The Panama Gringo

The Best Place to Buy Sunglasses in Panama

alex — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:52:05 +0000

“Hey man where did you get those sweet shades?” I seem to be asked that question almost as often as I get sunburned in Panama, which is on a regular basis. As cheap, nice sunglasses are on the “To-Do” list of most travelers to Central America, Mexico or any country less expensive than their own, I found a gem of a place that I must share with you. Whether you are a traveler just passing through the Isthmus or a resident trying to protect your retinas while looking cool, sunglasses are an important part of your world. While seeing sunglasses salesman on the sides of the road selling their merchandise to drivers is common, these men will never give you the best price or selection of quality shades. You will also find similar sunglasses merchants in the touristy areas of Panama City such as Via Veneto or Casco Viejo, but it’s best to avoid these areas as well. While you may think you are getting a good deal with a $5 pair of decent looking fake Ray-Bans, you are missing out.

The Mecca of cheap sunglasses in Panama City is located in the most unlikely of locations, the bus terminal. A small kiosk near the stairs and main large entrance to the terminal exists an amazing selection of only the coolest shades. At a no haggle price of 2 pair for $5, don’t be surprised if you find yourself walking away from the kiosk thinking, “what am I going to do with 4 pair of sunglasses?” The selection seems to change on a regular basis, so every visit presents a new opportunity to purchase protection for your eyes. From Ray-Bans of every color to Aviators of every shape and size, a purchase from this kiosk will guarantee you look a little cooler next time you’re out in the sun!

Cheap and Healthy Vegetarian Food in the City

alex — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:11:52 +0000

Although I’m one of the farthest things on earth from a vegetarian I appreciate good food whatever the type. A friend recently recommended a small little restaurant called El Jardin Vegetariana in very close proximity to my house so I decided to give it a shot even though it was vegetarian. Spending only $2.50 for a meal consisting of 4 dishes of delicious fresh vegetables, beans, pasta, an eggroll and fresh juice I felt incredible and sad all at the same time. The incredible feeling came from food that was tasty, fresh and with an excellent selection that left me feeling good afterwards. The sad feeling was from knowing that I have been in Panama for so long and didn’t know about this fantastic little spot so close to my house. In all honesty I would have eaten here on a daily basis had I known about its splendor. The patient and friendly owners are from Taiwan and even have a board of Spanish translations into their language in the restaurant.

The food seems to alternate on a daily basis with a wide variety of Asian and Panamanian style vegetarian food so you can eat here often and get something different every time. Each scoop of food is $0.50 as is the price of a cup of the delicious fresh juice. The place is located on Via Venteo in the little strip mall next to the Casino. Free cold water and tea with a plethora of newspapers lying around this restaurant is a great hangout and my new favorite place to eat in the El Cangrejo area. El Jardin Vegetariana is open from 7am- 9pm Mon – Fri and 7am – 5pm on Sundays.

The Best Hike Near Panama City

alex — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:35:06 +0000

In my explorations of Panama I often find myself on long bus rides in search of the “best” things the country has to offer. Although this often pays off, sometimes you forget to look in your own backyard for beautiful and interesting things. For a nice, easy and very rewarding hike I had to look no further than Taboga Island, just a short and cheap boat ride from the city. While I had been to this island many times before mostly just to drink cheap beers on the beach and escape the heat of the city for awhile, not until a recent journey had I truly explored all this wonderful island has to offer. While there are at least 3 different trails I know of starting from different parts of the colorful, little fishing village, one in particular that anyone who visits Panama City absolutely must see is called Sendero Las Tres Cruces. The trail begins by the old white church in the center of the village and slowly winds up the large hill overlooking the city. While this isn’t an extremely long hike the terrain can be quite slippery and difficult to navigate, especially after it rains, so be ready to get dirty! For the average joe, who hikes every once in awhile, the hike shouldn’t take more than an hour to get to the top. After crossing a few streams and crawling up some muddy slopes you will reach the “Tres Cruces” or three crosses. From the crosses you will find another path that leads out to an old road which is an easy walk to the summit of the peak. Go left when you get to the fork in the road (to the right leads to an old Satellite station) and you will arrive at an old military bunker most likely from the WWII era. Climb up the stairs to the roof and from their you will have one of the most spectacular 360 degree views that your eyes have ever been a part of. From the city skyline in the distance, to the gorgeous blue green water dotted by many small islands and literally hundreds of tankers waiting to enter the Panama canal the place will make time stand still. A perfect spot for a picnic or a cerveza, once you have spent the amount of time necessary to truly appreciate this place’s greatness follow the road down. Instead of turning off the road back into the jungle with the “three crosses” continue down the road and it will eventually weave its way back to the town. An easier walk on the road than the trail but an extra half hour of time is required for this longer route to return. Once you arrive back in the town and head to the beach you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and have a completely new perspective on this awesome little island.

