Central America - 3 day stop over in Panama

I'm going to spend 3 days in Panama now in June, and have never been to central America before.

Any recommendations of the best place to stay and what to do during these three days? I guess the Canal is a given.

Are there any security issues?

Only 3 days? I am asking as my favorite spot in Panama are Bocas del Toro islands on the Caribbean Sea (close to Costa Rica). But it would be difficult to visit Panama City/Canal & Bocas on a 3 day trip. To get to Bocas you will probably prefer to take a Taca or Air Panama flight from the domestic airport (fares are the same - very limited competition there). But, if you only have 3 days, then you will probably have to stick to Panama City (Casco Antiguo, Panama Viejo), go to the Canal and probably visit couple of malls for shopping (I am always confused with the names - one is Multiplaza Pacifico, and the other one Multicentro and there is also Albrook Mall that seems to be the cheapest). Panama is cheap (taxis are dirty cheap), quite safe (OK - Casco Antiguo not during the night) and Canal is fantastic - just make sure you are at the Locks when there is some activity there. Enjoy!

I would suggest El Valle de Antón, a couple hours drive from Panama City. You can have dinner at La Casa de Lourdes. Also a visit to Parque Soberanía or take the train to Portobello, at the other side of the Canal) are interesting options.

Security issues regarding traffic: do not drive a car in Panama city and do not take a bus, the Diablos Rojos (Red Devils).

With only 3 days, I would stay in the city. I recommend the following:

Visit the museum at the Miraflores Locks. They have some pretty cool displays about the history of the canal. Afterwards, go to the observation deck and watch some ships pass through the locks.

Walk around Casco Viejo. Go during the day. I usually go early morning before the heat/rain sets in. Here is a link with a great route to follow... http://www.frommers.com/destinations/panamacity/3751010008.html Be sure to print the map... http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/maps/jpg-2006/3751_walkingtour:historiccascoviejo.jpg

Have lunch or dinner on the causeway. My favorite restaurant is Mi Ranchito located about half way out on the causeway. At the end, there are a lot of shops and what not.

If you want to check out the nightlife, tell the cab to take you to Calle Uruguay. Tons of bars and activity. The causeway also has some decent nightlife.

Go see the ruins of Panama Viejo. This will only take an hour or two but is interesting if you have time.

Go see a movie at the VIP theater at the MultiPlaza mall. Big leather recliners and you can order food/drinks and they'll bring it to your seat. I'm not talking popcorn either...the last time I went, I ordered sushi. There is also a VIP theater at Extreme Planet but the other one is nicer. Both are around $10.

Go to the top of Cerro Ancon. This is the big (kind of) mountain in the middle of the city. Really cool views of all parts of the city. The flag that flies at the top is the size of a basketball court.

Just a few ideas...Let me know if you would like more details. Have fun.

Security issues regarding traffic: do not drive a car in Panama city and do not take a bus, the Diablos Rojos (Red Devils).

Ok.. Don't drive and don't take bus. What is the best way to get out of city? Specifically, I have to visit Cocle. On the map it is not too far but I am told it takes a whole day by multiple buses.

Is taxi a realistic option?

Ok.. Don't drive and don't take bus. What is the best way to get out of city? Specifically, I have to visit Cocle. On the map it is not too far but I am told it takes a whole day by multiple buses.

Is taxi a realistic option?

Taxi would be your best bet. The bus option wouldn't take a whole day and wouldn't be multiple buses but still go with the taxi.

Also, I'm not sure why driving was stated as a "security" issue. It's not dangerous or anything. The only issue is getting lost due to lack of signage.

Taxi would be your best bet. The bus option wouldn't take a whole day and wouldn't be multiple buses but still go with the taxi.

Also, I'm not sure why driving was stated as a "security" issue. It's not dangerous or anything. The only issue is getting lost due to lack of signage.

How much will a taxi ride of the distance to Cocle cost? I notice on the PTY website, shuttle rides to downtown hotels are not cheap.

Also, I'm not sure why driving was stated as a "security" issue. It's not dangerous or anything. The only issue is getting lost due to lack of signage.

In five days we had three flat tyres: two of them in a taxi and one while driving ourselves and met a couple who had it too. The problem is that the roads are not in very good condition (this is an euphemism) and yo may not see the holes because of the amount of rain that may fall, as they are full of water. Therefore, to avoid such a nuisance I would advice to take a taxi.

