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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 –– 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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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).