Hi Kasi,
Wow – interesting that it still has that Wild West feeling all these years later! Glad you are enjoying yourselves 🙂

Carey. The “real” Panama is in the city proper. It’s gritty, honest, kind and one day or seven weeks is not nearly enough time to absorb.

Hi Sandy,
Great advice about repositioning cruises! I haven’t done one yet, but you’ve just inspired me to do some research. Do you have a favourite website that you use to find these deals?

Another way to find cheap distance travel is one-way or repositioning cruises. Last minute (within 2 months) can also be a great deal, depending on how desperate they are to fill the cabins. Usually, you are still eligible for whatever incentive package they have going at the time.

Inside rooms are cheapest and sometimes the rates are so low, that it’s still a great deal to pay the double rate yourself if you cannot find a cabinmate.

Remember that this is not just travel like air would be, but meals (oh, the food!) entertainment, and lodging for the length of the trip, too, so figure that in when comparing. I often find them for under $50/day. Considering this includes EVERYTHING (except taxes & tips) it’s worth it to me! Register with all the cruise lines you would consider using so you get notice of the private sales and early warning on price drops.

My master plan is to go wherever I can get either a house-sit gig or an under $50/day 1-way cruise, then stay until another one comes up in any direction. Spain to Florida in 13 days this Nov? $614. Italy to Dominican Republic in 19 days this Dec? From $868. Italy to Florida in 26 days in Dec, with 13 stops, including Morocco and all around the Caribbean starting at $1297. If you’re ready to leave this May, you can go Panama to Portugal in 13 days for $195 & up! $15/day!

I’m still anchored to Phoenix, but making progress to be a full-time traveler by end of the year. Had some health & family issues that slowed me way down, but most are resolved now & I can gear up my efforts. In the meantime, I’m researching my heart out. I am SOOO ready! Just gotta get rid of all the ‘stuff’ and my house.

Hi Maureen,
Yes, airfare can be a challenge. I have to techniques to keep my cost of flying down: one is the use of frequent flyer miles, and you can find a good summary of how to manage them here: https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/financial-travel-tip-84-being-a-first-class-flyer/

The other technique I use – which could be useful for flights out of Vancouver – is mystery shopping, which gives you (at least) 50% off airfare:
https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/financial-travel-tip-112-50-airfare-mystery-shopping/

Happy travels!

Hi Louise,
Wow – that fog is epic! I’d be quite the nervous passenger as well. Thankfully I didn’t have any encounters with crooked cops, but I’m fully aware that in more countries than not, cops are not always “the good guys”. Glad these bad experiences didn’t taint Panama for you…it’s a very interesting country indeed!

Check out my “3 Scariest Things About Panama” blog post, if you wish!
http://www.borntobeatourist.co.uk/2013/07/the-top-3-scary-things-about-panama.html

Keep blogging, I love it!
Lou x

http://www.borntobeatourist.co.uk
@misswriteuk
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Hi Yuri,
The idea that $400/month is the minimum not the average makes a little more sense. Most of the locals I met lived together as a family, but maybe it’s different depending on the area. Are you Panamanian?