Taxi fares can be negotiated in advance. I remember a taxi between Panama and El Valle de Antón (some two hours away) cost 100$.

In five days we had three flat tyres: two of them in a taxi and one while driving ourselves and met a couple who had it too. The problem is that the roads are not in very good condition (this is an euphemism) and yo may not see the holes because of the amount of rain that may fall, as they are full of water. Therefore, to avoid such a nuisance I would advice to take a taxi.

Taxi fares can be negotiated in advance. I remember a taxi between Panama and El Valle de Antón (some two hours away) cost 100$.

This post is very helpful. Thanks.

In five days we had three flat tyres: two of them in a taxi and one while driving ourselves and met a couple who had it too. The problem is that the roads are not in very good condition (this is an euphemism) and yo may not see the holes because of the amount of rain that may fall, as they are full of water. Therefore, to avoid such a nuisance I would advice to take a taxi.

Taxi fares can be negotiated in advance. I remember a taxi between Panama and El Valle de Antón (some two hours away) cost 100$.

True. Flat tires happen all the time here. In my 5 years here, I have probably averaged 2-3 per year...and I do a lot of driving both in the city and the interior. If you're in a taxi in the city, you can just hop into another cab.

I will be in Panama City for 4 days. Does anyone have hotel recommendation?

I will be in Panama City for 4 days. Does anyone have hotel recommendation?

Depends what you're looking for. The Marriott, El Panama, Riande Contintental and the Veneto all have good central locations and are mid-range hotels.

I'm heading to Panama in early May, heading out to the Beaches Resort west of the Panama City ..... It looked to me like renting a car was the best, easiest, most economical way to get to the resort ... Am I thinking wisely?

I will be in Panama City for 4 days. Does anyone have hotel recommendation?
its really depend what you are looking for, check out country inn and suites by panama canal.
Nice,clean no traffic but still close to the city and since they are working on the second floor they have great deal 108 USD per night, go with additional 15 USD for view on the Canal its worth it.

for taxi to the El Valle you can make a deal if you arrange round trip for 170 USD, nice private minivan.

Also dont forget to visit Casco Viejo and Miraflores Visitor center wile you are in the City, for El Valle my recommendation is Los Mandarinos.


Cheers,

Alek

With only 3 days, I would stay in the city. I recommend the following:

Visit the museum at the Miraflores Locks. They have some pretty cool displays about the history of the canal. Afterwards, go to the observation deck and watch some ships pass through the locks.

Walk around Casco Viejo. Go during the day. I usually go early morning before the heat/rain sets in. Here is a link with a great route to follow... http://www.frommers.com/destinations/panamacity/3751010008.html Be sure to print the map... http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/maps/jpg-2006/3751_walkingtour:historiccascoviejo.jpg

Have lunch or dinner on the causeway. My favorite restaurant is Mi Ranchito located about half way out on the causeway. At the end, there are a lot of shops and what not.

If you want to check out the nightlife, tell the cab to take you to Calle Uruguay. Tons of bars and activity. The causeway also has some decent nightlife.

Go see the ruins of Panama Viejo. This will only take an hour or two but is interesting if you have time.

Go see a movie at the VIP theater at the MultiPlaza mall. Big leather recliners and you can order food/drinks and they'll bring it to your seat. I'm not talking popcorn either...the last time I went, I ordered sushi. There is also a VIP theater at Extreme Planet but the other one is nicer. Both are around $10.

Go to the top of Cerro Ancon. This is the big (kind of) mountain in the middle of the city. Really cool views of all parts of the city. The flag that flies at the top is the size of a basketball court.

Just a few ideas...Let me know if you would like more details. Have fun.

Just back from 48 hours in Panama City. JJ's recommendations were great, these are the true highlights of Panama City if you only have a few days... Especially appreciated the map and guide links to Cusco Viejo. I didn't, however, follow his advice on getting an early morning start and regretted May's mid-day heat.

Mi Ranchito was indeed a great stop on the causeway for a typical seafood meal and a beer on a hot day.

Others have mentioned it elsewhere on FT, but La Posta on Calle Uruguay (near the Le Meridien, where I stayed) is possibly the most delicious restaurant in all of Central America. Set in a beautiful old house with excellent service and an eye-popping European and South American wine list... Be sure to order the camarones in hamaca (a dish also found in La Vitrola, arguably Cartagena's best restaurant) as well as La Posta's tres leches desert!!!

