1) General changes and remarks
Deeply connected to the U.S. (but this will soon change with the canal
under local authority by the end of the XXth century), this country has
higher prices than other centro-american countries, but it does not look
so expensive compared to Belize or Costa
Rica. In Lonely
Planet's book, it was said in the Panama introduction
chapter that the author would go back there any time , with pleasure, in
spite of the common reputation of Panama being not interesting or attractive.
I would say that if I take the decision to go back to Central America
one day (I hope so!), I WILL go back to Panama, for this country has so
much to offer, and for it seems I have seen so little of it.
2) Specific changes and remarks
Chitré (Peninsula de Azueros) :
The local famous festival is held on the Sunday closest to the 19th of
October, and is really worth to be seen. I was there this autumn 94, and
I did see some of the most beautiful horses I had seen in all my life (I
did see many!) : horses are a very serious matter in the David Province.
I saw a beautiful procession of "Ford Mustang", and other more typical
attractions, with a "big party ambiance". Go and stay in the pension Herrerana
: the old Lady running the place does not seem friendly, but might become
your best friend (may be not if you are not french!). This is a souvenir
joke, but the place is a good deal. Be careful on the festival week-end,
prices increase all over town , and it is not easy to find a room.
San Blas Islands :
One of the most unforgettable experience in one's life, according to all
the people I know who have been there once at least (I know and met many).
The Hotel San Blas is still fine with US$25 a day, but if you stay
longer than 5 days, you might negotiate the price down to US$ 20. Try hard
as Cuna indians are very tough businessmen.
The Cuna indians managed to preserve their people and territory during
30 years, in spite of exploiting tourism activities, and are still very
fascinating or sometimes strange for occidental eyes. But unfortunately,
the situation started to change recently, and next changes might come faster
everyday. These changes are not so much imposed by foreigners, but more
likely by Cuna indians when they come back to live in their region after
studying or living a while in Panama city, where they get in touch with
our lifestyle. For instance, the San Blas islands are one of the hottest
spots on earth for big scale traffic of drug (coming from Columbia, going
to the U.S. or Central America). It is said that the young generation of
Cuna indians is partly involved in the traffic, using in a bad way the
business abilities of their ancestors : it sounds logical as the Cuna organizaton
("government") is in full control of the region (as far as the columbian
border), and before the Panamean authorities. Anyway, in the western islands
where tourists go and stay, you will never see such things (for the moment),
but your luggages will be checked at the Paitilla (local flights) airport
in Panama city when coming back from San Blas.
Contact : 
or www.metey.com
CENTRAL
AMERICA - PANAMA (also check my expenses data)