Playa Venao has recently grown into vibrant a beachfront community in Panama known for its world-class surfing, chill beach vibes, and the occasional music festival. With all the growth, a number of boutique hotels, design hostels, and apartment or house rentals have opened their doors and I’ve narrowed them down to…
Want to skip the cheesy tour bus and have an authentic experience in Panama City? There are a number of tours that get you off the beaten path and give you a glimpse into what life is really like in the hot Panamanian capital. From urban food tours, visiting forgotten…
If you’re looking for a quick and easy day trip to the beach from Panama City, it doesn’t get any easier than Taboga Island. Taboga Island is home to 1,700 inhabitants that are mostly Panamanians and just a few foreigners that have made it their home. The history of the…
Looking for somewhere out-of-the-ordinary to stay in Panama? I’ve rounded up a list of places that you will never forget! From castles made out of plastic bottles to jungle treehouses to private beach escapes, here are the most unique and unusual places to stay in Panama. Plastic Bottle Castle…
Bocas del Toro is one of Panama’s top tourist destinations and once you visit you can totally see why. This pristine paradise has been attracting surfers, beach seekers, and young partygoers for years. A recent tourism ad for Bocas boasted “Cancun, we see your swim up bar… we raise you…
Panama City’s beautifully restored historic district, Casco Viejo, is the hippest and most vibrant neighborhood to learn Spanish in Panama. Upon landing in Panama City (or anywhere else in Latin America), knowing a little Spanish can go a long way, as well as save you a bit of money. I…
The Panama Sushi Fest is bringing you open sushi this August 16, 17, and 18 at Hard Rock Hotel in Panama City, Panama. Try unique rolls from Panama’s top sushi restaurants and vote on your favorite! Tickets available for $30 via panatickets.com. Heads up sushi lovers! The Panama Sushi Fest…
Panamanians always enjoy a good party! The nightlife here offers a little bit of something for everyone, from underground lairs to chic overpriced nightclubs with Panama’s “yeyecito” crowd. Most of the spots on this list are located in Casco Viejo, which in recent years has become the new epicenter of Panama City…
You can’t leave Panama without seeing one of the most significant accomplishments in Panama’s history. The Panama Canal took the lives of over 30,000 people and allowed ships to quickly transverse the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, increasing world trade. To truly appreciate what the canal is and represents for Panama…
Petkii is the latest sharing economy website to launch in Panama and it allows pet owners and sitters to connect so that you can leave for your vacation with peace of mind or make some extra cash as a sitter. As a dog owner, one of my biggest frustrations of…
Discover a new way to connect with nature at Bodhi Hostel in Kalu Yala, a sustainable eco-hostel that makes it easy to “survive” in the middle of the Panamanian jungle. After a night out, my alarm started blaring at 6:30 am to get myself ready for this weekend’s adventure. I…
Every major hotel chain seems to be opening doors in Panama City, Panama so how do you choose the best one? I’ve come up an extremely narrowed down list of the best hostels and hotels in Panama City and divided them into three categories (budget hostels, mid-priced, and luxury) with…
After launching my Panama website, PTY Life, over five years ago I am ready to expand, and the next city is Bogotá, Colombia! Visit my new website Bogotivo.com for the best places to eat, drink, party, and sleep in Colombia’s cool capital city. After returning to Panama City after another…
Boutique hotels are what the latest travelers are after. They offer unique experiences with an immersive design that is Instagrammable from any angle. I’ve rounded up the best-designed boutique hotels throughout the entire country including spots in Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, and more. From eco-tree house retreats in…
The seventh edition of the International Film Festival of Panama (IFF) will be held from April 5 to April 11, 2018 in Panama City. For this year the festival brings a Central American and Caribbean lineup that reaffirms the commitment to serve as the leading platform of emerging cinema in…
Riding the historic Panama Canal Railway with panoramic jungle views is a must-do and here’s how to also combine it with a beach day in Portobelo! The Panama Canal Railway opened in 1855 and was the world’s first transcontinental railroad, creating an easy way to transverse between the Atlantic &…
When choosing a hotel in Panama City before your trip, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what neighborhood to stay in. Do you want somewhere in the middle of the action or somewhere a bit quieter? Or is having a new modern hotel more important to you than old world…
The W Hotel has just made its big debut in Panama City and is the first location of the brand to open in Central America. The hotel is centrally located on Calle 50, in the heart of Panama City’s business district. Just steps away from the hotel is the luxurious…
There are a lot of bars and lounges in Panama where you can stand around, have conversations, and glare at everyone that walks in – but if you want a place where people actually move and dance, these are the places you need to go to in Panama City. Casa…
Are your ears craving the sound of the of a live saxophone jazz performance? Or want to rock out to cover bands and local artists? Here are 10 places in Panama City that you can enjoy the sound of live music. Malecón Malecón is one of the few spots that…