The airport pickup and tour guide we used over the 48 hours was excellent -- Rene at yourmaninpanama.com... Very reliable, and very knowledgeable, and his history is accurate. He was a businessman in the canal zone before turning to tourism. His half-day city tour will show you a lot of the above highlights in about five hours if that's all the time you have. (We found Rene through a FTer.)

Finally, I found Miraflores Locks to be a highlight. Have your guide call ahead and find out when the boats are due in. Then walk up to the 3rd floor restaurant, grab a Panama beer, and watch the amazing feat.

If you want to do a half or full transit of the locks in a tour boat, be sure your PC layover includes a Saturday. There are absolutely no transits except Saturdays during low season.

It was totally a 'B' destination in our minds, but the $644 Z fares were too good to resist.

My wife and I stayed at Le Meridien on cash and points. My report on it is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/959973-le-meridien-panama-master-thread.html

Here's what we planned to do and how it turned out:
Days:
- Miraflores Lock: afaiac, this is a ‘must do.’ Try to plan a day trip there for when the big ships are passing through (everyone seems to know when this will be!). It only takes about 15 or 20 minutes to get there from downtown. We hired a driver from the Le Meridien and it was $50 for however long it took us. Since we had lunch there (there is a nice buffet restaurant that overlooks the locks, but it is like $30 per person…VERY expensive by Panama standards) it ended up taking us about 4 hours to see the museum, watch some smaller boats get locked, eat lunch, and watch the propaganda movie.

- Amador Causeway: great for a long walk or rented bicycle ride. We ended up having a bottle of wine at a restaurant on the farthest island then walking the length of the causeway.

- Taboga Island day trip: we ran out of time and didn’t take the ferry across from the causeway.

- Casco Viejo tourist walk: old town is very small, and bordered by some very sketchy neighborhoods. Yet it’s where most of the really great restaurants are. Taxis in and out are key if you are coming in for dinner. The squares and sites in old town are –meh-

- Panama Viejo because I am a history geek: didn’t make it over there, either. :(

Nights:
- La Posta: excellent restaurant in the Havana style and a short walk from Le Meridien along the Calle Uruguay. The setting is lovely, but the food and service were 'only' good, in our shared opinion.

- Manolo Caracol: absolutely fabulous fixed menu dinner (‘it’s like the soup nazi of gourmet food!’). And SO cheap! Can’t recommend this highly enough. It's in Casco Viejo. Make a reservation, or NO GOURMET FOR YOU!

- Market: we had Sunday brunch in this very non-Panamanian restaurant just beside the Le Meridien. The mimosas were good and the Bloodys were spicy. What more can you ask for!? Oh, the sliders were good too.

- Calle Uruguay for some nightlife: Most of the ‘clubs’ also have outdoor seating areas under thatched roofs or similar…that’s were we spent much of our time. Meant to watch some salsa dancing but, well, didn’t. Again, this area is SMALL. Like 4 blocks long and one street wide. More of a ‘stretch’ than an ‘area.’

In the end, we had a really great 4 day weekend. Very low key, very slow pace and lots of sleeping in. Set your expectations properly and I’m sure you’ll have a really great time. If you have any specific questions, fire away! :)

http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx92/mattwald/IMG-20110702-00255.jpgMiraflores Lock in action.

http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx92/mattwald/IMG-20110701-00227.jpgMiraflores lock on approach to PTY.

http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx92/mattwald/IMG-20110703-00264.jpgView from the Amador Causeway

It was totally a 'B' destination in our minds, but the $644 Z fares were too good to resist.

My wife and I stayed at Le Meridien on cash and points. My report on it is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/959973-le-meridien-panama-master-thread.html

Here's what we planned to do and how it turned out:
Days:
- Miraflores Lock: afaiac, this is a ‘must do.’ Try to plan a day trip there for when the big ships are passing through (everyone seems to know when this will be!). It only takes about 15 or 20 minutes to get there from downtown. We hired a driver from the Le Meridien and it was $50 for however long it took us. Since we had lunch there (there is a nice buffet restaurant that overlooks the locks, but it is like $30 per person…VERY expensive by Panama standards) it ended up taking us about 4 hours to see the museum, watch some smaller boats get locked, eat lunch, and watch the propaganda movie.

