Panama City, Panama

 out of 33  reviews

 Panama City Reviews: Honest Truths from Black Travelers

 

Green Book Global is the  only website and app that has authentic Panama City reviews  from the perspective of Black Travelers. If you want to know where to stay, where to eat, what to do etc.  but also what it’s like Traveling While Black in Panama City, then these reviews and travel tips will be essential to your trip planning for Black Travelers and allies alike.

 

Quick Summary:

Panama City’s  historic Casco Viejo (Old Town) is a favorite among tourists, with its colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming cafes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is steeped in history and culture, with landmarks like the Panama Canal Museum and the Presidential Palace attracting visitors from around the world. In contrast, the modern skyline of downtown Panama City showcases the city’s economic growth and development, with towering skyscrapers, upscale shopping malls, and luxury hotels. Whether exploring the historic streets of Casco Viejo or marveling at the modern architecture downtown, Panama City offers something for every traveler according to our Panama City reviews.

The nightlife in Panama City  is lively and varied, with countless bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues catering to all tastes and preferences. Casco Viejo comes alive at night with trendy rooftop bars, live music venues, and chic lounges, offering the perfect ambiance for a night out on the town. Foodies will also find plenty to love in Panama City, with a wide range of culinary options ranging from traditional Panamanian dishes to international cuisine. The city’s seafood is particularly renowned, with fresh catches of the day served in waterfront restaurants along the scenic Causeway. Whether savoring the flavors of Panama or dancing the night away, Panama City provides ample opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment.

 

Interesting Facts:

  • Panama Canal: Perhaps the most famous feature of Panama City is the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It’s a marvel of engineering and a crucial waterway for global trade.
  • Casco Viejo: The historic district of Panama City, known as Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features charming colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and cultural landmarks
  • Operation Just Cause: In 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the USA bombed the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City, a predominantly Black and relatively poor area. The bombing resulted in the deaths of many civilians, primarily from the Black community, sparking controversy and condemnation.

 

Want to see reviews for more cities? Click this link to see destinations reviews for other cities in Central America 

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 out of 33 reviews
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Traveling While Black

33 Reviews

  1. Cornelius Crumity
    Cornelius Crumity
    27 Aug 2023
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    While in Panama, go to San Blas Island. The indigenous people cooked for us while we enjoyed the island and they took us to a man made swimming pool in the middle of the ocean. We had such a great experience there. If you are looking for tranquility then this is the place to visit.

  2. Chidiebere Clark
    Chidiebere Clark
    27 Aug 2023
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    Panama was amazing. It was very affordable and the people are so nice. We stayed at the sortis hotel which is a Marriott property and was very cheap for a week. We used viator for excursions and they are were unique and fun. The only challenge I would say is the fact that not many people spoke English so I would suggest the translator app during your stay

  3. author
    cbshine
    26 Aug 2023
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    Want to go somewhere out the country that’s beautiful and affordable that’s not Mexico or Jamaica? Well look no further! Panama is definitely a MUST visit. They have the views activities and the food. I visited Panama in March 2023 as a consultation trip when my flight for Bali didn’t workout. I’m a avid solo traveler and love to explore and learn about the culture, as well as relax. I moved around a few times.

    The first hotel was very inexpensive – about $50 a night, but was in the man part of Panama City. Was close to restaurants and night life. The locals were kind and the food was inexpensive about $20 per meal including a drink. In Panama city the food I ate was just ok. The 2nd day I booked a trip through viator to do a cultural experience with the Embrerea Village and it was very eventful. It includes a engine canoe boat ride, waterfall hike to the village, lunch and history with a dance show from the villagers, and a market to shop with them. I had some of the best fish there also. However, things changed when I stayed a few days in old town Panama also know as Casaco Viejo. This time I stayed in an airbnb that was about $75 per night. In old town the food was great and still inexpensive! I ate few restaurants but one of my favorites was called Nomada eatery. In old town there’s of history and culture. They have street markets, nice hotels, missed l museums, cafes and some of the best rooftops I’ve ever been to. The rooftops were actually apart of my best memories. They have mixtures in the crowd with locals and tourist, and the music can be a mixture of hip hop, afro beats, salsa and more.