Normally when you think of nightlife in Latin America, salsa dancing is the first thing that comes to mind. However, in Panama City, it can be difficult to uncover the salsa culture as reggaeton is the preferred genre of music. I did a bit of digging around and found that…
Now is one of the best times to visit Panama City because the over-construction of hotels in the city has caused hotel rates to drastically drop. Want a swanky rooftop pool in the city center without breaking the bank? Or how about a cute boutique hotel room in the normally expensive…
Panama City’s Casco Viejo district was founded in 1674 after Pirate Captain Henry Morgan ransacked and burned down the original location. This developed into a beautiful Spanish colonial town which was then abandoned over time as residents moved into modern Panama City. A little over ten years ago, much of…
Staying in a treehouse is the ultimate way to fulfill your childhood fantasy and luckily as an adult, you can finally make dreams come true! Treehouse accommodation has been popping up all over the world and the trend has made its way to Panama. Here are my picks for the coolest…
Boquete truly is a magical place and I can see why people have chosen to visit or make the move here. Luscious green mountains with plenty of eco-tourism opportunities, a cool climate, and a blossoming restaurant scene make this small town in Panama a magical place to visit. During my…
It’s HOT in Panama, like really hot…and humid, so having a pool to cool off in during your stay is a must! Plus there is not really a beach in the city so finding the perfect urban oasis is going to help you have a much more relaxing vacation. Here are my top picks for hotels with the best swimming…
As a Panama City resident and food lover, my pocketbook can’t keep up with the amount of pricey fine dining that has opened in the city. Luckily this has made me a guru on where to dine fine on the cheap. My definition of eating cheap? It has to be…
Unbeknown to most travelers, Christmas Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year in Panama City, Panama. Locals will typically start the night off at their family’s house with dinner, opening presents, dancing, lots of Ron Abuelo, and lots of fireworks. Most of the bars will OPEN…
Casco Antiguo Spanish School will be collecting donations for the Malambo Orphanage during the month of December and we need your help! The Malambo Orphanage does incredible work in Panama and currently houses 140 children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, in addition to the onsite school they run. Help Malambo by dropping…
Pixvae Mercadito Panameño is a market & cafe situated on Calle 75 in Panama City’s residential San Francisco neighborhood. Here you can find products like food, clothing, coffee and more that are 100% Panamanian. As I entered Pixvae, I was welcomed by a pleasant surprise as this is not your…
San Francisco is the coolest neighborhood in Panama City that as a visitor, you’ve probably never of. This residential area of the city is where I’ve called home the past six years and it has quietly become the neighborhood offering the widest variety of food & drink options in Panama City.…
With a warm tropical climate, a bustling cosmopolitan center, a laid-back historic area, and a trendy nightlife scene, Panama City is one of Latin America’s hottest destinations year-round. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend getaway in Panama City, Panama. Start your weekend trip to Panama City by staying in…
Casco Viejo is a unique location to stay in Panama City, Panama if you want to be steps away from the city’s best restaurants, nightlife & things to do. Casco Viejo (also called Casco Antiguo) is my favorite neighborhood in Panama City, and I recommend staying in this area if you can. Whenever I’m…
Whether you’re traveling to Panama, Europe, or anywhere else in the world, having cell service during your trip offers a huge convenience and there’s no reason not to have it. You can utilize Google Maps instead of getting lost, use Uber instead of getting ripped off by a taxi, look…
The great thing about visiting or living in Panama City is the diversity of eco getaways within a few hours away. You can relax on a secluded island, walk through the dense jungle, or jump off canyons into the river below. So when you’re ready for a break from the…
I think we can all agree that everyone likes a bargain, especially if it involves alcohol. I’m a pretty thrifty drinker so my friends are constantly asking me where the best happy hours in Panama City are happening. Well the list is finally out! Here are my favorite spots to drink…
The sleepy historic area of Casco Viejo, Panama comes alive at night and one the best ways to experience it is by bar hopping! Here is my guide on how to have the ultimate bar hopping night – visiting 7 bars, consuming 7 drinks, and only spending $25. Get Your Night Tour Kit Paying $8 -…
The latest dining experience to launch in Panama City isn’t actually in the city. It involves being whisked away on a ferry (while sipping champagne) to a magical island villa for an intimate 6-course dinner, and then returned to the city during the same night. The experience is called La…
When you want a cold beer and cool atmosphere, these are plenty of places to go in Panama! At these spots, you can find local craft beers like Casa Bruja, original house-brewed beers, international IPAs, and of course the classics: Cerveza Panama, Atlas, and Balboa. Panama Brews Panama Brews is a hidden…
Calidonia is an area of Panama City where an urban revitalization is taking place as mayor José Blandon (@blandonjose) works to create a sustainable city and recuperate public spaces. As part of the revitalization, the once-cluttered streets of Calidonia are now clear from the shacks of street vendors and is…