- Amador Causeway: great for a long walk or rented bicycle ride. We ended up having a bottle of wine at a restaurant on the farthest island then walking the length of the causeway.

- Taboga Island day trip: we ran out of time and didn’t take the ferry across from the causeway.

- Casco Viejo tourist walk: old town is very small, and bordered by some very sketchy neighborhoods. Yet it’s where most of the really great restaurants are. Taxis in and out are key if you are coming in for dinner. The squares and sites in old town are –meh-

- Panama Viejo because I am a history geek: didn’t make it over there, either. :(

Nights:
- La Posta: excellent restaurant in the Havana style and a short walk from Le Meridien along the Calle Uruguay. The setting is lovely, but the food and service were 'only' good, in our shared opinion.

- Manolo Caracol: absolutely fabulous fixed menu dinner (‘it’s like the soup nazi of gourmet food!’). And SO cheap! Can’t recommend this highly enough. It's in Casco Viejo. Make a reservation, or NO GOURMET FOR YOU!

- Market: we had Sunday brunch in this very non-Panamanian restaurant just beside the Le Meridien. The mimosas were good and the Bloodys were spicy. What more can you ask for!? Oh, the sliders were good too.

- Calle Uruguay for some nightlife: Most of the ‘clubs’ also have outdoor seating areas under thatched roofs or similar…that’s were we spent much of our time. Meant to watch some salsa dancing but, well, didn’t. Again, this area is SMALL. Like 4 blocks long and one street wide. More of a ‘stretch’ than an ‘area.’

In the end, we had a really great 4 day weekend. Very low key, very slow pace and lots of sleeping in. Set your expectations properly and I’m sure you’ll have a really great time. If you have any specific questions, fire away! :)

I read your report. Fantastic. It sounds like you had a nice time!

I would strongly encourage folks who tour the canal zone and have the time, to not just do the Miraflores locks and Canal museum, but also to take the drive up to the Gatun lake area, and take a boat trip on Gatun Lake. I know for sure that these boat trips can be booked from the Gamboa Rainforest Resort hotel, and probably from some other places as well. A couple of hours on the lake in a small boat, with guide, costs something like $50 US.

Quite simply, Gatun Lake is one of the greatest places on the entire planet to observe the wildlife of a the Tropical Jungle. During my 2 hour trip, I saw dozens of species of exotic birds, including Macaws, Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, Egrets, to name a few. As well as Capuchin, Whiteface, and Spider Monkeys, several Crocodiles, Tree Sloths, Capybaras, Aardvarks, etc. It was, quite simply, the most dazzling display of wildlife in the wild I have ever experienced. The sheer variety and numbers of animals I saw dwarfed the numbers I saw in a better known place like Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica.

I would strongly encourage folks who tour the canal zone and have the time, to not just do the Miraflores locks and Canal museum, but also to take the drive up to the Gatun lake area, and take a boat trip on Gatun Lake. I know for sure that these boat trips can be booked from the Gamboa Rainforest Resort hotel, and probably from some other places as well. A couple of hours on the lake in a small boat, with guide, costs something like $50 US.

+1.

Gamboa Rainforest Resort (25 mins from downtown) is a great place for boat tours. (Monkey Island Tour is my personal favorite as its short.)

The airport pickup and tour guide we used over the 48 hours was excellent -- Rene at yourmaninpanama.com...

His email address has changed, and can be found at www.yourmaninpanama.com. His rates are posted:

$150 per couple:
City Tour includes: Visits to the Panama Canal visitors center, Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo, Ancon Hill, and a stop for lunch at Amador’s Causeway. The Tour lasts four hours with a complete narrative history of all the locations visited.

$275 per couple:
The TRANSITHMIAN Route, A trip by train from the Pacific to the Atlantic, then visits to the Gatun Locks, Fort Portobelo in the mouth of the Chagres River and finally a visit the San Jeronimo Fort in Portobelo, both Forts founded by the Spaniards in the 15th Century on the atlantic side of Panama. This tour does not includes meals and tickets.

Are those rates in the range of what others offer?

Vaneto is nice $112 a nite, 17th floor nicefree breakfast, free shevening drink and food, taxi drivers are there, grocery store near....2nd floor gamble, and girls....

Cab drive to Gambeto $60.00, $25.00 to the Locks...bus 65 cents....shopping center on the way also...

Spent a week there...good time....

