Reyna Ulloa

The guide throughout our trip was Eduardo. He was fabulous. He was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, accommodating, thoughtful, funny... The four of us on the tour would highly recommend him.

Aside from one issue, the itinerary was excellent. In our planned itinerary, we were supposed to have a day going to Portobello.on day 5. This was to be either via train (if it was running) or otherwise by car. When we arrived in Panama that day was switched with the Panama Coast to Coast Land Route. Since the land route takes us to the Colon area and Portobello is in the Colon area, I assumed that it was just a printing error. On day 5, when our guide described where we will be going (the Panama Coast to Coast Land Route), I asked if that included Portobello. He said, “No”, and had no explanation as to why we were going there rather than Portobello. Reyna did not ask us about the change in the itinerary.

After the entire trip, the four of us discussed what we liked and disliked. Everything was excellent except we all felt that there was too much time spent on the Panama Canal. Most of the Panama Coast to Coast Land Route day was spent at the observation area for viewing how the Panama Canal locks worked. It ends up that was entirely wasteful because it is essentially identical to the next day where we were on a boat trip through the Panama Canal locks. That boat trip provided the same knowledge that we had already heard at the observation area the previous day. So, we all felt that we had wasted a day and could have saved a lot of money by shortening our entire trip by one day and not missing anything important.

Reyna was a challenge to work with. (All of this is by memory rather than me checking everything.):
- She often had very delayed responses (e.g., it seemed like she typically responded a week after a question, at least until we were close to going on the trip). I do appreciate that 24/7 responses are an unreasonable expectation. David, for our Colombia kimkim tour (which we went on just before going to Panama), was able to reply in a reasonable time frame. I enjoyed working with him.
- There were a number of misunderstandings. It felt like Reyna did not have time to closely check what was previously said in our communications.
- It seemed like she did not really know what could be seen from Panama City. In other words, she did not offer any ideas beyond what is easily found on the web. At one point we were looking for activities for one more day and we decided that Portobello was the best option for the ideas she gave us.

Hotel Review

Riande Granada Urban Hotel

Panama City

The hotel was excellent. I asked for a three star hotel and the Riande is four star. That is fine if there was not much of a price difference.

Authenticity & Character

It had the "big" hotel feel.

Location

It was not within walking distance of anything interesting. It felt like the location was safe, which was important to us. There were a number of restaurants nearby.

Staff

Friendly, helpful...

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable. Our room was on the side facing the outdoor bar. We were kept awake by the loud music coming from the bar. We did not sit in the bar because the music was so loud that it was difficult to talk to each other.

Activity Reviews

Canal Rainforest Boat experience

Panama City

We had to leave early to be the first to the area where food was offered to the monkeys. (Once the monkeys were fed by anyone, they would not come for other people offering food.) It was exciting watching them come onto the boat for food.

Chagres National Park and Embera Indians

Panama

It was informative. On some tours, one only sees traditional dancing, which does not say much about the culture. On this tour, we learned a lot and there was plenty of time for us to ask questions. The lunch was excellent.

Partial Transit in Panama Canal

Panama City

This was interesting to experience and see how the locks worked. The caveat is that the trip is slow (not that it is anybody's fault.) Going through the first lock was exciting, the second lock was interesting, and the third lock was just a repetition.

Casco Antiguo Walking tour

Panama

Eduardo was informative. Nice to taste that very expensive coffee.

Coast to coast trip to Portobelo

Panama City

We were not taken there.

My trip to Panama was preceded by a few weeks in Costa Rica. The first difference was the heat in Panama but that was why I was here. But let's start with the planning.

Reyna was awesome from the start. I explained what I wanted to try and accomplish, and she really did a great job setting things up for me in a variety of locations and activities. I'm not sure she was expecting an old guy (60) lol, to want to do as many active or even risky activities but thats me. She was always on the spot, and I could contact her anywhere I had a signal, and she would promptly respond. A few things we scheduled I decided to modify on the fly and she made sure this went seamlessly. This was nothing she did, but more from me seeing something a little crazier and wanting to modify my activities. I can't say enough good things about her.

