Panama, just a great country to visit or perhaps even retire to.
Our (Kathy & John) three month visit took place in the December thru February 2006 time frame. This is the Panamanian summer (dry period with summer break for school)
and rainfall is limited but there is plenty of sunshine and very warm temperatures. Most North Americans may find the temperature
rather warm (+30c or +90F), but if you can schedule inside activities during the hours between 11 am and 4pm the climate could be considered as perfect (night or day).
Panama City has many great attractions and the site will allow you to look before you go, or even make that choice that it is not for you. However if you decide to visit, you should have done some homework and prepare yourself. If you are like me (with very limited Spanish capabilities)
it may be best to arrange with others to meet you. Try here for a site that allowed me to pre-arrange service from the airport and review
accommodation requirements. If you are going for more than a week then arrange for cell-phone usage. Also review and select your accommodations (note later comments on this subject).
One of Panama City`s first scenes will be your introduction to the "Red Devil`s" or bus systems. While very colorfull and cheap most will use
the taxi system. Most locations within the city may be reached for less than $5, and that could be up to 10-15 miles. You will soon learn that taking a taxi to the grocery store for a dollar
is well worth it. Talking about Grocery Stores in Panama City ( Reba Smith for true North Americans, but Super 99, Rey
or others usually provide most products that you have at home).
Now that you know how to get around visit some of the sites. Visit some of the great shopping malls. Our favorite was
Allbrook Mall with over 150 stores and very similar to North American Malls but larger. Visit the ancient city ruins and purchase some
Native handycrafts. Prices are reasonable and the products
are usually quite native to the country.
Downtown Panama or By-the-Ocean Panama has many great sites and most individuals would consider themselves to be in a major North American city. There
are restaurants, shopping, & medical facilities that compare to the best of our cities. The Business district also has the shopping, restaurants, banking facilities and gambling casinos that make
the city so vibrant. Panama`s famous " Carnival" is also held just prior to Lent.
Certainly one of the areas within Panama City (Casco Viejo) could be considered as third world. It however has a marketplace, museums and the Presidential Grounds that almost make it necessary to
visit. The experience of seeing products advertised for 25 cents along with the Golden altar in one of the churches will remain with you for
a lifetime. There is also a major renaisance happening in the area and one is able to picture how it will look like 5-10 years from now.
Panama City has come a long way from the days of Noriega, but to many North Americans that is a subject that often arises.
During our trip we were very fortunate to tour his home and grounds. As the video clips highlight, Noriega is no longer an issue, and Panama City is experiencing the growth of one of America's great cities.
Before we highlight some of the surrounding country sites outside of Panama City, it is important to make note of why our trip was so special. To us it was our accommodation and being close to many of
attractions in Panama City. If you travel to Panama consider your location as being the prime factor. It is where you have the possibility to meet others, to rest up for your next excursion or maybe
just sit by the pool. Our location made us feel at home, and it is the real reason on why we will return.
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