There are ordinary places to live in Panama and there are extraordinary locations. Depending upon your preference for sea coasts or mountains, ability to get away from the daily routine, or desire to live the high life in an exciting Latin American capital city Panama offers a number of choices. The following article is about a development in the Chiriqui Highlands. Read on and then contact the Panama Club for the services that will fast track your business, real estate investments, and/or retirement in this tropical paradise.
In looking for the ultimate in luxurious living, upscale amenities, and a setting a of natural beauty, we have looked at seacoast developments and mountain properties. We recommend Valle Escondido in Boquete as an excellent choice for an upscale development with wonderful services in a great setting. There is the luxury of having people wait on you and the luxury of getting to do whatever you want when you want to do it. Valle Escondido fits a bit of both.
Valle Escondido offers spa treatments as well as a golf course for exercise. The surrounding area is replete with nature trails. In fact, people come from all over the world to see what you will have at your doorstep.
Valle Escondido offers meals every day at the resort’s restaurant. Alternatively, you have your own beautiful home for the privacy of an intimate get together.
Valle Escondido’s fitness center has the latest cardiovascular fitness equipment, as well as free weights. There is a racquetball court in case you want to pick up the speed of your workout.
Valle Escondido may be a “hidden valley”, but it is not cut off from the world. Available day activities that you can do from Valle Escondido include white water rafting on class 4 rapids, a very long canopy tree tour, tours of coffee plantations, horseback riding, rental of four wheelers, hiking tours including Volcan Baru and Quetzalas National Parks, a visit to the hot springs at Caldera, a trip to see pre-Columbian petroglyphs, and deep sea fishing 45 minutes away by helicopter on the Caribbean Sea.
This place is a combination of laid-back relaxation and up and at ‘em activity. There are those of us who think that mix is the ideal.
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Multi Plaza Pacific Mall in Punta Pacifica, Panama City.
As the gateway to the Americas, Panama has long been a great destination for world class shopping and super diverse dining adventures.
In recent years, Panama’s shopping, dining, and entertainment infrastructure have taken on a decidedly American flair. Three of the region’s largest malls have opened here and more are planned. Many of the stores populating these new Mecca’s of consumerism bear familiar names from back home as well as a dizzying array of local shops and handicrafts.
Panama offers word class dining.
Just outside of Panama’s new malls, you’ll find hundreds of quaint shops waiting to be discovered. On the shelves of these local treasures you’ll find an impossible to describe mix of goods from every corner of the country and the planet.
Panama is one of the most diverse countries on earth. When you walk down the street you will see faces reflecting hundreds of nationalities. Each community is well represented in the culinary offerings of this unique country. It is not unusual to find middle eastern, Latin, European, and Pacific Rim, and local cuisine within a few blocks of each other. If you find yourself getting a little homesick, you can always stroll into one of the many McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Subways, Pizza Huts, Bennigans, Wendy’s and such that dot the Panamanian urban landscape.
World class beach island in Panama.
World class convenience and breathtaking natural beauty are just a couple of the benefits that retirement friendly Panama offers in abundance. When you make the decision to spend your golden years here, you will find a long list of benefits and incentives designed just for you.
Did you know that when you buy your retirement home in Panama, you may qualify for as much as a 20 year property tax exemption? Did you know that when you become a Panamanian resident, all of the income you earn outside of the country comes to you tax free? When you move to Panama, you can bring your furnishings and other valuables with you tax free and Panamanian law also allows you to invest and bank in absolute secrecy.
Panama’s Pensionado program provides qualified retirees with a long list of discounts like 50% off entertainment options (movies, theaters, sporting events, etc.), 50% off of the price of mid-week hotel stays, 50% off of the costs of closing your home mortgage, 30% off public transport costs, 25% off of domestic air tickets, 25% off at restaurants, 20% off of professional and home repair fees, 20% discount on already low Doctor bills, 1. 5% off of hospital bills if you are not insured, 15% off of the cost of dental and eye exams, 10% off of the local prescription prices… and more!
