Expert: Lorena Mlns - 4/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lorena,

We`re a Norwegian couple going to Panama for 12 days. Maybe you can help us?

We are arriving the 27 Dec, leaving 7 Jan.

I`m on a search for a package deal - this is what we want to do:


- Airport transfer when arriving in int. airport PTY.
- Hotel 1 night
- Transfer to go sailing
- Sailing for a week, 7 nights
- Transfer
- Stay at a nice place, 2-3 nights
- Transfer to Panama City
- Hotel in Panama City, 1-2 nights
- Sightseeing in Panama
- Cruise on Panama Canal

I hope you can make an offer on this request. We are expecting to spend 100 - 150 USD per day per person.

Thanks.


Kind regards,

Hilde Aarsheim



ANSWER: Dear Hilde,
Wow you sure plan ahead :) !!
I can surely help you with most things you want to do, however I do need more information to make sure that you get what you really want.

Airport transfer -  Amilcar can help you at agonzalez@cwmovil.blackberry.com, as I have mentioned before this is the person/company I use for my transfers to the airport so I recommend them.

Hotel - Depending on where you want to stay, I usually tell friends to stay at:
www.executivehotel-panama.com   145.00 USD double occupancy room
It´s probably a 3 star hotel, right in the middle of the city and safe.
It´s not luxurious, just comfortable and their breakfasts are really good, I like going there on Sundays.
If you want to spend a little less per night, there are other options.

In regards to your sailing plans, I need to know exactly what you want, so please get back to me and I´ll be glad to help.

Kind regards,

Lorena

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Lorena,

And thanks for superquick answear.

I`ve been doing some more surfing on the net -and have specified the iternary even more ;)

Look here:


(This you have respondes upon already
- Meet at airport (PTY) and transfer to hotel
- Stay 1 night at hotel, close to airport?)

- Transfer to Burbayar lodge or similiar
- Stay at Burbayar Lodge or similiar for 2 nights
- Transfer to San Blas
- Sailing in San Blans , 4 nights
- Transfer to Pearl Islands
- Sailing in Pearl Island, 3 nights
- Transfer to Panama City
- Staying at Canal House for 2 nights
- Panama Canal cruise

Hope all this can be arranged at an affordable price?

Thanks in advance.


Kind regards,

Hilde  

Answer
Dear Hilde,

The hotel I recommend is not close to the airport.

But you can always stay at the Riande Airport hotel (5 minute drive) and arrange with the Burbayar team to pick you up the next day- I think it´s about 2 hours from Tocumen Aiport to the lodge.

Regarding the transfer from Burbayar to San Blas- I think that you would have to drive back to the city and take a plane out of Albrook AIrport to take you there, unless the team at Burbayar have a better option. Once again you would have to check with them.

I do not know of a sailing options but I am sure that if you check with the SAPIBENEGA KUNA LODGE in San Blas, who can also accomodate you (www.sapibenega.com) they can coordinate something interesting.

Moving towards the Pearl Islands, which is in the other ocean :) I would need to know if you have a specific island in mind, most people visit Contadora where there is a hotel.

For packages to other Pearl Islands you can check www.pearlpanama.com, they have a 5 day package - all included for about 2,000 per person but I think they can have something "custom made" to your needs.

The Canal House will probably cost you a 200.00 USD a night and it´s a nice place to stay - it´s right beside the PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM which is free of charge if you go on Sundays before noon, this is a place YOU MUST GO TO.

The Panama Canal cruise, it´s actually an "Ocean to Ocean" transit... it costs almost 200.00 USD per person, and full transit takes about 10 hours. You can always opt for shorter options, try www.gopanamaonline.com

Please let me know if you need any more guidance :)

Good luck!

Lorena


The things you want to do are usually a bit expensive but I believe that you can negotiate for a reasonable price.