Panama City, Panama's Islands & Colon

Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise ñ sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. "I am the travel editor for a national travel magazine and have recently had the privilege of using Patricia Katzman's excellent guide book to Panama. First, I loved all the pictures...they added so much. Second, the print is readable. Third, and most important, I found this guide to be extremely helpful to the average tourist planning a trip. The various areas and activities and the way to reach each destination were well researched. I consider many guide books to be useful only to those who know exactly where they are going (probably with a tour) and want to read about what they are going to see. Pat writes with a touch of humor and a sense of history that brought each area alive. I had the feeling she knew her subject well and I would be inclined to trust her judgment. Her chapter on the Darien, even included a few ""reasons not to go"" or at least, to not go alone. Great resource material." -- Mary Jo Plouf. "What a wonderful surprise this guide book has been! My wife and I are off to Panama for a couple of weeks. We stumbled upon this book while searching for reference material for our trip. Patricia Katzman has a terrifically engaging writing style that makes one want to read the entire book, not just sections that one is traveling too. There are 73 pages of detailed introductory chapters, how to get there, what to expect. Then each province is discussed in details, including places not to miss, along with those narrow dark streets to avoid. This is by far the most useful and well written guidebook I have ever read (and I have read many dozens)." -- Captain Clam (Amazon reviewer). Mother nature has bequeathed Panama with some stunning spots, rich soils and a vast bio-diversity. White- and black-sand beaches alternate with mangrove mazes along the coast. Sparkling wild rivers overflowing with trout run through jungle-clad canyons filled with colorful flowers. This book focuses on Panama City, gateway for visitors, the Colon region, the Pacific Islands, such as Taboga, the Pearl Islands, Eastern & Western Panama provinces, Colon, Portobelo, Isla Grande and more. Walking tours visit historic forts, gold museums, classic city parks and bustling crafts markets. Special attention is given to the country's national parks. Includes extensive information about Panama as a whole, how to get there, how to get around, the history, culture, cuisine, the economy, politics, flora & fauna, festivals and much more.