1

Walk around Casco Viejo, visit the seafood market, and take a hike through the metroplitan park which is in the city but a jungle. You can also go to the top of ancon hill for nice veiws of the city.

2

For a nice little hint of island life you can take a day trip to isla taboga which is off the coast of PC and there are shuttles from I believe the causeway for 10 dollars each way.

3

Go to the top of Ancon Hiii (a/k/a Quarry Heights) and enjoy the two outlooks over looking the city and the Canal area. Also, on the side of Ancon Hill is Mi Pueblito. It is a replica of a rural Panamanian village.

4

In addition to these, you should definitely take a trip out to thee Miraflores Locks to see and understand how the Panama Canal works. It'll only take around half a day and taxis can take you there and back cheaply. I've written up a review of Panama City which includes this, Casco Viejo and the Spanish Old Town which you might find useful:

http://www.footlooseferrett.co.uk/#/colombia-and-panama/4565017980

5

Yo footloose!
Your blog is all messed up. The Panama section is talking about Guyana and surenam

6

Footloose,
I just read your panama blog. Bocas so touristy there is a total lack of culture??? I assume you hung out in tourist bars and hostels. If you took a step off the main street you would see no tourists and lots of culture that you probably just don't get. I know you probably think that culture means Indians dressed in costumes but really it means a wholle lot more. I have had tourists ask mean if there are Indians here in Bocas. Bocas town and bocas del toro in whole is now a majority Indian. People just don't notice because they are looking for people selling pan flutes and such. I have had people sitting at the most touristy back pack bar tell me they don't like bocas because it's too touristy! And the strangest one, I have tourists (backpackers) complain that there were no local places to eat. There are dozens of local food places. I think people choose not to see them because thy don't fit into their image of a restaurant. And last but not least. The other island you went to was probably Carenero not solarte. Did you explore?

7

When I was there, it was impossible to walk down one of the main streets without being hassled by a tout trying to sell you something (mainly boat trips) every 15 yards. So, yes, I do think Bocas is touristy.

Was I looking for Indians dressed in costumes?? No, I have to say I wasn't. In fact, I would have described this as even more touristy as I know how these are manufactured to attract holidaymakers.

If you explore my website, you'll see that I describe places as I see them (which is all I can do). You'll notice many positive reviews but also more negative ones when I am more non-plussed about a place.

After all, it's only my opinion. You obviously have a different one which is also valid (but note that I don't attack it). Different opinions are needed to make the world a more interesting place. I'm glad to hear you had a good time there.

8

My point exactly! You base your opinion on a six block stretch of the ONE main street in the main tourist town of a very large area that it seems you did not explore or even step off the main street and walk around the neighborhoods. Where did you stay? Did you go into any of the local cantinas? There may seem like there are lots of tourists if you don't go anywhere except for the tourist destinations but, really, if you take one step off of main street, the tourist dissapere very fast.