Republic of Panama

[rtapia]

Has anybody ever went to Panama on a diving trip ?
Are there any diving resorts, boats? You always hear about Costa Rica nd other Central American countries, but never Panama, why is that?
Any idea?
Ron

 

[lakesdiver]

I did a trip last year to Panama. I, too, found it strange that no one said anything about it. There's a live-aboard on the pacific side that gets a little p.r. but one never hears about the caribbean side. We went to Bocas Del Toro, islands up in the northeast - near the Costa Rican border. The diving is just ok. It's a poor area and fishing subsistence fishing is big. Coral in good shape and lots of small things (good for macro). We dove with Bocas Water Sports. Owned by a texas expat and run by a local guy. Very laid back. One dive in the a.m. Back for lunch. One dive in the p.m.

But, man, is it CHEAP! Dinner for my wife and I at a place the locals eat was $7...total. You can spend more, but not much. Our room at a clean 6 room locally-owned place was $22 per night. Very laid-back trip, but not spectacular diving.

Oh, and the Abuelo rum is excellent.

If you want more info pm me.

 

[donacheson]

Originally posted by rtapia
Has anybody ever went to Panama on a diving trip ?
Are there any diving resorts, boats? You always hear about Costa Rica nd other Central American countries, but never Panama, why is that?
Any idea?
Ron

A group of us took the Coral Star out of David for a week in late February 2001, diving on the Pacific side at the western end of Panama. Very interesting diving - lots of fish, especially at one site; current and surge at some sites; a thermocline often present at 40 to 60 feet. Rather challenging diving that week. Boat is luxurious and very good food and service.