I just wanted to show some examples of how valuable eric frommer's guide to latin america was to me. When i was in bogota i found a restaurant which served basically , if i remember , something like a five course meal for literally pennies on the dollar. Well i really didn't find it as much as it was listed in frommer's guide. It was wedged inbetween 2 buildings in an alleyway. No tourist is going to find it by themselves. I also remember talking to another tourist who had meet someone who was down to his last 50.00. When something like that happens , say you lose your passport, you need to save money.
I also remember arrivng in panama city and seeing all those armed policemen/soldiers at the airport. Get me out of here. Anyway the taxi/cab took us to the hilton. Welcome to the hilton. That'll be a 177.50 a night or whatever. Anyway i looked in the guide and found a much cheaper place. No hassle whatever. I hate to think of roaming around a hot panama city looking for a cheap place. When i studied the guide further i found a cheap , safe and clean villa. You can't find these places by yourself or you can but its a hassle. When you arrive you're usually weary and tired. The absolute last thing you want is a hassle.