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
They Eat What? Latin America’s Most Exotic Foods – Part 1By Larry M. Lynch
They’re horrid, ghastly, gross, unthinkable, gut-wrenching, wonderful and delicious. These are but a few of the adjectives used to describe commonly eaten fare south of the border from Mexico to Peru. The expression, One man’s meat is another man’s poison has never seen more fruition than evidenced in these exotic foods found throughout Latin America. Just feast your eyes on these taste-tempting treats.
Iguana Starting off our list is a common delicacy from the Pacific Coast and Caribbean. Although protected in many countries, these green lizards, which can grow to more than 3 feet in length, are a prized stable in Aruba, Bonaire, Panama and Colombia. The eggs are also cooked and eaten even though they’re often taken illegally. A sizeable black market for them exists in Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. They’re not cheap, but they are good.
Armadillo From Texas to Ecuador, these nine-banded creatures have been coveted for decades. Their numbers are now greatly diminished due to years of heavy hunting; they?re still considered a delightful treat when they can be found. Usually cooked in stews to help tenderize their thick, dense meat, almost everyone who has eaten Armadillo really likes them. You?ve got to be fast to catch them though. They can burrow into the soil at alarming speeds.
Ants Technically known as Hormigas Culonas, these swollen abdomen ant species are a highly-prized food commodity in Colombia and Mexico. They’re gathered from seemingly innocuous places like cemeteries, parks and untended pastures, then roasted or fried until crisp. Only the enlarged abdomen is consumed, often with cheese or honey as an aperitif. Sold and exported by the pound, they?ve quickly become an international favorite among the insect-eating crowd. To b honest, I like them myself.
Piranha Despite numerous movies to the contrary, they don’t always attack without mercy. Children in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru swim in Piranha-infested waters all the time without injury. Women are also known to do the family laundry in streams and pools teeming with razor-toothed schools of them. Many of the 35 known varies of Piranha, including the Cachama family, are not only edible, but delicious. Piranha head soup is used as a form of jungle Viagra. Tales abound of elderly Indian men with more than a dozen children and multiple wives.
Well if I didn’t get to you here in part one with treats from Colombia, Brazil and Mexico you’re gonna just love what you’ll get in part two of this three-part series. We’re going to travel into the jungles of Colombia and up into the high Andes mountain range in Ecuador to introduce you to some Eye-opening, high-flying specialties that’ll make partly-cooked greasy pork liver seem like Haute Cuisine?.
See you in part two of ?They Eat What! Latin America’s Most Exotic Foods?.
Bon Appetit!Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an expert author and photographer offering Web Content Writing Services for top-quality articles on: Education, Language learning, Salt and Fresh water fishing, exotic foods, South American travel and culture, Ethnic issues ? Blacks, Latinos, Indian native tribes, Health, Internet business resources and more ? His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News, Brazil magazine and hundreds of sites online. For fr*e*e sample articles and available web content e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_M._Lynch
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
This writer’s half day in Panama’s old city provided a life time of memories.
Casco Viejo is located at the mouth of the Panama Canal and it is the oldest city on the Pacific Coast of the America: it was there long before the Canal was built. In fairness to history, the original Panama City (now known as Old Panama or Panama La Vieja) was founded in 1519, about two miles from the center of Panama City as we know it today. From here, expeditions were mounted to conquer the Inca Empire of South America and all of the wealth pillaged from Peru, Chile and California flowed to Spain through Old Panama. It is no surprise that this booty attracted pirates like Henry Morgan, who looted the city in 1671.
During Morgan’s attack, this original Panama City was burned to the ground. Two years later, in 1673, the capital was moved two miles to the west and present-day Panama City was founded. This is the area now known as Casco Viejo. As the city was being rebuilt by the Spanish settlers, they decided to build a massive surrounding wall and a stronger fortress for its protection and to ensure that the enormous wealth in gold and silver that passed through it would never again be susceptible to the likes of Henry Morgan.
The new city boasted a cross-sectioned design of 38 blocks, with three main streets running from east to west and seven streets running from north to south. Unfortunately, this urban development was interrupted by various fires that devastated its streets. In 1737, the “big fire” destroyed two thirds of the city and the “small fire” of 1756 destroyed more than 90 houses. These and other catastrophic fires help explain why so few true examples of Spanish colonial architecture exist today.
