Moon Handbooks Panama

by Friar, William

• ISBN13: 9781566915793
• ISBN10: 1566915791
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-10
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing

Summary

From lounging in the Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro to viewing the cool highlands of Boquete and exploring Panama City, the most cosmopolitan city in Central America, Moon Handbooks Panama is the guide to the best the country has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Practical information includes suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. ocessomi1 Complete with details for navigating jungle trails, finding cheap taxis and underground bars, or planning a river expedition, Moon Handbooks Panama gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Table of Contents

Discover Panama
Planning Your Trip	3	(3)
The Regions	6	(4)
21-Day Best of Panama	10	(3)
The 10-Day Family Vacation	13	(2)
The 14-Day Outdoor Adventure	15	(2)
The 10-Day Highlights of Panama Tour	17	(2)
Six Days for History Buffs	19	(3)
Explore Panama
Panama City	22	(75)
SIGHTS	36	(15)
ENTERTAINMENT	51	(5)
SHOPPING	56	(3)
SPORTS AND RECREATION	59	(2)
ACCOMMODATIONS	61	(12)
FOOD	73	(11)
INFORMATION	84	(3)
SERVICES	87	(2)
GETTING THERE AND AWAY	89	(4)
GETTING AROUND	93	(4)
The Panama Canal and Former Canal Zone	97	(28)
AMADOR CAUSEWAY	100	(4)
PACIFIC SIDE LOCKS AND TOWNSITES	104	(8)
GAMBOA AND SURROUNDINGS	112	(10)
Barro Colorado Island
Rio Chagres
ISLA TABOGA	122	(3)
Central Caribbean Coast	125	(36)
COLÓN	130	(8)
PANAMA CANAL AREA: CARIBBEAN SIDE	138	(5)
PORTOBELO	143	(7)
ISLA GRANDE	150	(7)
NOMBRE DE DIOS AND VICINITY	157	(4)
Kuna Yala	161	(22)
THE COMARCA	164	(4)
EL PORVENIR AND SURROUNDINGS	168	(6)
Nearby Islands
Achutupu
Carti
RIO SIDRA AND SURROUNDINGS	174	(3)
Nearby Islands: Isla Maquina, Kuanidup
CORAZÓN DE JESÚS AND NARGANÁ	177	(1)
PLAYON CHICO AND SURROUNDINGS	178	(2)
ACHUTUPU AND SURROUNDINGS	180	(3)
The Uninhabited Cays
The Darién	183	(44)
TO THE DARIÉN BY ROAD	191	(12)
Chepo to Lago Bayano
Lago Bayano
Lago Bayano to Yaviza
Yaviza
INTO THE DARIÉN	203	(4)
El Real de Santa Maria
Up the Rio Tuira Toward Boca de Cupe
PARQUE NACIONAL DARIÉN	207	(5)
Santa Cruz de Cana
Pirre Station
COASTAL AND UPRIVER DARIÉN	212	(15)
Punta Patiño Nature Reserve
La Palma
Mogue
The Rio Sambú and La Chunga
Bahia de Piñas
Central Panama	227	(51)
PARQUE NACIONAL ALTOS DE CAMPANA	231	(2)
BEACH TOWNS AND RESORTS	233	(9)
Punta Chame
Playa Gorgona
Playa Coronado
Between Playa Coronado and Playa Corona
Santa Clara
Farallón
EL VALLE DE ANTÓN	242	(12)
PENONOMÉ	254	(2)
AROUND PENONOMÉ	256	(5)
La Pintada
Trinidad Spa and Lodge
Parque National Omar Torrijos H.
AGUADULCE	261	(2)
AROUND AGUADULCE	263	(1)
Natá de los Caballeros
El Caño
SANTIAGO	264	(8)
San Francisco and Santa Fé
ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE LAS PERLAS	272	(6)
Contadora
Isla San José
Other Islands
