i'm flying into panama city around 6:30pm. first night in
central america in a big city... need suggestions for
lodgings. should i just grab a taxi from the airport, or
are there easy buses or colectivos to get to downtown. i
don't want to be wandering around panama city at night with
a big pack. thanks!
helen
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The "smart" thing to do is to grab a taxi and take the long
trip into Panama City. It will be fairly expensive I
think, but you'll be able to specify exactly where you want
to go. If you want to be freak'n and have a memory you'll
cherish forever, get on that colectivo with your big pack
and try to guess where to get off. I took the colectivo in
during the day and ended up in a rather dicey area with my
big pack calling out "here's the tourist." People are
friendly, and if you have an idea of where you want to
stay, you'll be better off. While I stayed in Panama Viejo
and enjoyed it, I wouldn't recommend arriving there at
night.
hi,
every time i go to a BIG city - i use taxis.
for pc its advisable.
check the "gran hotel soloy", big name, waiters,
really a "better one", good service, pool (of course
with no water, but great views) on top of the
building, restaurant, all you need, at the edge
of the safe part of pc (of course in it),
three years ago it was for this kind of a hotel
(surprise, surprise) only 22 $.
check it. at the time ive been there: it was really
fun.
good luck
andreas
hi,
every time i go to a BIG city - i use taxis.
for pc its advisable.
check the "gran hotel soloy", big name, waiters,
really a "better one", good service, pool (of course
with no water, but great views) on top of the
building, restaurant, all you need, at the edge
of the safe part of pc (of course in it),
three years ago it was for this kind of a hotel
(surprise, surprise) only 22 $.
check it. at the time ive been there: it was really
fun.
good luck
andreas
I would suggest that if you get in at night, splurge on the
Taxi. Negotiate before you leave the airport, but it
shouldn't be more than $10. Actually, shoot for $5 and see
what they say. The airport is quite a way from downtown
though.
There are plenty of places you do NOT want to end up in in
Panama City (especially after dark w/ a big pack!!!) I
suggest for the first night anyway, stay at a more
expensive hotel downtown. The bank district is probably
the safest bet. Plus there is a lot to do and see.
Personally I recommend the Hotel Costa Del Sol. I stayed
there just before xmas and they really took care of me.
Negotiate the price, I got it for half price which was
about $49 a night. It has a bar and restraunt and pool on
the roof w/ a great view of the city. They also did me
right on trips to El Valle, the canal locks, and other
areas of interest. I'm not associated w/ the hotel at all,
just passing on my good experience.
The contact I had there was "David Ramirez"
d170466@hotmail.com He hooked me up with the tours, spoke
excellent english, and was an all around nice guy.
There is also a fairly cheap, actually two, internet cafe's
within about four blocks of the hotel. If you orient
yourself correctly, they are behind the Hotel Panama. And
there's a pretty cool club inside Hotel Panama, but one
warning: Panama clubs require slacks, not jeans, shoes,
not sandals, and a collared shirt. People tend to dress up
there when they go out.
Of course, your other option is to check with different
cabbies at the airport and I'm sure you can find somewhere
much cheaper to stay.
Have a good time.
Arrived late at night in Panama City. splurge for a taxi. If
you walk out to the main road about 200m, you will get a
cheaper price. We paid 20 or 25 U.S. for a taxi but it got
us to our hotel. I highly reccomend the Hotel California.
Beautiful room for 20.00 U.S. a night. Its in our addition
of the L.P. In the guide book it says the Hotel Montreal is
the same only with a pool. Definately not we stayed in both.
definetly TAXI at night.you will find a hotel between
$20 and $100. stay off the streets at night,I was there the
last time I visited in '91 and there was a curfew at 10 or
12pm.(its hard to remember)uhmm, sometimes you might hear
some kids playing with some super loud 'firecrackers'?
(leave your jam-box at home)
?:0)
They are right. It's not worth saving some money and getting
in trouble at the beginning of your stay.
I have been there in october. At the airport there is a desk
where you can buy fixed-priced tickets into the city (safe
but pricy). I shared a cab with a business man into town
which reduced the price to 50%. Stayed at a very clean and
nice Hotel for 12$/night - have to check the name.
TAKE A TAXI!!! Stay at the Costa del Sol, near Hotel Panama.
DO NOT stay at the monetreal, it SUKS ASS!!! The Costa del
Sol is great and not too expensive $40.
Enjoy, I love Panama, Punto Chame is a grea tquiet place to
go.
Pick up a coupon at the information desk (on the way to
baggage claim at the airport) and you can stay at the Hotel
Roma for about $30 per night. Clean rooms, air
conditioned, private bathrooms with hot water.