The fortress still survives, though and today houses several important, cultural and historic buildings and monuments. But it is the architecture of Casco Viejo that makes it so special. The old Spanish colonial style is overlaid with French balconies and architecture, remnants of the French inhabitants who made the initial attempt to build the Panama Canal in 1881. Over the years, a Caribbean influence also took hold and, today, Casco Viejo is a melting pot of architectural inspiration and style, with some buildings dating as far back as 300 years.
Up until the early parts of this century, Casco Viejo remained a thriving cultural center. But as Panama City modernized and as the automotive age made transportation easier, it spread outward, leaving Casco Viejo behind. The old city’s narrow labyrinth streets were difficult for cars to maneuver and its buildings were obsolete in comparison to modern skyscrapers being built. By the mid 1900s, Casco Viejo had gone the way of most city centers of that century. No longer the center of Panama City, it was too oppressed for the upper class and quickly became a poor area of tenement-style housing.
In 1997, UNESCO declared Casco Viejo a Patrimony of Humanity, a World Heritage site. Today, it is revered as the historic center of Panama City. Two- and three-story houses with flower-adorned balconies overlook narrow streets. At its tip is French Park, where you will find the French Embassy and a monument to the hardy French builders who began the Panama Canal. On one side is an historical Spanish building called Las Bovedas, now housing an art gallery and French restaurant.
Close by is the Museum of National History and across the way is the National Cathedral. Nearby is a small museum dedicated to religious art, found in the old Santo Domingo monastery. This is where you will find the famous Flat Arch, which reportedly helped convince engineers that Panama was earthquake-proof and a geologically stable area for building the Canal. A few blocks away is the old San Jose Cathedral, with gleaming spires inlaid with mother-of-pearl and its beautiful gold altar, intricately carved of wood and gilded with gold. This is a must-see when you visit Casco Viejo.
To finish off your day in Panama in style, make your way to The Bristol Hotel, just a short taxi journey from Casco Viejo. Dining at the Barandas Restaurant at The Bristol Hotel is an event to savor. The Panamanian-inspired gourmet cuisine, restful ambiance, stunning presentation, elegant settings and attentive service combine to create an unforgettable dining experience. Make sure to finish off the day with a drink in the elegant dark wood bar.Michael RussellYour Independent guide to TravelArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russel
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Be prepared for a shocker when you get to Panama, especially if you are coming from one of the Central American neighbours. Bars in Panama are much more cosmopolitan than the bars in, say Guatemala or Nicaragua. You will find a tremendous variety in the types of music, drink prices, and crowds.
If you are just looking to unwind, grab a beer, and call it a night around 10 then Panama may not be the place for you. There aren’t a ton of sidewalk cafés that feature outdoor or patio dining, but a handful exist in places like Casco Viejo or El Cangrejo. Even the Bella Vista and Calle Uruguay area has a handful of spots. Habibis is an obvious choice for outdoor lounging, and Sahara is another good place to go for a cool drink outside. In Casco Viejo, one can find a number of places like Brazios. La Terraza was a popular gringo hangout, but with the exit of ¨dirty Mike¨, the Panama bar’s fabled owner, the place has lost its distinctive feel. You can still get a cold beer at this famous gringo watering hole, located on Via Venetto.
Bars in Panama usually get cranking around 10 or 11pm, and one of the best bars to begin the night is the new Londoner Bar located on Calle Uruguay. They have happy hour, billiards, and a good looking and distinctively British menu. British memorabilia line the bar, British and Scottish ales are available, and football is almost always on the tele. Another good bar in Panama is Crème. An upscale lounge type bar that features some great mixed drinks and the most comfortable couches in the country, Crème is a must visit for the business traveler and the backpacker alike. Located next to Farmacia Arrocha, this bar turns into a very hip club after 11pm. The appetizers are top notch, and the drinks wont cost you an arm and a leg.
