Let's Go Places Travel News

Hello

Today I'd like to introduce you to a country that has a very special place in my heart. I spent many years living and working here. This is also where I met my now-husband Greg.

I am talking about Panama. The Pearl of Central America, located between the Pacific and the Caribbean, is the land bridge connecting Central and South America.

When reading some of the articles below, you will quickly realize that the country has much more to offer than just the modern metropolis Panama City and the famous Panama Canal: island groups in two oceans, green mountains with cloud forests, flowers, and coffee fincas. But Panama also offers fantastic diving – Isla Coiba is considered the Galapagos of Central America! And there's more. Panama is home to indigenous peoples who live in sprawling rain forests and on tropical Robinson Crusoe islands, such as the amazingly beautiful San Blas islands.

Join me and let's discover one of the last tourist-developed countries on the American continent.

And when you are ready to plan a unique vacation to Panama, reach out to me (just hit reply) and get a free quote from a Panama expert! Someone who not only knows the country but also its touristic infrastructure, hotels, and hidden gems!

TropiQ Trips Blog

The Most Beautiful Hotels in Bocas del Toro - Panama's Caribbean Gem

As an eco-tourism favorite in Central America, Bocas del Toro is a fabulous choice for adventure travel in Panama. Situated on an archipelago located off the northwest coast of Panama, Bocas del Toro consists of seven islands, with Bocas Town as its regional capital. To discover some of the most beautiful hotels in Bocas del Toro, sticking to the popular islands of Isla Colón, Isla Bastimentos, and Isla Solarte is your best bet.

Known as Panama’s hidden Caribbean gem, Bocas del Toro welcomes adventure seekers who will find plenty to do to keep them occupied – from snorkeling and scuba diving to sailing and hiking. Bocas is also home to a vibrant tropical rainforest, cultural sites, and some of the best beaches in Panama – all complete with a friendly, laidback vibe.

Tour Of The Week

Panama Family Adventure

For adventurous families, traveling to Panama with kids is an unforgettable experience.

From a sailing tour to jungle hikes, historic train rides along the Panama Canal to overnights at an indigenous village and even a stay on the Caribbean islands of San Blas, paradise on earth (and I am not exaggerating!) – this trip has it all!

Our Panama with kids Family Adventure offers amazing diversity in a relatively small area allowing families to experience incredible variety and adventure without the hassle of long transfers or additional flights. Read on:

Panama

Panama City's Casco Viejo Neighborhood Is Super Stylish | Condé Nast Traveler

Over five days, Ringer and Michalka explored the Casco, which evokes by turns Old San Juan, New Orleans, and stylish corners of Mexico City like Juárez or Roma—places where crumbling buildings are catnip for those who love to imagine an alternate reality, lived here between languid dinners at Donde José, the 16-seat restaurant that’s one of the city’s best, evenings of rum cocktails at the Tantalo Hotel’s rooftop bar, and late-night shows at Danilo’s Jazz Club, the American Trade’s music venue, run by Grammy winner Danilo Pérez.

The Casco’s allure is as much an electric sense of optimism, Ringer says, as a connection to its seedier past: "Everyone there will tell you, with great pride, that everything is going perfectly."

Your Next Jungle Island Escape Should Be in Panama

Isla Palenque sits at the tip of an island just off the mainland town of Boca Chica, where guests have their run of a 400-acre untamed jungle and seven beaches.

The entire hotel is made up of eight casitas and a villa that sleeps 14, with rooms opening up onto their own private stretch of sand. It’s the launch point for spending an afternoon casting for red snapper on tricked-out fishing boats and cruising over to Coiba National Park to dive with sharks at one of the biggest coral reefs in the eastern Pacific.

Islas Secas, an Ultra-exclusive Resort, Has Opened Off the Coast of Panama

The lodge has nine chic, understated casitas arranged around four sites, each with a deck area with a private plunge pool and ocean views.

Amenities include an on-site masseuse and yoga instructor, access to barges and sportfishing vessels, and an education center where guests can learn about local wildlife.

Recreation manager Rob Jameson can schedule such activities as marlin-fishing trips, and scuba diving in nearby Coiba National Park.

Panama City's Walking Tour Led by Former Gang Members | Travel + Leisure

Ten years ago, gangs and stray dogs ruled the streets of Panama City's Casco Viejo, a neighborhood that dates back to the 17th century.

Now, thanks to Esperanza Social Venture Club, a rehabilitation program that's helped reduce crime, visitors can learn about the Old City's history from former members of the Ciudad de Dios gang—one of three that once dominated this area.

Travel News

Eight Myths about Travel Advisors – Debunked

Myth #3: It’s expensive to use a travel advisor.

Travel advisors earn commissions on trips they plan, which may be paid to them by hotels, cruise lines, and tour companies. Some advisors don’t charge anything for their trip-planning services (like us!), while others collect nominal fees, which are typically billed as travel design, research, or itinerary-crafting services. For many clients, paying a small fee to know that their entire trip has been customized and vetted – and knowing they’ve got someone who will be on call before, during, and after their trip – is well worth it.

Fees aside, in the long run, a travel advisor is probably still going to save you money (and will definitely save you time). Working with an advisor provides value you can’t access on your own, such as complimentary breakfasts, or upgrades at hotels.

Just For Fun

Alcohol Improves Your Foreign Language Skills, Says New Study

Why is it that people seem so much better at speaking their second language after a beer or two? (It's not just me, right?)

According to a new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, it's not all in our heads—alcohol really does improve our foreign language skills.

Make sure to read on ...

About

This weekly travel update is brought to you by Anja Phillips, owner of TropiQ Trips. If you enjoy these free, curated updates—please forward our sign-up page and share it on Social Media. Thanks so much.

TropiQ Trips provides customized tours to Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Belize, and other countries in Central America & the Caribbean. You just sit back and relax while we create your once-in-a-lifetime travel experience – all of this at no cost to you!

We understand that many of you might not be ready to travel quite yet. But it is never too early to start planning!

Please remember: Tourism is a critical revenue source for nearly every country in the world, and we work with local agencies in each of our destinations. When you travel with us, you support small businesses and local families, not big cooperations - here and there.

If you’d like to get started with planning your unique vacation, please reach out by emailing us, just replying to this email, or scheduling a call.

I can't wait to work with you!

Anja Phillips