We had a GREAT trip to Panama! It was such a break from the hustle and bustle here in teh states. I have written a little about each place we stayed for your information and future recommendations.
Crowne Plaza (Panama City): I know this was a last minute switch due to some internal flight changes in Panama, but this is the one place I wouldn`t recommend. There was nothing really bad about it- and we walked to eat lunch and dinner, but the pool was small, the place smelled very very musty, and it was pretty empty. I would be interested to check out other hotels in the city in the same price range.
Dad Ibe (San Blas): We LOVED LOVED LOVED Dad Ibe. The owner and his staff are unbeatable. Juan, who used to work at Yandup now works at Dad Ibe and he is the best guide. Very down to Earth, took us wherever we wanted to go, and explained so well. We went snorkeling twice and then to the Kuna Village. We (well the 2 staff members) caught our dinner one time when we went snorkeling, so that was exciting. The no electricity, hot water whole thing was just so refreshing, and the place is beautiful. And not one single mosquito!! not one!
Some things travelers should probably keep in mind is to bring some books or cards. And also we found it got a little hot at night in the cabin, so just be prepared, there, of course, are no fans as there isn`t electricity past 10pm.
Hotel Playa Tortuga (Bocas del Toro): Yes! We loved La Playa! I wasn`t sure after landing in Bocas if we would be staying in a place just as rustic as San Blas, but then we saw La Playa Tortuga. Very hospitable, convenient, the free shuttle is awesome. Taxi`s are also pretty frequent and can take you there to town or vice versa for 2.50/person. The pool is great, and the free breakfast is very generous.
I would encourage travelers to go to 3rd street to some of the tour places there rather than go through Playa Tortuga for tours, though. We did one tour through the hotel and they stuck us on a 40 horsepower boat with 8 adults. It took us sooooo long to get anywhere and all the other boats just breezed past us. While we love seeing the ocean and it was a nice boat ride, it felt like they just cattle herded us onto this boat knowing how slow we would be and didn`t really care. The next day we went into town, 3rd street to the Bocas run tour office at the very end of the street and got a private tour in a boat twice as big for the exact same cost. So much better. We had a guide all to ourselves and we could spend more time at the actual sights rather than boating to get there.
Gamboa Rainforest Lodge (Panama City): Well, we ended our trip here, and it couldn`t have been a better ending! It was sooooo beautiful- the view, the pools, the whole thing. The room was very comfortable and the restaurants convenient. A little pricey, but as we were only there 2 days, it wasn`t bad. We ate at the poolside bar too and the bar tender created a fruit platter for us that was not even on the menu. The tour desk was so helpful, my husband did the fishing tour (3 hours) and was NOT disappointed. One of the best experiences he had- he went early and saw (or heard) howler monkeys, alligators, and tons of peacock bass. We also did the monkey island tour which proved true to its name and we saw lots of cute monos. Also, they don`t advertise it too well, but for $15 each you can go use the Clarins spa `water facilities`, the steam room, suana, hot tub. We were the only ones there so it was a great spa experience without getting an actual treatment.
All the drivers for our transfers were there and on time. The internal flights worked well- San Blas being the easiest. We had a slight delay coming back from Bocas b/c of the weather and that airport is under construction...yikes. No running water, all dusty, not the place you want to be waiting for too long, but it is close to the town so we left to go grab lunch.
All-in-all, I would highly recommmend your website to any of my friends or family. The organization and detailed itinerary, the insurance which is spelled out so clearly, the online ease of planning your trip- unbeatable. Brenda really did us right, as my husband says. We had the experience of a lifetime in Panama and hope we paid it forward with our reviews above.
Thanks.

Bocas del Toro - Soberania Park - San Blas

We were so pleased with our vacation. I was nervous not having used your company before and I put this together on very short notice - I did have some concerns. The company you used in Panama was unbelievable. They were always there on time to meet us, they were really nice people and knowledgeable, too. Our hotels were wonderful. Everything that was promised to my daughter and I came through. I thought I may have pushed it with the Kuna Indian part of the trip, because it really isn t a resort at all it`s 9 thatched roof huts, no locks on the doors, gerry-rigged showers with cold water (and a crab). We had a bit of trepidation when our Kuna guides took us by boat to our home in the hut for the next couple of days. But they cooked for us and took us to many of the different islands, we got to go into classrooms and meet with the kids. It was a very special part of the trip. My daughter (21 yrs old) and I both said at the end - it was the one place we could have stayed longer. Seriously, it was just a great trip and you guys did a great job on putting it all together. I would definitely recommend your company to others and will use you again myself. We`re thinking about something to Brazil or Argentina for our next one. Thanks very much!!

Bocas del Toro - Soberania Park - San Blas