For a complete list of bars in Panama, I usually go to buscapanama.net. I think this site is maintained by an American living down there, and it seems like they do a pretty good job of keeping up with the trends. The site differentiates between bars and clubs, which is important because the two tend to attract different crowds. Another good thing about buscapanama is that they feature pictures of people at the bar. Another good panama bar website is dealante.com, but that one is in all Spanish. It’s a great place to see all of the good looking crowds.
The thing about Panama bars is that one week they’ll be all the rage and the next week they’ll be dead. People in Panama love their bars, and following the trends can be a full time job. Bars in Panama run a ton of specials, and from the looks of it the busca panama site has a list of specials as well. Most bars here don’t close until late, so there is always an opportunity to grab a drink well into the wee hours.
The variety of bars in Panama is tremendous, and they are concentrated in a number of different areas. The primary bar hopping areas are Calle Uruguay, Area Bancaria, and Amador Causeway. The financial district, or area bancaria, is quickly becoming one of the hottest places for bars in panama. Bars like El Pavo Real, Koppas, Crème, Lighthouse, and Voila are all located in this new trendy area. It is the closest area to walk to if travellers are staying in the El Cangrejo or Bella Vista areas, and it is very safe at all hours of the night. The causeway is a bit far away, and bars are spread out. Calle Uruguay has the highest concentration of bars, and they run the gambit from dive bar to swanky club.
Either way, there is definitely something for everyone!
|
Kent Preiss-Davis has been dreaming about Panama since he was a boy, and finally made it out to the beautiful country which he now calls home. He has taken on the arduous task of reviewing every bar, club, and brothel in Panama City, Panama. A weekend wasted is never a wasted weekend. |
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
The restaurant scene in Casco Antiguo, Panama offers some of the finest and most innovative cuisine in the entire country. From shee-shee prefix menus to simple outdoor cafes, there is something for almost everyone behind these walls.
Where else in Panama can you sit beneath hundred year old stone walls or beside historically-preserved monuments? Where can you go out for a night of theater and a glass tangy ocean-side sangria? The emerging restaurant scene in Casco Antiguo, though already firmly established, is making hefty strides in the nation’s culinary marketplace.
Casco Antiguo is not for everyone. The preconstruction condos in the city and sprawling beach resorts on the Pacific Coast are for the masses. If you’re looking for everyday vacation—the kind of place that might exist on just about any tropical coast—then this may not be the place for you.
But think about quaint plazas in Europe? Think about beautifully-aged balconies and droopy bougainvilleas. Think about Cuba, think about Cartagena, think about New Orleans (minus the girls gone wild).
Casco Antiguo might be Panama’s most unique nook: a neighborhood with almost no middle-of-the-road travel characteristics left in its tank. This is a place for romantic travelers and investors to whom the twinkle of all-inclusive resorts, and the sheen of loft high rises is anything but extraordinary.
Get on a double-decker tour bus if you want. Eat at the tourist restaurants and shop in the tourist malls: the same places you’ve been vacations year after year. Those who find their way to Casco Antiguo though, are ones who will not forget.
|
Matt Landau is the modern day equivalent to a travel dimwit. His articles on Casco Viejo and rants on Panama apartments for rent have appeared in no major news publications and after several years of dedicating himself to the industry, he now resides in a small hut companioned only by something that resembles an overgrown hedgehog. |
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
PANAMA CITY, Panama — Known for its famed waterway, Panama’s capital boasts more than just a spot to watch the ships cross through the engineering marvel.
Visitors can chose between a swim in the Pacific or the Caribbean, hear tales of pirates looting the city’s original site, find bargain shopping, sample tropical fruits and try their luck at the horse races in Panama City.
OUTDOORS
Head to the Amador Causeway and snap photos of Panama’s downtown or the Bridge of the Americas, where traffic crosses over while ships cruise through the canal. Once part of the off-limits Canal Zone guarded by the U.S. military, the causeway has become a favorite of locals and tourists. The thin strip surrounded by the ocean houses duty-free shops, restaurants, hotels and dance clubs. Construction signs and sites make it evident that there’s more on the way. Kiosks sell hammocks, guayaberas, hats and molas, brightly colored fabrics with elaborate, hand-sewn designs of the Kuna Indian tribe.
