4 comments about The Panama Hat Trail.

1. This book draws a wonderful and accurate picture of South America, in particular Ecuador, as seen through the eyes of a Westerner. Especially for anyone who has back-packed in these areas in the seventies and eighties, the country comes alive and one finds oneself transported back there through the author's straightforward style, gentle humour and empathy with the people and landscape. The story of the making of Panama hats, from growing the straw through to retailing the product in quality outlets throughout the States is fascinating. The life styles, understanding and expectations of the various people in the chain are portrayed in a way that captures the imagination and surrounds the reader with their reality. At the same time, one's awareness is drawn in a gentle manner and without accusation, to the situation of the "plebs" of third world countries, exploited by and dependent on the West. A satisfying book to read, very interesting and an enjoyable way to learn some of the history of the area.



2. Tom Miller is an excellent traveling companion, informative, friendly, sympathetic to his hosts.



3. Being an Ecuadorian I really enjoyed the way the author captured the personality and idiosyncrasies of the people he meets along his journey. His descriptions of the countryside and life in Ecuador are very accurate.



4. My lifelong interest in travel literature began when, as a child, I read Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas's account of his travels among the Kurdish People of the Middle East. Miller's book is a good read on traveling in Ecuador (where the best panama hats are made), written by a professional writer in this genre (ON THE BORDER, TRADING WITH THE ENEMY: TRAVELS THROUGH CASTRO'S CUBA). This "hat classic" (my opinion), is Miller's first-hand account as he follows the making of Panama hats from the growing and harvesting of the plant material (cardoluvica palmata), through the process of its curing and preparation for weaving, the weaving itself, the various markets along the way, the chain of distribution of the hat bodies, their exportation around the world, the making of finished hats in a North American hat factory, and the sale to a San Diego retail hat store. The story ends when the final customer buys a panama hat in the retail store. Reading this book cannot help but seal one's appreciation for this materiel de resistance of the straw hat business.

4 comments about Panama - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

1. We are so glad we bought this book. Great supplement to the Bradt Travel Guide. These are the ONLY 2 books that have been published recently (our trip is November 2007) and so far don't seem so out of date. Got a lot of ideas & suggestions out of this book & well worth what little it costs.



2. I read this book on the flight down to Panama for our honeymoon. It covered all of the basics of the customs, culture, history, food, etc. for what turned out to be a very charming country. This book is a must read for anyone that is traveling to Panama and wants to go beyond the boundaries of a guided tour or 4 star hotel stay. If you prefer to get to know the people and culture of Panama choose this quick read to get you started.



3. From history to culture; from facts to customs; this "little book" is so well put together. Whether you're a casual tourist or someone planning to retire there, it provides valuable information to help you understand the Panamanian society. Also since it's the only one available of it's kind to date, it makes it even more valuable. Definitely a companion to books like "Moon's Panama Handbook" & "Living In Panama". Easy read & pocket size. Highly recommended!!!



4. The book is small enough to carry around, quick to read, covers almost all the necessary info. It should however also include some 'less positive' facts about living in Panama for foreigners, who are unfortunately often and also quite easily taken advantage of in many ways they would not naturally think of.

5 comments about Frommer's Panama (Frommer's Complete).

1. 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!



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



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



4. 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.



5. 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.

2 comments about National Geographic Traveler: Panama (National Geographic Traveler).

1. I purchased this book in anticipation of traveling to Panama in January. I was able to find every place we intend to go and also find a lot of useful hints for our travels. We have traveled to a number of countries and always buy some sort of guides to let us know what to expect and to help us plan our trip. This book gives a concise description of the areas without being too concise but also without being too verbose. I also have the Frommer's guide to Panama and much prefer the much more colorful National Geographic guide.



2. National Geographic is well known by the quality of their maps & their awesome photography; and this travel guidebook it's no exception. It's very informative without being too in depth. The pictures makes you feel like you're there (in my opinion). This one can complement the Moon's guidebook which focus is just the opposite. Well put together. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Panama Canal By Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising the Panama Canal (2nd Edition).

1. This will be packed and going on my upcoming cruise. It has not only the historical, cultural, political perspectives on the canal, but has all the Central America, Mexico, South America ports where you stop during the cruise. Wonderful maps, pictures, and discussions about the surrounding areas.
   I am enjoying studying it each night in prepartion for our cruise.
   Well write and easy to pack. This author did a tremendous job with this guide. I would definitely buy other guides from Ms. Vipond.
   Linda Canada



2. Our Holland America transit of the Panama Canal in May '07 included a veteran tour guide talking on the ships announcement systems. His description was very poor and the facts were just wrong. I knew that because I had read this book.
   
   I recommend you buy and read this book before making your transit.



3. Great coverage of the history and structure of the Panama Canal itself and a great deal of information about cruise ships in general. However, I was disappointed in the coverage of the ports. I would have preferred more details.



