Panama City

[BKKguru]

Trip report: decided to purposely layover for 2 days in Panama on my way.

That said, I found Panama City to be depressing, overpriced, and not a place I want to spend time in. <snip>

I agree with the "overpriced" part. Reading the reports, I was amazed at the prices mongers were willing to pay.
We know why the prices are high. Panama uses USD as its currency i.e. you lose the advantage of converting USD into the local currency.

However, please elaborate why you found it "depressing"? Was it the heat / humidity or something else?

Thanks,
~BKKguru.

[ThadMax]

So what would be those "better options" in your view?

I would stay at either the Marriott (right across the street from Habano's or Hyatt. Both are nicer than Eurostars, and Eurostars makes you feel like you're being surveilled constantly.

[Danubius]

Trip report: decided to purposely layover for 2 days in Panama on my way.

To Colombia. Was excited as I've heard great things about Habanos. Took an Uber from the airport ($14) and checked into Eurostar. Note: no more construction in casino but they have blocked access to the casino elevators at night. Probably to stop taking guests up that way as they charge a "guest fee". I found the hotel to be run down. Breakfast was average at best and the rooms were just ok. Better options nearby.

So what would be those "better options" in your view?

[Ks345]

Your advice is taken. I am visiting in June and any daytime visit suggestions? Thank you.

Friend- as a long time Panama City visitor, I can appreciate your wanting to keep your anonymity. I do as well. You can enjoy the quality of Chicas roaming the area close to Habanos very easily without stepping foot inside. But first be warned. Massage parlors in Panama are a mechanical grind. Taxi drivers and other may stear you in that direction but I do NOT suggest it. The girls although somewhat attractive are mindful of time, tips and a very cold dead fish experience. In my opinion your money is being thrown away. How do you score beautiful drop dead honeys from all over So America? Here's how. Across the stree from Marriot which is around the corner from Habanos there is a restaurant in which most of the girls from Habanos pass on their way to work. This restaurant is also next to the Sex Motel (very clean, quiet and cheap) which has hourly rates. All the girls know (closest to Habanos) the establishment. You can sit on the patio of this restaurant and do cocktails and enjoy good food for very low prices. The chicas will stop and mingle if you offer them something. I took a group of guys from Australia there and used this place as a back up option from Habanos. We flagged over half a dozen beauties from Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and DR. It's off the beaten path and you can send your favorite honey over to the hotel. She'll wait for you. You can then slip in and out with nobody seeing your movements. A great alternative to massage joints. The fun of Panama is negotiating with the women. Believe me you'll see some of the best looking women on this planet in or near Habanos. Another great option is the small cigar lounge adjacent to Habanos.

[Ks345]

Got very much interested your report. Any phone numbers you could share? Please PM me. Thanks.

Made a short 4 days visit to Panama City 2 weeks ago. Stayed at Eurostar, which is 5 minutes walking distance from Habanos. Hotel for me is great because of the price. Paid USD70++ per night including breakfast. Room was spacious exceeding my expectations. The only setback for me was the fine for 2 girls that I brought in using the main entrance when the lift at the casino wasnt working. Didn't know that they have cameras to take pictures of yourself and your lady guest to show to you during check out. Paid USD25 per girls so USD50 total. The next time, I will make sure I wait for the lift at the casino to come down to the ground floor, to smuggle girls back to the room. If you have a wingman with you, your wingman can enter from the main entrance and take the lift from the casino side somewhere upstairs and bring it down to the ground floor. This method for sure will save you that USD25 per girl fine..

[ThadMax]

Trip report: decided to purposely layover for 2 days in Panama on my way.

To Colombia. Was excited as I've heard great things about Habanos. Took an Uber from the airport ($14) and checked into Eurostar. Note: no more construction in casino but they have blocked access to the casino elevators at night. Probably to stop taking guests up that way as they charge a "guest fee". I found the hotel to be run down. Breakfast was average at best and the rooms were just ok. Better options nearby.

On to the action: Habano's was lively and target rich of 7's & 8's. Maybe a couple of 9's but the talent wasn't as great as I had hoped for. Perhaps I ran into it on a bad week. But it was fun and an interesting experience nonetheless. That said, I found Panama City to be depressing, overpriced, and not a place I want to spend time in. I'm so happy to be moving further into a South America and glad my stay was short. Habano's is worth it if you're in Panama. But I wouldn't go out of one's way. Just my 2 cents.

[Mellowg]

Great thanks! Not sure if you still play Black Jack but, if you can find out if Panama is still implementing the 5% casino tax when you cash in your chips at the cage I would appreciate it.

They have not changed the law. Yes. They still do tax.