I started in Panama City at the Tryp hotel which was centrally located with nearby restaurants and amenities. I then began my activities the next morning. Bianca, my guide contacted me and suggested we leave earlier to catch more wildlife. I suggested an even earlier start to catch the sunrise and the animals and it was simply amazing. Bianca would be my gude for two days and she was so full of information and fun. She spoke perfect English and we hit all kinds of local stuff, local eateries at my request, (sorry I chickened out on the pigs feet, a local favorite jajaja! We Kayaked into the jungle and visited the Enberra people. Awesome.
The next day we would canoe out to a beautiful waterfall and then indigenous village. It was awesome. The food and the cultural display were very cool I took a hike around the area on my own to try and get a better idea of the people and was met and followed by the children and befriended by them It was very moving! Do this if you go!
I visited some monkey islands in the canal the next day and Casco Viejo and it was also very intereting. One more night then off Valle de Anton.

Valle De Anton was a beautiful Place and I stayed at the Mandarino Hotel. It was very beautiful in a beautiful location. If I had a complaint about any part of my trip it would be here at reception at the Mandarino. It was the only time I would encounter people that seemed to have a poor attitude towards me. They were just unpleasant, and this would be on check in and checkout. The rest of the staff I encountered were wonderful. The breakfast was great, and the beauty was spectacular. I went on a hike the next day and was contacted by Nico, an independent guide, and Cecilio the driver for the day and also my guide and driver the next day. We did a tour of different areas and a short hike, and it was awesome. Both of these guys were so good, and I would highly recommend requesting them when setting up your tours in Anton Valley.

Next up was Boca Chica. After a slight delay at the regional airport, I was off to Boca Del Mar. It was even more Beautiful than the Mandarino. Because we were arriving late the driver contacted the hotel and they stayed open so I could have a hot dinner when I arrived. The dinner was awesome, and the view was off the charts. I would take a day off and get a massage in the evening. I strongly recommend this if you are staying here. The massage was one of the best Ive ever received and I was married to a trained masseuse!! I then did the 4 hour Island tour here and it was awesome. I set this up while at the hotel Reyna had scheduled a few days of just relaxing and this was definitely the place to do that, but I was ready for action, so I did the tour. It too was absolutely breathtaking, and I highly recommend this. My final stop would be Boquete in the mountains.
I was picked up by Fernando and highly recommended requesting him for your transportation while in Boquete. He knows the entire area and most of the people with a long history here in the mountains. [email protected] He gave me many local tips and also was on the spot when I needed driver outside of the activities planned by Reyna. Reyna learned that I was on the go constantly even after the tours etc. I would stay at Finca Lerida, a working coffee plantation. The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful and made great suggestions for me when I arrived early. The hike to the local waterfall was beautiful as were the entire area around me. I did the mini canyon tour, and it was a little crowded for me, but it was a holiday, and it was hot, so a lot of people were there. It did not stop me from doing a few backflips into the river though! I had a great dinner at an Argentine restaurant in town and then called Fernando when I was ready, and he drove me back to my room. My last hike was up the gasline road and to a waterfall. We saw all kinds of wildlife and had a family of Howler Monkeys come through and put on quite a show in the canopy above us. It was a great end to the adventures for tomorrow was back to Panama City and then home.
I would be back at Tryo hotel who let me check out late and were awesome as they were at the beginning of the trip. I stayed in the pool until the last minute and was transported once again to the Airport and Home.

Summary
Reyna was absolutely awesome as my trip coordinator.
My Guides and transport through Miguel tours were great. Ask for Bianca in Panama City. Nico and Cecilio in Valle De Anton, and Fernando at FGLtaxi in Boquete.

Great job KimKim. Second trip with you guys and it was perfect!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Finca Lerida

Boquete

First off, awesome reception staff!! The facility was beautiful, the staff very pleasant, the location unbelievable and the breakfast was amazing. The views from the deck at the restaurant were spectacular. I did all the hikes around the plantation, and it was fun and beautiful If your adventurous check out the waterfall hike. The trail has a few scrambling parts, but it is so worth it. I would stay here again!

