nomar

We are planning a trip to Panama for this July (family with 2 children) and have some basic questions. We have been to Costa Rica and Mexico before.

1. Is Panama like Mexico when it comes to the water and uncooked fruits/vegetables? Do Americans have to be very cautious about foods and food preparation and are stomach difficulties very common?

2. Ss it generally safe to drive from Panama City to other destinations (Pacif Coast, Boquette, etc). Is safety generally a concern outside Panama City?

Any other observations about what it is like to travel within the country would be appreciated.

Thanks

bellaboo

Water is safe in Panama.

WE found it to be safe, but never put ourselves in risky situations and were cautious.

Yes, people rent cars and drive to diff areas, but PC to David is 5-6 hours....

We love Panama and have been 2x.

nomar

Thanks. So water is safe--what about eating salads, fruits, etc? Also, what about general handling of food? We found Costa Rica fine, but had some difficulties in Mexico.

ttraveler

We didn't have any issues with food and we ate everything. We even stopped at a rest area and ate fried rice, and then at a bus stop on the way home from David. We enjoyed fresh strawberries and homemade fruit ice pops. We didn't go too far off the beaten path. Panama City, Bocas Del Toro and Boquette. We drank bottled water. We didn't rent a car so I can't help you with your driving questions. We flew to Bocas and then hired a driver to go to Boquette. Panama is a great country and I always felt very safe.

bellaboo

We ate salads, etc both visits with no prob.

nachocabdriver

Hola!My name is Ignacio Vigil(NACHO) easier for u my nickname,ja!ja. I am a cab driver in the city,also i am a tourist guide,i ve a lot of experience working for americans. Panama is an small country,but we ve a lot of diveristy and a big heard! Ok 8 hours of tour is enougth to know my litlle city,small city a lot of diversity,remember that,my charge hourly is $30 until 2 person,i would rather if you pay me in cash,thats means 8 hours x $30 hour will be $240 for the complete tour,including Ancon Hill(1 hour)called the 'lung of the city'is at 200 meters over the sea level,Miraflores Locks(1 hour),the Creek Path(walk into the jungle around 30 minutes),Gamboa(where is the Gatun Lake)45 minutes more,the Centennial Bridge,we will come back again to the city by the America's bridge,at this time around 1:00pm (lunch time)would be at Mi Ranchito Rest.with the best panamenian sea food,the rest of the evening the Casco Viejo(where are the ruins of more than 500 hundred years ago),the modern city,Panama Viejo,Los Pueblitos at the lies of Ancon Hill,to finally come back to your Hotel in the city or wherever u want to stay. The second day would be great to visit any beach at the Atlantic Side,per example Isla Grande(Grand Island)surrounded by thousands of green hectars of National reserves,located in the best part of Colon,nicest beache and superb landscapes. There is some one links of submited recommendations about my services,i will very glad and proud to show my city: http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-recs9dec09b

http://ontheroadtravel.blogs.com/chr...s_on_the_road/ 2008/01/panama-city-the.html

THIS IS JUST for let u know how much i know my BEAUTY COUNTRY.

1.THE SAME WATER WE USE FOR WASH CARS IS THE SAME WE USE TO DRINK,100% CLEAN,CLEAR ONE OF THE BETTERS IN THE WORLD.

2.DEFINITELY,ALL THE ROADS OUTSIDE THE CITY ARE OK,Panam have the LOWER CRIMINAL LEVEL IN CENTRAL AMERICA,oposite like in Costa Rica,the roads have a lot of pot holes also is a unsafer place to do tourism,i know CR beacuse my mother in law live in Alajuela,my wife and i visited CR 3 times

I hope help u with this some information,call me or cantact me at my e mail.
BEST REGARDS,
nacho

nachocabdriver

Hi!me again!i forgott told u that there is no any problems with food in restaurants,supermarkets(we have 3 price smarts,1 in Chiriqui) or outdoor panamenian food(the better),also if u want to test any international food i would recommend u dozens of superb restaurants around the city or the interamerican highway,other good councel for u is that ALWAYS is better if use a cab service when u are not in your country because:the driver know his country like the back of his hand,this means that u will not spend any time lost or looking for specific places,the driver always will use the better landscapes roads or shortcuts,this mean a lot of non stress time for u and your family,just FUN TIME,i hope a lot of people read my recommendation here because,i am the better cab driver and tourist guide in Panama,this my customers said,also i have an special vans edition of Toyota Hi-ace,extremely confortable for familys and perfect for long trips, i love my job because there is nothing better than show your country to foreign people and meet with differents cultures and habits,i am a proud panamenian,always with the intention to help the any visitors,100‰ of the panamenian people is friendly people,including me,ja!ja!!!well i can not abuse more of this lines,hope work for u,bye!!!