Panama on Their Own Terms
By: Edwin and Elizabeth Sypolt
International Travel News, May, 1998

Although my wife and I have traveled extensively the past 15 years, we hadn't crossed the Panama Canal. We started making plans to travel there in February '98, We are not fond of cruises, however, prefering to explore and hike inland.

After extensive research, we developed and itinerary that would allow us to see some of the country in addition to to going throught the canal. To that end, we contacted 12 to 15 tour companies that advertised trips to Panama. That's when our problems began.

About 10 of them responded, but they offered "pre-packaged itineraries, none of which was satisfactory to us. One company promised to set something up for us, and even submitted a good-looking tour, then we never heard from them again.

Then the travel gods intervened. We contacted Lost World Adventures (in Decatur, GA; phone 800/999-0558) and spoke with the owner, Andrew Gilchrist. Within two weeks he set up and confirmed the itinerary we wanted and set the whole thing in motion.

Lost World works with Ancon Expeditions in Panama and they did everything that was promised and more, including a tour of Panama City (quite cosmopolitan); a day trip to Colon and the Atlantic side of the country and nature hikes at Sabernia National Park and Barro Colorado Island (site of a wonderful Smithsonian Research Center).

Our guide (who met us at the airport) was Ivan (pronounced E-VON') and he was absolutely delightful. He was born in Panama but had spent a considerable time in the U.S., so he could relate to both cultures.

We stayed at the Executive Hotel ($100 per night). It was quite nice and included one of the necessities of life for us: in-room coffee. We asked Ivan for some restaurant recommendations, and two were especially good; El Trapiche (Panamanian) and Tre Salinin (Italian). Both were within walking distance of the hotel, and dinner at each was about $35 for two.

One afternoon, when we were going to be out the whole day and far from any restaurants, Ivan brougth a picnic lunch and we ate among the ruins of an old fort, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Going through the canal was a great experience, and the whole trip was wonderful, thanks to Lost World, Ancon and Ivan. If you are interested in tailoring a trip to Central or South America, we highly recommend contacting Andrew.