Panama - Any tips on where to go outsidie Panama City itself

Will be going to Panama early next year - anyone have any tips on where to visit - apart from Panama City / Canal? http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/unsure.gif

Hi V
Are you in luck, there are several posts about Panama in the Forum, as well as a great Panama article written by "Guamgirl" one of my fellow nonrev correpondents. They should get you started in the right direction. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

Since KLM recently introduced 3 flights a week from Amsterdam to Panama City this destination is on my list as well.

I have found this website very interesting: http://www.panamainfo.com/

I was very disappointed with PC--taxi ripoffs, prices, hotels, etc. The Canal at Miraflores Locks was excellent--great visitor center for decent fee, but again, taxi's were $$$.

I have friends who will not stay in PC but go places like Boquette etc. They did most fp hteir research thru tripadvisor.com
We chose to transit in/out of PC for Brazil trip--I personally have no interest in going back except maybe on a cruise ship to do the entire Canal trip...that's just my opinion based on a 3 nights total stay.

I was recently persuaded by Guamgirl's article on Guatemala and I am going there next week. Good luck!

I have a slight different perspective of Panama than Mrs767er. Panama is a fun place. The people are very lively and exciting. I find the taxi's to be cheap. Very cheap. You can go all over town for 2.50 or 3 bucks. Hotels? It depends where you stay too like anywhere else. Panama is quite modern, moreso than most other Central American countries. They are currently experiencing a construction boom. I was just in Panama last month in early July. I actually lived down there in the 1970's and I know alot of people there. Whenever I go to Panama, I reminice about the old days when they had the U.S Panama Canal. I go to places in Panama I've known for years. Go to NAPOLI'S PIZZA or SORRENTO'S. Both been around for ages and they have the most livliest clientelle you'll see with great Spaghetti and Meatballs, clams, pizza and more. Cerveza Balboa is served there, PANAMA, ATLAS, SOBERANA. Very inexpensive. I have shipped through the Panama Canal too and when you fly into Panama, it goes right over the Canal. I admit I don't like the latest progress and construction going on in Panama. The place has changed way too much for my liking, but its still a neat place to visit. At least the place has mountains and not just flat with no character. HINT. If you lack Spanish language skills, Latin America isn't as fun. So, APRENDE LA IDIOMA. Every bit helps and the Taxi drivers won't rip you off. Panama is old hat for me. I am into visiting other places I have yet to see. Been there and done that. But its a fun place to visit.

Tips on where to go outside of PC itself? Go check out FORT LORENZO. On the Atlantic side. An old Spanish Fort. Been invaded by raiders such as Sir Francis Drake, Pirate Henry Morgan.
Check out EL VALLE. Nice mountainous village outside of PC about an hour and a half away.
Check out BOQUETE out near Costa Rica border, about an 8 hour drive from PC or if you fly to DAVID, its only about less than an hour north to Boquete.
If you like the beaches, check out Coronado, Gorgona, Santa Clara. All beach areas. If you want to check out the SAN BLAS islands, it's a hop by plane. Don't know the details of the cost.
Or just hang out in PC, play the casinos, go eat in nice restaurants, just walk around, its neat. Check out the Hard Rock Cafe at MULITCENTRO.
Check out PANAMA VIEJO. They have a museum, and its the site of Pirate Henry Morgan's invasion of Panama City in the 1600's. It was burned down by the residents before they left the town. You can see the old ruins coming from the airport. Check out the Panama Canal Museum at MIRAFLORES LOCKS. They have a FRENCH version of the Canal down town too. They have a gift shop where they sell Guayabera's and other things in all of these places. Night life is the norm in PC so dress accordingly and have a few beers or rum and cokes. Not a place for the lame hearted.