Panamá City; the Capital Offenses

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An April 2006 trip to Panama City by Jose Kevo

Avenida Central Photo - Panama City, Panama

Quote: Beyond the ruins and historic city, a mixed bag of other spectacles languish as tourism afterthoughts. What I found is likely what you'll get!

19 Photos

Panamá City; the Capital Offenses

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Overview

Puente de las Americas Photo - Panama City, Panama

Quote:

My approach to Panamá City was met with an expectation that travel information never quite seemed to incorporate with any merit. After all, this was a booming metropolis now frequently pronounced as "Latin America's most Cosmopolitan Capital". If the unconventional skyline was to be of any indication, there had to be more than what guidebooks and website reviews indicated; at least beyond expected ruins of the first city and impoverished hovel of the second.Well, there was and now it's patent why most travelers landing at Tocumen International Airport simply pass through the capital, and keep right on going! That's the one luxury that Canal cruise ship passengers will likely be denied, but...Read More

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Mis Pueblitos

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Attraction | "Mi Pueblitos"

Colonial Plaza Photo - Mis Pueblitos, Panama City, Panama

Quote:

My Little Villages, which should translate Mis Pueblitos, was said to feature cultural replicas of various areas; namely in the styles of architectural influence and how these have shaped communities scattered across the country. Poble Españyol, located on Barcelona's Montjuic, had one of these types of parks that I thoroughly enjoyed despite criticisms for being nothing more than a tourist trap. If only the Panamá version would have been half as much in catering to tourism, without being nothing more than a ...Read More

My Little Villages, which should translate Mis Pueblitos, was said to feature cultural replicas of various areas; namely in the styles of architectural influence and how these have shaped communities scattered across the country. Poble Españyol, located on Barcelona's Montjuic, had one of these types of parks that I thoroughly enjoyed despite criticisms for being nothing more than a tourist trap. If only the Panamá version would have been half as much in catering to tourism, without being nothing more than a hazardous trap!

This place goes down as the All-Time Bust of places I've been lured while on the road. The pitiful excuse of an attraction is divided into two sections. The entrance gate is coupled with the scant colonial features. The Afro-Antilles and Indigenous areas are across the driveway, behind the huge parking lot. In fact, you likely wouldn't even know they were there if it wasn't for the colorful banners, and suspicions that there had to be more than the traditional side.

The Caribbean gingerbread structures would have had potential if half the buildings weren't propped-up amidst falling down in various stages of decay. The few shops selling what was said to be "fine local handicrafts" were not only limited, selections looked more picked over than shelves on Christmas Eve.

Supposedly, the compound hosts cultural performances and events on weekend nights, but here's another thing to consider. The surrounding area is "said" to be extremely dangerous. I took a cab here on the way to the Causeway; driver cautioning about walking around beyond the park.

When it came time to leave, there was no hope catching an unoccupied taxi along busy Avenida de los Mártires without walking down the hill quite some distance to a taxistand, across the busy highway. Determination to get the hell out of there likely wouldn't be audacious enough to survive the walk after dark!

I was in and out of Mi Pueblitos in less than 30-minutes. Even if restoration became a priority, there would still be nothing worth stopping for. Save the $1-admission, and look at my photos because they captured about all there was to see.

-- Be advised that this place is packaged into numerous excursion tours as a cultural and lunch spot. In my opinion, finding Mi Pueblitos as part of an itinerary is enough to consider taking another tour that doesn't include here! Read Less

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on March 5, 2007

Mis Pueblitos
Av. de los Mártires
Panama City, Panama

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Amador Causeway

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Attraction

Traversing the Causeway Photo - Amador Causeway, Panama City, Panama

Quote:

Travel information and locals' advice regarded this leisure and recreational haven with such grandeur, I'd planned on spending my entire last day here as a reward. Big mistake, but that doesn't mean this place should be totally written-off. Coming here in the daytime was miserable; especially on a weekday. Save this for the night or on weekends. Otherwise, don't bother.

