Panama Restaurant week is back for 2010 with some of the best restaurants participating this year. These 25 different restaurants will offer from September 13 to 27 special menus that sample their delicious cuisine. The menu allows you to choose an appetizer, main dish, and a dessert from their available selection along with a glass of Morande (Chile) wine, a Ron Abuelo Dirty Mojito, or a glass of Canada Dry Ginger Ale.

The price of the menu varies depending on the restaurant, usually between $20- $30 per person (not including tax or tip). To see the participating restaurants and their menus please visit www.panamarestaurantweek.com. From there you can select “Restaurantes” and see the list of restaurants along with their contact information and menu for this special event.

The purpose of the Panama Restaurant Week is to allow locals and tourists alike to sample the various cuisine offered in Panama by some of it’s best restaurants at an accessible price. Panama City is one the most metropolitan cities in Central America and one of the most culturally diverse as well, this combination has allowed Panama to develop a competitive restaurant scene with chefs from all around the world. So take advantage of your time here in Panama to enjoy this event and sample some of the best cuisine in Panama.

Nearby participating restaurants:

Cafe Barko (Amador Causeway)

Indigo (Casco Viejo)

Puerta de Tierra Steakhouse (Casco Viejo)

Scena/Platea (Casco Viejo)

Moving to another country can already be a difficult process but moving with a pet can make it much more complicated. Over the past two years we’ve had many guests who come to Panama not as tourists but as future residents and they’ve often asked our advice regarding pet relocation. Therefore we’ve decided to publish a short post on this process and are of course welcoming of any questions.

However please keep in mind that we are not the final authorities on this process and that this is simply information for our guests so that they can take the next stop in finding the right person to assist them with the process.

The page where you will find instructions and necessary documents for your pet’s arrival is from the Ministry of Health here. The first page listed is an application for home quarantine which will allow you to bring your pet to your new residence the same day you arrive instead of having it quarantined with the Ministry of Health for 40 days. This is very important! You must have this filled out and sent to the appropriate office at least 2 weeks before your arrival otherwise you will have to leave your pet quarantined with the government for 40 days.

The second page is a list of requirements in English and Spanish for a successful relocation for your pet. Again as we mentioned we highly recommend using the services of a company here in Panama to help you with the process. Our guests have used two different companies in the past: The Golden Frog and Panama Pet Relocation.

They will aid you in preparing for your pet’s arrival and be at the airport the day of your arrival/departure to help you through the process with the paperwork and the veterinarian. However another word of warning it’s very important that you maintain constant communication with the company who you contract for this service and that you understand every step of the process so as to avoid any hiccups.

When reading travel literature about Panama you will often come across a the slightly ambiguous term “the interior”. The interior of course simple refers to the interior of Panama, the countryside, consisting of the provinces of Veraguas, Los Santos, Herrera, and Cocle.

These regions are often skipped over by visitors who head straight to Bocas or Boquete, however, when you miss the interior you’re missing the heart of Panama. The interior holds the key to much of the history and culture of Panama and is the location of some amazing yearly festivals not to mention the infamous Carnaval celebrations. To see if there are any events during your time in Panama go here.

What to See:

Now because we’re talking about various provinces you can pick and choose how to arrange your trip; were to go and what to skip.  However these are a few of the sites that should be part of your itinerary listed by town.

Penonome (El Cope)

Omar Torrijos National Park

Parita

Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial

Sarigua National Park

Guarare

Casa Mueso Manuel F Zarate (994-5644) – polleras, mascaras

Las Tablas

Iglesia de Santa Librada

Isla Iguana

Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegon de Mangle (Cenegon de Mangle Wildlife Refuge)

Los Santos

Museo de la Nacionalidad

Sitio Arqueológico Cerro Juan Diaz (cementerios precolombianos)

Pedasi

Isla Las Cañas

Getting Here:

As of now the only way to arrive to these provinces is by land. Previously last year Aeroperlas Airlines was offering weekly flights to Pedasi but has since canceled them until further notice. Truthfully though we highly recommend arriving by land, especially by rental car, it allows a certain freedom during your travels and you can enjoy the changing landscapes as you drive through the country. However you want to permit yourself an itinerary of 8-10 days so you’re not feeling rushed.

