Golflogic.ca

I like to golf often at home and when I travel.  One of my business/vacation trips this past season included a week in Panama, of all places!  1 week, all inclusive, for $818 CDN including taxes!  It just doesn’t get better than that.  Well.. actually it is even less costly right now (check here for current rates), and I did see 1 week in June for only $347 + taxes, so if you are looking for a great fall getaway where you can shop, golf & hang out on the beach to your heart’s content – here’s my recommendation along with required caveats for The Royal DeCameron Beach Resort Golf, Spa & Casino (Panama).  

Golf Details:  Mantaraya Golf Course is on the DeCameron property (90 minutes from Panama City, on the South-West coast of Panama), which also includes the casino, all-inclusive beach resort, spa and condominium village.  Designed by Randall Thompson in association with the American Golf Course Design Firm, this looong course of 7,087 yards, par 72 is located in the “dry arc” the area of Panama with the most sunshine on a yearly basis.  The only rain we felt in the whole week was every time we left the DeCameron property.  The course is quite beautiful, with long wide fairways, lots of water and even mango trees dropping their fruit on the cart path as you play (recommended as a fresh in-round snack!).  

Did I mention how cheap the golf is?  Prices range from $11 for 9-holes to $98 for three 18-hole rounds - and that includes carts! Overall tips -  

• Not unusual for international golf destinations, I am sure, the golf balls at the pro shop are expensive, but local greens keepers will drive by & hold up 1 ball asking if you lost it – if you say yes, they will offer you 12 for $1; I liked that, because we lost quite a few again into the water hazards!  
• Washroom facilities on the course are locked at all times - to unlock you’ll find keys on the golf cart keychain   
• Don’t be perturbed by men “lurking” behind bushes & under trees, following you from a distance around the course - DeCameron employs armed security guards to protect golfers (especially women playing without men) and condominium village residents 
• If you can, bring your own clubs – rentals are heavily used mix & match sets of questionable quality or are “new” for $45 USD / round. 
• It may not be especially “manly”, but I recommend playing with either neon blue or pink balls – when we were there in August large leaves were scattered across the fairway on 10 and a number of other holes, making the balls really hard to find!  

Shopping details: Panama is currently experiencing an economic boom, having just begin promoting tourism in the past six years.  MUCH of the consumer products we purchase in North America have been shipped through the Panama Canal, and since the canal generates a huge amount of this small country’s income, they can sell/purchase any of the products tax free!  Shop-a-palooza!  

I bought an iPod (tax-free) and many home products and accessories for much less than in Canada or the states.  In Panama City, The Radisson DeCapolis is a beautiful 5-star hotel, attached by elevated walkway to an upscale mall & casino – if you know jewellery and can identify quality stones; you may find some real deals here…  I don’t know much about jewellery, but I did find a beautiful 7&1/4 carat aquamarine ring for $850 USD – even if it isn’t the best quality – I know that is an amazing price and it is gorgeous!  I plan on going back & buying the ring (my credit card was maxed out) in June, for the savings on the trip!  The DeCapolis is NOT all-inclusive, unlimited drinks like the DeCameron – you can buy bottles of wine for 4$ at a store across the highway, and drink it in your room, enjoying the amazing view, which is a MUCH better deal than at the hotel. 

Property is also a good investment in Panama right now – vacation condominiums in the city are gorgeous, and those on the DeCameron property (I heard) include free golf!  

Beach Resort Insider: Find the “quiet” pool that is past Lobby 3, just below the top level of buildings – it is small, but restricted to adults only & I think, the only pool of the 5 with a swim-up bar.  Lobby three also features a cappuccino machine if you crave – the coffee in Panama is equated in quality to Columbian coffee (buy it from a local’s grocery store for less than $2/lb.).  Breakfast is the best meal of the day with lots of fresh fruit, cereal, juices, eggs, waffles, etc.  Lunch is the absolute worst meal on the resort, with questionable hamburgers and minimal salads…  Dinner is OK – although many of the other guests raved about the a la carte restaurants – I often wasn’t hungry by late in the day and found after a full day of drinking “Lord Cameron”s on the beach, I just wanted to go to bed early, get up with the sun around 6am the next day to a yummy fresh breakfast.  The waves are not HUGE, and the water is not especially clear, so instead of surfing or snorkelling, we became world-class floaters - floating in the warm, dark, swells, cooling off for an hour or so before returning to the beach chairs for more drinks and reading.  

Overall, I recommend it for the cost-conscious beach, golf & shopping lovers - plus, we met lots of nice people from Toronto & around the world, some of whom I have quite a bit in common with & still see here in Toronto!