Country Updates
It was interesting to contrast Panama today with Costa Rica today. Costa Rica has seen an upsurge in tourist related crime, prices and has become more difficult to do on your own without prearranged hotel reservations, etc. Panama was in fact friendlier, easier to get around with much better roads, less touristy, and with many of the counterparts to Costa Rica (rain forests, volcanoes, indian area, tropical forest, beaches) plus the Canal and more historic attractions at a lower cost with less commercial hassle.
William Macaulay - US (Feb 98)
Travel Tips
In order to get an extension of stay you need to present a letter, written in Spanish, to Migracion, stating why you wish to remain in Panama.
Britt Blum - (Feb 99)
When you cross the border (into Panama) from the Caribbean side you will be told to buy a stamp for immigration purposes at the bank in Changuinola - the next town along. You can save yourself the hassle and do this on Bocas del Toro if this is your destination. The bank and immigration office are across the road from each other in Bocas town. Things are pretty laid back here. We did it the next day and probably could have left it even longer.
David Elderton - (Jan 99)
You've got to go to the Island of Taboga. It is in the Bay of Panama. You can take a Ferry from Balboa ($3.50 one way or $7.00 round trip). The ferry ride takes about an hour and let's you look at all the ships waiting to transit the Panama Canal. Once on the island you can stay at the Hotel Taboga. It's expensive but nice or the Hotel Chu, which has tropical ambiance. You expect to see Ernest Hemingway or Jimmy Buffet walk out. The beaches are nice as are the people. Food is good and cheap (except for the Hotel Taboga). Seafood is obviously the main dish. There is a lot of history. Francisco Pizarro launched his invasion of Peru from there, as did the 49ers during the California gold rush. Good bird watching (if you're into it) as well as fishing. Trails crisscross the island, so you can walk through the jungle in an afternoon and find hidden lemon trees and such. This is definitely a good two day stop, when in the crossroads of the world!
Gerald Timoney, March 98
For more news, views and the odd bit of gibberish, drop in on the soc.culture.latin-america and rec.travel.latin-america newsgroups.
For detailed up-to-date travel information check out Lonely Planet's Destination Panama.
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