From tourist to target, Panama most tourist unfriendly

Last year the ministry of Tourism announced it was adding 1000 trained tourism police. At that Time I wondered what in the world were they thinking? What would these guys or gals be doing? Protecting tourists or helping with translations or directions?

Well, I am not positive if the men in uniform  in Boquete are part of this new force, but they are sure working with the tourists. My wife explained to me that she attended a party last night at a small club in Boquete and about 10pm, men dressed in military fatigues and carrying batons and side arms, flashed lights in their faces demanding to see the documents of any foreign looking person in the place. There were a number of gringo tourists who had left their passports in their hotels and they were summarily hauled off. My wife, a Panamanian,  was shocked and heard stories from other Panamanians that this had been going on all week, even taking tourists out of restaurants in the middle of their meal. My wife said she was terribly embarrassed by the whole ordeal. I have traveled far and wide and have never seen this kind of treatment before, except in war torn nations, and certainly never against people who come to enjoy and spend money in the country.

I know that the law states that as a visitor to the country you should have your passport on you, but how many tourists really walk around with them in their pockets, especially in a small town like Boquete? When traveling we usually put them in the hotel safe and just carry ID, so we don't chance losing them or having them stolen.

I am told that the "gestapo" require the tourist to go with them to the hotels and get their documents. I am still trying to determine if a fine is collected or a bribe expected to just let them go.

Boquete is a small and growing tourism area and one of the very few successful ones outside the city. Do we really need to have tourists returning home to tell their experience of being hassled by gruff military looking men  in bars and restaurants? I hope the ministry of tourism reads this and maybe takes another look at their policies towards the people they are supposed to encourage to come here. Maybe this is all a part of the Ministries new Tourism master plan.