Jeff Schmerker
Some things remain the same
Panama has changed more than any other Central American nation in the past 10 years, and we recognized precious little on our most recent trip which we remembered from our first trip here. One thing we did find unchanged, though, was the Hotel Don Pepe, one of the cheaper places in El Valle and certainly the best positioned. While the prices have risen, of course, you still get big clean rooms with TV and hot water, and we enjoyed free coffee on the terrace and the upstairs open-air lounge. Downstairs is an OK restaurant and a large artisans' shop, and out back is a caged parrot who can be coaxed
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