Sovereign Man: Panama
Post-conference Excursion
to beautiful Boquete, Panama
Valle Escondido (our home base in Boquete) is a recycled coffee plantation which has been transformed into a well-known resort. Downtown Boquete is only a ten minute stroll down the street and is a lively hub with supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, and many tourist activities.
Schedule
Here's what we have planned (all times are approximate. Remember this is Panama:):
21 February
6:15am - depart Allbrook airport for David
7:30am - arrive David; transfer to Boquete
8:30am - arrive at your Boquete hotel
9am - orientation and introduction
9:30am -walking tour of Boquete
Noon -lunch on your own
1:30pm - tour of the Boquete environs: coffee plantations, real estate developments, tourist attractions, scenic views, etc.
6pm - group dinner at Bistro Boquete, Panamonte, or Valle Escondido
7:30pm - Q&A and panel discussion with local Boquetenos
22 February
7am - breakfast at your hotel
8am - drive the Orange Blossom Highway over to Volcan and Cerro Punta
9:30am - guided tour of Volcan and Cerro Punta
Noon - lunch at Bambito Resort
1:30pm - return to Boquete
3pm - free time
4:30pm - Transfer to David airport
5:30pm - depart David for Panama City
6:30pm - arrive in Panama City at Allbrook airport
Getting Here
The nearest airport to Boquete is in David, the capital of Chiriqui province, about 45 minutes from Boquete. There are two airlines with flights from Panama City's domestic airport - Allbrook airport (Also known as Gelabert airport). It used to be the airport for the canal zone. Note that this is the domestic airport, not the international airport (Tocumen) through which you entered Panama. Both airlines, Aeroperlas and Air Panama, have almost identical flight schedules, with a morning flight leaving from Panama City at about 6:15am and an evening flight from David to Panama City at about 5:30pm. The fare is about $80 each way. Here are the links to their respective websites:
If you prefer to book through a local agent we recommend Tammy Liu or Gustavo Chen of Panoramic Panama. The cost is the same and they can also arrange transportation for you. (They can also arrange transportation to and from Tocumen airport.)
Hotels
We've selected three hotels which are close to each other in order to keep things simple.
Valle Escondido - resort hotel. They've offered us a special rate of $82.50 per night. Highly recommended. When making reservations ask for Freddie Tobar (+507 720-2036, M-F 7-4, Sat 7-noon EST. Note that 507 is the country code, not an area code.) or email him at freddie@veresort.com.
If for some reason you can't get a room at the Valle Escondido hotel then these two other hotels are close by:
Valle del Rio Inn - right next to Valle Escondido. $100/night.
Isla Verde Cabanas - a boutique motel just down the road with individual round houses. $90-110/night.
Et cetera
This will be a real whirlwind tour in only two days. To keep it simple and flexible we're asking everyone to book their own flights and their own hotels. We would prefer everybody to stay at the Valle Escondido Hotel since it will sinplify the organization (and they've given us a great rate. Tell them you're with the Sovereign Man conference to get it.) Of course you're welcome to stay on beyond the 2-day excursion if you want to meet with local real estate or business people on a personal basis. We'll be glad to make introductions.
Breakfasts are provided by your hotel, but all other meals will paid for by you on an individual basis.
The excursion cost will be $75 per person and will include all local transportation, guides, drivers, and presentations. We'll accept payment by Paypal or credit card (through Paypal).
Local information
Boquete.org - website for newbies in Boquete
Noticias Bajareque Times - the local newspaper
BoqueteNing - the Boquete social website for gringos
Boquete Guide - a local blog
Boquete Forums - where people ask questions and get answers
If you are interested in this excursion please make a payment of US$75/person to Paypal (you can use Paypal to pay by credit card even if you don't have a Paypal account). Send the payment to paypal@bajareque.com. Please include a note with the names of the people in your party. If you have any questions please email me at valleluna@zaxx.ws.
The deadline for reservations is 31 January and we won't be able to make any refunds after that (Once we commit to the transportation we have to pay for it whether we use it or not.)
Ted Harrison