I visited the Republic of Panama as a guest lecturer to the Eighth Coral Reef Symposium held there sponsored by the Smithonian Insitute. I was to lecture the Symposium on the use of Nitrox and of rebreathers in scientific research. My lectures were part of a weekend-long seminar on diving techniques in u/w investigation. It was a very exciting week as I had some time to visit the country as locals know it ........ no tourist traps here, folks!!! I won't bore you with what was in the lectures as other sections of this WEB site has information on Nitrox and Rebreathers (see Mystery Topic) and "Why we use Nitrox?" Suffices to say there was SRO on a double conference room with audience from all parts of the world ....... specially Central and South America. In very short words ........ Panama compares favorably with anything else in Central America. It has plenty of other advantages like close to the USA, American currency, everybody speaks English and show an unbelievable friendliness; incredible diversity in diving environments, from warm 80+ degree water to low 60s (for you wetsuit aficionados) on the other; and that is all within a couple of driving hours difference. This is simply because you have the best of the Caribbean Sea on the East and the Pacific on the West side across a very short distance. Also, the upwelling on the corner of Pacific side produce a very chilly California-style water temperatures which are not found a couple of hours drive up the coast ...... What a country!! In addition, most sites are in pristine conditions compared with other sites in Central America which have been badly exploited by tourism. Panama and many local agencies want to keep the natural environment as pristine as possible and the Eighth Coral Reef Symposium evidences this policy. Places vary from tourist traps with American-style diving (Contadora and other Pearl Archipielago Islands) to downright rustic and primitive (I LOVE IT !!!). I rather have a local launch to take me to a site few or nobody ever go to than a luxurious cattle boat to follow a diving trail that says "This is a Fire Coral--DO NOT TOUCH!!" or "This is a Brain Coral!!" .......PACIFIC SECTION Archipielago de las Perlas ...... Contadora Island, Saboga, Isla del Rey and others ..... tourism at its highest (expen$ive too!!). Clear and cool waters, American-style canned trips, pre-canned dives and great waters and marine life (the upwelling helps a lot !!!), but little gusto for my taste. Taboga Island ...... the closest island to Panama City and the most frequented by foreigners. Lots of shallow reefs and small islands or cays ...... also walls, but none that will make me loose any sleep. Nearby Iguana Island and other islands are national wildlife refuges. Coiba Island ......... National Park islands in the Golfo de Chiriqui. The most inaccessible and beautiful diving site in the Pacific. One of the largest coral reefs in the Pacific. A penal colony in the main island has slowed the expansion of this site as a real eco-tourism gem. Many other islands in the vicinity makes a trip to this corner of the country really worth it !! Try it !!CARIBBEAN SECTION Bocas del Toro ......... Top diving in a fantatic place !! Everything from very easy snorkeling to SERIOUSLY DEEP DIVING available here. Operators treat you like "You know what you are doing, so go ahead" You do your own thing, but you BETTER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING ! A great place to dive for adventure seekers !! Beautiful environ. GOLFO DE MOSQUITOS ......... Not much info on sites in this area. Unknown if it is because the lack of dive operators or not good. SAN BLAS ........ here is where other dive destinations turn green with envy !! This is DIVER EDEN !! Very few rivers on this side of the country makes the waters gin-clear, HUNDREDS and even more HUNDREDS of islands and coral reefs as far as your eyes can see !! Walls, did I say walls, NO, I mean WALLS ........ NO ! The MOTHER OF ALL WALLS !!! Hey guys, I dive in the Bahamas where crystal clear waters and superb walls are dime a dozen. And believe me, these are WALLS !!! To exacerbate the conditions, this is where the Kuna Indians live and fish by free-diving. There are some places (not too many) where scuba is NOT ALLOWED, so underwater hunting has to be par with the natives abilities. Ha ! Can you imagine what kind of marine life awaits for you underwater ...... like the smallest sardine I saw was over five pounds !!!! ;-)) Don't despair if you can't free dive, there are thousands of other islands and cays which are just as good where scuba is done and marine life is just as gorgeous. What a country !!! There are plenty of dive operators in Panama who will gladly show you all the options of dive sites and choices of accommodations. There is plenty of variety to fit all tastes and all budgets. If you need any further info just e-mail me to