Colón Province - Panama - page 415

sible to access the beach by car or bus, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Playa Blanca
is an uninhabited island floating in the Caribbean.
Playa Blanca has some of the least disturbed reefs between Colón and the Ar-
chipiélago de San Blás and its sheltered waters have better visibility than those of nearby
Portobelo. There's a colorful reef in the center of the cove that's a mere shell's toss away
from the beach, as well as a second reef that sits in deeper waters about 100m offshore.
Any boat in Portobelo can bring you to Playa Blanca (two to three passengers US$45
round trip), though it's possible to arrange for a pickup if you make a reservation in ad-
vance.
Puerto Lindo
Located 6km before El Guayra, this snoozy village has a protected bay increasingly
favored by sailboats voyaging to the San Blás or Cartagena, Colombia. Excursions to the
nearby Isla Mamey visit a beautiful beach and surrounding mangroves.
To get to Puerto Lindo, take any bus bound for El Guayra.
Sleeping
Hostel Puerto Lindo HOSTEL $
( 6436-7601; [e-mail]; dm US$7, s/d US$10/16, d with air-con US$20)
With a waterfront location, this new Panamanian-run hostel is proving a hit with back-
packers who enjoy affordable rates and a good vibe. Outings can be made to nearby is-
lands for snorkeling or paddling by kayak. The hostel can also recommend sailboats to
Colombia.
Hostel Wunderbar HOSTEL $
( 6626-8455, 448-2426; www.hostelwunderbar.com ; dm US$11-15, d US$25-30) This place is
run by a German-Austrian couple who traded their sailboat for a hostel. The setting is re-
laxed, with mosaic tiles adorning the shady outdoor kitchen. Guests choose between the
cement privates and cheaper thatched dwellings, but everyone shares an outdoor shower
and bamboo toilet stalls.
There are also bicycle rentals, horseback riding day trips (US$35) and canoe trips to
the mangroves. Internet may be available for extra.
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