Yesterday the Seattle Times Travel Section posted this article answering the question, 'Can I plan my own trip to Panama for bird-watching, canal-watching and culture? Do I need to be on a tour, or can I get my own guides and keep my costs down? What is the best time of year to travel?'

Kristin Jackson, Seattle Times Travel writer provided this informative response. I've added some comments to Kristin's which I hope will help more -

A: Yes, you can certainly go on your own, and Panama has some of the best bird-watching and hiking in Central America. However, when you are hiking or bird-watching in remote areas, you might find it easier — and safer — to go with a group. The advantage of guides is that they can arrange transportation, and they'll know local conditions.

LAP says,  - Good advice.

For instance, some parts of Darien province, near the border with Colombia, are unsafe because of bandits and drug-smuggling. The wild, and wildlife-teeming, Darien National Park is there; you would definitely want to be with a local guide and a group for security.

LAP says, -  Good advice

Some authorities, including the U.S. State Department, advise against traveling to all of Darien province; see its Panama information sheet at www.travel.state.gov. Certain areas of Panama City and the city of Colón also should be avoided, particularly at night, because of robberies.

LAP says, - very true however, take the state department warning with a grain of salt. Remember the US State departments main purpose is to keep all Americans in state of fear so they stay put and put up with whatever the government throws at them! Kristin's comments in the previous paragraph are most appropriate here. There are plenty of safe places to visit in the Darien but a good local guide is a must!

The best time to go to Panama is roughly from mid-December to mid-April, which is the drier season. That's also when hotels are most expensive, however. Christmas and Easter are very busy travel periods, although there are many religious processions and cultural events in Holy Week (the week before Easter). If you plan to visit then, make hotel reservations far in advance.

LAP says, - True, True, True!

For seeing the Panama Canal, you can easily arrange a one-day tour from Panama City. There are many tour/travel companies in the city; hotels will have information. You can get lots of information on Panama through the government tourism office's Web site: www.visitpanama.com/eng/. And you can find all sorts of tours, including escorted nature tours arranged by U.S. companies, if you search online for "Panama and tours."

LAP says, - Using a tour company to visit the canal is really not necessary and will cost you a lot more than doing it yourself. The Mira-flores locks and museum are easy to get to by taxi. Ask around and set a price ahead of time for the taxi fare. It really depends on where you are staying. From downtown hotels expect to pay $15 or less. Entry to the museum is $8. 

There are two indispensable guides for planning such a trip to Panama -

A Guide to the Birds of Panama and The Lonely Planet - Panama

Oh, and don't forget a good Map of Panama.