Authenticity & Character

Old world charm

Location

The overall beauty, the temperature and the views.

Staff

Super happy and cheerful Very helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bocas Del Mar Hotel

Boca Chica

Absolutely gorgeous location and hotel Awesome helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Look at any picture online and then magnify it by 10 in person. Absolutely stunning!

Staff

Helpful and cheerful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Los Mandarinos Boutique Spa and Hotel

El Valle de Anton

A beautiful location and hotel kind of spoiled by reception staff and lack of information.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Reception staff needs some hospitality training. Everyone else was great!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tryp Panama Centro by Wyndham

Panama City

Everyone here was super helpful. Decent location, but im not a big city person. Great room with a good view on New Years of the mayhem outside from the safety of my room lol.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sea Kayak - Panama Canal (half day)

Panama City

Bianca making the suggestionof an earlier start made it an unforgettable experience. The sunrise, the serene lake, the crazy amount of wildlife, especially for birdwatchers, and excellant guide. Do this tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bianca was the best! Could not ask for a better guide.

Transport

Bianca made it awesome. Learned so much just coming and going.

Embera cultural tour OR Gastronomic tour in Colon

Panama City

Emberra Cultural tour! Bianca again, so lucky. Absolutely beautiful, fun and informative.

Quality of Experience

Food

The Enberra lunch was delicious.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bianca=Awesome. Intelligent, cheerful and fun.

Transport

Bianca

Canal Rainforest Boat experience

Panama City

It was a different tour checking out all the islands. I went to late to really catch the wildlife my mistake.. Should have requestedearlier start as Reyna and Miguel Tours I know would have made it happen.

Valle de Anton - Local Highlights

Valle de Antón

Really cool tour that you select activities. Nico and Cecilio and hiking around made it awesome. Nico is a wealth of knowledge, and I would request him for your tours in the Valle

Quality of Experience

The entire day was great and I learned so much. I wanted an authentic hat but we were almost back and they turned around and we went and found one. Very cool!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cecilio was great driver and we guide me the next day

Slot canyon waterfall

Valle de Antón

So, I had Cecilio today and we had a great morning hike in the rainforest and then a crazy -in the best way- drive to the waterfall the hike was really what I had been waiting for and he made it really fun the waterfall was absolutely breath =taking and the water colors so vibrant. I jumped off the higher points after watching the locals and it was a blast.

Quality of Experience

I loved the whole day from start to finish. Fun Challenging and beautiful

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ask for Cecilio

Transport

Cecilio knowledge of the backcountry trails.

Cloud Forest "Pipeline Trail"

Boquete

Really fun easy hike with lots of wildlife and beauty. Cool waterfall at the end. It hadnt rained in a while so not as much water but after rain it is probably insane.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guuide actually grew up near the hike and his family still lived near the starting point. Lots of local info and very knowledgeable of the entire thing.

Transport

Reyna was a great agent through both the planning of this vacation and during the trip itself. She was very prompt and knowledgeable answering all our questions, and checked in regularly. We never saw her, but felt that she was with us every day, making sure that things ran smoothly. All of the guides and drivers we met on the trip were also top-notch and helped us get the most out of each excursion. The while trip was fantastic.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Plaza Colon

Granada

A classy hotel with the friendliest of staff. They rolled out a TV to watch the World Cup with us, and were great hosts of their city

Authenticity & Character

Location

The room and the inner courtyards, one with a secluded pool

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel El Convento

León

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pacaya Lodge y Spa

Masaya

Authenticity & Character

Location

The most amazing view of the crater lake and close to some great volcano excursions

Staff

Super-nice people

Cleanliness & Comfort

Malibu Popoyo

Lives up to its website. Ultimate in laid-back beach vibes, with a great kitchen (food was simple but delicious). Very nice people running the place

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cerro Negro sandboarding tour

