After gallivanting around the countryside, I wasn't prepared to endure Panamá City. Between exhaustion and relentless city heat, a place that catered to laziness was definitely in order. After scouting around, Hotel Latino was worth the minimal splurge thanks to a pair of key factors.
Not only did they discount stays of two nights or more, they were the only area hotel which accepted credit cards; a major relief from running low on cash during the Easter holiday. The other unrivaled bonus was a roof-top swimming pool, shared with small parrots and exotic songbirds swooping in for a dip. Lunch dates with a bottle of Seco seduced the tranquil setting into solid afternoon siestas.
Sleeping conditions were even better for probably all the wrong reasons. Rooms not facing the streets don't have windows. Cave-like conditions is where things start to go downhill. Overhead air-conditioning was unadjustable. It didn't take long to become unbearably stuffy when shutting it off, but there wasn't nearly enough bedding for leaving it on. Still, I slept like a rock.
Hotel Latino is rather new, but everything appears heavily used and abused. Towel rack was lying on the shower floor; armoir door had a broken hinge. My room was on the top floor, and while heavy afternoon rains danced across the roof to enhance sleep, leaks soaked the hallway.
Whether from holiday or standard business, the hotel was full of local families. Unfortunately, they seemed to sleep all-day, and be up at night; noise echoing through the carpetless concrete structure. Security cameras are positioned everywhere, and room theft also wasn't a problem from maid service, because I had none.
Rooms are available with one or two double beds, and while my chamber was almost too spacious, I saw plenty of others that appeared cramped. A single goes for $20 a night, but I paid $17 with the extended stay rate. Doubles are $28, and three/four people runs $36 without discounts. Costs include the hotel tax; restaurant and room service prices don't. Budget travelers fare better with neighborhood eateries and markets.
- Location: The corner of Avenida Cuba and Calle 34 Este is in the same
"Push"-Central neighborhood described for Pensión Las Palmeras. Limited English spoken; reservations aren't particularly necessary, but can be made by phone - 507-227-3395; or fax - 507-227-3092.
- Additional Services: There's a computer center with four battered machines; Internet service hit-and-miss as was availability. Free service is open to the public, including travelers from other hotels, I guess. Room phones are only for in-house calls. Payphones in the noisy lobby were usually busy. A taxi stand is out front.
- Recommended Alternatives: Hotel Bella Vista, on nearby Vía España, was better maintained and cleaner with a sterile hospital feel. Rooms start at $15, (507-264-4029). Hotel Venecia, on Avenida Perú/Calle 35, is more upscale boutique with $25-rates. (507-227-7881) Like Hotel Latino, these places are large enough travelers shouldn't notice hourly patrons.