How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Very average.  Not v. enthusiastic; seemed he had done this so many times before.  Took a day off for his cold and temperature which miraculously had disappeared later that day.  Said he was on later flight from San Blas to Panama and not with group - but surely enough seats for whole group had been booked?   he then departed with us anyway and came back to hotel for last evening meal (and his tip?).  Still waiting for his email with group email addresses!

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Don't - and anyway, you're not running it again

Do you have anything else to add?

Too short.  include extra days - 11days, minus 2 for arrival and departure, minus two for very long transfers left too little time to relax, especially on San Blas which was last stop before returning to Panama City and, for many, back to cold climate.  Explore often gives too little time on the last tropical island of a tour when to add one extra day would provide relaxation in sun to finish with.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

"He was overall ok, not overly forthcoming with info. The first two days around Panama City he provided more info and he is a good bird spotter however overall general info was poor.
Like-able person, meal arrangements were mixed. In Panama apart from the last night he wasn't present nor did he provide much info on what to do or where to go....almost taking a ""watch out for recommendations"" too seriously. "

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"umbrella and ideas of what to do in Panama as existing itinerary has too many days in Panama City
small dollar change"

Do you have anything else to add?

"I was disappointed with the trip, but made the most of it. I previously have been to Belize with Explore, what a difference! This tour could be improved in it's itinerary and choice of locations visited and hotels, it almost seems that no-one has done this tour from Explore before putting it in the programme. I had't noticed but why would I go to a country that has a lot to offer and spend 3 1/2 days in Panama City in a US style hotel in an area of Panama with nothing worth seeing in proximity, the most expensive of optionals on the last day and a more than a half day with nothing to recommend to do before one flies home. Poor in comparison to the discover belize trip."

This trip was much more interesting and varied than the dossier suggests. There was plenty of opportunity to be out in the open air and to enjoy the wildlife and scenery. Old Panama City is just lovely to wander around at will and to take in the atmosphere. The hotel in Boquete is just a total disappointment but the location is excellent for walking, going to some coffee plantations (100% better than I had imagined) and to go zip wiring. The highlight of the trip was seeing dolphins in Dolphin Bay in Bocas del Torro and seeing 6 sloths. Very chilled out pace. Also the hotel at David has so many humming birds that you can't not take a decent photo. The highlight was the Panama Canal - just amazing watching the boats go through and to travel on it in a small skiff ! The Panama Canal museum in Panama City is a must as well. (PN -11th April 2011)

The bird watching was great; seeing the Panama Canal was an experience not to missed. The accommodation was not as good as it could have been. (PN- 23rd January)