Thinking of visiting Panama City (country, places, people, move)
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Any advice? Never been there. Do I need to be part of a tour group to really see things? Are the locals friendly? Any suggestions regarding hotel, etc would be welcome.
I was pretty underwhelmed by Panama City when I went. I think you could do a couple of days in the city and then head up north and really see the countryside. Think Boquete and Bocas del Toro.
What's worth seeing in the city itself? I would recommend getting a hotel in the Casco Viejo and making that your home base. Plenty of nice places to eat there, bars, etc. The Mercado de Mariscos is right there and is worth an afternoon in checking out. Chinatown is interesting-- go during the day and don't wander off around there. Some history purists may really get into seeing the Panama Canal, but I wasn't all that impressed. You could probably spend 2 full days in the city and then move on.
I met some nice Panamanians in the city, but I came across more who seemed very jaded, unfriendly and short with people. The Colombians I was traveling with received a great deal of rude comments from the locals; I don't understand the tension really, and it seems to be one-sided (coming from Panamanians towards Colombians).
Am I telling you not to go? Of course not! It's a beautiful country that's relatively affordable with plenty to see and do. But you should think beyond the city and connect with nature in order to get the most out of your trip.
I was pretty underwhelmed by Panama City when I went. I think you could do a couple of days in the city and then head up north and really see the countryside. Think Boquete and Bocas del Toro.
What's worth seeing in the city itself? I would recommend getting a hotel in the Casco Viejo and making that your home base. Plenty of nice places to eat there, bars, etc. The Mercado de Mariscos is right there and is worth an afternoon in checking out. Chinatown is interesting-- go during the day and don't wander off around there. Some history purists may really get into seeing the Panama Canal, but I wasn't all that impressed. You could probably spend 2 full days in the city and then move on.
I met some nice Panamanians in the city, but I came across more who seemed very jaded, unfriendly and short with people. The Colombians I was traveling with received a great deal of rude comments from the locals; I don't understand the tension really, and it seems to be one-sided (coming from Panamanians towards Colombians).
Am I telling you not to go? Of course not! It's a beautiful country that's relatively affordable with plenty to see and do. But you should think beyond the city and connect with nature in order to get the most out of your trip.
Hmmm perhaps you were around the wrong places. I am Panamanian and can assure you that we are friendly and like helping tourists who request our help. There are many places within the city limits to visit and believe me, it will certainly take you more than 2 days to see everything there is. When you talk about Colombians, I will suggest you go back and look into history (The Great Colombia), there you might find your answers. Btw, the tension works both ways, the only difference is that we don´t migrate there as they do it here.
What would you recommend for our poster to do in Panama City?
Since you came and did not like it, why don't you start posting the bad points? Then, I will respond.
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