All - How does this 3-ish day itinerary sound?

I will be there this coming weekend and am still sort of planning.

Sat. Day 1: [early afternoon arrival] Casco Viejo - day explore/night food and drink
Sun. Day 2: Panama Viejo, walk on the water front/Amodor causeway and/or an Ancon hike
Mon. Day 3: Train to Colon, tour/taxi back stopping at Gatun lake and Miaflores locks. Thoughts on the cost of something like this? Is there anything in Colon other than trouble? [is all the trash talk about Colon correct?].
Tues. Day 4-ish: Anything for an early morning before heading back to the airport?

I typically wing-it but looking to plan a bit this time. Likes are urban hiking, ie, just exploring the city, and eating cart food. Any other ideas? Is there a cart food area or a SIN-esque hawker stand place?

Is Seco worth bringing home? I'll bring a hard case and load it with some local booze if this is something I need. And the beer to drink would be???

Radisson on points - yea for me and the Club Carlson promos. Have other options but was wondering if this is an OK hotel? Have stayed in places ranging from the PH Vendome in Paris to no electricity huts in Laos. Country Inn on the Canal? Le Meridian?

Last question: 1:44 PM flight out on UA. How long a window do I need to leave from downtown? FYI 1K [so an elite line???]

Thanks in advance

Cheers -

All - How does this 3-ish day itinerary sound?

I will be there this coming weekend and am still sort of planning.

Sat. Day 1: [early afternoon arrival] Casco Viejo - day explore/night food and drink
Sun. Day 2: Panama Viejo, walk on the water front/Amodor causeway and/or an Ancon hike
Mon. Day 3: Train to Colon, tour/taxi back stopping at Gatun lake and Miaflores locks. Thoughts on the cost of something like this? Is there anything in Colon other than trouble? [is all the trash talk about Colon correct?].
Tues. Day 4-ish: Anything for an early morning before heading back to the airport?

I typically wing-it but looking to plan a bit this time. Likes are urban hiking, ie, just exploring the city, and eating cart food. Any other ideas? Is there a cart food area or a SIN-esque hawker stand place?

Is Seco worth bringing home? I'll bring a hard case and load it with some local booze if this is something I need. And the beer to drink would be???

Radisson on points - yea for me and the Club Carlson promos. Have other options but was wondering if this is an OK hotel? Have stayed in places ranging from the PH Vendome in Paris to no electricity huts in Laos. Country Inn on the Canal? Le Meridian?

Last question: 1:44 PM flight out on UA. How long a window do I need to leave from downtown? FYI 1K [so an elite line???]

Thanks in advance

Cheers -

I, too, am a city walker. But Panama City does not lend itself to much city walking. First of all, it's hot. Second, the infrastructure (street crossings, lack of sidewalks, etc) do not lend themselves to walking. Third, the interesting things are pretty far apart if walking and often through pretty poor and sketchy neigborhoods...especially the approach to Casco Viejo. We walked quite a bit IN the interesting areas, but taxied between them.

Your itin sounds good to me. Day 3 will be a little pricey for the taxi, but imho well worth it.

As for beer, my wife drank a lot of Atlas. I drank a lot of its darker brother Balboa. Panama (the lager, not the country ;)) is also ubiquitous.

I saw your post above and got some ideas - :D

Thanks for the tip on taxiing between the areas. The hottest city trek for me so far was in July in KUL. I hope PTY isn't much hotter.

Ideas on pricey? $100? $200? more/less? Trying to get an idea so that I can bargain a bit. Train then rent a car in Colon?

I, too, am a city walker. But Panama City does not lend itself to much city walking. First of all, it's hot. Second, the infrastructure (street crossings, lack of sidewalks, etc) do not lend themselves to walking. Third, the interesting things are pretty far apart if walking and often through pretty poor and sketchy neigborhoods...especially the approach to Casco Viejo. We walked quite a bit IN the interesting areas, but taxied between them.

Your itin sounds good to me. Day 3 will be a little pricey for the taxi, but imho well worth it.

As for beer, my wife drank a lot of Atlas. I drank a lot of its darker brother Balboa. Panama (the lager, not the country ;)) is also ubiquitous.

I saw your post above and got some ideas - :D

Thanks for the tip on taxiing between the areas. The hottest city trek for me so far was in July in KUL. I hope PTY isn't much hotter.