The Ferry to Taboga costs $12 round trip and leaves at 8:30am on weekdays, and 8:00am/10:30am on weekends. It returns at 3:00pm or 5:00pm and there are a few cheap hotels to stay at on the island. For more information on Taboga click here or please inquire below!

Cholo’s – Most Authentic Mexican Food in Panama

alex — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:08:06 +0000

As moving to Panama was quite a random decision for me (read about why I moved here) I had virtually no preconceptions of what the cuisine would be like. Because of its relatively close proximity to Mexico, Spanish language and Latin culture I automatically assumed it would be somewhat similar to Mexican food. However my time in Panama thus far has taught me that aside from the abundance of rice and beans used in their dishes the types of meals are vastly different. Panamanians rarely use tortillas or cheese so large hearty burritos, tacos and enchiladas are typically out of the question. As this gringo comes from Colorado where a large hispanic population has created a some of the finest Mexican cuisine in the country, there are times where only a big, spicy burrito will make my stomach smile. After a lengthy journey trying to discover the best mexican burritos in the Panama City area I have finally discovered a place I would like to share with you.
Cholo’s is located about one hour outside of Panama City just off the Pan American highway. Easily visible from the highway it can be found between San Carlos and Las Palmas on the left side of the road just before the exit to El Palmar. This surf themed Mexican food establishment has good margaritas, cheap local beers and authentic large burritos than will be sure to cure that south of the border craving with their cheesy, chili smothered awesomeness. Whether you are just passing by or heading to the beach, head to Cholo’s for a nice Mexican lunch next time you in the area. My recommendation is to enjoy a margarita and burrito followed by a nice beach siestsa, but to each their own! For more info on Cholo’s, Mexican food or beach siestas please inquire below.

The Best Island in Panama

alex — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:02:15 +0000

Classifying something as the best is not always an easy task, but after a recent weekend adventure I think I can say with some confidence I’ve found the best island in Panama. Now I have visited the gorgeous party islands of Bocas del Toro and peaceful native islands of San Blas and been thoroughly impressed, but my vote for the best island is neither of these. Slightly lesser known but gaining popularity at a swift pace, Isla Iguana is in the Los Santos province of Panama lying just east of the Azueron Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. The waters surrounding this legendary island are well known for seeing whales and huge sea turtles when the season is right, but that alone is not why this island is so great. The island contains two beaches, one secluded beach to the rear of the island with a small strip of sand enclosed by jagged lava looking rocks and a nice larger more traditional strip of sandy beach. The incredible blends of dark blue, turquoise and green water colors twist together like an impressionist painting and when you enter the surreal ocean it’s a very pleasant temperature with enough salt to float on your back with little effort. The sand is wonderfully soft and would be excellent to take a beach siesta if not for the literally thousands of hermit crabs scampering across the beach making it look like an optical illusion. Road work orange and purple crabs, massive hawks, birds with strange red bags hanging from them and iguanas around nearly every corner, this island will make even the most urbanized city folks appreciate nature. The jungle trail between the beaches is an adventure in itself just a narrow pathway through 2 story high bamboo plants and a feeling that a native bushman or a jaguar could pop out at any moment. It is virtually impossible to travel anywhere else on the island besides the designated path and beaches without a machete which makes the island so exotic and intriguing. So pack a cooler full of snacks and your favorite libations and head over to Isla Iguana for your next beach weekend in Panama and you will not be sorry!

