The tropical sun combined with the often overwhelming humidity of Panama make doing anything without air-conditioning quite difficult. After a hot and sweaty week in the city an escape to cool off is an absolute necessity. Now most city-dwellers tend to head to the islands or beaches during their time off and while the ocean is a fantastic place to chill down, I’ve got another equally if not cooler option. An easy 2 hour bus ride from the city, El Valle de Anton is a nice little valley nestled in the mountains of the Coclé Province. The high elevation and persistent breeze gives this small, sleepy mountain town a very cool temperature most of the time, which is the perfect Read more
Giggi Travel offers you a chance to discover everything El
Valle has to offer at an unbeatable price! Only $49!
Our tour includes:
Transport to and from El Valle
Visit to the Nispera Zoo
Visit to the handicrafts market
Visit to the “El Chorro” waterfall and hiking trails
Visit to the natural springs
Visit to the El Valle museum
Don’t miss out on your chance to discover San Blas paradise in
Panama, at an unbeatable price! Only $180 p/p
Our package includes:
Land transportation to and from San Blas
Boat transportation to the island
2 nights accomodation in cabins
Tours
3 meals a day
Don’t miss out on the exclusive offer from Giggi Travel
At some point or another anyone who’s stared at the mesmerizing waves of the ocean has wondered what it would be like to hop on a board and surf one. Young or old the idea of surfing appeals to many, but it’s not always the easiest thing to do logistically. As I was raised in the mountains of Colorado I’ve always secretly wondered what it would be like to ride a wave and since I stepped foot in the great Isthmus of Panama I have been trying to figure out how to do it. I heard the World Surf Championships were located down on the Azuero peninsula a few months ago, but these massive swells made for world class surfers Read more
There’s no better way to appreciate and understand a city than a birds eye view and for those of us not financially fortunate enough to possess helicopters I have an easy solution in Panama City. Although it’s a place that us residents of the city see every day not many people take the time to venture up the immensely green hill topped with a gargantuan Panamanian Flag that looms over the city. It almost seems to fall into the background most of the time as we drive around to get wherever we are going that day. Last weekend this Gringo was in a “mountain summiting” type of mood and as Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) is the highest point of Panama Read more
Panama is full of little known wonders and in my time here I have had the opportunity to experience several. Even today there are many unchartered and fairly unknown areas of Panama to those outside of the country and many within. On a random week day I had the chance to visit one of the largest man-made lakes in the entire world. Lake Gatun, which forms a stretch of the Panama Canal and carries ships for about 20 miles of their journey through the Isthmus of Panama, was a strange and beautiful place like I had never before seen.
My venture began as we drove about forty five minutes outside of the city where we met a small Read more
Ringing in the New Year in Panama City? Head down to the newly-opened Zona Viva at the start of the Amador Causeway. Located in the Figali Conecntion Center this strip is the next big thing in the Panama nightlife scene. Lined with a variety of clubs and bars you can find everything from salsa to hip-hop, house and raggaeton just a few steps away from each other.
New Year’s Eve marks the official opening of the Zona Viva, which will surely mean some pretty hard partying. There is plenty of parking outside, and the streets are sure to be full of others celebrating 2010.
It’s Friday… looking for something to do this weekend? Guru is the megaclub of Calle Uruguay, with a large stage, multiple levels, VIP areas, and of course, a giant dance floor.
Guru’s rocks the dance club atmosphere and locals and foreigneres flock to its bright lights like moths. On most nights a DJ can be found spinning everything – electronica, rock, hip hop, dance, and of course Latin. Occasionally you’ll even find a live act on stage.
Being so large, and at the center of the main bar and night club (disco) area, Guru can draw quite a crowd on big nights. Drinks, music and lots of dancing are the building blocks Guru. On really hot nights, they even have professional dancers Read more
If you reallly want to get away from it all, then head to the North Central side region on the Caribbean side of Panama to Playon Chico. It is the closest thing I have found to paradise, and the longer I stay here, the more I enjoy myself.
There are several tiny islands that make up a small archipelago and they are owned and operated by the Kuna Yala Indians as part of their reserve. That keeps the area refreshingly clean of the typical tourist traps, and the beaches virtually untouched.
If you come up to Playon Chico then check out Yandup, an island located in the center of the Kuna Yala reserve. It is a great little place to stay, Read more
I am happy to help anyone who wants to make the move to Panama with tips on how I have success in Panama, but I have to admit that sometimes getting back to those who e-mail me is pretty difficult, and time consuming.
So, this Gringo, along with all the other Gringo writers (see my blogroll for affiliate sites) have worked to create a database that puts you in contact with the people you need to reach in Panama (and Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and more!)
If you are looking for legal services, real estate information, an English speaking assistant or driver, cosmetic surgery, dental work and so on, all you need to do is the Read more
The Panama Gringo has an apartment for rent on the 22nd floor of a one year old building in the Punta Pacifica area of Panama City. Great location in the middle of nearly everything.
Here is what is included:
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx 950 sq feet condo.
42 inch plasma TV with over 250 channels (including English CNN, FOX and ESPN, BBC and others)
Broadband wireless and wired connectivity
Voip phone that can be used to call US for free
Fully furnished � two couches, 2 brand new beds, all linen (2 sets) and towels
Washer/Dryer/Refrig/Microwave/Stove
Air conditioning in each bedroom plus master air conditioner in living room
Small balcony with fan
One secure parking space on the first
