Hacienda del Mar
Hacienda del Mar
Hacienda del Mar (beach) (Isla San José, Panama) – like Contadora island, this beach is located on an island within the Archipélago de las Perlas. Tourism here is slightly more developed, with some resorts on the premises. Still, it is recommended by well-heeled Panamanians and foreigners familiar with the country. Fishermen would find this island a paradise for the wealth of fishing that exists here. Along with fishing, other activities here include snorkeling, diving, mountain biking, as well as sunbathing.
Due to its distance from Panama City (in this case, a 20-minute plane ride), travelers interested in visiting this part of Panama are advised to contact local travel agents for flights from Panama City & lodging arrangements. Air Panama flies from Panama City to Isla San José.
Contadora Island
Contadora Island
Contadora Island (Pearl Archipelago, Panama) – this is considered one of the best beaches in Panama, especially given that that Canal Zone sorely lacks such amenities. This tiny island, one of hundreds in the Pearl Archipelago (On Panama’s Pacific Coast), is considered Panama at its best, given its natural beauty. The one pitfall with this place is that Contadora has just a few paved roads and cars. Most of the friendly islanders get around on golf carts, boats, or by walking. The island is its own little enclave, where there’s no major crime issues, and seemingly no seedy side of life. Come here to enjoy the unbelievable views, to enjoy days hopping from island to island, snorkeling, diving, fishing, or just toasting in the sun.
Due to its distance from Panama City (in this case, a 15 minute plane ride), travelers interested in visiting this part of Panama are advised to contact local travel agents for flights from Panama City & lodging arrangements. Air Panama and Aeroperlas both fly from Panama City to Contadora.
Interestingly, there are two ferry boat services that transports travelers from Panama City to Contadora (and back). They are:
Ferry Las Perlas: www.ferrylasperlas.com
Sea Las Perlas: www.sealasperlas.com
Coastal Strip Cinta Costera
Coastal Strip Cinta Costera
Coastal Strip/Cinta Costera (Av. Balboa, Marbella, Panama City) — The coastal strip of Panama City is a place to enjoy green areas without leaving the metropolis. The strip covers over 35 hectares, 16 of which are completely devoted to green areas. Bordering the bay from Punta Paitilla to Old Town and providing an enjoyable contrast of the modern city on one end with the colonial buildings surrounding the oldest part of town on the other end.
Inspired by the “Aterro do Flamengo” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the coastal strip features large green areas, trees and tropical plants and flowers to adorn the beautifully landscaped gardens. For recreation, there are basketball courts and football fields, gazebos, playgrounds, jogging and bicycle lanes. Other facilities include a pedestrian ramp for the disabled, free parking, water fountains, public restrooms, public telephones, WiFi internet access and lighting.
City Sightseeing Panama
City Sightseeing Panama
City Sightseeing Panama (tourbus) – tourists passing through Panama can now board one of these double-decker buses and see various parts of the city, all with the flexibility and ease of its “Hop On, Hop Off” system..
The current route starts at 9 a.m. from Multicentro, proceeding to Street 52, where the Doubletree and Executive Hotels meet, behind Felix B. Mature, and from there to Urraca Park. After passing Albrook Mall, the bus then goes to the Miraflores Locks, where riders can admire the Panama Canal. Next the bus visits the Biomuseo in Amador, and finally the Flamenco Island at the end of the road. Returning back now, it arrives at the Quincentennial Park, the nearest point to the Old Town that buses can reach without affecting the area. The bus concludes its trip at Multicentro.
Price: Day Tour: $29 (adult)(24 hours), $48 (adult)(48 hours), $24 (children 3 to 12)(24 hours), $34 (children 3 to 12)(48 hours); Night Tour: $15 (adult), $10 (children 3 to 12). For more info, call (507) 392-6000 or (507) 392-9999, or browse through its website: www.citytourspanama.com
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro (beach) – Located 32km from the Costa Rican border, the Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro consists of six densely forested islands, scores of uninhabited islets and Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos, Panama’s oldest marine park. Mass tourism is not an issue (and probably won’t be anytime soon). Minimal development has preserved the charm of small-town Caribbean life and the absence of mega-resorts has maintained the archipelago’s beauty. Isla Colón (perhaps the most developed area), has a strong local flavor and appealingly slow way of life. This is also a good destination for surfers.
Due to its distance from Panama City, travelers interested in visiting this part of Panama are advised to contact local travel agents for transportation & lodging arrangements. Bocas Town on Isla Colon has a small airport that is served by flights with both Air Panama and Aeroperlas – this is the simplest way to arrive. Air Panama and Nature Air also flies from San Jose in Costa Rica to Bocas Town. For those travelling overland, there are very frequent (ever 30 minutes or so) boats from the town of Almirante during the day for about $5 per person.
Westland Mall
Westland Mall
Westland Mall (Vista Alegre, Autopista Arraiján-Chorrera, Panama City) – located 23 km west of Panama City, this mall appeals to middle class shoppers (like Metromall), with many of the same retailers and fast food chains. There’s also a movie theater, and an amusement areas for the kids. See its website for more details: http://westlandmallpanama.com
Multiplaza Pacific Mall
Multiplaza Pacific Mall
Multiplaza Pacific Mall –– a large indoor air-conditioned mall located in the Punta Pacífica district in Panama City. This is one of the more upscale malls in the country, with everything from apparel retailers to movie theaters and food courts. Riba Smith grocery store is located here, as well as a Home Depot, Sanbornes department store, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Nike, MNG (Mango), an Apple Store and countless other clothing shops and boutiques.
Multicentro
Multicentro
Multicentro (Avenida Balboa, Paitilla, Panama City) — the largest shopping mall in Central America and has a movie theater, casino, arcade, internet cafe, library and many shops. The mall is connected to the Radisson Decapolis Hotel, and is located in the Obarrio district of Panama (between Punta Pacifica and El Cangrejo). Multicentro has a small but substantial food court on the third floor, but the Hard Rock Café and El Amir (a Lebanese spot) are located in the mall also. See its website for more details: www.multicentropanama.com.pa
Metromall
Metromall
Metromall (Via Tocumen, Panama City) – with a sister outlet in Honduras, this is another major shopping center in Panama. Catering mainly to middle income shoppers, there are 260 retailers, including recognized brands like Calvin Klein, Clarks, Converse,Crocs, Eastpak, Florsheim, Izod, Kenneth Cole, K-Swiss, Lacoste, Levis, Lotto, Nautica, New Balance, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Payless Shoes, Perry Ellis, Skechers, Speedo, Tommy Hilfiger, U.S. Polo, and Xoxo.
Eateries there include Bennigan’s, Domino’s Pizza, DQ, KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendys, and various independent upstarts serving everything from Chinese to Italian food. Near the mall is a Hotel Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
Los Pueblos Mall
Los Pueblos Mall
Los Pueblos Mall (Panama City, near Tocumen Int’l Airport) – this shopping complex is a strip mall, so you walk outside between the stores. There are over 400 specialty stores, supermarkets, drug stores, and boutiques (particularly those that sell footwear).