How do you get to Isla Iguana?? Just head west on the Pan American Highway until you reach Chitre then head through Las Tablas and down to Pedasi. Ask directions in this small “front porch” town and you will find yourself on a nice stretch of sand with an awesome island on the horizon in just about 5 minutes. Just a quick 15 minute boat ride from the shore with some locals, the trip will cost you $60 round trip for a boat that hold about 10-12 people, so bring along or make some friends near the shore before you arrange the boat. For more information on Isla Iguana or if you need a friend to go with please inquire below!

Best Panama Deals: Special Travel Deals from Giggi Travel

The Big Gringo — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:14:14 +0000

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

Discover the beauty of the Dutch Keys ( Cayos Holandeses) in San Blas. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to discover this untouched paradise, with our 4 day package, only $280 p/p

Our package includes
Land transportation
Boat transportation
3 nights camping accomodation
3 meals a day
Daily Tours
Snorkle equipment

Beautiful houses available for rent on a daily or weekly basis

Giggi Travel offers you several houses starting at $85 per night in Altos del Maria and $140 in Cerro Azul . All of the properties are totally equipped including barbecue. Each one offers stunning mountain views , and spectacular nearby rivers and waterfalls.

Don’t hesitate to enquire for more information.

Raquel Davis
269 2424 / 6678 3060
www.giggitravelpanama.com

Playa El Parmar: The Best Place to Learn How to Surf in Panama!

alex — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:59:28 +0000

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 didn’t seem like the most desirable place for a beginner. My quest for a relaxed beach where a mountain boy can make a fool of himself getting tossed around in the waves looking more like a person drowning than a surfer has finally been completed.

Just one hour from the city by car situated near San Carlos and Coronado you have a nice little beach called Playa El Parmar. With reasonable accommodations and a beautiful stretch of sand this little beach community is the perfect environment for the beginner surfer. A number of surf schools and board rental shops are located on the small dirt roads leading to the beach and you can rent a surfboard for the day for $15-20 depending on your haggling skills and the type of board you need. There is a constant stream of smaller waves crashing to the shore and other than a handful of locals who shame the newbies with their skills almost everyone in the area is a beginner. Whether you’re looking to grab some instruction from the experts, mess around on a board in the ocean or just hangout in an extremely relaxed beach environment El Palmar is a nice and easy escape from the Panamanian metropolis. From the city simply cruise up the Pan American highway towards Costa Rica, veer left at El Parmar and you will be “Hanging 10” in no time!

Oferta Simple: The Cheapest Way to Eat Out in Panama!

alex — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:22:12 +0000

Figuring out how to efficiently experience the vast plethora of culinary options in Panama City is a somewhat overwhelming task. There are so many different neighborhoods with good restaurants that even if you are able to pin down a location to cure your hunger pains it can be difficult to choose from the array of different choices. From Lebanese to Peruvian, Panama City won’t let your stomach down no matter what mood you are in, but how to decide where to go has perplexed me since arrival in this great city. As I currently do not possess a motor vehicle, my primary form of transportation consists of a pair of worn out sneakers, so the majority of my restaurant experiences have been in my neck of the woods. Slowly I have eaten my way through the majority of the restaurants in the El Cangrejo area, yet my insatiable hunger persists so I’ve been trying to figure out the best method of urban exploration for quite some time now. As I come from the technology rich lands of the United States, crowd-sourcing websites are common place, but as they are a relatively new phenomenon I hadn’t realized the potential they possess until now. Serving Panama and a handful of other Latin American countries Oferta Simple provides people with the option to buy a largely discounted coupon (up to 50%!) online for restaurants and other activities in Panama. Basically the way the idea works is that various restaurants and other businesses offer up a large number of highly discounted coupons, but set a minimum amount that need to be purchased for the deal to commence. As long as this number is met the buyers of the coupons receive an awesome deal and the business receives a solid amount of customers so it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved!!

