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…
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…
Life in Panama is what you make of it and it can offer an incredible tropical lifestyle with year-round hot weather, beautiful destinations, safety, and overall interesting place to call home. I originally came in 2011 to do a study abroad trip and ended up never leaving. During my years…
With a warm tropical climate, a bustling cosmopolitan center, a laid-back historical area, and a trendy nightlife scene, Panama City is one of Latin America’s hottest destinations year-round. Here’s a quick guide on what to do, see, eat, drink, and party in Panama City, Panama. In The Guide + 5 TRAVEL TIPS + NEIGHBORHOODS +…
Panama City has a blossoming restaurant scene that will satisfy any foodie – with Latin, Caribbean, and international flavors are combined to create interesting flavors. From cheap eats to fine dining, here are some of my favorite local eateries in Panama City that you won’t find in the guidebook. Fonda Lo…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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 -…
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. [adrotate group=”11″] Panama Brews Panama Brews is…
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…
The Panama Sushi Fest is bringing open sushi this June 15,16, and 17 at the Bristol Hotel in Panama City, Panama. Try rolls from Panama’s top sushi restaurants and vote for your favorite! Tickets available for $30 + tax via panatickets.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMpAO8jb2vY Heads up sushi lovers! The Panama Sushi Fest…
The Panama Tourism Authority has just released a killer new set of videos to promote the country internationally. The campaign includes a series of six, 15-second clips and two longer versions to be shown around the United States, Canada, and Spain. According to the ATP, “The concept of the videos is to…
Hotels are popping up like crazy in Panama City but one that stands out from the pack is Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino. The hotel is part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott which features hotels “exactly like nothing else”. Why I like this hotel… Design: The ultramodern decor creates a unique…
Mentiritas Blancas is a coffee shop situated in the heart of Panama City’s funky Via Argentina neighborhood. It is a favorite hangout for neighborhood locals, coffee fanatics, and visitors wanting to experience Panama’s coffee culture scene. Here’s a look inside… Via Argentina is an older area of Panama City known for…
Panama’s legendary carnavales are approaching, and it’s one of the most looked forward to times of the year for Panamanians. There’s 1000’s of people, earsplitting music, grand parades, elaborately dressed “Carnaval Queens”, and complete chaos. Something that I think is unique is that you’re never too old to party at…
TeachPTY is an English-teaching after-school program that aims to bring together international volunteers with underprivileged third-grade students from Pedasi, Panama. Its goal is to improve English language education in elementary public schools in Panama while enabling cross-cultural awareness. Pedasi is one of Panama’s most charming small towns. Located on the…
Do you dream of staying somewhere full of reclaimed wood, craft cocktails, man buns, and gourmet coffee shops? Here’s a look at the best 7 “hipster-friendly” hotels in Panama City, Panama. Tantalo Tantalo is located in the hip historic area of Casco Viejo and was one of the first boutique…