By day, twentysomethings and families catch the cool of the ocean breeze while biking, in-line skating, or jogging along the causeway. It’s a strenuous and humid walk, so renting multiseat bikes at the stretch’s entrance works best.
For a day of diving, snorkeling and other water sports, head for Taboga Island, on the Pacific coast. Ferries bound for Isla Taboga leave from a Balboa pier and the causeway each morning and return in the late afternoon.
MUSEUMS
Check out any of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s stations. Visit one of the island sites, such as the Barro Colorado Field Research Station, for a boat ride across the canal’s Gatun Lake and a chance to see a half-dozen native monkey species in their natural setting.
At the Marine Exhibition Center in Punta Culebra, view sloths, pelicans and other tropical forest-dwellers along with an unfettered view of the ships crossing and the rhythmic pounding of waves crashing on jagged rocks. Both kids and adults will be mesmerized watching the crab-eating shark and hearing the boas slithering in the dry forest walk within the park.
CUISINE
For breakfast, sip a frothy cafe con leche, made with locally grown coffee beans, or cinnamon tea. Beer connoisseurs should look for local brews Soberana, Balboa and Atlas, which have a light taste that’s thirst-quenching in the sticky climate.
Pencas offers a view of the ocean and authentic Panamanian cuisine, which is inexpensive even at many upscale eateries. On the restaurant’s menu are minitamales wrapped in plantain leaves, pesada de nance (a cereal-textured fruit dessert with bits of white cheese), dorado en salsa de coco (fish in coconut sauce) and ojaldas (a fried bread). On Wednesday nights, Pencas features a troupe of foot-shuffling folk dancers and a live band complete with accordion. As the show wraps up, dancers and some of the servers extend their hands for a dance with audience members. When I told our waiter that I didn’t know the steps, he turned to my mom and asked “Does the lady dance?”
HISTORY
History buffs should explore the remnants of Panama’s colonial past to learn about its history in the quest for riches in the Americas. Just a cab away from most points in the capital city is Panama la Vieja. In 1671, Panama la Vieja was sacked by pirates, led by Sir Henry Morgan. Red-brick streets, a cathedral spire and crumbling walls, arches and buildings of the Spanish settlement era remain.
Guided tours telling of the colony’s former grandeur and demise are available.
Some miles away is the Casco Viejo, an old colonial neighborhood with narrow streets and pastel-colored buildings in the midst of renovation. Its architecture resembles New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Just like locals have for centuries, watch the sunset from the Paseo de las Bovedas, a sea walk along an old Spanish military fort that served as a prison. Other sites include the Catedral Metropolitana, El Teatro Nacional and the unguarded Church of the Golden Altar. Several restaurants and cafes also dot the neighborhood.
GAMBLING
Place a bet on the horse races at the Hipodromo Presidente Jose A. Remon on a Thursday afternoon and mingle with locals and visitors. The horseracing park also is open weekends and holidays.
More than a half-dozen other casinos also offer all night games of chance in Panama. Among the favorite spots is the casino at the Hotel Panama.
NIGHT LIFE
Hit the causeway or the city’s financial district for some dancing, dining and drinking.
ELSEWHERE
Panama City also connects travelers by plane, bus or boat to other provinces. You can spot large green plantain leaves and dozens of noni plants heading out of the capital city. If you roll down the car windows while driving through heavily forested areas, you might hear the monkeys shrieking.
- The province of Colon is where gold and silver from the Americas passed before being transported to Europe. Explore the cannons and the lush green Spanish fortress in Portobelo.
Bocas del Toro offers scuba diving and national parks for trekking.
- Baru volcano is Panama’s highest point at 11,408 feet. Close by is the alpine town of Boquete, in the province of Chiriqui.
IF YOU GO:
Panama
PANAMA TOURISM
INSTITUTE: www.visitpanama.com or (011) (507) 226-7000.
SMITHSONIAN
TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE MARINE
EXHIBITION CENTER: www.stri.org. Adults, $2; retirees, $1; children, 50 cents.
