Panama

by Lonely Planet, Regis St. Louis

At once wild and sophisticated, Panama lures intrepid travelers with teeming rain forests, hundreds of jewel-like islands and the ultra-hip nightspots of its salsa-infused capital. Find your own sun-drenched beach, mingle with the Kuna Indians or dance until dawn at a frenzied fiesta - Panama offers adventure at every turn. Grab your hat and let our bestselling guide show you all the facets of Central America's undiscovered gem. • GET OUT - our outdoor activities chapter gives you the scoop on surfing, snorkeling, hiking, birding and more • GET BELOW THE SURFACE - informed and insightful features on history, culture and contemporary life • EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY - frank, in-depth dining and entertainment reviews, from ceviche to merengue • FIND YOUR WAY - 73 easy-to-use maps, more than any other guidebook to Panama • LEARN THE LINGO - earn smiles from the locals with our handy Spanish language section

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Guidebook

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

OUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.

Reviews

[Jacob S · Rating 5 out of 5]

No, I have not really finished the book - but used it quite extensively.
For my US friends - or others that live close by, I can really recommend a trip to Panama.
Don´t just go to Panama City or Bocas, go inland to the rainforests and enjoy the wildlife!
Our itinerary was Panama City-Malena-Palmilla-Boquete-Bocas in two weeks, and we could easily have spent 2 weeks more.
We did get what we came for though. Night patrolling the southern beach setting 69 baby turtles off to the sea. meeting a few sloths and armadillos, howler monkeys and capuchins + thousands of hummingbirds and butterflies.

[erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, I don't usually use lonely planet guides...a sure way to go where many have gone before...but for a recent trip was given this one. Actually found it useful and am now a convert to travel guides (but not lonely planet guides!)...BUT and this is IMPORTANT - this book contained inaccurate information! The author even reviewed and RECOMMENDED hostels that were not open at the time of writing - and were still under construction when i visited panama! Also book seems to recommend mostly hostels owned/run by americans or other foreigners & (i think) a focus on supporting locally owned businesses would be better. This, combined with the inaccuracy, makes me wonder where the author's "first hand information" actually comes from...anonymous tips (from hostel owners?)? in any case, a better choice for panama is the Moon Handbook...somewhat negative/sarcastic about places I actually enjoyed but at least accurate.

[Mikey G · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've used Lonely Planet for several trips through Central and South America and usually they are outstanding. This was not the case with the Panama guide. The author seems to have spent more time drinking and hanging out with American hostel owners than actually researching the country. I buy Lonely Planet for their hostel and cheap eating suggestions, not the best places to go meet sunburned, fat, drunk, Americans which I see plenty of in the States. Don't waste your money on this book! In fact, don't waste your money on Panama! The majority of the country is just sad and reminds me of Ohio! The only place worth visiting is Santa Fe and a little hostel there called La Qhia (which, incidentally, isn't even in the guide). And if you still feel the need to travel to this country that favors strip malls over forest, do not go around Christmas time, unless you enjoy fireworks going off literally every night, ALL night!

[May Ling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished this in preparation for my trip and already lamenting that my trip is not longer! Haven't even been there yet!! It all sounds amazing and I'm glad I'm going. From the looks of it, it sounds like now is the time as the rain forests world-wide continue to inch their way backward.

What i like about this guide is the history, culture, and lengthy descriptions. It's light on pictures, though and is not the absolute best when it comes to maps.

[Jaclyn Harrison · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the worst Lonely Planet guide I have ever used. DO NOT BUY IT. We spent almost 2 weeks traveling from one end of Panama to the other and rarely was the information accurate. The book (not to mention our trip) was a huge waste of money. I recommend Lonely Planet guides for most other countries, but if you are going to Panama, buy a different publication.

[Rena Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This version was not updated much since the previous one, as far as I could see. I found many of the tips to be outdated or just plain wrong. I've purchased many a Lonely Planet and was very disappointed to find that this version just didn't live up to what I found in the Colombia guide as well as several Asia and Europe guides. You can do better, LP! Save your money and use the internet, Whats App, and Instagram to find your way in Panama.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. I found that the maps were inaccurate and format made it really hard to use when you were actually there. We were a month in Panama and although I used it I more often than not just gave up.

[Maribeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was perfect for our trip. When we took the suggestions given in the book, they were always correct!

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked fantastic hotel & restaurants in Casco Viejo based on their recommendations. Found perfect stop in Farallon by their recommendation, as well. Wish there was more for Santa Catalina & Coiba.

[Mirella Ducasteele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blijft de beste in zijn soort. Veel informatie, correct en recent. Ik mis alleen hier en daar een foto.

[Kim Bell Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy ayudando por mi tiempo de Panamá. Mucho gusto

[Kristall86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klappentext:

„Lebensfreude in Panama – ein neuer Lonely Planet zu Panama, dem südlichsten Zipfel Zentralamerikas: Auf über 250 Seiten gibt der Guide jede Menge Aktivtipps für die besten Surfstrände, Tauchspots und Rafting auf dem Rio Chiriquí. Outdoorfreaks finden alles zu spannenden Trekkingtouren durch den tropischen Regenwald und zum Transpanama Trail. Wer nur wenig Zeit hat, tourt am besten auf einer der maßgeschneiderten Routen durchs Land. Und zum Relaxen schickt dich der Lonely Planet an die Traumstrände der San-Blas-Inseln. Mit Liebe zum Detail haben die Autoren die Reisetipps zusammengetragen und alles unabhängig recherchiert: Sehenswürdigkeiten und Veranstaltungen, Reiserouten und Verkehrswege, Kunst und Architektur, Geschichte und Kultur. Ob Backpacker, Pauschalreisende oder 5-Sterne-Tourist – mit dem Lonely Planet im Rucksack oder Handschuhfach bist du garantiert bestens gerüstet.



Reiseplanung: Erkunde die tollsten Ecken deines Reiseziels und plane deine perfekte Reise mithilfe unserer Reiserouten und detaillierten Karten.
Reiseziele: Entdecke einzigartige Erlebnisse, Tipps unserer Autor:innen und Expert:innen, Hintergründe und Empfehlungen.
Praktisches: Die wichtigsten Informationen für deine Reise im Überblick. Kurz und übersichtlich zusammengefasst.
Storybook: Tauche mit unseren Reportagen tief in den Alltag ein und erfahre mehr über die Seele deines Reiseziels.“


Da ich Panama bereits selbst erleben durfte, kann ich hier nur klar eine Leseempfehlung für diesen präzisen Reiseführer aussprechen. Er beinhaltet wirklich alles kompakte und notwendige Wissen rund um Panama. Die Gegend ist speziell und bietet unheimlich viele Inspirationen. All das zu bestaunen ist nicht ganz einfach und man muss sich vorher sehr gut informieren. Diese Reiseführer ist dafür wirklich bestens geeignet. Durch seine detaillierten Beschreibungen und die wirklich tollen Bilder, bringt er Panama sehr gut auf den Punkt. Egal wie lange man dort weilen möchte, jeder wird auf seine Kosten kommen. Panama ist definitiv eine Reise wert und einmalig. Dieser Flecken Erde hat mich sehr beeindruckt. Der LP-Reiseführer ist hier wirklich zu empfehlen wenn man Panama als Reiseziel hat! 5 Sterne hierfür!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through this book before our mission trip to Panama. I did not expect it to be terribly helpful, but I actually found that much of the history and tips included were useful. We visited the Ngabe people in Boca del Toro, so it was helpful to learn about their history and native religion.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lonely Planet does SUCH a good job! So, I'm not into paying for 5 stars, and I really don't like the touristy places. I'm so glad these guys exist to counteract books like Frommer's.

[Dr Ted Edwards DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of two must have guides when visiting Panama. Bound to make your experience more enjoyable and affordable.

[Ju Ribeiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still I miss pictures and comprehensive maps.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of date. But panama is clearly awesome so a decent starting point to get a sense of where to spend your time

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic tour guide. If you have never been to panama, this one is pretty good.

[Gina Gorny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately totally out of date. Missing maps. Could be more honest.

[Sarah Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Lonely Planet guidebooks - my favorite source to use for travel!

[Margarida Gonçalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and up to date. Good restaurant selection!!
Cultural side of Panamá City quite weak...

[Vanessa Petsuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

great tips, beautiful photos, well laid out