Page 87 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

SHOPPING Panama City 85
Centro de Convenciones ATLAPA Vía Israel, San Symphony Orchestra (Wfacebook.com/OSNPANAMA). 1
Francisco T521 7000, Watlapa.gob.pa. The centre has Teatro En Círculo Av 6C Norte, El Carmen T261 5375,
two auditoriums: Teatro Anayansi, seating almost three Tteatroencirculo.org. One of the premier venues for
thousand, hosts pop, jazz, classical, ballet, circus acts and plays (in Spanish), staged a few times a year.
even ice-skating, with plays and beauty pageants in the Teatro Nacional Av “B” between C 3 and C 4, Casco
smaller Teatro La Huaca. Viejo T262 3525. Occasional classical concerts, ballets
Teatro Anita Villalaz Plaza de Francia, Casco Viejo and operas staged in the sumptuous Rococo interior of the
T501 4020. Once part of the Supreme Court, this intimate capital’s premier artistic venue. Closed for renovations at
250-seater hosts a range of cultural activities, from poetry the time of writing (see p.59).
readings to reggae nights. Theatre Guild of Ancón Foot of Cerro Ancón, by the
Teatro Balboa Av Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Balboa police station Wanconguild.com. Community theatre
T228 0327. Spacious Art Deco theatre, staging all kinds of established to entertain Zonians and still putting on
events, including concerts by the resident National English-speaking productions.
SHOPPinG
Despite the hype about duty-free shopping in Panama City, there’s actually very little around and though the streets are bulging
with malls and shops, you’re unlikely to be overly impressed by either the selection or the prices – indigenous crafts and other
souvenirs aside. Av Central, leading from Plaza Cinco de Mayo to Santa Ana, is the place to browse if you’re after cheap clothes
or electronics, while Vía España in El Cangrejo contains an eclectic mix of bargain stores, would-be chic boutiques and tourist-
oriented shops; the Gran Morrison department store here is useful (see p.86), and there’s an El Rey supermarket (24hr).

MALLS More than 350 shops, with many upmarket boutiques, such as
Albrook Mall By Albrook bus terminal Walbrookmall Paul Smith, Carolina Herrera, Gucci and Tiffany, plus a cinema.
.com; map p.69. The largest mall in Latin America: a two-
storey kilometre of retail therapy with discount stores, a ARTS AND CRAFTS
handful of more upmarket boutiques and a vast food court. If a mola is on the shopping list, you’ll probably get the best
Also banks, ATMs, an Apple Store, a cinema and Super 99 prices from the Guna craftspeople who spread out their
– the nearest supermarket for anyone staying in Balboa or wares on the pavements around Casco Viejo and Vía Veneto;
Cerro Ancón. Mon–Thurs 10am–8pm, Fri & Sat they can often organize you a trip to Guna Yala too. You’ll
10am–9pm, Sun 10.30am–7pm. also find high-quality molas, along with good basketry and
Multicentro Av Balboa, Paitilla Wmulticentropanama woodcarvings, in shops dotted round Casco Viejo, though
.com; map pp.62–63. Convenient shopping centre for the prices are higher than elsewhere in the city; Vía Veneto
Marbella, with a cinema and a good kosher supermarket in is another good area to look. Craft markets are also a good
the basement (Wfacebook.com/deliKpanama.com). Mon– option; the stalls are generally run by members of the
Thurs 10am–8pm, Fri & Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 11am–7pm. community who made the goods, and more of the money
Multiplaza Vía Israel, Punta Pacífica; map pp.62–63. you spend will trickle down to the actual artisans.
BUYING OUTDOOR GEAR
If you’re considering hiking or camping in Panama, you’d be wise to bring all the necessary
equipment and clothing with you – there’s limited availability here and prices are high. However,
if you find yourself short of a few essentials, the following sellers are worth checking out:
Do It Center Wdoitcenter.com.pa. General hardware chain, Novey also offers outdoor equipment from cheap
store that also stocks camping and outdoor gear, such as tents and sleeping bags to snorkel masks. The most
camping stoves and fishing tackle. Outlets in Albrook convenient outlets are in Albrook Mall (see above), on
Mall and Multiplaza (see above), and across the country. Av Central in Calidonia, close to Basílica Don Bosco and
Matawi Gear Sky Business Centre, Av Balboa opposite Multicentro on Av Balboa in Paitilla.
Wmatawigear.com; map p.84. Specialist stockists of Outdoor Adventure Wfacebook.com/outdoor
expensive, good-quality Patagonia and North Face adventurepa. Located in several malls in the capital –
hiking and rock-climbing gear and equipment. Mon–Fri Albrook, Multicentro and Multiplaza (see above) – this
11am–7pm, Sat 11am–3pm. place supplies general camping and hiking equipment
Novey Wnovey.com.pa. Amid the hardware, and clothing, including tents, sleeping mats and bags,
agricultural and household goods of this nationwide solar-powered battery chargers and headlamps.

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