By Car:

You can rent a car at the nearby Albrook Airport. We always recommend booking online ahead of time as to ensure the availability of the car and a better rate. For most places mentioned in this post a standard economy sized car is fine except where mentioned. Make sure that you have a decent map on hand, for the most part you will stay on the Interamerican Highway but you keep in mind that road signs are not common in Panama. The drive is about 3-4 hours.

By Bus:

For those who prefer not to drive you can take public transport, there are direct buses to Chitre, Los Santos, and Las Tablas. To get to Pedasi you can take a minibus for $2 or a taxi for $25-$30. The buses that go to the interior have comfortable seating. However we always stress bringing a jacket with you inside the bus and perhaps some headphones because most likely the driver will be playing music at slightly deafening volumes. The bus drive to this region is about 4-5 hours.

Where to Stay

This list comes from our personal experiences and those of our guests. Also if you’re planning this trip be sure to check in with the various hotels about your itinerary since they can give you the most current information on local events and sights.

Posada Cerro La Vieja (Chiguri Arriba-Penonome) – A beautiful eco-resort in the mountains with accessible rates.

Hostal La Qhia (Santa Fe)- A charming guest house with private rooms.

Posada del Mar (Las Tablas) – A small B&B on the beach run by a Canadian/Panamanian couple.

Casita Margarita (Pedasi)- #1 B&B in the area with a very helpful staff.

When Henry Morgan and his pirates raided Panama Viejo (Old Panama)in 1671, a new town was built in what is now referred to as ‘Casco Antiguo’ or ‘Casco Viejo’. As you stroll down the narrow streets of Panama’s colonial quarters you will encounter historic churches, beautiful plazas and plenty of restaurants.

At only a 5 minute drive from the Balboa Inn, the “Casco Viejo” is site you don’t want to miss. The best way to experience the Casco Antiguo/Viejo is through a guided tour. The local Casco Antiguo Office [OCA] offers free guided tours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The tours are usually with local bilingual students and can last from 2-3 hours. Your guide will explain to you the history of the Casco Viejo and it’s different sites thus providing you with a full experience of the area. In order to arrange a tour you can call the OCA office or ask one of our staff to arrange it. Be sure to ask for a bilingual guide.

If you can’t make the guided tour ask one of our staff for our map of Casco Viejo, it has all the main sites marked and we also try to stay up to date on any events going on in the area so don’t hesitate to ask.

This beautiful island is under an hour away; just a boat ride across the Panama Canal entrance. It is sometimes referred to as the “Island of Flowers” because of the abundance of orchids, roses, and other variety of flowers that adorn its beautiful walkways.

Taboga is a perfect day-getaway from the traffic and business of the city. While on the island you can shop, birdwatch, scuba dive or simply spend the day on the beach. There are a couple of public beaches, and one private beach accessible by a nice hike through the jungle. One of the more historically interesting sites is a simple church that lies on the island. It was found in 1550 making it the second oldest church in the western hemisphere.

If you do choose stay overnight at Isla Taboga there are a few small B&Bs and hotels. Some of these hotels, like the Cerrito Tropical, even offer day pass where you can use a room for the day. They can also help set you up with hiking fishing, boating and snorkeling trips by advance reservation. The Hotel Taboga is closed as undergoes renovation into a probable resort however here are some other places to stay .

Getting to the Island:

To get to the island you must take one of two ferries. The Calypso ferry departs from the Playita de Amador on the Amador Causeway. The ferry departure times are in the chart below. Times can change  without notice so to confirm departure/arrival times call (507) 314-1730 or check with your hotel. You need to be there an hour before departure, this can be important because there are two afternoon boats and its better to get the latest on so you can don’t have to rush your day. Ticket prices are $11 adults, $7 kids & seniors (roundtrip) and the trip lasts 45min-1 hour. Last piece of advice is bring cash because there are not ATMs or banks on the island.

