Panama City(Panama)

Advantages: Lots to see and do, great people everywhere
Disadvantages: not that exciting after spring break is over

...Every year hundreds of thousands of tourists descend upon Panama City Beach Florida for spring break and every year, thousands of people are hit with one of the most entertaining cities in Florida, well, during spring break anyway. Safety The city of Panama City Beach is actually quite a bit safer than one might suspect. While there are loads of people coming from all over the place, and keeping track of trends is somewhat difficult, the police are out in force. You'll find them mostly riding bikes around the beach shops, however, you will see them out on the beaches as well, flip flopping around. They are even out late at night on the beaches making sure that no one is doing anything that they shouldn't be. Patrol cars are also out directing traffic and keeping the order as best as they can on the streets and around... Read review

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Advantages: An amazing experience
Disadvantages: Very, very humid!

...Whilst travel potential aboard any one of the many cruise liners afloat these days is extensive, thorough exploration of any of these increasingly exotic ports is limited. For a cruise ship photographer, however, the situation is very different. As a crew member it is always a joy to disembark, and on Panama Canal Day it's a James Bond style start to the morning followed by a series of unique experiences! With the ship passing the small town of Christobal close to the Gatun Locks, a succession of pilot boats approach, and with both vessels in motion, various personnel are embarked to take the ship through the Canal. The disembarkation procedure is the same, we don a lifejacket attached to a pulley connected to the ship and climb down a rope ladder to the pilot boat, which in rough weather is fun to say the least. Ashore, a local... Read review

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Advantages: Relaxing escape, stone's throw from Panama City
Disadvantages: No atmospheric beachside bar to enjoy a beer at sunset

...Isla Taboga is a lovely little island just half an hour from Panama City's Harbour. It's quite small, and not touristy. Just a little town, surrounded by water with a great view of the Panama City skyline! A great place to visit for a day if you're in the City and want an easy escape. Take a book and some snacks, or grab a bite at one of the local eateries, and just enjoy the white sand beach and calm warm waters. It's now $11 return by boat, which leaves from the Amador Causeway - pay no more than $5 by taxi from the City! The island itself is an array of small streets and hidden paths and steps, leading up and around the packed little houses of the town. It has a small church in the middle, which is supposedly the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere. It also has an art centre / community project in construction... Read review

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