    I took an airbnb experience one of the days and did a salsa dance class with Salsa Safari, and I was having the time of my life! They start in the restaurant and then head over to a night club space that’s private. The instructors were friendly and fun, you don’t have to have a partner if you’re solo like me, but they take partners and groups as well. I would definitely recommend this class with the night out option, but you can just do a private class as well.

    The mainland is nice, but I’m a girl who loves the beach so I headed there for a few days as well. I flew from Panama city to Bocas Del Toro for about $150 roundtrip and it was everything I needed! They have over the water bungalows and that was where I decided to stay. They have a few options but I was last minute so the nicest ones were sold out, but I stayed at Aqui House. It was nice, clean and quiet. There are only about 8 rooms and only 3 were occupied. You do have bro take a body to get there from the mainland once you fly in, but it was only $5-10. The hotel had good food and drinks an is more family ran, so not too many extra actives. You can take a boat to visit other restaurants or the main island. There they have an island party hop called Filthy Friday and you can get tickets in advance or day of if still available. The start on the main island and then take you by taxi boat to a few beach clubs and it’s all about the party! I had fun solo and met a few cool people during the trip as it is and all day thing. The fire show at the last spot was my favorite part. Course it helped that the men were afro-panama.

    My last leg of the trip I went back to panama city and stayed at the W Hotel and it was solo relaxing! The hotel is beautifully designed and have several different room setup. The room with the ball swing was taken, but my room was still nice. The rooftop bar and pool were my place of peace and had the vibes I was looking for. I met more dope people and even got invited to a locals birthday party. Overall I had the BEST time and would definitely visit again. I felt safe as a single black women,I even walked the streets alone late at night without anyone bothering me. The streets near old town do lead to the favelas(hoid) so definitely use caution, but it was a great way to spend my birthday with no regrets!

    Salsa Class link to their Instagram
    https://instagram.com/salsasafari_panama?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
    Link for village tour
    https://www.viator.com/tours/Panama-City/Tour-Embera-Indigenous-Village-and-Chagres-Rainforest/d950-71405P4

    Filthy Friday Bocas island hop party
    https://filthyfridaybocas.com/

  4. TaShara Roberts
    20 Aug 2023
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    Panama is amazing! Great weather year round and relatively cheap to travel to. Can travel there for a week under $1000. That includes flight (from Atlanta), hotel, food and excursion to the Panama Canal. We stayed at the RIU Plaza Panama that’s close to many places such as shopping and eating. We got around using Uber which was like like $2-$3 each trip. Our excursion was amazing. We learned so much about the country’s history and culture. Full of black culture so we felt at home and welcomed. One thing we loved was the fact we did not have to convert money. The dollar is accepted there, everywhere. There was a big American influence there I guess for to the number of American expat there. We met a black American couple that was in the process of retiring and relocating there. I loved everything about the country and can’t wait to go back and visit again. So much more I want to see!

  5. CatchNFlights
    CatchNFlights
    14 Jan 2023
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    I went to Panama pre-pandemic. We stayed at the Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino (it’s part of the Marriott’s Autograph collection). I really enjoyed Panama and would go back. I won’t bore you with stuff about the panama canal. Below are three things I think may be helpful.

    Tips:
    1. I was surprised that not many people spoke English. If you don’t know some Spanish, download google translate.

    2. Take the tour called Panama Detour with a blogger named Joey. I love seeing what the locals are up to. This was a nice blend. And taking the tour early during my trip allowed me to get my bearings and better understand where things were. We tasted local empanadas and a drink before hopping on the subway and checking out historical sites and a few neighborhoods. One of which was Casco Viejo where some gentrification has occurred and there is a lot of night life. We had a rum/mojito tasting and went to this amazing restaurant in the hood where the food was so delicious we took an uber back the next day.
    The link to Joey’s tour is below. I also found some of the articles on his site to be helpful.

