In this section we will  be adding links to sites we find useful to travelers wanting to explore and/or learn about Panama.

Tours
Embera Village Tours - Highly recommended. Run by Anne Gordon who is actually married to an Embera. A better guide and more authentic experience to an Embera village does not exist.

News on Panama
The Panama News (online newspaper)
Yahoo groups Panama

Background info
Wikipedia on Panama
Lonely Planet Panama Guide
Panamaretire.net – informative website by American resident

Directories
Panamastart.com - if you can’t find it here, it does not exist
Visitpanama.com - the official website of the Panamanian Tourist board

Domestic airlines in Panama
(airport 5 minutes away from Balboa Inn)
AirPanama
Aeroperlas

Nederlands
Startpagina Panama
Panama Prikpagina
Panama op Wikipedia

Deutsch
Wikipedia über Panama

Español
La Prensa

Other B&B’s in Panama – put together your own vacation
Casita Margarita in Pedasi - a great new option to explore the beautiful beaches around Pedasi.
Cerrito Tropical on Taboga Island. A 1-2 night stay here is an
excellent option to combine with a stay in the Balboa Inn.

Also a great options for day tours!
Ivan’s Bed & Breakfast in Gamboa - great for birdwatchers.
Boquete Garden Inn - in beautiful Boquete.
Park Eden country retreat – in El Valle de Anton.

Casa las Americas- if you want to be downtown and party.

Posada del Mar near Las Tablas, right on Playa Uverito

La Estancia - our ‘competitor’. A nice B&B more up Ancon hill.
We don’t think the location is as convenient as the Balboa
Inn but it’s a great and well-run B&B so if we are fully booked…

Hotels in David

Hotels in the city of David are limited and basic. If you are looking to stay in David for a night here are some hotels recommended by other travelers.

Hotel Iberia- (507) 777-2002

Hotel Puerta del Sol- (507) 774-8422

At only 5 minutes walking from the Balboa Inn and atop a large hill rests the Panama Canal Administration building…

The building overlooks the Pacific entrance of the canal along with parts of the city and the nearby Balboa neighborhood. It houses the administrative offices of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) however its not all business and paperwork here, the building is also known for its amazing murals that adorn the rotunda of the building. These murals are a narration of the history of the Canal and the intense manual labor that went into its construction. It is a way of commemorating the history of the Canal and all those who worked on its construction and operations.

The administration building is a 5-10 minute walk from the inn and less than a 5 min taxi ride from Albrook Airport. It’s also the starting point for the hike up Cerro Ancon, It lies right of the side of Ave Roosevelt and atop a large hill i.e. you can’t miss it. For more information about the Canal visit their website.

There are 4 possible scenarios to get you from Panama’s International Airport Tocumen to the Balboa Inn:

• We pick you up
• You take a taxi
• You drive with a rental car
• Friends pick you up

(1) We pick you up
We highly recommend you let us arrange your airport pickup transfer. At $35 for up to 3 people it’s only $ 2 more than the airport taxi and you can be sure to have a reliable driver that knows our exact location and doesn’t confuse us with another inn. Remember, we haven’t been around that long. We can arrange pickup at any time of the day or night. To use this service, simply arrange it during the booking process or send us your flight data.

(2) You take a taxi
If you prefer to take an airport taxi. No problem. But please, make sure to print out this document and, very important, take it with you . Even the most geographically challenged taxi driver in Panama (and they are all very challenged!) should be able to make it. Remember, Panamanian taxi drivers can’t read maps so make sure they read the Spanish instructions that refers to well-known landmarks. The map is for your own reference. And do be sure to note our phone number just in case.

We don’t mind late check-ins but we definitely don’t get excited by being called at 11 p.m. by a confused taxi driver who has never been to Balboa, took the wrong turn, can’t count beyond 5 or took you to Balboa Avenue instead of the Balboa neighborhood. And we know you won’t be happy neither. So, please print the instructions and carry them with you.

(3) You drive a rental car
No problem. Although driving in Panama City – depending on the time of day – is not always for the faint of heart, it certainly not as bad as Bangkok or Calcutta. As an option, you may actually consider picking up your rental car at Albrook airport after you arrive at the Balboa Inn. Driving in the Canal area is a whole different story and getting in and out of town, from Balboa, is very easy. We’re right near the Bridge of the America’s and the highway to Colon.

Please review and PRINT the  instructions on this page (in PDF).  to make driving over from Tocumen as easy as we can possibly make it.

(4) Friends pick you up
It’s good to have friends! Just make sure they know where the Balboa Inn is and when in doubt, tell them to check out this page and the maps above.

