An Upset in Bocas del Toro, Panama

In reference to Christopher Reynolds’ Bocas del Toro piece (“Last Chance for Eden,” Dec. 2): The upset stomach derived from restaurant] and the untreated sewage spilling into the sea should not be glossed over.

After returning from Bocas two years ago, my husband almost died of salmonella poisoning from an inexpensive meal and giardia, probably contracted from snorkeling in the contaminated waters in Bocas.

We have traveled extensively, and we found Panama to be the most tourist-unfriendly country we have ever visited. Except for the canoe operators who competed for our snorkeling dollar, the people in general were unpleasant. There also was a fee for everything, including crossing the border on foot from Costa Rica into Panama and paying for an unused phone in our hotel room in Panama City.

LORI HATLEY

Escondido

*

We were delighted to see an article about Bocas del Toro right after we returned from a trip to Panama. It is every bit as charming, idyllic and intriguing as Reynolds described.

However, he missed the mark with his breakdown of lodgings. It is not necessary to spend $40 a night to get a clean, comfortable room. Most hotels fitting these criteria are priced at around $25. The Hotel del Parque is a good value at $20 a night with private baths. It is clean and cozy and has a lovely balcony that overlooks the town park. You can reach the hotel at 011-507-757-9008.

CRYSTAL REED

and BRETT CARSTENS

Santa Monica