Panama City is the capital of Panama.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By train 2.3 By car 2.4 By bus 2.5 By boat 3 Get around 4 See 5 Do 6 Learn 7 Work 8 Buy 8.1 Crafts 9 Eat 9.1 Budget 9.2 Mid-range 9.3 Splurge 10 Drink 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Mid-range 11.3 Splurge 12 Contact 13 Stay safe 14 Cope 15 Get out

[edit] Understand

Panama is a very multicultural place, with large populations from many different parts of the world. Spanish is spoken by most, and many speak some form of English. Customer service is slowly improving, and surprisingly dismal in hotels. However, on the streets Panamanians are for the most part extremely friendly and helpful and would love to give you some advice. There's great shopping, from high-end stores in the malls around Paitilla and in the banking district around Via Espana, to veritable bargains around La Central (Central Avenue, now turned into a pedestrian walkway) and the Los Pueblos outdoor mall. You can find many ethnic stores (mostly Chinese and Indian), in certain parts of the City.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Tocumen International Airport (Template:IATA) is just outside Panama City (it's part of the San Miguelito district, which has been incorporated as a separate city but essentially exists as part of Panama City). The airport is a hub for Copa Airlines, and is also served by American Airlines (Dallas/Ft.Worth, Miami), Delta Airlines (Atlanta), and Continental Airlines (Houston, Newark). Most major Central American airlines, and several South American airlines also serve the city. There are at least three daily flights to and from Miami, two from Orlando and Atlanta, and one daily flight at least from Houston, Los Angeles LAX, Newark, and New York's JFK. There are daily flights to Mexico City; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Caracas, Venezuela; Santiago, Chile; Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba; Kingston, Jamaica, and several other cities. There's also service to Madrid, Spain, and soon service to Amsterdam with KLM.

Domestic flights leave out of Gelabert/Albrook Airport (Template:IATA), a former US military airfield (Albrook Air Force Base). Domestic airlines are safe, and many fly very modern small jet aircraft. There's daily flights to every major town and city in the country. The major carrier here is Aeroperlas [1].

[edit] By train

There's only train service between Panama City and Colon. It's mostly a freight train, but it has a very nice passenger car. The train ride offers excellent views of the Panama Canal and the tropical rainforest.

[edit] By car

• Costa Rica Executive Transportation [2] Chauffeur Driven Luxury Transportation and Security Service. Providing Transportation to Panama via Costa Rica, air charters, meet and greet services, airport transfers for all travelers to Costa Rica and Panama.

[edit] By bus

Panama City has one of the most modern Bus Terminals of whole Latin America. It s the main Hub and well organized. You can find all you want in or nextto the terminal. There is a huge mall, cinema, showers, etc.

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

One of the easiest ways to get around town is by taxi. Taxis do not have a meter. Fares are set by the authorities, and are determined based on what section of the city you are starting at and what section of the city you are going to, with a surcharge for every additional person. The cab driver should have a table (which may include a map) that will show the costs for the fare, and they are required to show it to you if you ask. Fares used to be $.75-$1.00 for travel within one zone, and the longest fares within the City at about $5. Keep in mind that the former Canal Zone is in a different section, and it will be at least a $5 fare. The surcharge for additional passengers should be $.25/additional passenger, and there's also a $.40 surcharge if you call a cab (at least these were the prices a few years ago). A taxi to or from the international airport typically costs $25 plus tolls if you take the Corredor Sur highway. A taxi to the Amador Causeway costs between $5 - $10. Cab drivers do not expect tips, and they may pick up additional passengers along the way. The rule is that unless there's little to no deviation from the first person's route, the first person picked up is the first person dropped off, otherwise they will ask if it's ok to pick up the other fare. Cabs can also be rented for the day, and the fares again are set (probably around $20-$25). In this case, they will expect a little extra (tip and/or lunch).

Getting around by bus is also cheap and convenient. Fares are $0.25 and the destination of the bus is written across the front windshield in large letters. Buses are privately owned and drivers usually compete with each other for passengers. For this reason, buses have colorful decorations to attract customers. During rush hour some buses can get crowded, and it is not unusual to see 3 people seated on a 2-person bench.

[edit] See

• Panama Canal. The easiest and cheapest is to go to the Miraflores locks (adults $8, students $5 including museum, locks only $5/$3), and just watch boats go by. You can also take a train along the canal, or obviously take a boat! A cab to Miraflores locks will cost around $15, or less if your Spanish is good.

• Casco Viejo. Casco Viejo is the historic part of town, where you will find many colonial style government buildings, cathedrals and museums including a Canal Museum.

• Panama Viejo. The site of the ruins of the old city, with an interesting museum.

• Amador Causeway. The Amador Causeway connects the three islands to the mainland. From the causeway, there is a lovely view of Panama City, and the Puente de las Americas. Many Panamanians like to spend their weekends jogging, riding a bicycle or roller-blading down the causeway, or having a meal or drinks in one of the many restaurants and bars on the islands.

• Mi Pueblitos. The pretty deserted museum (entrance free) on the slopes of Cerro Ancon showcases the different ethnicities of Panama. There are several artisans producing curios.

[edit] Do

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit] Buy

• Caledonia area has plenty of street markets.
• Albrook Shopping Mall has good value and high quality clothes and more as well as a cinema.

