Travel on the cheap

I've become something of an expert at budget vacations in the past few years: relatively affordable trips to Puerto Rico, Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Jamaica all hold places on my travel resume.  Picking a recession-friendly spot for a post-graduation go-out-with-a-bang week of sights and sun proved slightly more difficult, but thanks to a Google-savvy pal, my stars have aligned with NY Mag's recommendation.

My last week in May will be spent on the beaches of Bocas del Toro, Panama, where the flights are cheap (something like $330 roundtrip) and the hostel's cheaper (Mondo Taitu, a backpacker's bar and lodge, is just $12 a night and includes free breakfast and bikes!).  Who wants in?