Panama is the crossing point between South and Central America and it's where you can find the Panama Canal, an amazing feat of engineering which carries ships from the Caribbean to the Pacific, saving them a rather long round trip down round the bottom of Argentina. It's geographical position has been fundamental in shaping the nation there today.
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Budget Accommodation in Panama
For cheap sleep you can camp if that's your thing, there's no law against wild camping but don't leave a mess if you want to stay popular. If you want to sleep in a more solid structure try looking for a lodge, particularly in the countryside, which will be basic but reasonably priced.
A Traveler's Budget for Panama
The main form of transport around the country is bus or minibus, some areas are served by boat (some by canoe!) It is possible to hire a car relatively cheaply - around $25 a day.
A meal will set you back in the region of $2 if you eat local produce consisting mainly of meat and rice with salad. In the cities there is a much greater choice and in the villages even less so but the price drops along with the selection wherever you are.
Activities
Hiking from coast to coast, or up Volcan Baru, the country's highest peak
Birdwatching nine hundred species of bird
Whitewater Rafting down the Chiriqui
Surfing along the Costa Arriba
Diving at the reefs in the Caribbean or the Pearl Islands in the Pacific
Crossing into South America by foot through Darien, bizarrely the place responsible for Scotland's joining with England in 1707