[edit] Crafts

Panamanian crafts include handwoven baskets, hardwood animal sculptures and molas, colourful fabric mosaics, made by the indigenous people of Panama. Many of these crafts can be purchased directly on the street from vendors, directly benefiting the artisans. High end crafts can also be purchased from shops in the Centro de Artesanias in Balboa neighborhood or in the shops of Mi Pueblitos. Indian stores on every major shopping distric (El Dorado mall and surroundings, Los Pueblos, and along Via Espana) also sell many Panamanian souvenirs. Gran Morrison is also a place to find many handicrafts.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Budget

There's several cafes along Via Argentina. The Spanish sandwich shops offer excellent sandwiches, coffes, and churros. Try Manolo's Churreria (don't miss the churros rellenos, pastries filled with dulce de leche and rolled in sugar) or Del Prado. Sandwiches should cost from $3-$5. Also on Via Argentina is El Trapiche, serving traditional Panamanian food for under $12/person. They serve excellent breakfast food. Niko's Cafe has several locations around the City. Owned by Greeks, they are all open 24 hours and the have a good selection of sandwiches and hot food served all day long. Don Lee is a panamanian chain serve Chinese fast food, and definitely worth a try. There's an abundance of Chinese restaurants, and some can be very affordable. Try some around El Dorado, they should be pretty authentic.

[edit] Mid-range

Lung Fung on Transistmica Avenue serves some of the best Chinese food in the City. It will be a different experience. Try Dim Sum any day of the week (expect long lines on weekends), although it has lost some of its charm now that the wait staff speaks such good Spanish instead of only Cantonese or Haka. Marbella is a very old school Panamanian restaurant on Balboa Avenue. It's a Spanish place specializing in seafood. Excellent paella and overall good seafood. Prices are stuck in 1984, so a hearty plate of paella will set you back $13, and there's only one item with a higher price on the menu.

[edit] Splurge

• Manolo Caracol is an excellent restaurant in the Casco Viejo that serves tapas. Each day the chef invents a new fixed menu with seasonal ingredients. Meals are $20 without drinks. Ten Bistro on Calle 50 and in Multiplaza Mall is another excellent choice serving contemporary cuisine. Sake, located on the ground floor of the office tower by Punta Pacifica hospital, is Panama City's hottest sushi restaurant.

[edit] Drink

Calle Uruguay is a neighborhood filled with bars and discos for wealthy Panamanians and foreigners. La Bodeguita, Calle Uruguay. A popular bar that plays live salsa on weekends.

• La Casona de las Brujas, Casco Viejo. An interesting bar on an inner courtyard of a building, attached to an art gallery in Casco Viejo. Lives bands play a variety of music styles.

Taberna 21 is a local hangout serving great cheap beer and Spanish tapas.

Buy and try some Panamanian and Cuban coffee while you're here. It will be some of the best you've ever had.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Luna's Castle Hostel $10, (Casco Viejo) Set in a Spanish colonial mansion built upon the water´s edge, Luna´s Castle Hostel attracts those who seek the ideal Panama City backpacking experience. Amenities include a modern communal kitchen, free breakfast, the legendary movie theatre, a spacious outdoor courtyard, free internet, and sweeping views of the Bay of Panama and the modern city skyline and a great social atmosphere. Calle 9na Este or call at (507)262-1540.

• Voyager Hostel $9.90, The air conditioning doesn't work well because of missing window panes. The employees hog the TV and watch Mexican soap operas during the day and soccer games at night.

• Zuly's Backpackers, phone (507) 2692665 $8, next to Hotel Continental, via Espana. Free coffee, internet. If you don't want to take a taxi there, take a chicken bus for 25 cents that says Via Espana on the windshield.

• Hospedaje Casco Viejo $12/24/single/double, This hostel is in the old part of town that is being restored. The hostel itself is extremely basic and unsophisticated. There are no screens on the windows or fans in the rooms. For the amenities, it is extremely expensive and much better deals can be found elsewhere. Though they take reservations and deposits ahead of time, you may arrive and find that they do not have a room available for you. 8a con Avenida A. Casa 8-31, San Felipe., Panama.

• La Casa de Carmen, [3]. $30-45/double, This hostel is in a cute house located on a busy street. Try to get a room further in the back to get away from the traffic noise. Breakfast is included, which involves toast, cereal, coffee and orange juice. Two computers with internet access are also free for guests. Accommodations are clean and spacious. Calle 1a de Carmen 32

[edit] Mid-range

• Las Vegas Hotel, LAS VEGAS HOTEL SUITES suites are clean, safe, centrally located and relatively affordable. There's also a nice little Italian restaurant and a wine bar attached to the hotel.

[edit] Splurge

• The Bristol Hotel, [4]. Tel: 507-264-0000. $200/double. Luxurious modern hotel in the heart of Panama City. Outstanding bar and restaurant on site. First-class service.
• InterContinental Miramar, [5], Av. Balboa, Tel: 507-206-8888. Luxury high-rise hotel overlooking Panama Bay. Facilities include upscale dining, large swimming pool, tennis courts, full-service marina, helicopter landing pad.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

Be careful in both Casco Viejo and the Panama la Vieja ruins area. There are tourist police aplenty in both neighborhoods but do not wander too far in these areas alone (even in the day) and certainly not in the evening.

Look both ways before crossing the street! Panamanian drivers are notoriously aggressive when the traffic allows and will not slow down for you even if you're lucky enough to find a crosswalk.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

Go to the Miraflores locks to watch the boats go through the locks.

Take a boat trip out to the islands off the coast of Panama City (Isla Taboga).

Stay at an ecolodge in the jungle: CANOPY TOWER

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