Panamá HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC. 130 Campus Drive Edison, NJ 08818-7816 % 732-225-1900 / 800-255-0343 / fax 732-417-1744 www.hunterpublishing.com
[email protected] IN CANADA: Ulysses Travel Publications 4176 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec Canada H2W 2M5 % 514-843-9882 ext. 2232 / fax 514-843-9448 IN THE UK & EUROPE: Windsor Books International The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington Oxford, OX44 9EJ England % 01865-361122 / fax 01865-361133 ISBN 1-58843-368-4 © 2004 Hunter Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability or any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Cover: Kuna Girl Sews a Mola, © 2004 Maxine Cass Spine: Lemurine night monkey, © 2004 Diba Designs / Ancon Expeditions Back cover: Two Kuna Children, © 2004 Paul & Anne Hemmers All interior photos © Patricia Katzman, unless otherwise indicated. Maps by Lissa K. Dailey, © 2004 Hunter Publishing, Inc. Illustrations by Joe Kohl Index by Nancy Wolff 4 3 2 1 CONTENTS Introduction Using this Guide History Geography Topography Climate Flora & Fauna Preservation National Parks Government Economy Panamá’s People Food & Drink Holidays Festivals & Events Top 20 Attractions Shopping Official Matters Health & Safety Ready, Get Set, Go! Tour Operators Where to Stay For More Information Panamá Province Panamá City History The Modern Capital Getting Here Getting Around Sightseeing & Touring Adventures Shopping Where to Stay Where to Eat Entertainment The Pacific Islands Overview Getting Here Adventures Where to Stay Where to Eat Eastern Panamá Province Western Panamá Province 1 3 4 18 19 20 22 28 31 34 35 36 41 44 45 47 51 52 53 55 67 69 73 77 77 77 78 79 79 82 99 107 109 119 125 128 130 132 132 133 135 135 145 iv n Adventure Guide to Panamá Colón Province Overview History Getting Here & Getting Around Colón City History Colón City Today West of the Canal Sightseeing & Touring Adventures Where to Stay & Eat East of the Canal History Portobelo Today Getting Here Sightseeing & Touring Adventures Where to Stay Where to Eat Adventures Where to Stay Where to Eat 153 153 154 155 156 156 157 159 159 161 162 163 163 164 165 166 168 169 169 170 171 173 Coclé Province Overview History Th