The four small islands are connected and lined with upscale restaurants and bars that cater to large crowds of an evening. The Fuerte Amador Resort & Marina promised shops and activities mingled with historical significance within Front Grant, established by the U.S. in 1913 to guard the Canal entrance.

I quickly lost interest because during a weekday morning, the entire Causeway area was locked-up tight; completely abandoned with no indications that anywhere was even preparing to open for lunch. Cool respite from the city heat doesn't appear until later, either. As for sloth-ladened nature trails, I didn't even bother looking. Everywhere appeared parched and deserted, with no shade in sight.

Greatest disappointment was missing out on the Marine Exhibition Center, operated by the Smithsonian Tropcial Research Institute. I knew it didn't open until 1pm, but waiting around was out of the question with roasting the only thing to occupy time. Perhaps I didn't miss anything. Lonely Planet contradicts itself within the same description, referring to the pair of aquariums as "large" and "small"; I'd bet on the latter considering appearance of the building.

Actually, LP botched this entire section. The bicycle and inline skate rentals are no where near the entrance, and not even all that visible along Calle Amador well before the sprawls of parking lots. Los Diablos don't carouse the Causeway. There's taxi and carriage shuttles out to the islands of an evening and on weekends. I ended-up walking the distance thanks to a greedy taxi driver.

Catching a cab from nearby Mi Pueblitos, the driver quoted $3 until realizing that was simply to neighborhood border. He agreed on $2 more to the entrance, which got me to the parking lots. At those rates, I conceded to walk the remaining 2km+ roadway which forms the Causeway. Walking along the Canal was uneventful. Biking or skating would've been even more blistering.

Once reaching the tip and determining there was no point in sticking around, I haled a taxi for $3 back into the city. When asking about the Panama Canal Administration Building, located in Balboa Heights which LP groups with the Causeway, the driver gave an extended tour without requesting more.

Surrounded by sterile U.S. military bases, the stately building crowns a hill reached by elaborate staircases. The rotunda dome contains murals of the Canal's construction supposedly worth seeing between 10am and 2:30pm; "if you ask guards politely", according to LP. Considering how screwed-up information was regarding everything else in this section, I didn't want to bother. However, the driving tour through this area was interesting and a recommended daytime alternative. Read Less

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 5, 2007

Amador Causeway
Causeway Of The Panama Canal
Panama City, Panama

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The Shopping Dilemma

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Attraction

Quote:

Enslaved to the American dollar, Panama's economy is driven by extremes of the wealthy minority and impoverished majority. Since travelers are automatically lumped into the upper-echelon, purchasing power comes with a hefty price tag if buying what everyone wants you to believe, and where they'll expect you to go.Shops and boutiques of the El Cangrejo or Punta Paitilla districts, which includes the European-styled Multicentro Mall, cater exclusively to the affluent. You can miss these spoils, but there's no escaping the Duty-Free zone at Tocumen International Airport; reminiscent of a NYC 5th Ave shopping-spree. In addition to top-of-the-line designer labels and exquisite jew...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 5, 2007

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Parque Natural Metropolitano

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Attraction | "Parque Nacional Metropolitano"

A Walk in the Park... Photo - Parque Natural Metropolitano, Panama City, Panama

Quote:

Rousing the ranger from his last moments of slumber, he pointed towards darkness beyond the shack, and quickly disappeared. Eyes had adjusted by time trail was found, and I was quickly swallowed into Parque Nacional Metropolitano; the Capital's 655-acre city park that serves as a buffer zone in more ways than one.Dawn was rapidly approaching; the forest awakening along with the city. Sounds of nearby traffic, and small commuter planes from Albrook Airport, stirred restlessness of fluttering birds and haunting yawns of howler monkeys. Compared to other pristine National Parks just beyond the city, this one's not nearly as spectacular but yet is a recommended haven for escaping chaos ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 5, 2007

Parque Natural Metropolitano
Ave Juan Pablo II
Panama City, Panama 5499
232 5552 /16

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About the Writer

Jose Kevo
Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri

"A frequent Budget Traveler, looking to absorb as much of the local cultures and adventures as possib..."
66 journals
3168 photos
348 reviews

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