The Azuero Peninsual	278	(42)
CHITRÉ	283	(13)
LA VILLA DE LOS SANTOS	296	(3)
LOOP ROAD: PESÉ TO OCÚ	299	(2)
Pesé
Los Pozos and Las Minas
Ocú
Back to Chitré
GUARARÉ	301	(2)
LAS TABLAS	303	(6)
PEDASI	309	(7)
ISLANDS NEAR PEDASI	316	(2)
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla de Cañas
TONOSI	318	(2)
Macaracas
Golfo de Chiriqui and the Western Highlands	320	(80)
DAVID	324	(14)
West of David: Paso Canoa, Punta Burica and Puerto Armuelles
IN THE GOLFO DE CHIRIQUI	338	(17)
Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui
Parque Nacional Coiba
Playa Santa Catalina
Islas Secas
Las Lajas
Morro Negrito Surf Camp
BOQUETE	355	(23)
CERRO PUNTA AND SURROUNDINGS	378	(9)
VOLCÁN AND SURROUNDINGS	387	(13)
West of Volcán
Along the Fortuna Road
Bocas del Toro	400	(60)
ISLA COLÓN	408	(28)
ISLA BASTIMENTOS	436	(10)
BEYOND ISLA COL³N AND ISLA BASTIMENTOS	446	(3)
Isla Carenero
Isla Solarte
Elsewhere in the Archipelago
MAINLAND BOCAS	449	(11)
Almirante
Changuinola
Humedales de San San Pondsack
Guabito
Proyecto ODESEN (Wekso Ecolodge and Center)
Know Panama
THE LAND	460	(1)
Climate
FLORA AND FAUNA	461	(5)
Trees and Plants
Birds
Land Mammals
Sea Life
Amphibians
Reptiles
Insects, Arachnids, and Other Small Creatures
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES	466	(3)
Deforestation
Water Resources
Air Quality
Parks and Protected Areas
Conservation Groups
HISTORY	469	(15)
Ancient History
The Spanish Conquest
Colonial Era
The Tumultuous 19th Century
Gold Rush Days
The Panama Canal and Independence from Colombia
The New Nation
Emerging Nationalism
A New Treaty
A New Democracy
GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMY	484	(2)
PEOPLE	486	(11)
Indigenous Peoples
Ethnic Makeup
Culture
Sports
Arts and Crafts
Religion
Language
GETTING THERE AND AWAY	497	(13)
Charter Flights and Package Deals
By Air
By Land
By Sea
GETTING AROUND	510	(9)
By Air
By Bus
By Boat
By Rail
By Taxi
Rental Cars and Driving Laws
By Bicycle
Hiking
Hitchhiking
Organized Tours
Toll Roads
VISAS AND OFFICIALDOM	519	(8)
Visas and Tourist Cards
Living and Working in Panama
Embassies and Consulates
Border Crossings
Bribes and Scams
Police
CONDUCT AND CUSTOMS	527	(2)
Dress and Appearance
Etiquette
TIPS FOR TRAVELERS	529	(5)
Opportunities for Study
Volunteer Opportunities
Women Traveling Alone
Gay and Lesbian Travelers
Accessibility for Disabled Travelers
Seniors
Traveling with Children
Traveling with Pets
HEALTH AND SAFETY	534	(10)
Before You Go
Insects and Arachnids
Insect-Borne Diseases
Rabies
Stomach Ailments
Hantavirus
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Other Diseases
Sun
Ocean Dangers
Hypothermia
Wild Animals
Traffic Accidents
Local Doctors, Clinics, and Hospitals
Illegal Drugs
Crime
INFORMATION AND SERVICES	544	(8)
Money
Maps
Tourist Information
Communications and Media
Weights and Measures
Holidays
What to Bring
SPANISH PHRASEBOOK	552	(6)
SUGGESTED READING	558	(2)
INTERNET RESOURCES	560	(2)
Index	562