    https://pty.life/panama-detour/

    3. It was great having the ease of uber to move around and it was inexpensive.

  6. author
    Sterling8200
    17 Jan 2022
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    We visited Panama City, Panama for New Years 2022. Panama is amazing! We stayed at the Westin Playa Bonita, which is off the beaten path, we learned it used to be a American army base. It’s not downtown, but it’s about a $20 Uber ride away and super close to the beach. We booked a few tours that I recommend. 1. The Panama Canal. It just reopened for tourism post CoVid and it was nice to get out on the water. We visited monkey island, walked in the rainforest, got to see all kinds of wildlife and animals and we were treated to holadres which is a Panamanian breakfast food that I recommend. 2. We did a night tour our Casca Viejo, our guide was amazing! He explained the history of the city, showed us the sights and we went to a restaurant in the Amador Area the of the city called Sabrosa Panama, which has great local fare for a reasonable price. 3. We did another tour like a local where we got to check out the neighborhoods of the city, their street art/murals are so beautiful and we also got to observe the influences from the indigenous, the Chinese, he French and the Spanish. Panama is one of the few countries I’ve been that has a sprawling metro area and also nature juxtaposed next to one another.

  7. Ngoziholmes14
    Ngoziholmes14
    14 Dec 2020
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    I booked a last minute getaway to Panama through Cheap Caribbean. The hotel itself was a bit far from the airport, a 2 hour drive. Cheap Caribbean (https://www.cheapcaribbean.com/) set us up with a cab, the cab driver was nice and gave us a tour of Panama City and showed us the Panama Canal. The resort we stayed at was Riu Playa Blanca, it was beautiful and being a black traveler, I must say Panamanians were super sweet, made you feel like you were at home. The food was delicious! Service was great. It was $800 per person for 4 days all inclusive the atv was $100 and they included horseback riding in the beach. I did a atv tour through the resort and we drove through a small town, everyone was coming out of their house and waving at us. Kids were asking to take pictures with us. The beach had black sand as well it was beautiful! Definitely one of my favorite countries. I will be returning!

  8. author
    VxMeech
    19 Jun 2020
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    Panama City was fun I enjoyed the people, love their street food. I only spent 3 days there!! Here I things I did while there!!
    Things to do –
    Panama Canal
    Hung with the locals
    Brought Panamanian Jewelry
    Panama (White House)
    Veracruz Beach
    I mostly hung with the locals I have a friend that lives there!

  9. author
    Prisci
    19 Apr 2020
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    Go to the Hard Rock Cafe hotel clubs, there’s two, I had fun at Bits (floor 62) had the most amazing view of Panama City. Go to Casco Antiguo (Old Panama), the colonial part of the city, rooftop bars are the trend, so many of them, the most famous is Tantalo (dance club). I also liked Casa Casco, there’s a different ambiance at each floor(good dining). Gatto Blanco is also for drinks and dancing.

  10. author
    ajmartinez
    02 Mar 2020
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    When in Panama, visiting Casco Viejo (The Old Town) is a must. There is so much history that fills this little town, as it is quite different from Panama City, although only a few minutes away . Casco Viejo is a great place to simply explore, as it has a number of old colonial buildings, monument, museums and ruins, as well as coffee shops, bars and restaurants. The town is quite small, so it’s easy to get around by foot. I recommend visiting the American Trade Hotel, which is quite popular. While there I enjoyed lunch, which is offered 11:30 am until 4:00 pm. I was also happy to learn that vegetarian and vegan options were available. Casco Viejo is a great place to explore to immerse yourself in the history of Panama, and to get away from the hustle and bustle of Panama City.

  11. author
    Ambestt
    25 Feb 2020
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    If in Panama city, I highly recommend taking a day trip and evening trip to Casco Viejo. It is a colorful and vibrant part of town with many markets shops, restaurants, bars, and lots of culture. There are many hop on hop off party buses that you can take at night to explore the town for a reasonable price (and get your drink on)! After partying it up there be sure to grab some street food or pio pio—so good!

  12. author
    Fullyliveandtravel
    16 Jan 2020
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    Panama City can be described as a modern city that is still very old. You can walk through cobblestones of Casco Viego and feel like you went back in time to many centuries ago. At the same time, not too far away is a skyline that looks very similar to Miami Beach.

    For a well-rounded trip to Panama, it’s best to reserve a few days to visit some of the best beaches the country has to offer.
    By speaking to locals, we realized the best way to enjoy this country is by Island hopping. If you are short on time, here are some of the top things to do in a few days.
    Casco Viejo,Plaza de Francia,Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción,Avenida Balboa,Amador Causeway,Ancon Hill,Panama Canal.

