Nice list, but I have to disagree about a few things.

2. Boquete is great, but I wouldn't say it's the "best place" outside of Panama City. It obviously depends on what you want. Don't know how one would compare, say, the Darien jungle or Azuero Peninsula w/ Boquete to make that judgment.

4. Paitilla and Punta Pacifica aren't "gringo" areas. They're rich areas. Most people who live there are Panamanian. The rest are from all over the world, not just the U.S. Gringos are a distinct minority.

5. This is true, to an extent. Some hotel taxis will try to rip you off. But most are legally allowed to charge more, as they are "tourist taxis" that allegedly offer a more comfortable, air-conditioned ride and guide services. You can tell because they have a license plate starting with "SET." They do tend to hang around hotels and tourist areas, so just walk down the street if you want a cheaper "regular" taxi.

7. Not true. A far better option is Restaurante Boulevard Balboa (Avenida Balboa and Calle 33), which has free wi-fi, a much better ambiance and is a hangout for Panama's power brokers. Comfortable and good people-watching possibilities.

8. True, it is cheaper to get taxis upstairs. But one runs the risk of getting ripped off or worse, as a few of these characters prey on clueless tourists. I recommend paying the extra and going with the licensed, authorized official service downstairs. This service was created a few years ago specifically because of bad incidents with the upstairs guys.

11. Seems a bit of a sweeping statement. Did you try Luna's Castle, for instance?

12. Wow, that's definitely a minority opinion. Some people find Bocas town too touristy, but they just need to get away from that area and see the rest of Bocas, which is spectacular. I love Kuna Yala (i.e., "the San Blas Islands"), its clear waters and its fascinating indigenous culture, but which a couple of notable exceptions the actual beaches are better among the islands of Bocas.


--
William Friar
author, "Moon Guidebooks: Panama" and "Portrait of the Panama Canal"
www.panamaguidebooks.com

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