This little travel log starts out in Panama City a big but uncrowded city with very good infrastructure. Then we went up to two highland areas in the 3200 to 3500 foot elevation - Volcan and Boquete. Both are very interesting smaller towns.
Boquete Panama (above) has a more attractive community and has much more going on - especially for foreigners. We stayed at a wonderful pension ($15.50 per night for both of us) and ate Panamanian food several nights ($2.50 for a simple but full dinner- flavored rice, beans, chicken, salad and plantains). Went out to dinner one night at a fancy Peruvian place and couldn't spend $20 even with imported wine and a big tip. The Boquete area feels a bit like Big Sur California or Hawaii in the 1940's.