictures, cruise reviews, specials, and much more!" About their prices: "We offer you our lowest prices available on all your cruise sailings. As a top producer for the major cruise lines, we are immediately informed of cruise line hot deals and last minute specials that we can pass along to you". About Special deals: Specials up to 69% OFF brochure rates! Last minute cruises available. Low rates on group and incentive cruises. Available Category upgrades, on board credits and two for one's on major cruise lines! |
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Cruise Direct- Go To This Site Now Another comprehensive online cruise agency representing all the major cruise lines. Special features include: Deal finder, Last minute cruises, Group cruises, Top Ten Bargains, Online Exclusives and other Special Offers. |
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Freighter Cruises -
Go To This Site Now An exotic alternative and an entree to real adventure... cruise the Canal, the world, on Freighters! This site makes it easy. In their own words: 'Incorporating the 45-year old Freighter Travel Club of America and 10-year old Maris Freighter Cruises, offering you schedules, reservations, news briefs and ... much more. Take advantage of the knowledgeable advice that comes from our vast experience. Find the ship and voyage that's perfect for you." |
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Crewseekers -
Go To This
Site Now A fun, adventurous travel alternative... Crew on a yacht. This site hooks up yachtowners with people looking to crew - beginners welcome! In their own words: "Crewseekers International brings yacht owners and crew together by offering a wide variety of exciting opportunities to sail in all areas. These range from day sailing, offshore cruising and competitive racing to blue water cruising, deliveries and professional sailing positions. Members of Crewseekers International include amateur and professional crew of all ages and experience who share a common and keen interest in sailing. Beginners and experts alike are always welcome to join us" Back To Top of Panama Travel |
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| Panama Travel: Air Travel Choices & Alternatives | |
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"Check all flights between any city and Panama - with rate
comparison" In a hurry and don't want to spend a lot of time searching for the absolute best airfares? (But don't want to pay too much either!) Than, just click below to use one of the most comprehensive, international "flight availability" tools online to check for a complete listing of flights from any destination to/ from Panama. Go To Panama Flight and Rate Checker - Click Here |
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Taca Airlines - Go To This Link Now
The main carrier, along with COPA airlines, for Central America. (Code share with American airlines so if you purchased your ticket via American, don't be surprised if you end up flying on Taca for the final in-bound Central America leg of your flight) Taca services several air 'port cities' in the USA and along with all the Central American countries, fly to the Carribbean and some South American destinations as well. Well worth checking out their site as they always feature special deals, multi-destination bargains, as well as a comprehensive schedule of their flights. |
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Copa Airlines - Go To
This Site Now Panama's carrier airline but can also be considered, along with Taca, "Central America's airline". Large number of flights to all main points in Central America, as well some in South America, with service to several US gateway cities. |
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ABS travel -
Go To This Site Now Based in Miami, a good Central and South American oriented travel agency site with some good airfare and related deals using regional carriers. What they say about themselves: ABSTravel.com is the leader in travel to Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. By offering the most carriers, such as: Grupo TACA (TACA & LACSA), Mexicana, AeroCalifornia, Aerocontinente, Avianca, Aeropostal, LanChile, LanPeru, Aerolineas Argentinas, Sol Air, American Airlines, America West, AeroMexico, Iberia, Varig, Delta, United, Frontier, and others, ABSTravel.com is able to offer you the lowest prices anywhere. |
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Skyauction.com - Go To This Site Now for SkyAuction.com Some amazing deals listed on this well-done site. When we last checked, someone had a 'current bid' of $301 for a 7 day vacation at the Melia hotel on the Panama Canal, including round trip airfare! No guarantee they won this trip, but this level of bidding was typical for all the packages offered that we saw. |
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Miles 4 Sale - Go To This Site Now A site that allows one, with full approval of major airlines represented, to buy frequent flyer miles. Depending on the number of miles one has accumulated already, and what one wants to do with it, this could save you money on air travel, or allow you to travel first class. Also, can gift the miles to someone else (hint: makes a great wedding gift!). |
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Air Values Go
To This Site Now We tested this site for fares to Panama from the US and we're impressed with the results. This is what Tudogs, a respected internet review site (Tudogs.com) said about Airvalues.com: "AirValues is an airfare consolidator database aimed at increasing agency productivity and revenues while offering consumers significant discounts on International Travel. AirValues has taken some of the risk and much of the aggravation from the use of consolidators. Data updates can be done daily right off the internet. With over 6 million fares, you're always on top of the best deals in the market. Aimed at travel agents and corporate users". |
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Cheap Tickets - Go To This Site Now Despite the name, this is actually one of the BIG 'cheap travel' sites out there. Actually a consortium of some of the major travel providers, worth a at least a check to see if savings can be obtained. |
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Cheap Airlines - Go To This Site Now Well-done, organized air and other services travel site with emphasis on finding cheap travel options with the least hassle. Slogan is "Only 4 clicks to book"... we doubt it but it's a good sign that the spirit is there. |
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Hotwire - Go To This Site Now One of the giant deep discount "opaque" travel site, great deals can be had here but with certain restrictions: no refunds once ticket is bought, and you're not informed of the name of the airline until after purchase. However, the search is free (after a quick registration) and some amazing deals are available as airlines are able to offer these bargains incognito. |
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Skytrax - Go To This
