Panama City budget lodging next week
Oct 27, 2010, 9:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Panama City budget lodging next week
Overnighting 11/4,5,6,7.
Have 3* by Canal bridge via hotels.com for $62/night +taxes but can change.
Looking for simple, safe, clean 2*-3* in city center near photo opportunities like markets, stores, historic buildings, etc.; is $40-50 range possible with breakfast, Internet included?
Also, is there pedestrian walk on Pan American Hwy bridge?
Any special events in city during my dates?
I emailed Panama Inst. of Tourism for help but no response.
Do they have US office?
Any leads related to taking street candids of people, attractions, daily activities, Spanish language signage, etc. appreciated.
Have 3* by Canal bridge via hotels.com for $62/night +taxes but can change.
Looking for simple, safe, clean 2*-3* in city center near photo opportunities like markets, stores, historic buildings, etc.; is $40-50 range possible with breakfast, Internet included?
Also, is there pedestrian walk on Pan American Hwy bridge?
Any special events in city during my dates?
I emailed Panama Inst. of Tourism for help but no response.
Do they have US office?
Any leads related to taking street candids of people, attractions, daily activities, Spanish language signage, etc. appreciated.
Last edited by TravelPhotographer; Oct 27, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Oct 27, 2010, 10:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
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Posts: 1,894
I've stayed at the smallish Hotel Marbella in the El Cangrejo district. It's nothing fancy, but it's clean and safe and you can walk around the neighborhood day or night, and that's always a big plus in Panama City. It's the type of place where a Panamanian business traveler who doesn't have a big enough expense account to stay at one of the luxury chains would stay. It's perfectly acceptable.
www.hmarbella.com
A single is $55/night, including taxes. Breakfast is not included, and Internet access costs extra.
Quite honestly, I wouldn't stay at a place that was any less. They exist, but they'd be in very dicey neighborhoods.
As a photographer, you'll go wild in the Casco Viejo, the historic center, with all the colonial architecture. The neighborhood is far removed from the business district, and you'll need to take a taxi to and from.
Panama's Independence Day is Nov. 3, before your arrival.
I'm a travel writer and, quite frankly, I find ATP, the Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá, to be pretty unhelpful. Even just trying to talk to somebody to find out what's new, what should I be covering ... They don't reply. I wouldn't count on them for any help.
www.hmarbella.com
A single is $55/night, including taxes. Breakfast is not included, and Internet access costs extra.
Quite honestly, I wouldn't stay at a place that was any less. They exist, but they'd be in very dicey neighborhoods.
As a photographer, you'll go wild in the Casco Viejo, the historic center, with all the colonial architecture. The neighborhood is far removed from the business district, and you'll need to take a taxi to and from.
Panama's Independence Day is Nov. 3, before your arrival.
I'm a travel writer and, quite frankly, I find ATP, the Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá, to be pretty unhelpful. Even just trying to talk to somebody to find out what's new, what should I be covering ... They don't reply. I wouldn't count on them for any help.
Jan 8, 2011, 12:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Posts: 1,237
I've stayed at the smallish Hotel Marbella in the El Cangrejo district. It's nothing fancy, but it's clean and safe and you can walk around the neighborhood day or night, and that's always a big plus in Panama City. It's the type of place where a Panamanian business traveler who doesn't have a big enough expense account to stay at one of the luxury chains would stay. It's perfectly acceptable.
www.hmarbella.com
A single is $55/night, including taxes. Breakfast is not included, and Internet access costs extra.
Quite honestly, I wouldn't stay at a place that was any less. They exist, but they'd be in very dicey neighborhoods.
As a photographer, you'll go wild in the Casco Viejo, the historic center, with all the colonial architecture. The neighborhood is far removed from the business district, and you'll need to take a taxi to and from.
Panama's Independence Day is Nov. 3, before your arrival.
I'm a travel writer and, quite frankly, I find ATP, the Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá, to be pretty unhelpful. Even just trying to talk to somebody to find out what's new, what should I be covering ... They don't reply. I wouldn't count on them for any help.
www.hmarbella.com
A single is $55/night, including taxes. Breakfast is not included, and Internet access costs extra.
Quite honestly, I wouldn't stay at a place that was any less. They exist, but they'd be in very dicey neighborhoods.
As a photographer, you'll go wild in the Casco Viejo, the historic center, with all the colonial architecture. The neighborhood is far removed from the business district, and you'll need to take a taxi to and from.
Panama's Independence Day is Nov. 3, before your arrival.
I'm a travel writer and, quite frankly, I find ATP, the Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá, to be pretty unhelpful. Even just trying to talk to somebody to find out what's new, what should I be covering ... They don't reply. I wouldn't count on them for any help.