Information
The best source of information in Panama is the Panamanian Tourist Institute, IPAT ( www.ipat.gob.pa ), which has its main office in Panama City and several provincial branch offices. Though the government is keen to promote tourism, the idea that some foreign visitors prefer independent travel to package tours is still a novelty to most IPAT workers. You can get some useful information at the Panama City office - advice, free maps, leaflets - but unless you go there with some fairly specific questions you may end up with little more than glossy brochures. The provincial offices are more variable, though even in the most rudimentary of them you should be able to find some useful information - a local map or brochures - and there is usually someone who speaks English. The Visitor/El Visitante , a free monthly tourist promotion magazine in English and Spanish available at IPAT offices, hotels and restaurants throughout Panama, lists Panama's attractions and upcoming events. Panama's national parks and other protected natural areas are administered by the National Environment Agency, ANAM ( www.anam.gob.pa ). The main office in Panama City is in theory keen to promote ecotourism, though in practice they offer almost no information on visiting the parks. The ANAM regional offices, which administer the national parks directly, are generally more helpful and an essential stop before visiting parks where permission is needed or if you want to spend the night in a refuge. Once again they are often unaccustomed to the idea of travellers visiting national parks independently, but are usually very helpful. Several tour operators based in Panama City can also give you advice and information on visiting the rest of the country, though of course they will do so in the hope of selling you a tour. The best map of Panama (1:800,000; available in specialist map shops) is produced by International Travel Maps (345 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Y 1P8). In Panama , large-scale maps are available at the Instituto Geografico Nacional Tommy Guardia (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm) on Via Simon Bolivar, opposite the entrance to the university in Panama City.
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