Site Now Largest passenger survey site on the web. Gives an assesment, ranking, and inside info on more than 200 airlines. Also source for almost anything one would want to know about travelling by air. Just another one of those amazing internet resource sites. Back To Top of Panama Travel |
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| Panama Travel: Hotels | |
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Sponsor Link "Panama's Favorite Hotel" - The Executive Hotel Favored by visitors to Panama for over 30 years, this lovingly owner&staff managed independent 96 room 'boutique hotel', envelops its guests with warm, sincere, friendly service. All Guestrooms offer fast & free internet access, coffee-maker & complimentary coffee, delightful open-air balconies, oversize well-lighted work desks, and full cable TV. Hotel services include a popular 24 hour coffeeshop... a fully equipped business center... and a penthouse-level gymnasium. Rates are reasonable (start at $65 plus 10% tax) and include free: internet access, local phone calls, and daily complimentary Open Bar. More info on 'Panama's Favorite Hotel" - Click Here |
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Comprehensive Panama & International Online
Hotel Directory -
Go To This Site Now We selected this one of the many available because it features online overviews and brochures of almost all of Panama's best hotels, as well as the ability to search by amenities offered, hotel chain, availability dates. (Don't feel like searching: Choose The Executive Hotel above... it truly is "Panama's Favorite Hotel" and the online discount rate offered is great!) Back To Top of Panama Travel |
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| Panama Travel: Car Rentals | |
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Panama Car Rental Comparison & Bargain Finder -
Go to This Site Now This site is TOPS in immediately presenting you with the 'best deal' options of all the car rental outlets IN PANAMA. Book your car rental immediately, with pickup at the airport if desired. |
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| Panama Travel: Great Guidebooks... History too. | |
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Best Overall Guidebook: Lonely Planet's Guide to Panama by Dogget Universally recommended as one of the best, most comprehensive, most readable guidebooks on Panama. |
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Best "Local perspective" Guidebook: Getting to Know Panama by Labrut Written by a long-time Panama resident, this gives the perspective that comes from spending years soaking up the local lore. |
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| Best Guidebook on Adventure and exploring the backcountry in Panama: Adventures in Nature Panama by Friar | |
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Best book for the coffee-table: Portrait of the Panama Canal by Friar Coffeetable style book with pictures and excellent, informative text according to several reader reviews. |
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Best Guidebook on Panama Boat Cruising: The Panama Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Isthmus of Panama by the Zydlers |
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Most comprehensive Panama birding book: A Guide to the Birds of Panama by Ridgely & Gwynne |
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Panama History that's a delight to read: The Path between the Seas by McCullough THE book to read about the history of the Panama Canal... totally engrossing, wonderfully written by a Pulitzer prize winning historian. |
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Critically acclaimed historical fiction: God's Favorite: A Novel by Wright With Noriega the main character, gives a good glimpse into Panama's recent history. Back To Top of Panama Travel |
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| Panama Travel Insurance | |
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Comprehensive Online Travel Insurance Quotations -
Go To This Site Now One-stop comparison shopping - for Panama and the rest of the world - of all major travel insurance providers (Access America, CSA Travel Protection, HTH Worldwide, International Medical Group, MEDJET Assistance, MultiNational Underwriters, Specialty Risk International, Travel Guard, Travel Insured, Travelex and TravelSafe). Single-trip and Multi-trip packages. Full Medical including medical transport. Flight accident. Special Family policies. See who offers the best deal fast. |
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Travel Advice & Information sites
- Visas, immunization, travel warnings and more. |
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Entry requirements into Panama: US visitors are required to buy a $5 tourist permit upon entry into the country. This is usually provided by the airline but if for some reason you do not receive one, don't worry as it is also available upon arrival in Panama. No other visa, special documentation is required except for a valid passpot. Links below give additional information about longer stay requirments, etc.. http://projectvisa.com/countryinfo.asp?countrycode=pa http://www.panaconsul.com/pages/visas.htm |
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Panama's holidays & Carnival dates. www.holidayfestival.com/Panama.html Courtesy of holidayfestival.com. |
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Suggested vaccinations and other 'staying healthy while travelling'
advice sites. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ - US Center of Diseases Control http://www.travelhealth.com/ - Good comprehensive site. http://www.travelleronline.com/library/handbook/p5_vaccinationsrequired.htm Quick summary list of vaccinations required for all countries in the world. |
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Official travel warning sites: Issue warnings of possible security issues for countries around the world. www.travelwarnings.org (United States's official site) http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/index.asp (Canada's official site) http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=100702939055 (Great Britian's travel warning site) |
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Skytrax -
www.airlinequality.com Largest passenger survey site on the web. Gives an assesment, ranking, and inside info on more than 200 airlines. Also source for almost anything one would want to know about travelling by air. Just another one of those amazing internet resource sites. |
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Worldwide, Realtime, Flight Tracker -
Go To This Site Now Track commercial flights all over the world in real time... see when a flight actually left, and when it is scheduled to arrive. |
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Family Travel Planning Tips -
Go To This Site Now Nice site with short, to the point, good advice on: Hotel safety tips, Child babysitting when travelling, car ride games, packing tips, and more. |
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