PENCAS RESTAURANT: Amador Causeway, (011) (507) 211-3671.
HIPODROMO
PRESIDENTE JOSE A. REMON RACING PARK: www.hipodromo.com/general (in Spanish) or (011) (507) 217-6060.
SAFETY: Panama is relatively safe, but be aware and don’t venture into some neighborhoods at night. The country has a special police force to help tourists.
DRIVING: Driving within the city can be erratic and some areas have few traffic signs or lights.
TAXIS: Taxis looking for a fare usually honk. Wave to flag them down and settle on price before taking trips.
Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2005
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
http://www.suntimes.com
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
PANAMA CITY, Panama — Known for its famed waterway, Panama’s capital boasts more than just a spot to watch the ships cross through the engineering marvel.
Visitors can chose between a swim in the Pacific or the Caribbean, hear tales of pirates looting the city’s original site, find bargain shopping, sample tropical fruits and try their luck at the horse races in Panama City.
OUTDOORS: Head to the Amador Causeway and snap photos of Panama’s downtown or the Bridge of the Americas, where traffic crosses over while ships cruise through the canal. Once part of the off-limits Canal Zone guarded by the U.S. military, the Causeway has become a favorite of locals and tourists. The thin strip surrounded by the ocean houses duty free shops, restaurants, hotels and dance clubs. Construction signs and sites make it evident that there’s more on the way. Kiosks sell hammocks, guayaberas, hats and molas, brightly- colored fabrics with elaborate, hand-sewn designs of the Kuna Indian tribe.
By day, 20-somethings and families catch the cool of the ocean breeze while biking, in-line skating, or jogging along the Causeway. It’s a strenuous and humid walk, so renting multi-seat bikes at the stretch’s entrance works best.
For a day of diving, snorkeling and other water sports, head for Taboga Island, on the Pacific coast. Ferries bound for Isla Taboga leave from a Balboa pier and the Causeway each morning and return in the late afternoon.
MUSEUMS: Check out any of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s stations. Visit one of the island sites, such as the Barro Colorado Field Research Station, for a boat ride across the canal’s Gatun Lake and a chance to see a half-dozen native monkey species in their natural setting.
At the Marine Exhibition Center in Punta Culebra, view sloths, pelicans and other tropical forest-dwellers along with an unfettered view of the ships crossing and the rhythmic pounding of waves crashing on jagged rocks. Both kids and adults will be mesmerized watching the crab-eating shark and hearing the boas slithering in the dry forest walk within the park.
CUISINE: For breakfast, sip a frothy cafe con leche, made with locally-grown coffee beans, or cinnamon tea. Beer connoisseurs should look for local brews Soberana, Balboa and Atlas, which have a light taste that’s thirst-quenching in the sticky climate.
Pencas offers a view of the ocean and authentic Panamanian cuisine, which is inexpensive even at many upscale eateries. On the restaurant’s menu are mini-tamales wrapped in plantain leaves, pesada de nance (a cereal-textured fruit dessert with bits of white cheese), dorado en salsa de coco (fish in coconut sauce) and ojaldas (a fried bread).
On Wednesday nights, Pencas features a troupe of foot-shuffling folk dancers and a live band complete with accordion. As the show wraps up, dancers and some of the servers extend their hands for a dance with audience members. When I told our waiter that I didn’t know the steps, he turned to my mom and asked “Does the lady dance?”
HISTORY: History buffs should explore the remnants of Panama’s colonial past to learn about its history in the quest for riches in the Americas. Just a taxicab away from most points in the capital city is Panama la Vieja. In 1671, Panama la Vieja was sacked by pirates, led by Sir Henry Morgan. Red-brick streets, a cathedral spire and crumbling walls, arches and buildings of the Spanish settlement era remain.
Guided tours telling of the colony’s former grandeur and demise are available.
Some miles away is the Casco Viejo, an old colonial neighborhood with narrow streets and pastel-colored buildings in the midst of renovation. Its architecture resembles New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Just like locals have for centuries, watch the sunset from the Paseo de las Bovedas, a sea walk along an old Spanish military fort that served as a prison. Other sites include the Catedral Metropolitana, El Teatro Nacional and the unguarded Church of the Golden Altar.