The other ferry option leaves from the Balboa Yacht Club at 8AM and 3PM M-Sunday. The tickets cost $10 Round trip and the ride is 30-45min. Again you want to be there an hour early. To confirm the time you can call 314-0571

El Valle de Anton is a small mountain valley town located in an ancient volcanic crater. The beauty and temperate climate of the area are partly why this is a popular weekend getaway for locals as well as a preferred tourist destination. The best part is that despite it’s popularity it retains it’s sleepy village charm and never feels overrun with tourists.

In spite of its small size El Valle offers plenty of things to enjoy in a few days or weekend, especially for those who come to Panama to enjoy it’s natural beauty.

Activities available include zip lining, hiking, a small zoo, bike riding, thermal waters, horse back riding and nothing has to be planned ahead of time except perhaps the hotel. El Valle is very tourist friendly and if your hotel isn’t much help with information you can check with the local tourist booth on the main street next to the outdoor market.

Getting Here

By Bus:

You can take a direct bus, about 2 hours, from the Albrook Terminal. They leave about every 1/2 hour and it costs $3.50 each way. The latest you want to leave is 6PM, after that you will arrive late in El Valle and there won’t be many options for dinner. Some advice about the bus, while physically the seating is comfortable some find the drivers’ speed to be excessive, the last 1/2 hour is through windy roads in the hills, for those who suffer motion sickness take this into consideration. Also always bring a jacket and perhaps some headphones on the bus, they crank up the air conditioning and the music quite loud.

Be sure to ask your hotel where to have the bus driver drop you off or arrange for them to pick you up in front of the market (el mercado) and to get around once you in El Valle you can rent bicycles, grab a taxi, or talk with your hotel about arranging transport.

By Rental Car:

This is the preferred method of transport to El Valle. The town is just 30-40 minutes from some great beaches, so with the rental car you have the freedom to head to the beach for a day if you choose.

Recommended Accommodation

Casa Di Pietra B&B

You can’t help but feel at home in this beautifully decorated B&B. It’s a small place, 6 rooms, run by a very friendly and hospitable Costa Rican family. Breakfast is included in their prices and they offer dinner for a separate price, we highly recommend you try at least dinner once at the Casa Di Pietra, you won’t regret it. Note: They don’t allow kids so this is a better place for couples and/or friends traveling together. $60-$90

Golden Frog Inn

A popular choice in El Valle, this B&B has suites and individual guest rooms. They are famous for their beautiful gardens and surrounding scenery and of course the pool. In addition they have a great staff that will help you with organizing activities during your stay and with any questions or concerns you might have. $70-$130

Anton Valley Hotel

This small hotel is one of the top rated hotels in the area, it is located right on the main street of El Valle and has it’s own restaurant next door, Bruschetta, which is very popular with locals and tourists. $55-$125

A very popular destination among our guests is Kuna Yala (San Blas).  Our location near the Albrook airport is ideal to catch the mostly early morning flights.  We also allow you to leave luggage in storage until you return to meet baggage weight limitations (25 lbs /12.5 kg) and if you arrive with an early flight from San Blas, drop of your luggage and go explore town and check in later when your room is ready.

Accommodation:

Hotels or better, cabanas and lodges, are generally very basic and rustic while rates vary from very affordable $ …. to expensive ($100 per person) We recommend the following two hotels for their quality service provided in the past.

Yandup Lodge – ranges $80-$100 per person per night.

Kuanidup Lodge- $90-$100 per person per night.

An advisory, as mentioned earlier packages range in price. They usually include accomodation, 3 meals a day, and 1-2 daily tours. However we’ve heard of many experiences where the guests feel like they didn’t receive what was promised, so be sure to thoroughly research where you are staying and to make sure you know what you are paying for. A tip, always bring extra snacks and drinks and small bills. Some questions you want to ask when booking a lodge in San Blas:

1) what does the package include?

2) Are the bathrooms shared or private? Is there a shower, shared or private?

3) Is there electricity? what hours of the day?

4) Is the lodge near a village or on it’s own island? Some people want to see local culture/life and other prefer to be more isolated.

5) Does the lodge have it’s own beach?

Getting there:
It’s very important to book early.  Flights run 1 a day to the different islands. The main stops are Carti, El Porvenir, and Playon Chico so be sure to check with the lodge where you need to fly to. Flights leave usually at 6AM but can be delayed so try to check the afternoon before to confirm the flight time. Flights run about $110 per person with taxes.

