Destination Panama Province Travel Blog in the Republic of Panama

• Located less than a 3 hour drive from the thriving metropolis of Panama City; on the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.
• Over the course of 5 years, 9 bordering pieces were acquired from beach to main road totaling 216 hectares + 0173.66m2 (533.79 acres).
• The 9 pieces are titled (verifiable through the public registry in Panama City), with approx 16 HAS of beach front currently in rights of possession, requested for purchase (ie: a title request) in 2004 under the name of a Panamanian Corporation. The granting of title on the beach front is pending.
• The property has approximately 1.2km (3,937 feet) of sandy beach and approximately 35m+ (114 feet) of main asphalted road frontage.
• The beach is a beautiful cove with natural coral formations that protect it from erosion and provide a calm water experience with limited tidal changes.
• Of the 1.2 miles of beach front, approximately 40% is direct to the water access, with the balance a mixture non-direct to water access composed of coral and mangrove.
• The property is designated as a low density, coastal tourist zone.

Captured around lunchtime while staying in Bananas Resort, located on Isla Grande in Colon. Isla Grande is a popular caribbean vacation/second home area for upper middle class panamanians. The Bananas Resort is located on the open ocean side of Isla Grande, a short boat ride from main land in La Guaira, a sleepy fishing village. Bananas has its own parking area on the mainland and shuttles guests back and forth over the relatively calm waters via small 15hp wooden boats. Bananas resort is arguably the best hotel within a 2 hours distance this side of Panama, second only to Coral Lodge further along the coast towards San Blas. If traveling on a budget, be sure to inquire about the European Plan, otherwise the American Plan will do. A little known fact is that Bananas Resort is built and operates on possessory rights property, and not titled property as some might think. A revelation to some who wish to own and operate a beachfront business while paying no property taxes...whodda thunk it.

Bananas Resort
http://www.bananasresort.com

 

This carnival (2008), I was able to visit San Blas with some friends. We left from Albrook Airport (Marcos A. Gelbert) and arrived in El Porvenir about 40 minutes later. On the way back from El Porvenir, we stopped at Corazon de Jesus which neighbors Nargana, and are said to be the most modern islands in Kuna Yala.

This video was shot on a recent visit to Nombre de Dios, Colon. The video is of the bay of Nombre de Dios, and was taken early in the morning. As you can see, the morning was a bit overcast but the sun did finally show itself later on in the day. Nombre de Dios is about a 2.5 hour drive from Panama City, and is a sleepy fishing town located on the Atlantic Coast of Panama. With the construction of the Corredor Norte currently underway, the drive time should drop considerably. 

Isla de Cañas is located in the Province of Los Santos in the District of Tonosí on a beach 13 kilometers long. Considered one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles (species Lapidochelis Olivacea) in the Pacific of Panama. The National Park refugee also protects an important habitat of mangrove ecosystems of different marine species. Near the refuge is a picturesque fishing village which together with the staff of the National Environmental Authority (ANAM) protect and manage the thousands of turtles that arrive on its shores each year.

Located in the province of Los Santos, approximately 1km before entering into the town of Pedasi, you will find the town of Pocri.

Captured on a recent apartment viewing of the building Marquis Tower in El Cangrejo - built by Procasa in 2008. The view is representative of the 20th floors of the A and B units, which have a view of the Panama City skyline, and partial views of the bay of Panama. The C and D units face the street and have views of the mountains and Balboa Ports. Marquis Tower is located on Eusebio Morales street, the same street as Hotel Milan, Torres de Alba Suites, Hotel Las Vegas, Martin Fierro steakhouse, and Machu Picchu peruvian restaurant, among others. The units in Marquis Tower have 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry room, and receive very good natural light. The building has a pool, gym, party room, visitor parking, and 4 commercial spaces with different shops.

Captured late afternoon from the roadside in Albrook on Calle La Amistad. Provides a 360 view of the area once occupied by the US and currently referred to as "Area Revertida" or reverted areas - making note to areas once belonging to US and returned to Panama. The typical homes in Albrook are 2 story, duplexes, concrete structures with garage. The area has more green areas than other parts of the city and has a very "tropical panama" feel. Many have noted that this neighborhood is how they imagined Panama to be, and were often surprised by the modern city skyscrapers upon their arrival. Notable landmarks in the area include: Marcos Gelabert Airport (domestic flights), Cerro Ancon, and Albrook Mall, to name a few.

Captured at sunset from the rooftop of the Hotel Costa Inn in Bella Vista located on Avenida Perú and Calle 39. A quaint hotel, I have a good friend who swears by this hotel and today we enjoyed a nice sunset from the rooftop pool. The view from the rooftop of this $70.00 (March 2008) a night hotel is something special. You have a full 360 degree view of the city including: avenida balboa, the bay of Panama, Cerro Ancon, the Balboa Ports, Hospital Nacional (a great hospital which saved a friends life a few years back), and the Causway at Amador, just to name a few. The Marriott and Miramar Intercontinental Hotel crowd would most likely not be impressed with the rooms in this hotel, but I think the views from the rooftop offer the traveller on a budget a clean, safe, and friendly alternative.

Hotel Costa Inn
Avenida Peru and Calle 39
T. 227-1522
http://www.hotelcostainn.com

Captured at about 2pm this afternoon, this video is from the rooftop of Faros del Sur in Coco del Mar, San Francisco. The building was built about 12 years ago by renowned architects Cambefort and Bosa, and is characterized by a unique design with red, white, blue, yellow paint.

After making my way up to the top floor in search of the social area, I found a slim staircase going up to the top of the elevator shaft. After climbing up and bracing myself, I was impressed with this special view of the the city and of the construction going on in the area. The views are sweeping with the Corredor Sur in the distance, the Atlapa Convention center, 2 new buildings: Davinci and  Cabomarzo (under construction), and some older homes which I am sure will one day be tall buildings further altering the skyline.

Captured mid morning in front of building 1914 in Amador (Causeway). This building houses the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) which employs many multinational scientists, biologists, and meteorologists. Don't forget to check out the aquarium complete with petting tank. On a clear day, the Panama City skyline is completely visible and offers great views. Scooter/bike rentals are possible and several restaurants make Amador a great day trip.

Captured from the 20th floor in the Pacific Point building in Punta Pacifica, built by Pacific Development. The views are of the Bahia de Panama (bay of Panama), San Francisco, and Costa del Este in the foreground. Construction in Panama continues to build right up to the water line and shows no signs of slow down with the recent building tax exoneration extension. 

Captured mid-morning on Via Veneto in El Cangrejo. Making a right turn at the MacDonalds on Via España, you turn onto Via Veneto which is a commercial 2 way street. Many shops are located on Via Veneto including Manolo's Restaurant, The Veneto Casino at Windham Grand Hotel, the development offices of Bala Beach, Torres de Alba Aparti-Hotel, Restaurante Pomodoro, and Restaurante Wine Bar to name a few. In addition to being the back entrance to the Hotel El Panama, this street has it's fare share of "red light" traffic as well as many jewelry and electronic shops.

Captured in front of the Crown Plaza hotel built by Herman Bern on Avenida Manuel Espinosa. Located one block from Via España, the El Carmen church, and close to the University of Panama, this 2 lane street is one of the more narrow 2 lanes you will find in Panama City. Even on scooter, it's tough navigating through mid day traffic.

Video taken from the entrance to Ciudad de Saber (City of Knowledge) where many international organizations have their regional headquarters. USAID, COPA, Spanish Embassy, are just a few. Clayton is located in the reverted areas (areas revertidas) which were once considered the Panama Canal Zone. Running along side the road you will note the Miraflores Locks (background) and the railway for the Panama Canal Railway Company which takes commuters and containers to the Atlantic ports in the city of Colon.

A view of the city from Torre Generali in Obarrio. This video was taken from about the 25th floor, and sweeps towards San Francisco, Costa Del Este, Panama View, and the bay of Panama.

 

The Clayton Hostal (Hostal de Clayton), is a cozy hostal located on a side street within Clayton and near the old US embassy. Also nearby is the Ciudad de Saber (City of Knowledge) where many international organizations have their headquarters.

 

The diablo boat dock is one of the nicer places to spend an afternoon and catch a sunset. On this day, there were several kayak teams practicing for the ocean to ocean race. It is also a great vantage point to catch boats transiting through the Panama Canal from the Miraflores locks. Once crossing the railroad tracks located in front of the Albrook El Rey supermarket, you head all the way until the street ends.

 

The first video in a new series: "Destinations". These photos were captured in September 2009 while en-route to Sona in Veraguas traveling in a Suzuki Vitara (4x4), and are presented to document the road conditions and popular sites. Traveling from Santiago, the capital city of Veraguas, the trip took approximately 45 minutes. The road is under construction and in various phases of improvement with several bridges being built to facilitate travel. Surfers are familiar with this road as it leads to one of Panama's best surf spots: Santa Catalina. Santa Catalina is one of the popular port cities where travel to Coiba Island National Park, the largest island in Central America, is possible.