I'm going to Panama City, Panama at the begining of February any advise?

Question

I'm going on a business trip for a week. To Panama City, will like to know the best places to stay, night life, and the most important, food. I went last yaer just for a couple of days, and didn't enjoyed it a lot; maybe because didnt have a lot of information. Any help please!! I'am in the MId 30's and will be travelling in a group of five. Willing to enjoy every minute of my stay at any cost $$

Answer 1

For hotels the best one's in town are:

1. Miramar Intercontinental (Nice for Business)

2. Marriott Panama Hotel (in the middle of the banking area)

3. The Bristol (Small & and very classy - nice rum bar)

4. Veneto Hotel & Casino (Biggest Casino in Panama)

5. Raddison Decapolis (Modern - Best Lounge in the City)

6. Sheraton Panama (Classic Hotel - Recently Remodeled)

7. Sheraton 4 Points (in the same building as the WTC Panama)

8. El Panama Hotel (Classic 50's Hotel with a big pool / casino)

9. Riande Continental (Classic 50's hotel)

10. Crowne Plaza (Business)

11. Courtyard (next door to the mall)

Night life in Panama goes on from Monday to Saturday.  Usually there's not much night life on Sunday nights except Sunday Night Football (when in season).  There are different places to go depending on what you want to see.  

Try to check out the bars in Calle Uruguay.  There's everything for different tastes.  If you want to check out some live Rock & Roll try the Sahara.  If you happen to stay at the Raddison Decapolis at least stay in the lounge until midnight, there's good lounge music and the ambiance is interesting.  Also the sushi bar is very good too.

For clubs try to visit Next on Balboa Avenue, Mystic and Moods both close to Calle Uruguay, and some others in Marbella.

As for food well there's a lot to choose from.  If you want traditional Panamanian food try to go to "El Trapiche" on Argentina Way.  There's also "Las Tinajas" that also has a dinner show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with local Panamanian folkloric dances.  For a more international cuisine try Siete Mares, La Casa del Marisco, Patio Mexicano, El Cortijo, Machu Pichu, Martin Fierro, Madame Chang, Mare Nostrum, Napoli, Tambal, Rino's, Il Pomodoro, Chalet Suisse,

If you want something from the US there's TGI Friday's, Tony Roma's, Bennigan's, and the regular fast food franchises all over the world.

There's a micro brewery called Istmo Brew Pub.  Try to visit.

Now for my personal recommendation, try to stay at the Radisson Decapolis.  If everyone is in the 30 something crowd, you will like the hotel.  Specially the lounge, and it's right next door to Multicentro mall.  Besides the night life is close by, and if you're doing business in Panama City, it's very close to the Business district, so that would be a very good choice.

If you must choose a Marriott then the closest to all the action (day and night) is the Marriott Panama Hotel, but of course it's more expensive than the Courtyard.

Hope you have fun.

Answer 2

Maybe wcruz can help me out here. I have never been on one of the party buses, but they look like they are having a blast.

Answer 3

If it's still there. . .. Napoli's Restaurant in Panama City had great wood-fired pizza !!!  No kidding, great pizza in Panama . And I'm from Chicago, so it must've been good !!!!!

Answer 4

You've got some really great information to pull from here.  Just a couple of adjustments.  

-Next Disco on Balboa is gone.

-The dancing buses (La Chiva Parondera) are usually booked by individuals for their own party purposes, I've never been on one; but indeed they do look like they are having fun.  I've even seen live music being played from them as they bounce down the road, lol, usually it is just cd's blairing from the sound system though.  When you book a La Chiva Parondera, they provide everything for the evening including the liquor.

-Lastly Napoli is still there.  We had supper there over the weekend.  It's still great food and good prices, I love the pan pita that comes hot out of the wood oven to the table still all puffed out round with the hot air from cooking, made fresh just for your order for only a dollar.  Hmmm, make me hungry thinking about it.  They also deliver.  Make sure to visit the one close to Via Espana and not the one off of 4th of July Avenue (bad part of the city at night).

If you are interested in any other type of information on Panama see http://www.panamaexpertos.com/