To certain lodges you can go by car, it’s a 2-3 hour drive in a 4×4 car. Some people might find flying more comfortable but if you don’t mind a bit of adventure go by car. It runs $50 per person Roundtrip and pick ups are usually done around 5/6AM at your hotel. If you arrange this yourself be sure to confirm the hour and get the cell# of the driver, it has occurred in the past with some drivers that they simply don’t show up or arrive about 4 hours later.

Due to our experience with other drivers, for our guests we use our own trusted and licensed tourism taxi, Julian. The trip is $75 per person Roundtrip.

In this section we provide you with information to help you make the most out of your time in Panama so you can discover this beautiful country in the most enjoyable way.

Panama City is an ideal starting point for several one-day trips (see our travel guide section) but also has its own attractions.  You can easily spend 3 full days to discover the city’s own attractions so plan your vacation accordingly.

For those of you who like history (we do), we have a few interesting leads that will make your trip to Panama even more rewarding when you visit the sites we discuss.

If something you’d like to know more about is not covered here or if you have a suggestion on what we should add, please let us know.  Meanwhile, enjoy this section.

When you look from your (back) room window in the Balboa Inn, you can’t fail to see the imposing ‘Cerro Ancón’. Ancon Hill is a steep 654-foot hill which overlooks Panama City, Panama. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area.

It was under U.S. jurisdiction as part of the Panama Canal Zone for much of the 20th Century, and therefore was never developed like most of the surrounding urbanized parts of the city. The lower slopes contained residences and the Gorgas Hospital. Higher up the hill were the residence of the Governor of the Canal Zone, and Quarry Heights, where the U.S. Southern Command was located. Quarry Heights was named for being adjacent to a large rock quarry on one side of the hill, which left a visible cliff face on one side. The hill contains an abandoned undeground bunker once manned by the U.S. Southern Command.

As much of it was undeveloped, it became a sort of “island” in an urban area, where wildlife still survived cut off from other jungle areas. It is not uncommon to see sloths, coatimundi, armadillos or deer on Ancon Hill which status is now protected. Its name is used as an acronym by Panama’s environmental group, Asociación Nacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (ANCON) which has its offices there.

It’s a really nice hike up the hill – best in the morning – and at just a few minutes from the Balboa Inn its a nice way to get your day started in Panama. If you don’t want to make the sweaty hike have a cab take you up and you can enjoy the views on your walk down.

The Panama Canal locks at Miraflores mark the Pacific entry of the Panama Canal. At just 10 minutes by car from the Balboa Inn, you don’t want to miss this one.

The Miraflores Visitor Center is the perfect location to watch the operations of the Panama Canal and to learn more about how the Canal works and its history. The facility includes three observation terraces, a full-outfitted theater, 2 snack bars, a restaurant with the best views in Panama City and of course…the gift shop.

The visitor center provides interactive elements that explain to you more about the functions of the canal along with video presentations and actual historic pieces. These elements are divided into four exhibition halls; the History Hall, the Hall of Water, the Canal in Action, and the Canal in the World. Each exhbition hall as evident from its title provides insight into separate aspects of the Canal.

Getting to the Miraflores Visitor Center is easy, its close to Panama City and very popular so grabbing a taxi there will be no problem. And if you can come to the center in the afternoon and have a drink in their restaurant and enjoy the amazing views from the terrace. If you’re staying for dinner be sure to make reservations prior.

The hours for the Visitor’s Center are:
Monday-Sunday, holidays included
Ticket Office: 9am-4pm
Exhibition Halls/Snack Bar/Gift Shop: 9am-5pm
Restaurant: 12pm-11pm

Ticket Prices for Visitors Exhibtion Center (Non Residents):

Complete Package
(exhibitions, observation decks, snack bars, restaurant and gift shop)

Adults- $8

Students/Minors (5 to 17yrs)- $5

Children under 5- Free

Partial Package
(ground terrace, snack bars, restaurant and gift shop)

Adults- $5

Students/ Minors (5 to 17rs) -$3

Children under 5- Free

* Rates for Nationals/Residents are about half these prices, so if you are a Jubilado be sure to bring your carnet.