Think Panama and you probably envision the eight wonder of the world. But this lesser-known country and neighbor of Costa Rica has much more to offer families than watching ships squeeze through the locks. Home to national parks, wildlife refuges and forest reserves, Panama also has more than its fair share of beachy resorts, such as Breezes Panama, part of the all-inclusive resort chain.  Set in the tony beach community of Santa Clara, less than two hours from Panama City, the resort looks over both the Gulf of Panama and the Pacific, and offers easy access to rafting, hiking, archaeological tours and, of course, daytrips to the Panama Canal.

On the other hand, the 294-room Breezes resort offers plenty of stay-put appeal. It has five pools, four restaurants and free watersports—sailing, windsurfing and kayaking—as well as a kids' club, game room, tennis courts, a spa, evening entertainment and, the icing on the cake for many families, all-inclusive pricing. The daily per-person rate includes all meals, snacks, most drinks, most activities (including the kids' club) and even taxes. No tipping is  allowed.

As if the famous canal and free snacks weren't enough, the resort is offering a Third Night Free/Kids Stay Free double offer. Book by April 28 and you’ll get every third night free (that's two free nights on a six-night stay) with prices starting at $290 per person. The third-night-free component is good for stays between now and late summer. The kids-stay-free component for children ages 2-13 is only available from April 10 to June 11, with a few blackout dates in May. (Some other Breezes resorts offer variations on this deal; other Breezes resorts are strictly adults-only.)

If paying full price, a family of four visiting during the summer would pay $2,820 for a six-night stay in a “premium” room (two queen beds, with balcony). This breaks down to $400 a night plus a supplement of $35 per child per day. When we test-booked the double offer in early June, the third-night-free component brought the lodging bill down to $1,600 ($400/night x 4 nights), with a savings of $800. The kids-stay-free component saved another $420 ($35/night x 2 kids x 6 nights). When combined, the two freebies deliver a whopping 43% savings.

You must book by April 28. The online booking engine automatically brings up the deal for different room types; when calling 877/BREEZES (273-3937), mention the Third Night Free/Kid Stay Free offer. The Kids Stay Free component is available April 10 to June 11, and applies to one child per paying adult in the same room.  Blackout dates are May 7-9 and May 20-24.  

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