Planning your trip to Panama

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The Cala Mia eco-resort off Panama’s western coast has 11 cabanas, which don’t have in-room telephones, and there was no cellphone service. The resort runs on solar power. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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A pool at the Cala Mia resort on Boca Chica off Panama’s coast appears to flow into the Pacific. The island is one of the 100 that make up the Archipelago de Chiriquí. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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The view from a private cabana at the Cala Mia eco resort. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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A room at Cala Mia. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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A sign marks the entrance to the Quetzal Trail in Boquete. The trail meanders through the forest, past streams and a variety of flora and fauna, including quetzal birds. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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A tour guide feeds a dairy cow in front of a volcanic rock face in Boquete, Panama, a destination prized for its many volcanoes, cloud forests, rivers, waterfalls and exotic flora and fauna. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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A room at the Valle Escondido in Boquete. Part hotel, part residential gated community, a restaurant, bar, country club and golf course are all available to guests. (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

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Skateboarders practice their moves in Panama’s 500-year-old Casco Antigua neighborhood. Downtown Panama City is in the background (Susan Carpenter / Los Angeles Times)

By Susan Carpenter

Feb. 28, 2010 12 AM PT

THE BEST WAY TO PANAMA

From LAX,

Copa flies nonstop to Panama City, and American, Delta, Continental and Mexicana offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $338. Round-trip service to David is available on Air Panama. Restricted-round trip fares begin at $160.

TELEPHONES

To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 507 (country code for Panama) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Finca Lerida, P.O. Box 0413-00146, Boquete, Chiriquí; 720-2285, https://www.fincalerida.com. This is a bed-and-breakfast converted from a 90-year-old farmhouse on a coffee plantation in the heart of Panama’s mountainous coffee-growing region. Doubles $144-$180 a night.

Panamonte Inn & Spa, Boquete, 720-1324, https://www.panamonte.com, in business since 1914, has 25 recently renovated rooms and a spa with two treatment rooms. (The Panamonte felt more comfortable to me than where I was staying, Valle Escondido Resort & Spa, which was nice but too exclusive for my tastes.) Panamonte doubles from $236 in low season, and $295 in high season.

Cala Mia, Isla Boca Chica/Boca Brava, Archipelago Chiriquí, 851-0059, https://www.boutiquehotelcalamia.com. This eco-resort in the Gulf de Chiriquí is on an island where solar power rules. This little bit of paradise is dotted with private cabanas overlooking the Pacific. Doubles $180-$400.

WHERE TO EAT

Panamonte Inn (see info above) offers diners inventive, gourmet fare in a cozy, rustic setting. Entrees $9.50 to $28.

Sabor Escondido, 702-2454, https://www.resort.valleescondido.biz/sabor.html, in the upscale Valle Escondido residential country club, is presided over by chef Melissa de Leon, who also runs foodie tours. Entrees from $14.50.

Restaurant Lourdes, and Sabroson, Boquete, local hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving traditional Panamanian cuisine. Dinner less than $10.

TO LEARN MORE

Embassy of Panama, (202) 483-1407, https://www.visitpanama.com.