The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare to Panama City via American or Copa Airlines; six nights at the Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas on Playa Blanca; buffet-style breakfast and lunch and à la carte dinner daily at any of the resort's eight restaurants; unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages; daily activities and nightly entertainment programs; wind gliding, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, and other nonmotorized water sports; use of resort amenities; round-trip airport-resort transfers; and resort taxes and gratuities; from $1,105 per person—plus airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges of up to $140.
When: Through June 20, Aug. 16–Dec. 23, 2010; add $99 for June 21–Aug. 15.
Gateways: Miami; add $200 for Dallas, Houston; $220 for Atlanta; $240 for Baltimore, Boston, New York City; $260 for Chicago; $300 for L.A., San Francisco; additional gateways available.
The fine print: Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges are up to $140 per person. A tourist card for entry into Panama is an additional $5 per person and can be purchased at the airport. Based on double occupancy; deduct $27 per person for triple occupancy; single supplement is $387. Rates for children ages 3–11 start from $898 per child. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.
Why it's a deal: According to a recent search on Kayak, the lowest round-trip fare between Miami and Panama City was $301, with taxes, for travel in mid-May (Taca). For an additional $944, this Panama Super Special includes the round-trip airfare, plus six nights' all-inclusive accommodations, round-trip airport-hotel transfers, and all taxes and fees.
More: Optional activities include a tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal ($100 per person for a full day) or a jungle tour by boat ($120 per person for a full day). Extra nights at the Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas start from $88 per person per night for a double or triple room, including all meals and taxes.