Page 81 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

EATING Panama City 79
superb views, though they are some distance from the where you prepare your complimentary DIY breakfast. 1
main watering holes, which means you will need to spend Dorms $15, doubles $33
more on taxis. Hostel Casa Nativa Av Morgan 2465, Balboa T6091
The Balboa Inn Las Cruces 2311a, Balboa T314 1520, 3746, Wcasanativapanama.com; map p.69. Fauvist
Wbalboainnpanama.com; map p.69. In the quiet murals announce your arrival at this mellow backpackers’
residential area of Balboa, yet close to bus and taxi routes, retreat in a Canal-era house at the foot of Cerro Ancón.
this established B&B offers simple, nicely furnished rooms Brightly painted dorms with wooden floors, a/c and private
with excellent beds and plenty of light. The delightful bathrooms share two well-equipped kitchens and a semi-
garden breakfast terrace allows you to birdwatch while you open social area, with hammocks, overlooking the garden.
enjoy your full American breakfast. $81 Dorms $14, double $30
Country Inn & Suites Amador Causeway T211 4500,
Wpanamacanalcountry.com; map p.69. A standard OTHER AREAS
motel in a stunning location, right by the Canal entrance. Grace Hotel Twist Tower, C 54 Este and C Samuel Lewis,
Pay the extra $15 to watch the ships from your balcony – Obarrio T280 6400, Wgracehotels.com/panama; map
otherwise you may get a view of the car park. The large, pp.62–63. Occupying the ground floor and various upper
bright rooms are equipped with all conveniences. There’s floors of a quirkily designed skyscraper, this luxurious place
an on-site TGI Friday’s and a couple of pools. Breakfast exudes urban chic. The airy rooms have floor-to-ceiling
included. $73 windows, understated colours – with the odd flash of royal
GM Lodge C Las Bromelias 143b T6656 0766, blue – and glitzy bathrooms; amenities include a gym, spa,
Ereservas@GMLodgepa.com; map p.69. Convenient for outdoor rooftop plunge pool and jacuzzi, and a fine-dining
early flights from Albrook Airport and fine if you’ve got your restaurant. Good online rates. $154
own transport, this otherwise out-of-the-way B&B is in a Panama House B&B C Primera 32, El Carmen T263
tranquil residential suburb. It offers a high level of comfort 4366, Wpanamahousebb.com; map pp.62–63. A
for the price: sparkling white-walled bedrooms enlivened hostel-type B&B that attracts a wide age range with its
by vibrant artwork, spotless modern bathrooms, large beds restful patio and garden, shared kitchen, helpful travel
and a pleasant outdoor pool and patio area. $66 advice and free breakfast and laundry. It’s popular, so
★ Hostal Amador Familiar Av Amador, by the usually full; book well ahead. Dorms are better value than
playground, Ancón T314 1251, Whostalamador the doubles. Dorms $17, doubles $50
familiar.com; map p.69. Maroon three-storey Canal Zone Riande Aeropuerto Hotel & Resort Av Tocumen,
building with a laidback atmosphere, attracting a good mix Tocumen T291 9012, Whotelesriande.com/aeropuerto;
of Panamanians and overseas visitors. Some of the basic, map pp.62–63. It’s not a base for your stay, but this motel-
compact en-suite rooms (with fan or a/c) need a bit of TLC like joint does the job if you’ve an early flight (or a late arrival)
– but there’s a washing machine, cheap airport transfers at Tocumen; it’s a couple of minutes away and offers free
and a pleasant outdoor open-sided kitchen-cum-social-area airport transfer. $99
EatinG
Panama City’s cosmopolitan nature is reflected in its restaurants: anything from US fast food to Greek, Italian, Chinese,
Peruvian, Japanese and French cuisine can be found, along with traditional Panamanian dishes and excellent seafood.
Bookings are advisable at weekends, if there’s live music or a show, and during holiday periods. Outside the five-star
hotels, Casco Viejo is the place for fine dining, with very few budget choices, whereas Bella Vista, Marbella and El
Cangrejo have a greater range of restaurants both high-end and more moderately priced. New places are opening in
Obarrio and San Francisco, with a handful of restaurants sprinkled along the Amador Causeway. Cheap hot and cold
takeaway meals are available from the Rey supermarket (daily 24hr) on Vía España, while the food courts in the
numerous shopping malls (see p.85) are popular at weekends.
CASCO VIEJO Panama” and something of an institution among the city’s
In the evenings the city’s smart set jam the streets of Casco older residents, who gather to drink good coffee, read the
Viejo with their 4WDs, heading for the neighbourhood’s paper and discuss the news. Affordable, filling Panamanian
many chic restaurants in converted colonial houses. There staples – fish with patacones or chicken with rice (mains
are also a few open-air dining locations, where you can $6–7) – plus generously portioned breakfasts cooked to
soak up the historic surroundings, and a couple of hole-in- order. Daily 7am–11pm.
the-wall joints serving meals for less than $4. Caffè Per Due Av “A” at C 3 T228 0547; map p.56.
Café Coca-Cola Plaza Santa Ana, C 12 at Av Central Italian-owned and -operated, this little gem serves
T228 7687; map p.56. The self-proclaimed “oldest café in scrumptious oven-crisped pizzas ($9–12) and salads

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