Out and About in Panama City.

Panama is having a Golden Age.

Residents, businesses and politicians are scrambling to catch up to the booming economy, and preparing for the 2014 inauguration of the Panama Canal's expansion.  Massive construction throughout the growing city create gridlock and chaos.  Here's how to escape the mess and have some fun.

COSMOPOLITA: Panama has grown rapidly in the past few years creating many new attractions for locals and visitors.

 

 

EAT

San Francisco

Segundo Muelle

Seafood specialties like jalea (fritto misto), cau cau (savory rice), chupe (chowder soup) and chaufa (fried rice) showcase the Peruvian gastronomic trend.

El Cangrejo

El Trapiche

Authentic Panamanian specialties like carimañola (yuca turnovers), hojaldre (fried bread), empanadas (corn turnovers), sancocho (chicken and ñame soup) make this charming little restaurant a popular destination.

Wine Bar

Good wine list at decent prices. Some of the best Italian food in Panama from the adjoining restaurant Pomodoro.

Panama Canal

Miraflores Visitors Center Restaurant

Watch giant container ships and cruises pass in front of the terrace while enjoying a plentiful buffet with mostly seafood-oriented dishes.

PASAJEROS: Ships pass in front of the restaurant terrace at Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal.

Casco Viejo

Las Clementinas

A charming colonial building restored to house a boutique hotel and an excellent restaurant reinterpreting Panamenian recipes like guacho (hearty seafood and coconut risotto).

Causeway Amador - Isla Flamengo

Ca.yu.co

Open air bar on the marina for cheap drinks and seafood bites such as calamari and fried fish.

NIGHTLIFE

Casco Viejo

Tantalo

A very popular rooftop bar. Get there before 9:30 p.m. to avoir a cover charge of $5.00.

Divino

Living room-like lounge with a good wine list and live jazz on weekends.

Bella Vista

Jaleo

A lively scene of twentysomethings eating tapas and other Spanish specialties. The white sangria is quite tasty.

Calle Uruguay

Manrey rooftop

Lounge around a lit pool while sipping cocktails while the DJ mixes electronica and pop.

NOCTURNO: The rooftop pool at Manrey Hotel is great for lounging to electronica.

Bella Vista - Federico Boyd

El Apartamento / El Sótano

Upstairs (El Apartamento) is an open lounge serving strong cocktails. Downstairs (El Sótano) is a small venue for live rock and rap acts.

CULTURE 

 

Casco Viejo

Golden Altar

The gold-leafing altar at this church was hidden from pirates in colonial times.

ALTAR DORADO: The Golden Altar is a national treasure.

 

Ancón

Cerro Ancón

View sloths, birds and amphibians as you climb Panama City's highest point. 

Causeway Amador

Museo de Biodiversidad

Frank Gehry's impending masterpiece celebrates the biodiversity found in the isthmus of Panama.  Viewings by appointment on Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm.

http://www.biomuseopanama.org/form/ven-y-conoce-el-biomuseo

Smithsonian Aquarium

This small outdoor aquarium is small but interesting: Sharks and tortoises sharing a pool,  Rare fish from both Atlantic and Pacific are gathered for scientific study.

http://www.stri.si.edu/english/visit_us/culebra/index.php

Panamá Viejo

Panamá Viejo Ruins

View the ruins left after Captain Morgan looted and burned the original Panama City settlement.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/790/

BEACH

 

Punta Chame

Nitro

This extreme sports oriented hotel offers kite surfing, a wakeboarding lagoon and other water sports.  Or simply sip cocktails at the swim-up bar and feast of their grilled meats and pizza.

http://nitrocitypanama.com/rest.php

EXTREMO: People of all ages enjoy the extreme sports and relaxation offered at Nitro City Beach Resort.

 

 

Bijao

Sheraton Bijao

This all inclusive resort offers four pools and kilometers of beach for water sports such as pedal boats, catamarans and jet skis.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/photos/index.html?propertyID=3693#photo_section_1Link

Isla Grande

Bananas

Enjoy Panama's Caribbean beaches at this small property with wooden bungalows and a small pool.

NATURE

Parque Soberanía

National Park

Appreciate the rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife while walking on the Camino de las Cruces trail which was used to transport gold from Peru to Spain before there was a Panama Canal.

Summit

Summit Zoo

View rare species like tapirs, anteaters, ocelots and jaguars indigenous to this region of the world.

El Valle de Antón

El Valle Mud Baths

A very rustic "spa" that includes hot springs and white and brown clay for do-it-yourself mud facials.

http://www.antonvalley.com/attractions/hot-springs/

LODOSO: Detox with natural mud at the Anton Valley Hot Springs.

Beach Weddings

PLACES TO HAVE A BEACH WEDDING IN PANAMA

Let's face it, beach weddings are a big photo shoot not unlike SI's swimsuit issue followed by a wrap-up party: The bride is the model, the wedding gown is the featured clothing item, the beach sunset is the backdrop. The hotel provides craft services, and the groom and guests are nothing but extras. Here are different Panama hotels that provide both bride and dress the best context.

RAD

Wedding Dress: White Body Glove Wetsuit

Nitro City

http://nitrocitypanama.com/


This is a very cool new hotel with an X-treme sports theme.  Even though the decor includes graffiti artists and motocross bikes, the actual hotel is a collection of elegantly appointed two-story beachfront villas. Every room has an outdoor terrace with a jacuzzi (some fitting 6 people), separate shower and bathtub and L'Occitane amenities. The kitchen serves local and international dishes, grilled meats and brick oven pizzas. Play a techno version of the wedding march, and wakeboard down the aisle!

SWELL

 Wedding Dress: Sleeveless Rosa Clará

Hotel Bristol Buenaventura

http://www.thebristol.com/buenaventura/

The only true 5-star beach hotel in the country, this colonial modern hotel is where Panama's elite and their friends congregate. The service is almost flawless, and the menu is designed by Chef Cuquita Arias who's a favorite of Panamanian high society. The place, however, is completely relaxed and casual.  Hotel guests have access to a large pool, a lagoon to enjoy drinks on a small boat (à la "Jungle Cruise"), free bikes to roam around the huge complex, yoga on the beach, horseback riding and a clubhouse where one rubs elbows with captains of industry and government heads who own mansions in the same community. Rooms are very comfortable with Frette linens and Molton Brown amenities.

BOHO

Wedding Dress: Vintage Slip

Villa Marina

http://www.villamarinapanama.com/espanol/default.asp

A bit farther away from the city is Villa Marina, located on Playa Venao near the town of Pedasi.  This small inn has simple yet clean rooms and is a converted beach-front estate. This is the place I'd recommend if you're looking for a more intimate gathering for wedding, without a lot of other people on the property.  They serve very simple traditional dishes, usually built around the catch of the day.  The grounds are well kept and beautifully landscaped to enhance the ocean-front setting.  Surfers flock to the town of Pedasi for the good waves and lowkey vibe.  It is said that both Mel Gibson and Owen Wilson are big fans of the area.