I want to visit Panama, but am struggling to find a decent fare for November. Can you tell me what my options are? - Jennie Goodall, London

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: There aren’t any direct flights from the UK to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (www.tocumenpanama.aero), but there are few choices via the US and a couple via mainland Europe. If you pounce on a special offer, you should be able to get there from about £400 return in November.

The cheapest deals right now are with American Airlines (020 7365 0777, www.americanairlines.co.uk), which flies from Heathrow to Panama City via Miami. The total journey time is about 15 ½ hours, but changing planes in Miami isn’t the most relaxing of experiences.

Other US carriers to look at include Continental (0845 607 6760, www.continental.com), which flies from several UK airports (including Heathrow and Gatwick), via New York Newark, and Delta Air Lines (0845 600 0950, www.delta.com), which flies from Heathrow via Atlanta.

If you prefer to bypass having to deal with US immigration authorities, then Iberia (0870 609 0500, www.iberia.com) has non-stop flights from Madrid. There are good connections from Heathrow, but fares for November are currently around £660 return. Or there’s KLM (www.klm.com), which flies non-stop from Amsterdam and has good connections from many UK regional airports, from about £700.

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