Page 31 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

AccommodAtion BASICS 29
the Archipiélago de las Perlas, according to regular City has the greatest variety, though
timetables. in the remoter regions of eastern Guna prices are generally a lot higher than
Yala, meanwhile, you could be seated on a plank in elsewhere. In touristy areas such as
a leaking motorized dugout bailing out with a Bocas and Boquete prices are creeping
yoghurt carton, having spent a couple of hours up and more lodgings now exist at the
asking round for a ride. Frequent water-taxis serve higher end of the market, with an
Bocas from Almirante for fixed fares ($6), whereas increasing number of comfortable
any trip to the Pacific island of coiba may mean lodges (often foreign-owned) and B&Bs
getting a group of interested people together and – but there is still little outside Panama
negotiating a deal with a fisherman. City that could truly be described as
travelling by motorized dugout or occasionally, if luxury. In Guna Yala you could just as
you’re lucky, in a slightly more comfy skiff (panga), likely be sleeping in a hammock, while in
is the norm among the communities of Guna Yala the Darién you might be snoozing on a
and the darién. if a boat is already heading the way thin mattress on an open-sided raised
you want to travel, as a colectivo, you can travel traditional Emberá dwelling.
como pasajero, and the fare will be cheaper.
otherwise, private boat rental, or viaje especial Types of hotel
(which needs to cover fuel and the boat operator’s
time), can be expensive; awareness of the going Posadas and lodges usually offer a fair degree of
price for diesel will help when it comes to haggling, comfort in pleasant natural surroundings, whereas
as will knowledge of the amount of fuel necessary places prefaced with hospedaje, pensión or
to cover the distance given the size of the engine. residencial are generally much simpler small family-
note that the seaworthiness of vessels varies owned lodgings. the word cabaña may conjure up
enormously; many are overloaded and lack life an image of a simple thatched hut in an idyllic
jackets even when heading for long trips on poten- natural setting, but can just as easily mean a dark,
tially hazardous waters. Every few months a boat windowless cement cell in an unremarkable
somewhere sinks or capsizes and people drown. location. Hostal may signify a place with dorms for
make sure you check out your transport thoroughly backpackers but is also a synonym for a family-run
before committing to a journey. hotel. the term hotel, too, can cover a mixed bag
from a plush international five-star high-rise to a
By bike dilapidated shack, and also includes the famous
by-the-hour push-button motel, often referred to as
Away from the interamericana and Panama city, un push, which rents out rooms short-term for
cycling is pleasant – with wonderful views and quiet sexual liaisons. in no way unique to Panama, they
roads – and growing in popularity both as recreation are scattered all over the country, most visibly along
and a means of transport (though you won’t find the interamericana, with such enticing names as
cycle lanes or cycle routes). mountain bike rental is Sueño Lindo (Sweet dreams) or Las Mil y Una Noches
on the increase in tourist areas such as El Valle, (thousand and one nights). As for the much-
Boquete, Bocas and Santa Fé, though the quality of abused prefix “eco”, it may simply denote pleasant
the machine on offer varies ($3–5/hr, $10–15/day). in natural surroundings, and is no guarantee of sustain-
Panama city you’ll find rental places on the calzada able environmental practices or social responsibility.
de Amador, which actually possesses a cycle path, as
does the recently inaugurated cinta costera. Exodus ACCOMMODATION PRICES
(Wexodus.co.uk) and Explore (Wexplore.co.uk) offer
cycling holidays in Panama. For each accommodation option listed in
this Guide we give the cheapest rate for a
double room (one double bed) for one
Accommodation night in high season (outside public
holidays), including tourist tax, with a
private bathroom where available; we state
From secluded mountain ecolodges to in the reviews if only shared bathrooms are
thatched cane cabañas on deserted available. dorm beds and camping are
islands, from backpackers’ party hostels quoted per person, unless otherwise
to smart boutique hotels, Panama offers stated, as are prices for homestays.
a wide range of accommodation. Panama

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