The Panama Gringo http://thepanamagringo.com Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:52:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Best Place to Buy Sunglasses in Panama “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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2012/01/26/the-best-place-to-buy-sunglasses-in-panama/ Cheap and Healthy Vegetarian Food in the City 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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2012/01/06/cheap-and-healthy-vegetarian-food-in-the-city/ The Best Hike Near Panama City 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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/12/26/the-best-hike-near-panama-city/ Cholo’s – Most Authentic Mexican Food in Panama 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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/12/15/cholos-most-authentic-mexican-food-in-panama/ The Best Island in Panama 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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/12/08/the-best-island-in-panama/ Best Panama Deals: Special Travel Deals from Giggi Travel 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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/12/02/best-panama-deals-special-travel-deals-from-giggi-travel/ Playa El Parmar: The Best Place to Learn How to Surf in Panama! 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

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/11/28/playa-el-parmar-the-best-place-to-learn-how-to-surf-in-panama/ Oferta Simple: The Cheapest Way to Eat Out in Panama! 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 Read more

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/11/21/oferta-simple-the-cheapest-way-to-eat-out-in-panama/ Ancon Hill: The Best View of Panama City 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

]]> http://thepanamagringo.com/2011/11/17/ancon-hill-the-best-view-of-panama-city/ Attention All Panama City Runners!! 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.  Read more

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