For a young, ESL-teaching gringo who doesn’t make the money to eat out all the time, but still wants to take a pretty Latina out on a nice date every once in a while, Oferta Simple is a life-changing tool. Not only does this website allow me to save a large chunk of money when dining out, but it presents different restaurants and activities that I had never heard of before. No longer will this Gringo have to suggest to his dates Subway’s “Sub of the Day” for a good deal. With this website I can impress any dinner date with a fine dining experience without emptying the entirety of my wallet. The masterminds behind Oferta Simple say that music concerts and overseas excursions are the up and coming coupons for the website so unless you are fond of paying more than you have to go ahead and give Oferta Simple a look before you plan your next night out! For more information on the website, deals or restaurants in general please comment below…

Ancon Hill: The Best View of Panama City

alex — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:39:39 +0000

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 City I opted for this semi-adventure. Although vehicles are allowed to drive up the hill, this gringo doesn’t possess one so after a taxi ride to the bottom I chose to hike up the windy road on foot in the pouring rain. The road up the hill starts at the Panama Canal Administration building opposite the McDonalds. In the beginning it’s mostly just neighborhoods and a few hotels, but eventually the road narrows to one way and slowly climbs around narrow curves through an impressively dense jungle considering its close proximity to the city center. As you quickly climb in elevation the sounds of the city are eventually completely drowned out by the noises of frogs and birds. Interesting fauna and exotic animals all around you, this easy walk will guarantee to please those who enjoy nature. After only about 30 minutes you will reach a staircase leading to the summit where there are a number of different viewpoints. The benches are all creatively painted with peaceful expressions written on them to warm your mood. Amazing views of the canal, causeway, Bay of Panama, Casco Viejo and the skyscraper district, you will walk away with a new appreciation for this city once you see it from this angle.

For tourists I recommend this the first stop on your Panama City vacation so that you can understand the layout of the city before you explore it. The city has a crazy history and the best evidence of this is the massively diverse spectrum of architecture that can be seen in the various neighborhoods. Seeing how they all fit together can only be done from above and will provide you with fantastic photos to remember this quirky place. The hill is free and open from 8am – 8pm. There is a guard booth at the bottom for cars only because the road is so narrow it’s one way, so you must wait for a car coming down to finish before you start. The hike is fairly easy, but always bring water with you when you do anything physical in Panama because the humidity will make you sweat whether rain or shine. For more information on hiking Ancon Hill please feel free to ask the Panama Gringo below!

Attention All Panama City Runners!!

alex — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:29:27 +0000

One afternoon I was running down Via Argentina, one of the main streets in my neighborhood of Panama City, and came across a pack of 30 or so other runners coming straight at me. Rather than get trampled by this herd of sweaty athletes I quickly performed and abrupt 180 degree turnaround and joined the pack like a fish joining a school of others. At that current point in time my Spanish was slim to none so rather than inquire the reason for this mass session of exercise I just went along with it. After an awesome run of about an hour or so all throughout the city we came to an abrupt halt and everybody started talking about cervezas. Confused by this seemingly contradictory behavior of consuming alcohol after an intense session of exercise and not having any money I opted to just walk home and ponder the existence of the “Beer Drinking Runners.” As I thoroughly enjoyed myself running with this group instead of by myself I searched for them every Monday around the same time, but to my dismay after a month passed I never saw the runners again. I discussed this legendary group of mysterious runners at length with some friends in Panama City and one afternoon I received a phone call that put a smile on my face. “Dude, I just saw the group of runners and I’m following them!” exclaimed my friend who had randomly went out for a Monday evening jog. I told him to get as much information as possible so we could become a part of this group and my friend didn’t let me down.

The group is the Panama chapter of an international group known as the Hash House Harriers. Started by some British Expats in Malaysia who felt they were getting fat and wanted to do something about it, the Hash House Harriers come together on a regular basis to run and indulge in beer afterwards (For more info on the HHH click here). There are currently groups uniting for running, friendship and beverages in 185 different countries and 1,295 different cities all across the globe! The Panama Group meets every Monday at 6pm in a different location with different members choosing and discovering the routes. To participate in this unique group all you need to do is join the Gmail group (click here) and you will be sent the different start locations. The group is composed of an eclectic bunch of expats and locals from a variety of different nationalities. For more information on Hash House Harriers, the Panama Chapter or the different start locations please feel free to inquire below!