... or partying in Panama

The dance scene in South America has exploded over the past five years, mainly in Argentina, with Ministry of Sound and Cream holding court in Buenos Aires. Cream recently put Uruguay on the party map when it released a compilation from its bar in El Mar, Punta del Este.

British clubs now say the next tropical dance location is Panama City. Cream's Gill Nightingale says: "What's happening there is what happened in Buenos Aires five years ago." Cream hosted its first night in Panama City in March at Liquid, for World DJ day, with Argentinian DJ Hernan Cattaneo, now debuting in the UK.

Pacha is talking of a Pacha Panama while Ministry of Sound is preparing for its first Liquid date. Panama City's dance history is a tale of clandestine raves on beaches, in jungles and colonial churches - now tribal and progressive house can be heard in clubs and five-star hotel lobbies.

Brit DJs Lee Burridge, Mr C and John Graham have performed, as have Dutch needlespinners Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and Sander Kleinenberg. Tiesto's Prime Time Management company is working on more events for next year.

As yet there are no clubbers' packages, but Journey Latin America (020 8747 3108) can organise travel, and Panama uses US dollars, making a luxury break quite cheap. And Panamanians dress impeccably - you won't find the Ibiza-type throng here.