We will be in Panama for 5 days only. 2 days we'll be on one of the San Blas Islands. 1 day we are doing the full-transit of the Canal.
So - with only two other days based in Panama City --- what should we do those days? Any sites not to be missed? Great restaurants? Music venues?
In Panama City I would go to "Ciudad Vieja" which are the ruins of the original Panama City settlement, and was burned down by pirates. Also to "Casco Viejo", the old, and a bit run-down part of the city, but which is being renovated with cafes. Then there is the "Causeway" for nightlife, restaurants, cafes. There are the new malls in the vicinity of Punta Paitilla which also have cafes and clubs. You can also take the merry tour buses that have live conga music and booze.
If you like seafood, go to the Panama City fish market. It's incredible. Mountains of everything that comes from the sea, plus a restaurant upstairs to cook it up for you. I couldn't keep myself away.
Walk around the old town. Sometimes you see the president come out of his place!
The ruined old city can be seen fairly well by driving through it. Casco Viejo is not terribly large, and it suffered calamitous fires until the 19th century, so the surviving (and rapidly gentrifying) neighborhood looks more than a bit like New Orleans, with French-style balconies.
You didn't say where you'll stay in the city. If in the Via Espana area, good food is everywhere. Madame Chang's (near the huge Marriott) is elegant, excellent, and affordable.
If you can find or organize an excursion to, say, Chagres National Park, it would be worthwhile. It's the dry season ("Verano") and the forest paths are inviting, and reasonably likely to be free of chiggers (the local remedy is the same as in Florida--dust yourself with sulfur powder around the ankles, waist and neck before going out).
Tocumen airport has a tiny government-run craft booth with nice basketry and excellent prices.
Better restaurants in town in no particular order: Eurasia, Palms, Los Años Locos, 1985-Rincon Suizo, Pepperoncino al mare, S'cena, Casuale, Cafe Ego, Machu Pichu, Gaucho's, Twist, Ozone Cafe, Pomodoro's.... notice I don't have Madam Changs on my list as I think they aren't that good... Sunly's has better Chinese food or the Golden Unicorn in the Evergreen building behind the Atlapa Convention Center.
If you like nature/culture then to contrast with the Kuna you could do a day trip to an Embera village up the Chagres river. Great day trip available from Panama City.
Best place for handicrafts is the market in the old YMCA building in Ancon just before the Causeway.
Cheers,
Andrew
Edited by AGW: Golden Unicorn not Golden Dragon - very good Executive Lunch...
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll print this page and between this and a guidebook, I'm sure we'll manage.
Sounds like Madame Chang's is Chinese food, so I'll pass on that as we have the best Chinese food in the world in Vancouver, about a block from my house actually! Wasn't planning to eat Chinese in Panama anyway. You never know what bird (hopefully a bird!) that chicken really comes from in a "foreign" country :-))
Sounds like Chagres is worth a trip.
We are doing a boat transit of the Canal, but is is possible to rent bikes and follow the Canal for 10 or 12 kms? If so, or even walking, where is the best place to view the shipping traffic along the canal or in the locks?
We are going in 11 days. Anybody been to mamallenas hostel? Or any other tips? The following day we are meeting friends in Bochas de Toro. Back in PC for the last day and a half.
have not been to mamallena´s but have many friends that enjoyed it. if you want a decent hotel in the same price range try hotel california. it has hot water, ac, tv, and is in a central location. for both mamallena and hotel c you should make a reservation as they both fill up fast. hope you guys have a great time! panama is a wonderful country with so much to offer while not having been overwhelmed by tourism yet.
Is it possible for a person landing at PC airport at 12 to make a flight from albrook that would leave at 1: 15?
the armador (causeway) is nice, check out isla culebra. it has all the fact about panama...history of the land, flora/fauna, ect. and the national park, sobriana, near gamboa is a good place to spot wildlife.
even take the ferry to taboga for a day....
pomadoro/wine bar in one of my favorite restaurants and there are more in casco viejo and on via argentina!!!