How to Find Cheap Hotels in Panama

The Latin American country of Panama is a vibrant and diverse republic with many points of interest, including the Panama Canal-its claim to fame. With cheap accommodations easy to come by, Panama is also a very affordable vacation destination.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection

Instructions

Research and Book Accommodations

1. Call the Instituto Panameño de Turismo toll-free for more information about cheap accommodations in Panama at [phone], or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Consider southwest Panama in the Azulares Peninsula. Here you will find accommodations more reasonably priced than areas like David and Boca del Toro, which are more heavily frequented by tourists.

3. Look into a hostel or bed-and-breakfast stay, as they can often cost less than $20 per night. Many cheap hotels are not much more than that.

4. Research properties on a review-based travel Web site like TripAdvisor. Certain areas of Panama where cheap lodging can be found may also be high in crime, specifically Chorrillo, San Miguelito, Colon and Curundu.

5. Look into Internet specials and contact the accommodations directly to inquire about special rates. Although Spanish is the official language in Panama, most service industry workers speak English.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead as much as possible and try to travel during the off-season, which is May through October. Because individual locations have different definitions of this "off-season," call your accommodations to find out when they offer price breaks.

• Many hotels will include meals and beverages in the price of your stay.

• When calling internationally from outside the United States, check which international dialing prefix to use.

• International calling can be expensive, and utilizing email is the best way to contact your accommodations.

• Don't take what you're used to for granted. Hostel stay could mean sharing a bedroom or bathroom, so if you require private bedrooms or bathrooms, be sure they are offered where you are planning to stay.