León

A great hike - nice views. The boarding was fun and lived up to its promise of adrenaline-inducing. But it can easily go from fun to injury in a second. I would not recommend it for children, and they should really take more steps to improve health and safety. ( ie options for shorter or gentler rides similar to green, blue and black paths as on a ski hill). As it is now- it is a black diamond ride as your first experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Masaya Volcano - Lava Rock Night Tour from Apoyo Lagoon

Apoyo

Wasn’t sure if we would really see lava or just lots of steam - but there was a great view of the swirling lava and a nice hike overall

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mombacho Volcano - Crater Trail

Granada

Both a beautiful hike and a break from the heat combined. Well worth it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Las Isletas Kayak adventure

Granada

Do it if you want the exercise - but there was nothing special about this kayak route

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rene's welcoming smile at the airport made us feel at home immediately. He's really welcoming,the drivers were always on time. In Leon thanks to Freddie our guide Marcos and the driver. The hotels Reyna arranged our trip beyond our expectations. Granada the driver always on time with Rene. A big hug and thanks to kimkim. We are really grateful kimkim is for real so organized everything was.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel El Convento

León

It is was great

Authenticity & Character

Everything

Location

It's accessibility to all amenities

Staff

We could communicate to all staff members since they were speaking English and they were ever happy and smiling

Cleanliness & Comfort

Their rooms were fantastic

Hotel Plaza Colon

Granada

They were smart and organized.

Authenticity & Character

Everything

Location

Close to all amenities and markets.

Staff

Woooow so jolly happy welcoming

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything there

Activity Reviews

León - Juan Venado Island Motorboat Tour

León

Freddie showed us things we hadn't seen in our lives. First when we were going to the boat we walked a distance but to come back the place we passed when walking,we came back when we were passing seated in the boat. We saw the mangroves it was our first time,we saw different species of birds we also visited the place where tortoises are hatched thanks to our boat captain he was so loving and helped alot in showing us new things.every on the boat was aiming at making us happy. Thanks to Vapues tours and Reyna plus Sandra please

Quality of Experience

All

Food

Good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Those people are wonderful we are black people but we never felt out of place. They are so great

Transport

Ever on time, they drive with care everything was great

Leon - City Walking Tour

León

It was hot but Freddie gave us time we met people he showed us around he's really a great person. We also visited the art museum thanks to Freddie and Reyna kimkim and vapues tours. Vapues tours staff are so organized I love their uniforms,and transport.the cars are so smart.

Quality of Experience

Everything

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They're the best

Transport

Number one

Masaya Volcano - Lava Night Tour

Granada

It was great thanks to Rene and the driver. Rene taught us alot by the time we reached the volcano you could think we knew everything

Quality of Experience

Everything was good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They're number one

Transport

Fantastic ever on time

Granada - Las Isletas Boat Tour

Granada

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was a great tour and a wonderful experience. Reyna was great in accommodating our requests to go to San Blas and spend a night there. The trip to the tropical forest and Canal was great as well

Hotel Review

Tryp Panama Centro by Wyndham

Panama City

good but somehow run down hotel. Good value for money, excellent breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

two lifts in the entire hotel - easier to use the stairs...

Activity Reviews

Rainforest boat tour OR Soberania national park

Panama City

wonderful - very informative guide. The tour was a success

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

One day to San Blas

Panama City

We changed this into two days - one night. This was by far the best part of the holiday. A wonderful, highly recommendable experience.

Quality of Experience

the islands were amazing; the accommodations basic but lovely. A real experience.

Food

wonderful lobsters, red pargo and other fish. Authentic food, delicious.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

sorry - I have to be critical here. First time ever i did not leave a tip. If it is a private tour, you cannot say "I will be there between 5 am and 5.30 am". We were ready at 4.59 am and the driver arrived at 5.35. We could have taken it more easily.

Transport

The driver spent way too much time on the phone while driving (he was excellent driving with one hand on the terrible road, but still....I would prefer someone looking at the road rather than at the messages on the phone.

Casco Antiguo walking tour

Panama City

We did it by our own, as we changed the program to have an extra day at San Blas. Casco Antiguo was really beautiful

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport