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Books : Moon Handbooks Panama (Moon Handbooks)
Rating: 
- Simply....The best guidebook on Panama
This guidebook provides a very balanced & well put together information on the country. The author, being a "zonian" himself (one who grew up in the former Panama Canal Zone) & continues to spend time in the country, has a vast knowledge of the area. From the usual tourist areas to the people, history & culture; from the not so well known areas to do's & dont's, he covers it very well. Some information may be a bit outdated but a new edition is coming this November. What I like the most is that - unlike some other guides - he covers whatever is negative in a constructive manner without being overly critical. A perfect companion to relocation guides like "Living in Panama" & "Choose Panama..." Bottom line...If there's room for only one Panama guidebook...look no further.
Rating: - Truthful guidebook
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.
Rating:
- a needed travel guide
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.
Rating:
- Negative Nancy
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.
Rating: - Where I find Al Natural
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!
- Simply....The best guidebook on PanamaThis guidebook provides a very balanced & well put together information on the country. The author, being a "zonian" himself (one who grew up in the former Panama Canal Zone) & continues to spend time in the country, has a vast knowledge of the area. From the usual tourist areas to the people, history & culture; from the not so well known areas to do's & dont's, he covers it very well. Some information may be a bit outdated but a new edition is coming this November. What I like the most is that - unlike some other guides - he covers whatever is negative in a constructive manner without being overly critical. A perfect companion to relocation guides like "Living in Panama" & "Choose Panama..." Bottom line...If there's room for only one Panama guidebook...look no further.
Rating:
- Truthful guidebookI 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.
Rating:
- a needed travel guidea 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.
Rating:
- Negative NancyI 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.
Rating:
- Where I find Al NaturalIn 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!