    For great views of the city, hike 30 min up this paved hill.
    An easy to moderate hike that should take 30 to 45 for the average person and 20 minutes for those in elite shape. It’s an uphill climb and well paved. Finding the entrance was tricky and we almost gave up until a returning hiker pointed out the entrance.

    First take an Uber/taxi to the guard gate of a residencial neighborhood called Quarry Heights. We were dropped off near the ministry buildings at the bottom of the hill far away from the gates. We walked up the hill passing through the neighborhood to get to the gated community.
    Tip# Make sure that your taxi or Uber drops you off in the front of the gates.

    At the gate, stick to your left, there is a path leading to the forest. When you get to a junction and deciding to go left or right. Make a right. Keep walking until you reach a locked fence. Do not despair, it has an opening on the right side that you climb through (It’s okay just do it).

    From the fence, you are looking at a 20-30-minute hike up the paved hill where a very large Panamanian flag awaits in the center.

    At the summit, you can see views of the city and even the Canal from several vantage points. On the way down, there was a vendor selling popsicles which was quite refreshing after the hike up and descent.

    Lastly, Panama is the best country to travel black.

  13. Thomas
    Thomas
    03 Jan 2020
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    Panama was a city I recently visited with a large group of friends. We stayed at the W Panama Hotel which had excellent views of the city from the rooftop pool area. We also traveled to the Panama Canal which is an absolute must to see. We had a private tour through a local connection so not sure what the normal process is but it’s well worth visiting to see the large ships that travel through there regularly. The local fish market has tons of great options for fresh fish and the culture there is very vibrant. We all were able to go out at night as there were several night clubs and rooftop bars to enjoy.

  14. author
    OhMsScarlette
    26 Nov 2019
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    I took my Favorite Son to Panama in March and we had a great time. Panama is such a fun city with so many things to do. We were surprised that it was Panama’s carnival (i forgot to check what was happening in the country beforehand) so we had two experiences in one. Panama has one of the largest carnivals in Central and South America (little known fact) and it was great to experience carnival that takes it to di road. We had some of the best food ever in Panama, make sure to visit Diablicos for authentic Panamanian food , it’s located in Centro Historico (Historic Center). Make sure to visit Causeway De Amador for great food spots. Don’t be fooled by the exterior of some of the buildings, the food is so dope.

  15. author
    Edventures
    14 Nov 2019
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    If you’re looking for an all inclusive resort with drinks and food, great views, entertainment, and an all around great experience. The Dreams Playa Bonita in Panama is the place for you. Upon arrival to the resort after a long day, we were welcomed with a glass of champagne. We were shown to our rooms and from there we ordered room service. Ordered almost everything on the menu and feasted! The property is beautiful! The pools and the poolside bar was great. The bartenders were always so happy and matched the vibes of the vacation. There were 4 restaurants on site and even during lunch they had a buffet that changed everyday by the pool and that food was amazing! The gym wasn’t the best if you were looking to workout during your vacation but you’re perfectly fine skipping out on that. They had a lounge as well downstairs with a bar that served wine. They had activities on the property such as archery, paddle boarding, water aerobics, and a few other things that you were able to participate in. You could walk along the beach and if you were feeling adventurous you could walk it all the way down to this other resort and enjoy the views of the water, seashells in the sand and all the little hermit crabs running around all over the place. Another cool thing is that we saw a sloth on the property. There were actually a couple. We saw one hanging from a tree and the other one climbing the tree as well just living as free as can be. Also the breakfast buffet in the morning was great. You were able to make your own mimosas. They had the orange juice and 2 other juices I cannot remember but they went so well with the champagne. The omelette station and the extra meats were always delicious too!

  16. Badboydeee
    25 Jul 2019
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    There was a group of 4 of us and we stayed at an AirBNB just outside of Panama City. Each of us had our own air conditioned room and got to live like locals. There was a TV, a full kitchen for us to utilize, a large pool and patio area. We were able to go to the local grocery store (they have some brands that are in the US but not a variety). If you want to try something different and live like a local, I would say find a nice AirBNB. Be prepared to have to travel to the city and experience traffic if you do.