4. Purchased this book for my mother-in-law. She seemed to like it. They are taking a trip there, so it made a good gift. Have not read the book myself.



5. I bought this book prior to a Panama Canal cruise not just for the cruise information but also because of the extensive amount of history covering the Panama Canal, including how it was built and the political involvement in making it happen. The details and background on the canal are outstanding.
   
   What I didn't expect to find was not only information about the ports of call in Panama, but information about every possible port of call on a Panama Canal cruise. Whether you sail from Florida to California or any other path, your ports are covered in this book. Know what to purchase in Costa Rica, know where to sightsee in Cozumel, and know where the locals will be waving at your ship as you pass through the canal. A must have guide for every canal cruise, and a great guide for the Caribbean and Mexico as well.

5 comments about Choose Panama . . . the Perfect Retirement Haven (Second Edition).

1. As a resident of Boquete, Panama, for the past four years, I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Hutchings when he was researching his first edition of "Choose Panama." And as a longtime editor, I was impressed with the fact that this is a writer who understands that a book on retiring in another country is quite different from a book on simply traveling in that country.
   The second edition of "Choose Panama" is even better than the first. Millions of baby boomers will retire in the coming decades and with the uncertainty of retirement benefits, including Social Security, many will think about retiring overseas. Hutchings points out that Panama deserves serious consideration. Low cost of living, "choose your climate" options, stable government, low crime rate, proximity to the U.S.--all these and more make Panama an excellent choice. Read all the available books. I have found Hutchings' work the best of the lot.



2. After retiring a few years ago and living in the Colorado rockies, I'm now ready for a warm climate, and my budget absolutely demands a low cost of living. After reading Choose Panama the Perfect Retirement Haven (second edition), I discovered a country I hadn't even considered. I had no idea Panama was such a find for retirees.
   
   This book is well organized and easy to read. It's full of facts, not just about the nice places to live, but all the other things a retiree needs to know like housing costs, climate, cost of living, medical insurance and medical care. Also, the author walks you through the immigration options offered by the government of Panama. I give it five stars.
   
   Ray Larson
   Crestone, CO



3. Enjoyed the book but a little lite on real information. Most information is available on the web and it is free. I feel book over priced,however, some valuable information.



4. the book was well done and offers good value for the money. I recommend it.



5. I'm a baby boomer and actively looking for a warm, hospitable place to retire. My budget limits the choices, and I don't want to work for Wal-Mart or someone else to supplement my retirement benefits. I've been hesitant to look at foreign countries as a place to begin my next chapter in life, but this book has convinced me to look at Panama.
   
   In this book, I learned Panama welcomes retirees with financial incentives, and I was surprised to learn the currency is the US dollar. The information in this book is well organized and full of facts about recreation (I'm a golfer and fisherman), medical care, and insurance. The moderate housing costs, wonderful climate in the highlands, and the detailed immigration requirements made me appreciate the prospects of actually living in Panama. I am planning to visit the country soon to determine first hand if this is the place to begin that next chapter.

No comments about Fodor's Panama, 1st Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides).

2 comments about National Geographic Panama Adventure Map, Waterproof.

1. Es un buen mapa para el viejero, muy buenos colores y material resistente a la humedad.



2. National Geographic did a wonderful job with this map. Very attention to detail not only in the topographic map itself, but it's also loaded with pictures & information regarding the regions of the country. There's also a smaller map of Panama City, but not as detail as the rest of the map. Very colorful - expected for National Geographic anyway. Even main highways are included. Very well put together; it definetly complements their travel book. Highly recommended!!!

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Panama (Moon Handbooks).

1. 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!



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

2 comments about Panama (Country Guide).

1. I purchased the previous edition of the Panama Guide from the Lonely Planet a few years ago when I started to become a frequent visitor to Panama. That older edition offered alot of helpful information and I used it frequently.
   
   Due to the rapid changes in Panama - i thought I needed to purchase an updated version to reflect the new hotels and rates and things to do . . . .
   
   whoever allowed this latest edition to be published should just be ashamed. Panama has been growing and changing at an alarming rate over the last few years. This recent guide does little to reflect new places to stay, things to do and current rates. i got the impression that whoever revised it - did not even step foot in Panama, or if they did, did not spend much time there. did they just put a new cover on the old material?
   
   Anyway - I was really disappointed and will not even give it away to friends who are visiting Panama because the information is lacking so much of what could add to a great experience in this wonderful country - especially for lodging options.
   
   Lonely Planet - You really should spend a little more time in the country - i would say to trash this edition and start over.



2. I live in Panama and have bought each of the Lonely Planet Panama books as they have come out. This edition seems to have less information than the last one. In my town, Volcán, there are about 10 places to sleep; six were listed in the previous edition, but just one in this book - and the one shown is an odd, out-of-the-way place offering large cabins for extended families.
   
   I wonder if I can trust Lonely Planet to give me the information I've come to trust them for. I will look at other guides more carefully as options to LP for my other travels.