Panama City trip report -- Panama forum (Lonely Planet)
*IMHO, four days is the perfect amount of time for Panama City. It's fairly compact and even the trip from the airport to downtown takes less than 30 minutes...
What to do:
Get all your shots and anti-malaria meds
End of story ...
I am just the man to talk to. I go there 4-5 times a year to visit friends.
Places to visit, Casco Viejo(old part of the city) but very beautiful.
Gamboa, you can visit the rainforest
You can take a plane either to San Blas or Pearl Islands to visit amazing beaches. They are only about a 20-30 minute flight.
Common sayings, just say "Buenas"to greet anyone, doesn't matter he time of day.
Also if you want to get a womans attention at a store, preferrably one younger than you, say "Joven!"
The buses there are called "Diable Rojos" they cost 25 cents, they have new metro buses that cost a dollar and will take you anywhere.
If you need a taxi be prepared to pay the "beloved patriot" fee. It still is a deal regardless. Also if you take a taxi, never enter one that has another person in it. You will get robbed(but dont worry does not happen a lot, you are just as safe as any other city, just be street smart). Do not drive around yourself there, trust me, no one pays attention to any stops signs or anything there. They drive very crazy.
Brush up more on your Spanish, trust me, they say they are bi-lingual there, but I beg to differ, they may be able to speak some English but any local shop will look at you funny if you try to get something in English.
Dollar is the same there, the only difference, they use different coins both US and the "Balboa" also Balboa is a beer there, tastes alright, but not the best, you will find name brand beers much more expensive.
Note also, Panamanian Spanish, it is common no to use the "s" as much, por ejemplo "Como eta' " It can sound strange the first time you hear it.
I dont know what you look like, but if you are "white" don't worry there are a ton of Americans, Canadians, Europeans, living there. You will find many Black and Chinese there also because of there history, many people there mixed with a little bit of this and that.
Hey guys I'm going to fly into Panama City to visit a friend have an interview as well. I figured since I'm down there I might as well explore a bit. I'd like some advice on what to do and how long I should stay for. My Spanish is passable (studied abroad in Argentina) if that matters. Thanksss.
hi thanks for responding. can you give me some more info about the country itself and activities? i hear that another good place is "boca" or something? what about trekking. is it hard to do that for a few days? what else is there to do? i'm also a little curious about spending some time on the water either fishing or diving.
i'm asian not white and i already spent a year living and studying in argentina so i'll be fine in the language department
Bocas Del Toro is farther up north near Costa Rica. It is very amazing there, nice for fishing and snorkeling and scuba diving. Reach it by plane, bus takes waaaaay too long, and the driver drives too fast and reckless.
Albrook airport will fly you to most destinations so you can dive and fish, Pearl Islands(Isla Contadora is amazing to go to), San Blas is a little more rustic to stay at but provides the cleanest most surreal beaches in all of Panama(owned and governed by the Kuna Indians)(Hey also check out the Albrook Mall, huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge)
By car you can visit Gamboa,a rain forest, many places to explore there. Also you can drive a little further and explore the mountains of Chiriqui(also it is not as hot there which is nice)
In the city explore Casco Viejo and the Amador Causeway for some very fun nightlife.
Be prepared in the city, it is hot as balls and does not get much of a breeze from the ocean. If you do not want to stand out as a tourist, wear long pants instead of shorts. Anywhere else outside of the city at islands or resorts does not matter.
How many days are you planning to stay? You can accomplish a lot in little time there, since most of the places are relatively close(Minus Chiriqui and Bocas Del Toro)
If you need someone to take you around to the main tourist spots in the city, just PM me, I have Panamanian friends who take tourists to the best spots to see.
If you want some pictures for me to post to show you some places before you go, just tell me