  17. Thefunkisreal
    Thefunkisreal
    14 Jun 2019
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    Panama remind me of a much larger Miami in the way it looks. Since it is heavily American influenced they use the US dollar so the cost of everything is no different than being in the states. Beautiful beaches and pretty good local food spots. But stray away from any local chain spot and stick with the hole in the walls or the popular one shop spots. So many adventure options from a tour in the rain forest to riding the rivers and seeing the monkeys. Also plenty of beautiful beaches.

  18. Swizkhalifa
    Swizkhalifa
    09 May 2019
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    Visited Panama for a group trip and it was a perfect blend of culture, tradition, an history within an industrialized city. I was pleasantly surprised to see large building and skyscrapers in the heart of the city. It’s a great travel destination for Americans since the local currency is the US dollar, the ability to get around using Uber (less than $10 per trip) and large number of English speaking natives. One of the must visits is checking out the Panama Canal and learning about the large influence the united states had on the canal. I would suggest calling ahead to see the schedule of boats passing through the canal, to reduce your downtime waiting to see the canal in action. The Casco Viejo area is the consider the historic district which has beautiful and charming architecture. The panama nightlife also occurs in the Casco Viejo area which is home to several bars, clubs and restaurants. If you get a chance check out club La Tana which had affordable VIP tables and bottle prices. We contacted the club via WhatsApp and were able to select the tables and negotiate our price because we were such a large party. We were able to get 3 tables and entry for 20 people with a minimum spend of $1300 total. If you ever get a chance check out Panama! There are direct flights from IAD to PTY, which make it even easier to get there from the DMV.

  19. theerealcoop
    theerealcoop
    06 May 2019
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    I love experiencing places for the 1st time and to be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from Panama City. I just happened to see a great flight deal and jumped on it!! Panama City was awesome! It’s a city where you can embed yourself with its culture. I wouldn’t consider it a location where you go to party, but like I said, a place where you can embed yourself within its culture and learn a many of things. The only thing that threw me for a loop was that not many there speak English at all, not even a little bit. The hotel staff spoke it, and a local black chef that was born in Panama City but moved and lived in New York for a while before moving back to Panama City. The people of Panama City were so nice and it didn’t matter where we were. Our hotel (AC Hotel by Marriott) was downtown but we ventured out to Casco Viego, Contadora Island, and even the hood of Panama City (every city has it’s hood(s)). We wanted to experience more but we ran out of time. I’d definitely recommend going if you want a quick getaway to indulge yourself within another country and culture without thinking of wanting to party.

  20. AMOR
    13 Apr 2019
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    We stayed at the Riande Grenada Hotel that had contemporary styled rooms with dope art work. The lobby had a pool table and game area to hang out. The business center was nicely decorated to match the decor of the entire hotel. The restaurant & pool area was the highlight! We stayed here for one night to experience the city before flying to Jamaica. We will definitely be back, the people are beautiful and the nightlife was GREAT! We partied at the hotel until it was time to go to Le Palace gentlemens club Near the hotel. The hotel is in the financial district and we felt safe. The

  21. C713
    C713
    01 Apr 2019
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    Nice place to visit, lots of historic sights to see, over all the beach was the best thing! San Blas beach was beyond beautiful, you have to take a tour to get there, no resorts are on the island but once you get there you’re gonna love it. Natural clear water, palms trees everywhere, just beautiful! Panama City is very Americanized so it’s not much like other places in Central America where everything is cheap, it’s pretty much dollar for dollar with everything there. But it’s still not too bad, highly recommend it.

  22. author
    tiffs55
    01 Feb 2019
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    I am Panamanian any doubt about panama can you ask me for dm in Instagram.
    The best places in Panama to visit that I recommend are (top 5 for me):
    san blas
    casco antiguo
    Bocas del toro
    valle de anton
    the beaches of Colon

    Enjoy my little country.

