Panama is increasing in popularity among the surfing community and it is suitable for surfers or all levels and abilities

There are a number of factors that make Panama a unique surfing destination:

- A lack of crowds

- Two different oceans

- Travel over small distances

- Strong rip tides

One of the main Panama surfing destinations is the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Found on Panama's northwest coast, this region is a wonderful place to get away from it all. Most surfers heading to Bocas del Toro base themselves on Colon Island. It's the most developed Bocas del Toro island and there is excellent surfing at Bluff and Dumper

Catalina is another popular place to surf in Panama. It's a six-hour drive to Catalina from Panama City, and once you arrive, you'll be treated to consistent waves.

Closer to Panama City, there are a handful of beaches at Panama Bay that offer some great Panama surf. Playa Malibu and Playa Teta.

At the Morro Negrito Surf Camp, you can enjoy other fun activities other than surfing Panama. Scuba diving, swimming, fishing and relaxing in a hammock are just some of the options.

Other areas like Playa Venao and Isla Grande are also renowned

The best time to enjoy surfing in Bocas del Toro is between the months of December and April.

This is also Panama's high season for tourism and prices for hotels rise, especially in Panama City where Tocumen is the only international airport in the country and the base for domestic flights is Albrook airport.

One method to saving your cash is to stay at the modern Hotel Santana in the old city near Casco Viejo. This new hotel offers free WiFi Internet which is ideal when you are trying to catch up on facebook, sending emails or updating your blog.

Rooms are only $39 for a double and they have an excellent airport pickup and drop off service for both Tocumen and Albrook.

Check out their website at www.hotelsantana.com.pa

The last time I spoke to the owners of the Hotel Santana, situated in the old town in Panama City, they were considering allowing pets into the hotel but as you can see from the photograph they have taken this a step further by allowing bikes into the hotel as well!

Sara and her team will always pull out all the stops to make sure your stay in Panama is unforgettable but they did a special favor as the owners of these bikes are the intrepid group led by Nick Sanders on their 2010 Pan-American Highway Expedition.

In the group there is Nick Sanders, an experienced GP from London, a logistics expert who will drive the back-up vehicle and will deal with the mechanicing and a local Argentinian guide who for  the South American section.

The rides generally have have light.British or Japanese bikes such as  Yamaha XT or Tenere or BMWs and carry as little as possible as they have carry it all on their bikes

Most days the group of 25 will cover 400 miles with 90% being on good roads stopping at road side cafes during the day and excellent quality economy hotels at night

This journey the length of the Americas began in Buenos Aires and then headed south to Ushuaia before turning around and heading up into the Andes to southern Chile.

They then re-crossed the Andes into Argentina before crossing into Bolivia and the highest city in the world, La Paz. The final crossing of the Andes resulted in a coastal drive through Peru and after visiting Lima they drove into Ecuador where they crossed the equator.

The next country was Colombia where the only non-road part of the journey was accomplished by a chartered plane into Panama as there are no road between Colombia and Panama.

After leaving Panama the group will ride through Costa Rica and into Nicaragua to stay in the colonial city of Granada followed by the short distance across Honduras and Guatemala before entering Mexico.

In the USA the route will pass through Utah and Nevada  and visit the Banff and Jasper national parks before crossing into Canada to start the Alaskan Highway at Dawson Creek.. At the end the bikers will then ride across Canada to New York before heading home.