Gentlemen, I am trying to plan an alternative to Nicaragua for the last leg of my trip in August. Just in case things get worse between now and then. COPA is going to allow me to transfer my ticket, no refund. Wondering if anyone knows a good place to get barreled in Panama? Barry, did you say you spent some time there? Any tips on a good camp? Much appreciated.
Nope--that wasn't me. If I had gone there I would be glad to share. Suggest you spend some time googling it--I am sure you will find all you need there. One thing I do believe--Panamanians are much friendlier towards Americans than Sandinistas. Good luck.
Damn. With age goes the memory, or maybe it's the edibles. Man, googling isn't getting me as far as you would think. Camps def don't pop up like when you search Costa or Nica. I am looking for the pacific side and a lot of stuff that comes up is for the Boca del Toros area (carribean side).
I'm trying to bail out of my Nica trip too, except American Airlines is telling me, if I wanted to change my destination now, I'd still have to pay a change fee for my scheduled trip, which is July 12-19. I'm going to give it a few more days to see if AA updates their travel alerts. Idk if Panama offers much on the Pacific side, at least near Panama City. How about Guatemala? I'd roll the dice on El Sal, but my gf wants no part of that, as she will be joining me.
Guatemala sucks, it's a flat, straight shoreline with a TON of close outs. It's like central american version of Florida. A few good waves but nothing special. I am doing 4 days in EL Sal for the beginning of my trip. Don't think I'll have any issues. As long as you stay away from Libertad and get out of San Salvador before dark, should be fine. Not sure I'll be drinking in El Tunco until 2am this trip though. Let me know how it works out for you bruhder
Pretty sure Bocas area, like the rest of the Caribbean, breaks mostly in winter? There's lots of very good surf on Panama's Pacific side. Research it more, you'll find the goods. You just won't find many surf camps. I have a buddy that went to one of the camps there, an island that limits visiting surfers. Might be called "Surfers Paradise" lol. Said it rocks. Brother spent some time there in the Navy, totally hated it but they use the dollar, place is civilized and safe with a very good infrastructure. I wouldn't hesitate to zone in on something promising and being able to find safe and decent accommodations. Gotta be easier than El Sal lol.
True dat P. Think I am going to skip El Sal and Nica and spend some time at a camp in Costa and then rent a truck and drive thru Panama for a week exploring the Pacific coast. Not as much a guarantee for good waves, but should be a fun adventure.
Sounds like a *real* surf trip. You might be surprised. Weird how Panama has boatloads of surf and infrastructure but hardly anybody ventures there. FWIW, Bocas is on my very near bucket list. If I wind up going in the next 2 years as planned, I plan on doing a review here for you guys. Have fun Kyle, and watch out for the crocs
Thanks P. Want to hit Bocas but getting there via truck seems to be a pain in the ass. That place seems like it is worth just going there for a week. I checked out that Surfers Paradise joint, that place looks sick. A little too pricey for what I'm trying to do this trip. That is a place I could bring the wifey though for sure. Yeah with their being good infastructure, you can actually find nice AirBNB's. Gonna stay a couple nights in Playa Catalina, a couple in Playa Vaneo, and still deciding on another area to spend a few days. Might just bring a tent and see what I can find.
Panama sounds muy bueno, I have some friends who have gone a couple years ago and scored, I'll try to get some intel. I was staying in Pavones and it got small so we went down to Punta Banca, about 5 miles south. It's just north of Panama by an old airstrip in the palm trees right off the beach. Good sized waves. After the surf, we drove into Panama by mistake. There is a big mercado that literally straddles the border, the north entrance is in CR and the south entrance is in Panama so they don't care who comes across either direction. That was a few years ago though, things may have changed, but I doubt it. I heard near the town of David in north Panama on the Pacific side are some good breaks.
Please do ask for some intel dogg! I am going to drive up to Boquete first, stay in the mountains for a day and start driving South along the coast back to Panama City (Catalina and Vaneo stops). Would def stop in David if there is a chance of some tasty waves!
dear kyle, you cannot take a rental car over the fronterra (border) between cr and panama. love always, metard
when we tried they said we had to have the title in one of our names and a form approved from some where or whatever. we turned around and just went to povones. povenes was flat btw.