  23. grdcwc1911
    grdcwc1911
    23 Jan 2019
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    Panama City is a great place to visit. If you want to experience some adventure mixed with some history and party vibes, you’ve found the right place. I recommend staying close to the city so you can experience the nightlife. Make sure to take the village tour as well. There are several tours that can take you to the village. They range from $80-150 per person, but everything is negotiable. I recommend booking in advance as they typically reach their limit early. Please find the link to the village tour below. I stayed at Dreams Playa Bonita and they were able to assist with all of my excusions. Also this resort is only located about 15- 20 minutes from the city. Be careful because some resorts are really far! Nonetheless, the Panamanians are some of the most proud and cultured people I’ve ever met.

    http://www.emberavillagetours.com

  24. author
    Karissa
    12 Dec 2018
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    I visited Panama on a mission trip and it was a fun experience. We stayed in Panama City and went out daily visiting different parts of Panama. Not many English speaking locals, so make sure your have a translator app. Everything was very affordable and everyone uses uber here which I love.

  25. gigi
    gigi
    07 Dec 2018
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    Such a great place to visit. Its like city life, meets jungle, meets the Caribbean. We stayed at the Royal Hotel in the city. The city has beautiful skyscrapers, almost feels like Manhattan! The people were really nice and food delicious and affordable. We got to do a lot of adventure like take a boat ride to money Island and feed monkeys. We took a boat ride through the jungle to visit an Indian tribe and jump in a beautiful waterfall! The beaches are incredible and water is super blue. Would highly recommend this place city to visit for fun and adventure.

  26. ElMilagro
    ElMilagro
    28 Sep 2018
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    Panama has so much cool history to it! I definitely recommend seeing the following sites while visiting:
    – BioMuseum (near Flamenco Island)
    – Taboga
    – Embera Village (this is a tour we paid $85 dollars for). There’s a waterfall excursion and the villagers gret you with a dance and food. I even got a traditional (henna) tattoo from the natives and then actually tattooed it on my body the following day. This trip was definitely the highlight of our trip thus far.

  27. author
    Jojo0310
    08 Aug 2018
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    Panama is known for its really cheap shopping..We visited Panama as a family Christmas 2017. We stayed at an all inclusive outside of Panama city…about 1hr drive..We stayed at Melia Panama Canal. For an all inclusive hotel it was quite reasonable. Christmas day at the hotel was really good..they had a really fun foam party.the pool is to die for..they are also close to the guton lake.The food was ok…Breakfast gets a plus..Lunch was ok as well..dinner however was so so..we took a drive down to Panama City to shop..di visit Costco …you won’t regret it..

  28. kcolbourne
    kcolbourne
    03 Jun 2018
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    Everybody talks about Bocas when visiting Panama. However, San Blas Islands is a great alternative if based in Panama City with limited time. You can fly, but we decided to travel by land with a tour guide referred by a friend. It is a bumpy, two hour drive through the forest in a 4 x 4. We even saw a bear on the road, so this definitely throws some adventure into your day. Once reaching the dock, there are changing rooms available as you wait for your motor boat. There is no food so don’t make my mistake by skipping breakfast. Once on the boat, the fun starts as you’re zipping on the water. You get to pass by multiple, small islands as the water gradually turns more bright and blue. Although Turks and Caicos still has the most beautiful water I’ve ever seen, San Blas is a close second! It is so relaxing to be surrounded by such natural beauty and gets you away from the city life just a bit without having to travel too far.

  29. AshD
    AshD
    31 May 2018
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    I would definitely check out Panama Viejo. The old area goes back to the conquistadors and slavery which is interesting if you’re into history. You’re able to roam around to explore what I would consider modern ruins and the top of the tower that still stands gives an amazing view of the “modern” Panama skyscrapers. The mix of old and new shows what’s great about the city.