[BigIrish1970]

Friend- as a long time Panama City visitor, I can appreciate your wanting to keep your anonymity. I do as well. You can enjoy the quality of Chicas roaming the area close to Habanos very easily without stepping foot inside. But first be warned. Massage parlors in Panama are a mechanical grind. Taxi drivers and other may stear you in that direction but I do NOT suggest it. The girls although somewhat attractive are mindful of time, tips and a very cold dead fish experience. In my opinion your money is being thrown away. How do you score beautiful drop dead honeys from all over So America? Here's how. Across the stree from Marriot which is around the corner from Habanos there is a restaurant in which most of the girls from Habanos pass on their way to work. This restaurant is also next to the Sex Motel (very clean, quiet and cheap) which has hourly rates. All the girls know (closest to Habanos) the establishment. You can sit on the patio of this restaurant and do cocktails and enjoy good food for very low prices. The chicas will stop and mingle if you offer them something. I took a group of guys from Australia there and used this place as a back up option from Habanos. We flagged over half a dozen beauties from Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and DR. It's off the beaten path and you can send your favorite honey over to the hotel. She'll wait for you. You can then slip in and out with nobody seeing your movements. A great alternative to massage joints. The fun of Panama is negotiating with the women. Believe me you'll see some of the best looking women on this planet in or near Habanos. Another great option is the small cigar lounge adjacent to Habanos.

Thanks Trifecta. I'll take your advise!

[Mfins]

Mfins. Thanks for the input. As I recall, you were there for me waaaay back when. In 2015-2016 on my first journeys -- and your advice was excellent. In return, I will let you and others know about my strategies in 2019. I definitely have had the same experiences you mention where I was NOT charged at Hyatt place even though.

So. I will be your eyes-and-ears and I humbly thank you for your wisdom once again my friend.

H1.

Great thanks! Not sure if you still play Black Jack but, if you can find out if Panama is still implementing the 5% casino tax when you cash in your chips at the cage I would appreciate it.

[Hobbiest1]

Hobbiest don't worry about what JL said. Do your thing. Maybe it works maybe it doesn't. What do you have to lose. Not everything is so black and white. Especially in Panama. Maybe they feel like charging you and maybe they don't. Who knows but might as well try. A lot depends on your attitude, who is working the desk, etc. Whats the worst that can happen? They charge you which is what you expect anyway. Countless numbers of times in Panama (even at the Hyatt) I have not been charged a fee just by either joking around with the front desk clerk at check in, having a positive attitude, walking in with confidence and not being nervous, buying the desk clerk a beer or lunch / dinner at some point. Sometimes its more then just "policy".

I would however caution against giving some stranger a key to your room. Also, giving her a key and trusting she is going to meet you at the room five minutes later. There is a good chance she will be too nervous and, not want to get in trouble or not show up. My advice do, what I said above and walk in with her like normal, eyes forward toward the elevator and act like she belongs there.

Mfins. Thanks for the input. As I recall, you were there for me waaaay back when. In 2015-2016 on my first journeys -- and your advice was excellent. In return, I will let you and others know about my strategies in 2019. I definitely have had the same experiences you mention where I was NOT charged at Hyatt place even though.

So. I will be your eyes-and-ears and I humbly thank you for your wisdom once again my friend.

H1.

[Mfins]

LOL. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Hobbiest don't worry about what JL said. Do your thing. Maybe it works maybe it doesn't. What do you have to lose. Not everything is so black and white. Especially in Panama. Maybe they feel like charging you and maybe they don't. Who knows but might as well try. A lot depends on your attitude, who is working the desk, etc. Whats the worst that can happen? They charge you which is what you expect anyway. Countless numbers of times in Panama (even at the Hyatt) I have not been charged a fee just by either joking around with the front desk clerk at check in, having a positive attitude, walking in with confidence and not being nervous, buying the desk clerk a beer or lunch / dinner at some point. Sometimes its more then just "policy".

I would however caution against giving some stranger a key to your room. Also, giving her a key and trusting she is going to meet you at the room five minutes later. There is a good chance she will be too nervous and, not want to get in trouble or not show up. My advice do, what I said above and walk in with her like normal, eyes forward toward the elevator and act like she belongs there.

[Hobbiest1]

That isn't going to work.

LOL. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[El Mechanico]

I am posting this on the PTY thread as well as the other areas thread. I will be in BDT 4/25 - 4/28 then back to PTY 4/28 - 4/30. I will find out on my own but some advance intel would be awesome. Are there any bars / restaurants remotely close to Cafe Habanos in BDT. Any night life, any mongering places, MPS etc. Any help would be awesome.

TIA.

El Mechanico.

[JL Miami]

Diavel. Thanks for the great trip report. I am going to PTY in less than 2 months. This will be my 4th trip. I already booked at the Hyatt Place for only $61. With their new $40/ chica fee, I will be paying a nudge more overall per night but couldn't see the logic in switching to EuroStar even though it looks very nice. At least at the Hyatt Place I do not believe they use cameras so there is a slim chance that I don't pay the fee. I am going to have my chicas go into the hotel 5 minutes after me and give them a spare card to go up the lift. Maybe it works? I am looking forward to the so many great bars and restaurants there. I can hardly wait. 58 days and waiting!!

That isn't going to work.

[Hobbiest1]

Had to pull up out an old receipt to confirm the name. You can also google map Beirut Restaurant in PanamaCity to get the lay of the land. Calle Ricardo Arias is where many small restaurants and coffee shops reside. You'll find numerous trophy's walking to Habanos that can be invited to join you. Beautiful. Suggest arriving around 8:45. The show begins around then thru 10 pm.

Thanks Trifecta. I have been to both places. Next time I go to Costa Azul I will overlook the food in favor of the trophy viewing.