Return to Tocumen with a rental car?

Very easy.  Please review and print this page or ask our staff to print it.

Panama City is probably the only big city in the world that has the jungle coming right up to its city limits! It’s really unique when you see it.

Panama has several national parks. In fact, it has more national parks and protected areas, both in absolute terms as well as percentage wise, than its better known northern neighbor Costa Rica.

If you are staying in the city one of these parks you must visit is the Metropolitan National Park. This is just 10 minutes from Panama City making it one of the only parks in Latin America that lies within an urban area.

It has great views at its “Look Out” points with vistas of the Canal and the city. Not to mention it has five hiking trails to get your heart pumping.The trails range from about an hour to an 1.5 hours, the longest trail with the best views being the Sendero Cienaguita. Although the park is used for research of wildlife this is not the best spot to view mammals however its perfect for birdwatching. Panama itself is popular with birdwatchers and they consider the Metropolitan Park a preferred spot.

The park also has a library, museum, and of course the gift shop. The hours of the park are from 6am-5pm daily and its $2 per person. They also have a nice website, although as of now its only viewable in spanish. We recommend going early in the morning when its cooler and you can see more wildlife. All you need is a taxi there, a map of the area, and good hiking shoes and pants.

One reason many guests decide to stay at the Balboa Inn is our conveniently close location near Panama’s domestic airport Albrook Airport (official name: Aeropuerto Marcos A. Gelabert). Flights from here will take you to all parts of Panama including David and Bocas del Toro. The two airlines are AirPanama and Aeroperlas. If you have a flight with either of these two airlines do check about 24 hours ahead of time to confirm the time.

Please remember these are small planes so the airlines have luggage weight restrictions in place, currently 25 pounds per person. If you have more than that, you can safely leave luggage in storage at the Balboa Inn until you return. Well, assuming you carry a little less than this lady.

If you are thinking about renting a car in Panama for a trip to the interior you might consider picking it up at the Albrook Airport this way you can avoid the hassle of going all the way back to the Tocumen International Airport.

Getting to the airport is easy as it is just a 5 minute taxi ride from the Balboa Inn and right next to the Main Bus Terminal and Albrook Mall. For more information about Albrook Airport call (507) 315-0403.

Below a picture to give you an idea of Albrook airport and its surroundings.

Car Rental Agencies at Albrook Airport:

National Car Rental: (507) 315-0416 / 0417

Budget Car Rental: (507) 263–8777

Thrifty Car Rental: (507) 315-0144

Helicopter Rental/Tours at Albrook Airport:

Helipan Corp.

Depending on where you come from and what you need to buy, you may want to pay a visit to the Albrook Mall, the largest (covered) mall in Central America. Located just 5 minutes from the Balboa Inn ($2 taxi) and across the runway from the domestic airport, Albrook mall is great if you need:

* clothing
* electronics
* catch a bus to the country side

The Albrook Mall is attached to the Main Terminal where you can catch a bus into Panama City or even further into the interior of the country. You can even catch a bus to Costa Rica from the terminal.

The terminal aside though, Albrook Mall is a HUGE shopping mall that could take you hours to get through because of everything it has to offer. At first slightly overwhelming this mall can be maze-like but once you get the hang of it you can enjoy the variety of shopping here.

The stores range from affordable department stores like Conway and Titan to more brand name boutiques like Diesel and Converse. It also includes a bowling alley, movie theater, supermarket, pharmacy, and plenty of places to eat. Either way this mall is worth a visit and if you’ll be staying in Panama for a while you will find yourself visiting often whether its to catch a movie at Cinemark or grab groceries at Super 99.

Mall Hours:

* M-Thur 10am-8pm
* Fri & Sat 10am-9pm
* Sun 11am-7pm

One of the prize points of Panama is its flourishing ecotourism. You can be just 20 minutes out of the city and explore the wildlife of the rain forest. Panama is home to thousands of different species and Isla de Barro Colorado is a well maintained reserve that is home to many of them.

The island was created during the construction of the Panama Canal and is currently used for research by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Access to the island is allowed to a limited number of tourists a day so do make your reservations through a tour agency before going. It’s located in the Gatun Lake less than 30 minutes from the city so if you want to get to know more about the wildlife in Panama be sure to take this walk through nature and don’t miss the “fat tree” lovingly referred to as Barrigon (big belly). You might even catch a glimpse of a howler monkey.

Visit the Smithsonian Research Institute to learn more about making a reservation.

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 a ferry that departs from the Calypso Ferry Dock in the Amador Causeway. The ferry departure times are in the chart below. To make sure about departure/arrival times call (507) 314-1730 . 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, $7kids & seniors (roundtrip). Last piece of advice is bring cash because there are not ATMs or banks on the island.

