We have always just let the pilot off and continued directly on to Portobello that evening after the Canal Transit. You can anchor on the flats and wait overnight in the bay at Cristobal. I personally don't like to go into town. Do all of your provisioning at Balboa. After Portabello; Isla Grande and then the San Blas. I personally feel that they are worth at least several weeks, and like to go as far South as the Columbia Border. >From there you are a bit to weather, and have a shot at San Andres and Providencia Island (Columbian). Optionally is Bocas Del Toro, Panama. This is a still developing resort area. I would avoid Mesa Luna Reef, and go directly to Vavarios Cay(Honduras). Check in at Isla Guanaja, fuel is often cheap where the shrimpers fuel up at the head of the bay. You might get a good exchange rate for hard dollars. Spend a week or so on Roatan, then run on down to the Rio Dulce. We spent over a week on Lake Isabella. Hired a local guide with a jeep or boat. We took the big boat up several of the rivers, which are deep--interesting but poor country. Next Belize, lots of good diving. Then Mexico--Adventura, Isla Mujeres. Take the ferry to Cancun--go to the industerial area for boat parts, and eat pulled pork in the local restraunts--get away from the tourist areas. Rent a car and spend several days driving to Chichen Itza. After checking out of Mexico--spend a day at Isla Controy--this is just North of Isla Mujeres, and a bird sanctuary. I would strongly advise against going to weather against the trades to the Eastern Caribbean. Our preference there is for places removed from the average tourist places--but I guess that everyone has to visit "Foxies". We were able to find anchorages where there were no other yachts on Anguilla. Take time to intermix with the local cultures along the way on your trip--this makes it a much richer experience. Regards, Bob Austin