Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 917
EAN: 9781566915793
ISBN: 1566915791
Label: Avalon Travel Publishing
Manufacturer: Avalon Travel Publishing
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 577
Publication Date: 2005-08-10
Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing
Studio: Avalon Travel Publishing

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.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Solid book
Comment: I have planned several trips to Panama using this book. The writing is clear, concise, and is generally accurate. I wouldn't say the book has an excess of personality to it (you wouldn't read it for fun), but it covers just about everything you'd want to know for your trip.

My only quibble is that this book needs to be updated. Panama is changing quite rapidly (the prices as well as the physical landscape) and a 3 year book will rapidly lose its value.

All in all, still the best around at what it does.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Truthful guidebook
Comment: I have read about 50 guidebooks in recent five years, from traveller's perspective - either traveling to these countries or choosing whether or not to do so - and this one turns out to be the best of all of them. I'm not exaggerating, since I'm so tired of inconsistent, untrue, uncomplete, otherwise unreliable books. This one simply doesn't have faults and is also remarkably better than the Lonely Planet's Panama.
William Friar is not advertising, not making something sound like it is not in reality, he's giving a full, truthful picture of the country and as much practical information as it is needed; as a sample I can mention Health and Safety chapter - it's just what you would need to know. Yes, of course, there is some dated information - but that's pretty non-escapable about the guidebooks. He has a truly great trait - to be trustable. I highly recommend this book.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: a needed travel guide
Comment: a bit 'promotional' but otherwise i found it to be accurate (with exception of the author's anti-drug sentiments which were unrealistically extreme). a topographical map would be an extremely nice addition to the book and they could have skipped the color photos and put in color maps. overall, this book was helpful for my 07' trip. you will need a travel guide in panama.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Negative Nancy
Comment: I had high hopes for this book as the reviews were good. The author doesn't give many positive highlights about anything in Panama. I was really disappointed with the authors reviews on food. Out of all the places he reviewed they were all negative. Why would I want to go eat from a place listed in his book? There were some great places to eat in Panama City ( Taj Majal and Marsala). I agree that the cuisine is nothing to write home about in Panama, but he could have found some nice place to eat. Also if you plan on using the public transportation system, this book doesn't give very much. It is mostly written from the perspective of rental cars or your own car.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Where I find Al Natural
Comment: In the summer of 2006 I went to Panama for three weeks, with my wife and our two daughters. We've planned all the trip with this book, where we allways find accurate information and some precious advices. The way the book is writing, is very good. And I allways remember this book for one thing: it's where I find the Al Natural, a superb place in Isla Bastimentos, in the Atlantic shore of Panama. Great!

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