Panama’s culinarly landscape is a reflection of its cultural diversity. You can find most types of food that you are looking for in the city. However hear are just a few recommendations that we will be updating periodically and remember we’re always here to make a reservation or if you have suggestions, let us know!

Local Spots

Niko’s Cafe (Balboa)-

A traditional Panamanian spot to get a quick, casual, and cheap meal, food is served cafeteria style. The sandwhiches are recommended. A 5min walk from Balboa Inn.

Rodizio’s $$

A Brazilian restaurant within 5 minutes of the Balboa Inn. They serve an all you can eat deal of grilled meats and salads ($20 p/person)

Los Templarios- $

This small restaurant has a wide variety of dishes on it’s menu, including pasta seafood and some traditional Panamanian dishes. It’s also just a short walk from our Inn on the street heading towards the Amador Causeway.

City Center

Machu Picchu (El Cangrejo)-$$

A restaurant popular with the in-the-know Panamanians, they serve delicious traditional Peruvian food. Make sure to try the Pisco Sour.

Las Tinajas (Bella Vista)-$$$

A very popular restaurant because of its folkloric show offered T-Sat(9pm). Aside from the show the food is delicious, a great place if you’re looking to experience Panamanian food in a fine dining atmosphere. Just a sidenote, the show is $5 and its a $12p/person minimum consumption.

El Trapiche (Via Argentina)- $

A popular place that serves hearty traditional Panamanian food as well, but there’s no dance here. However if you want something traditional, quieter, and less touristy this is the place.

Eurasia (Bella Vista)- $$$

As evident by it’s name Eurasia serves European cuisine with an Asian influence, it’s one of the famous restaurants of Panama, located in the neighborhood of Bella Vista near Parque Urraca. This is the place to go for a fine dining experience in Panama City; great food, great service, and great ambiance.

La Posta (Calle Uruguay)-$$$

A relatively new restaurant La Posta has quickly become known as one of the best places in town. Their menu consists of plenty of seafood dishes along with some meat and pasta dishes, classic dishes with a latin flavors.

Amador Causeway/Canal Area

Cafe Barko-$$

This restaurant is located on Isla Flamenco in the Causeway. From there you know you are going to have nice ocean views along with your meal. They serve seafood, sushi, and traditional Panamanian food…this is the place if you’re looking for lobster or fresh and delicious ceviche. The staff is bilingual which could be a plus if you’re spanish is rusty or nonexistent.

Mi Ranchito-$

Right on the water and very popular with locals and tourists alike this place can get very busy, they serve mainly traditional Panamanian cuisine. A good place for groups and families but not if you’re looking for a quiet place to dine.

Miraflores Restaurant (Miraflores Locks)-$$

This restaurant has the most amazing views as it is located right on the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal. It is a very popular restaurant so reservations are a must, however if you can’t make it to dinner come in the afternoon and have a drink on the terrace and enjoy the views.

Casco Viejo

Manolo Caracol-$$

This restaurant lies near the edge of Casco Viejo on the corner of Avenida Central y Calle 3ra. The chef is Spanish from the province of Andalucia. They serve a fixed menu that comes with a variety of plates. The dishes are creative and delicious and the atmosphere romantic for dinner.

CasaBlanca-$

This is perhaps a more casual option for those looking to dine in Casco Viejo. This restaurant is located inside Hotel Colombia on Plaza Bolivar. They serve the usual typical fusion style cuisine but the food is very good and the atmosphere relaxed.

Mercado de Mariscos (Ave de Balboa)-$

A fish market that has a small restaurant upstairs. You won’t find fresher fish in Panama and you don’t have to stay for dinner, just pick-up a delicious serving of ceviche downstairs in the market area.

There is an excellent new book on the history of the Panama Canal by British writer Matthew Parker. “Panama Fever”. Subtitled ‘The epic story of one of the greatest human achievements of all time – the building of the Panama Canal’, I can really recommend this book. Fascinating and pleasant to read.

The other classic, ‘Path between the Seas’ by David McCullough, an American is also excellent reading. While covering the same topic, the different nationalities of the writers do result in a somewhat different perpective and focus. Matthew Parker gives more attention to the experiences of the average worker – mostly blacks from the West Indies – on the project and you’ll read a more critical note here and there about the American power politics which is mostly absent from Mr. McCullough’s book.

These books don’t just talk about the building of the Canal, they also cover the politics behind the ‘creation of Panama’ in depth. Really fascinating stuff.

Get them at Amazon.com: Panama Fever and Path Between the Seas.