Ideas on pricey? $100? $200? more/less? Trying to get an idea so that I can bargain a bit. Train then rent a car in Colon?

As they say: it ain't the heat, it's the humidity. But it puts August in DC to shame. ;)

As noted above, we hired a driver to take us to the Canal, so I can't speak to taxis. But I was thinking in the $75-$100 range. I think you can get a one-way car rental for less...but you'd have to lay off the Balboa at the Locks. ;)

Quite humid in KUL too. I've lived in FL & AL and also AZ. Not sure if I dislike oppressive dry heat or oppressive moist heat more

I will look into hiring a driver from Colon back to PTY. Then I can enjoy the local beverages :D

As they say: it ain't the heat, it's the humidity. But it puts August in DC to shame. ;)

As noted above, we hired a driver to take us to the Canal, so I can't speak to taxis. But I was thinking in the $75-$100 range. I think you can get a one-way car rental for less...but you'd have to lay off the Balboa at the Locks. ;)

I will look into hiring a driver from Colon back to PTY. Then I can enjoy the local beverages :D
Now THAT's the spirit!!!!! :D

Mon. Day 3: Train to Colon, tour/taxi back stopping at Gatun lake and Miaflores locks. Thoughts on the cost of something like this? Is there anything in Colon other than trouble? [is all the trash talk about Colon correct?].

If you are over on the Caribbean side, make sure to visit the Gatun Locks of the Canal. I personally think the much smaller "visitors center" at Gatun is a better stop than the Miraflores Locks, if for no other reason than it probably gets like 5% of the number of tourists each day that Miraflores gets...

Can't speak to Colón city but there are certainly some nice beaches on the Caribbean east of Colón. Seeing the very historic village of Portobelo (great for fans of abandoned forts) and then hiring a local fisherman from there to take you to some nearby beaches that are only reachable by boat would be a very fun day excursion from Colón.

We just returned from a weekend in Panama and followed the advice on earlier posts here and contacted Rene at Your Man in Panama and booked the 1/2 day city tour. Paulo was very knowledgeable and we had a great time exploring the old town, eating at the fish market and of course visiting the Miraflores Lock. Would definitely recommend them.

I, too, am a city walker. But Panama City does not lend itself to much city walking. First of all, it's hot. Second, the infrastructure (street crossings, lack of sidewalks, etc) do not lend themselves to walking.

Did some walking when I was there a few years ago. Taxi only to/from the airport, as I got by on local buses, including the trip to Miraflores locks. IIRC it was a little walk from the bus stop, but not horrible, even in the Panama heat.

Only had a day on my EZE-PTY-IAH forced layover so only saw downtown and old city in addition to the locks.

EmailKid

Veneto, 17th floor free breakfast, evening food and drinks free also,,,,and you can take the drinks to your room just tip the lady....

Speaking of ladies, check out the 2nd floor, full of them 150, or just stay and gamble not a problem.....

Taxies outside, shopping and grocery store in walking distance, rum is cheap and good...lot of day trips..decent price...enjoy....nice pool and workout rooms...

We used a Costco rate for about 100 night...

rum is cheap and good...

Cheaper in supermarket in Panama City than any duty free I recall visiting :D

EmailKid

right, and a larger selection...

Taxi would be your best bet. The bus option wouldn't take a whole day and wouldn't be multiple buses but still go with the taxi.

Also, I'm not sure why driving was stated as a "security" issue. It's not dangerous or anything. The only issue is getting lost due to lack of signage.

I've rented a car for an eight hour layover and driven through PTY. NO problems except for getting lost, as jjc says, there's a lack of road-legible signage.

Actually my "tour" was awesome. Here's how it went down. You know the drill - I was flying a misfiled CM F class fare IAD-MEX-LAX and connecting in PTY with a long layover. Met a guy at the Clubo Presidente who was a former navy guy, same layover. After some discussion, he suggested we rent a car and get out - so we did. He took me to Casco Viejo, then to the barrio, showed me Roberto Duran's old apartment, warned me not to go there as a solo gringo, called hi to his cop buddies who were out front, then on to the Parque, then the Bridge of the Americas and the canal controller's house, and finally the seafood restaurant before we returned along the peaje.

This was a great eight hour layover at PTY. Cost $35 for car rental and about $8 for gas. Maybe $20 for the food. Got to see some places I hadn't expected and wouldn't recommend a gringo to attempt uninformed/alone.