Customer Reviews

Frommer's Panama (Frommer's Complete Guides)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On a recent trip to Costa Rica and Panama we took Lonely Planet's Costa Rica and Frommer's Panama. If you are a traveler who carries a backpack, takes local buses, and stays in hostels and small hotels, this is not the book for you. During our trip from we felt that Frommer's Panama was nearly useless to use as a guidebook at all, especially coming from the very informative Lonely Planet's Costa Rica. The Frommer's guide would work great for families with medium to large budgets, cruise ship passengers, businessman, or travelers looking for a more luxury and shuttle van and all inclusive tour type of experience in Panama. This book really only talks about the expensive hotels and activities. All the sample travel itineraries are catered to people who can spend a few hundred a day on their adventure. Smaller towns are not covered (many are not even mentioned) and there are no maps showing you where the internet cafes, laundry, or even banks are. The book only talks about the sit down restaurants when there are tiny sodas sprinkled throughout every town with wonderful and cheap food. In short: Not for backpackers, but fine for room-service types.

Finally, an up-to-date (2007) review book for Panama not just aimed at backpackers. It's well organized and really gives you an idea of the best places to stay, best places to eat and best attractions for each of the great areas of Panama. Move over Lonely Planet!

I had to buy this one for my trip to Panama since it was the most up-to-date. I think lonely planet is to publish their newest one this month - get that.

In all, though I was happy with the food recommendations, they covered the high end, as did the accommodation reviews. As stated by another reviewer, this book is not for those looking to travel on the cheap. I was there visiting a local, so we got on just fine, but the maps, explanations, and language reviews were completely insufficient for the younger traveler. I guess this would be fine if you are older and have already budgeted for someone to hold your hand through the country. Otherwise, go LP.

I was extremely impressed with this book. A ton of information.

Very helpful. But did tend to be more informative about the cities. We are not interested in the city anywhere.