  30. author
    Moonshyyne
    15 Apr 2018
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    Panama is by far the friendliest place I have travelled to in South America! Panama City and it’s beautiful skyscrapers are a sight for sore eyes. It’s truly a special place no wonder it’s a tax haven for a lot of ex pats.
    Of all the places in South America I’ve travelled to thus far, Panama had the most English speakers and it was so easy to get around with Uber and the use of US dollar as local currency.
    I started off my adventures in Panama City, with an immediate stop at Cinta Costera, a government fitness project, with amazing views of the city and best place to take a picture with the Panama sign. There will be lots of people biking and running along the path. There is a play area with swings and slides for kids and it’s just a breath of fresh air right in the city! Not too far from there is Casco Viejo (Old Panama) or as the locals call it Casco. This place gives you a very authentic Latin feel away from the skyscrapers, with old buildings and an amazing vibe. A few years ago, it was one of the most dangerous places in South America but to see what it has become was very interesting. Casco is also the best place for night life. There are so many clubs and bars and a world renowned rum bar where you can try their best mojitos. They have rooftop bars that are that so popular that you can get in after 11pm because it’s already full. It’s so easy to bar hop because the bars are all down one street. So during the day you can enjoy a nice history tour of the area, then go home and freshen up to enjoy the night life:
    A few miles down, you’ll get your self to the cosway, with one of the best views of the city especially at sunset and at night. Another must do is hike up Ancon Hill, it’s worth the birds eye view of the city and you get to see an amazing view of the city and bit of the famous Panama Canal. There is also a beautiful spot to take a picture with the Panama flag in the back drop.
    Food and shopping is dirt cheap in Panama City so I spent quite a bit of time buying things I really didn’t need. Sandals and shorts can be as low as $3USD. Food is on average $9-$13 for a meal with drinks. You can try some of the local flavours or you can stick to what you know since they have: MacDonalds, Popeyes, Tony Roma’s, Subway and many others. I’d recommend trying the local food though, it’s very delicious! I recommend trying La Tapa Del Coco for some delicious Afro-Caribbean/Panamanian mix. They also have their own take on Chinese food at Don Lees.
    Panama City has a lovely mix of condos, which you can rent out through Airbnb and hotels. I did a mix of both in order to really get a good feel for Panama City life. Both were equally amazing and I would recommend a mix of both in order to experience how Panamanians in the City live.

  31. author
    Stephan0101
    31 Mar 2018
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    I was not a big fan of Panama. The Mall and shopping was great. The Panama Canal was not exciting to me. Not much of a night life. The people were not as friendly as in other places I’ve visited.

  32. author
    buku_blessed
    28 Mar 2018
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    Panama rich in history with the canal which is must visit and the museum is fairly cheap. I will say don’t go to Panama expecting lots of awesome beaches to lay out on being that most beaches are full of pumice stone that will cut you. Locals will know where to go for some of the few beaches. We went during Carnival and although its not the most lit carnival it was still a great time celebrating with the locals and seeing all the floats and costumes.

  33. author
    _lachou_
    05 Mar 2018
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    Hi everybody,

    Panama City it’s such a nice city. There are many things to do there.
    First of all it’s very safe!
    I have been traveling alone all over Panama for 1 month.

    First thing to do is of course the Panama Canal!!! Aww this place it’s amazing. You can get there from everywhere in the city. You can get a local bus, a taxi or an uber. The entrance is about $15 you can stay I all day if you want. I’ll say that 3 hours it’s enough.
    With your ticket you have access to the history movie of the Panama Canal, some souvenirs shop, restaurants and of course a nice view (very close) to the canal.
    I been there an afternoon and I saw about 4 differents boats going through (all different seize ).

    Do you like to walk!?
    If so, you have a nice walk on la Cinta Costa. It’s about 30 to 45 min walk from the Multicentro mall to the Casco viejo (old town) it’s a very nice walk, quiet.
    When you get to the old town (Casco Viejo) you can walk around, listen some traditional music and of course do the sunset on a roof top.
    I enjoyed them so much. The alcohol is cheap about $4 during the happy hour with a beautiful view on the Panama City skyline. This was very nice to do.

    Do you like food just how I do!?
    If so, you definitely need to get some food from their Fish Market.
    That was so good, fresh food of course fish everywhere, tasty with nice drinks.
    Things to try:Ceviche (raw fish, very fresh and good as a starter) Patacones con Langousta (plantain banana with lobster) was just amazing.
    And of course Jugo de Maracuya (fruit passion juice).
    Hummm so good.

    Would you like to go out of Panama City and discover more about Panama!?
    If so, Albrook bus terminal is where you need to go.
    From the Albrook terminal you can go all over Panama by day or night (this country it’s amaizing for that).
    From Albrook you can go everywhere in Panama ( Boquete, Bocas del Torro, David, Aguadulce, Santa Clara, Santa Catalina…,).
    You can go everywhere. I have been to San Jose, Costa Rica for $40 from Albrook.

    I hope this review gonna help some of you.

    Instagram: _lachou_ or Yasmine Merkileuse if you have more question about Panama and Costa Rica.

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