GAMBLING: Place a bet on the horse races at the Hipodromo Presidente Jose A. Remon on a Thursday afternoon and mingle with locals and visitors. The horseracing park also opens weekends and holidays.
NIGHTLIFE: Hit the Causeway or the city’s financial district for some dancing, dining and drinking.
ELSEWHERE: Panama City also connects travelers by plane, bus or boat to other provinces. You can spot large green plantain leaves and dozens of noni plants heading out of the capital city.
– The province of Colon is where gold and silver from the Americas passed before being transported to Europe. Explore the cannons and the lush green Spanish fortress in Portobelo.
– Bocas del Toro offers scuba diving and national parks for trekking.
– Baru volcano is Panama’s highest point at 11,408 feet. Close by is the alpine town of Boquete, in the province of Chiriqui.
Copyright C 2005 Deseret News Publishing Co.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
BEST HOTEL
Caesar Park. Decorative details, historic ambience and comfort make this hotel a favorite among LATIN TRADE readers. The location is perfect–in front of the Atlapa Convention Center, close to the airport and near large financial institutions. Housed in a colonial-style building, Caesar Park has tour restaurants, a lobby bar, 353 rooms and eight luxury suites. All guest rooms look out over the bay or the Pacific Ocean. Guests can use the Caesar Xpress Service Center 24 hours a day to do anything from make a plane reservation to drop off dry cleaning. The Executive Club rooms, set up with workspaces and Internet and computer connections, offer business travelers extra privacy and amenities. There’s also a business center with a wide range of services. Rates run from US$105 for a regular room to $165 for an executive room. Via Israel at Calle 77, San Francisco de la Caleta. Phone: [507] 270-0477. www.caesarpark.com
BEST HISTORICAL RUINS OUTSIDE PANAMA CITY
Portobelo. This 400-year-old former fortress guarded one of the most important ports of the Spanish empire, used to load gold and silver from South America onto galleons for shipment back to Europe. The fortress came under repealed attacks from legendary pirates Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan, prompting the Spanish government to seek safer sea routes in the late 17th century. The mine great fortress-port, declared a national historical monument in 1976, is now a sleepy fishing rover with several excellent seafood restaurants. Portobelo is in the Caribbean province of Colon, two hours east of Panama City by car.
BEST TOUR
Bocas del Toro. Most of these enchanting Caribbean islands, which offer diving, swimming and hiking, are part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park During nesting season, you’ll see turtles along the beaches. The main town, Bocas del Tom, on the southeastern part of Colon Island, has hotels and entertainment spots. The archipelago is accessible by plane from Panama City or from the towns of David and Changuinola, or by boat from Almirante and Chiriqui Grande.
BEST RESTAURANT
Las Bovedas. This chic restaurant and weekend jazz bar is tucked into an old dungeon under the defensive sea wall of the Casco Viejo, the center of Panamanian architectural history. La Bovedas offers a unique dinning experience inside the century-old, domed-ceiling stone dungeon. If you gel, claustrophobic, you can eat on the outdoor plaza. French fare and seafood. Plaza de Francia in Casco Viejo. Phone: [507] 228-8058.
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
Fidanque Panama. The efficiency and quality service of this local agency has made it the exclusive representative in Panama for Avis car rental, American Express and Crystal Cruises. Calle 50 at 59, Urbanization Obarrio. Phone: [507] 264-2444. www.fidanquetravel.com
BEST TOURIST SITE
Miraflores locks. The longest and tallest of three sets of locks on the Panama Canal, the gates at Miraflores on the Caribbean side of the canal has a two-story observation tower to take photos of ships passing through the canal and wave to boat passengers. English- and Spanish-language tourism information is available about the history and construction of the canal. A bilingual guide offers information on the boats and ships passing through. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes for boats to enter and leave the gravity-powered locks. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Public bathrooms and a gift shop. The best way to get there is by taxi, $8 one way.
Latin Trade, Feb, 2004
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
