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Panama City Travel Blogs

Background: With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999.

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By topspinwilly
December 8th 2009

Typical Night forsome Gringos in Central America Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

A lot of singles older guys are often found in an upscale bar like Venetos. One fellow I was talking to comes often from Huston. He gets emails from Continental Air when there are deals and came for $199 including 5 day hotel I think. Awhile ago he went to Bogota Colombia for $299 (So he said to me). A girl came a bit later who he know and I took to be his Girl friend or wife and a bit later a girlfriend of hers...so I thought ..came to talk with me. She was good looking and well dressed and [View Full Entry]

By topspinwilly
December 7th 2009

I like the modern 1st world feel here in Cangrejo. Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

I am in Veneto Hotel and Casino in the Cangrejo area. They have a tv screen 12ft high and Latin music, to pump up the gamblers I guess. I haven't spent a nickel and can't see the point. But it is a nice place with good A/C and ambiance. People have expressed interest in food,fotos and prices. The best meal of the trip, 2 big chicken breasts big best rice ever unusual veggies with cheese and salsa sauce on the chicken the waitress surpised me with two beer I protested (1.75 usually) but no... its happy hour... dos por uno... 2 [View Full Entry]

By cleo
November 5th 2009

weather in panama Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

hallo all, would you please let me know how is the weather in panama between Jan and Feb? I'm planning a 3 weeks trip to Panama in that period but I have been told that in Panama it rains till beginning of March is it true? Thanks/ciao...Chiara [View Full Entry]

By carriemcq
October 26th 2009

Panama Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City » Casco Viejo

Photo 2

We wanted to spend some more time in Panama but we had already spent way more time in Central America and we were eager to reach Colombia. In Panama City we explored the old city which was destroyed by Captain Henry Morgan in the 1600s. Some of it had been rebuilt but there were a lot of buildings with collapsed floors either filled with garbage or quite contrastingly, plants and trees. Everywhere you looked there were stark contrasts. You would see a fine dining restaurant next to an ancient abandoned building, and next to that an equally decrepit crumbling building but [View Full Entry]

By Raya CAN
October 9th 2009

Panama City - day 3 Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

Casco Viejo

Today we switched guest houses as we have arranged a boat trip for tomorrow in which we will be picked up from Mamallena's Hostel at 5am. We will be taking a sailboat from Panama City to the San Blas Islands where we will spend a few days and ultimately end up in Cartagenia, Columbia. It is quite an expensive trip so hopefully it will be worth it (it has been highly recommended by several travelers we have spoken to). So for the next 5 days or so we will be sailing, snorkelling and exploring the islands. I hope I don't get [View Full Entry]

By Raya CAN
October 8th 2009

Panama City, Panama Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

We arrived in Panama City last night around 5:30 after a very long bus ride. Fortunately, the bus itself was good, comfortable, clean and the people were friendly. (Recommendation: Tica Bus). Crossing the border from Costa Rica into Panama was a frustrating experience that took 5 hours. First we arrived at 5am - 1 hour before the offices openned. Then the computer system stopped working and the officials refused to do things by hand despite having the ability to do so. Lineups were long and the local people did not care to wait in line like the majority of us tourists [View Full Entry]

By Raya CAN
October 8th 2009

Panama City - day 2 Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

Panama Canal

Today we took a cab to the Panama Canal. Unfortunately our timing was off and we waited for over an hour with no signs of any boats passing through. Finally, a couple of very large boats approached so we were able to get pictures but had to leave before we actually saw one pass through the locks. We also made the mistake of cheaping out and only buying tickets for the observation deck for $5 instead of the $8 general admission which meant missing out on the 3-story museum and the theater. So if you ever take a trip to the [View Full Entry]

By RandK
September 30th 2009

And so we reach the half time oranges... Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

Lady Bug Cafe

From Playa Hermosa we head to Volcan Arenal. The route plan is to take in the Cloud Forest (it is what it sounds like) but this is a gravel road and the recent heavy rains mean it is a no no. Only five people have done it in previous tours and two of them blew their rear shock absorbers. So we climb into the volcano range and the clouds close in and the humidity drops. We ride with Kevin and Julia and stop for lunch at a German owned café / gallery. It looks OK from the road but when we [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 15th 2009

The 3 Month Panama Building Adventure Begins Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

Checking my double pack rig

It's going to be little sleep for awhile. Didn't sleep well last night because of coughing jags. Carole took me to the airport Tue. Sept 15th at 5 am. Flight to Atlanta and to Ft. Lauderdale were uneventful. Then checking in at Spirit Air, the lady said I could not enter Panama without a return trip booked. Some rule I didn't know about, and the airline saw no reason to tell me when I booked the flight a month earlier. So then it was a panic scramble to book a flight within 15 minutes so I could make my plane. I [View Full Entry]

By Slovenian girl
August 30th 2009

The coolest capital in Central America - Panama city :) Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

Panama city

Hola a todos!!!!!!!!!!!!! Panama! The last country on my list in Central America with a population of around 3million people!!!! First I stopped in the highlands of the province of Chiriquí in Panama. There is a small but charming valley/city called Boquete which is nestled among the country's most mountainous region, at 1.200 meters. Birding, hiking, mountain biking, rafting... (of course everthing quite expensive) . I did the sendero treking which was really, really nice...pristine nature and silence :) On the way there and back I've met a lot of very friendly localas...delicio [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City