General Info

[Exoticspirit]

Everybody getting on at the airport will have all kinds of shit, give or take a few employees. I don't see it as a factor.

Thanks. I'm not that worried about getting on the first train at the airport station. It's more at the transfer stations where it connects to the main lines I'm wondering about whether a backpack would be too much especially during rush hour unless everyone else is riding in the opposite direction, ie, away from downtown.

[Huacho]

Looks like my flight arriving will be a Friday at about 5 pm which I'm assuming will be smack right into rush hour. I was hoping to take the public Metro into the city but with a big backpack (that also hs wheels), do you guys think this might be too much during that time? Maybe I should either bite the bullet and pay more for a taxi or wait it out at the airport until rush hour subsides?

Everybody getting on at the airport will have all kinds of shit, give or take a few employees. I don't see it as a factor.

[Exoticspirit]

Looks like my flight arriving will be a Friday at about 5 pm which I'm assuming will be smack right into rush hour. I was hoping to take the public Metro into the city but with a big backpack (that also hs wheels), do you guys think this might be too much during that time? Maybe I should either bite the bullet and pay more for a taxi or wait it out at the airport until rush hour subsides?

[Exoticspirit]

Assuming you are going to the Miraflores Visitor Center, the C810, or maybe it's 810 C, bus goes there from Albrook Station, which is the main transit point for the metro and also has the intercity bus station.

Oh thanks very much for this info.

[Just Incognito]

Doing the RTFF and trying to stay current ahead of my first trip to PTY. Unlike other forums (read BKK) - I couldn't find one thread dedicated for hotels. Hence trying to start a post so everyone can keep current.

From my searches (I am excluding love motels and listing mostly for TLN).

No Fee chica friendly hotels.

Hyatt Palace.

Panama Marriott.

Hotels that charge Chica fees.

Venetto - $50.

Toscana Inn- $19.

Hilton Panama- $100?

Aloft Panama?

Sheraton Convention Center Panama ?

Hampton Inn?

Continental Hotel?

Hotel Bristol?

Hard Rock Cafe-100?

Trump?

Would appreciate if folks can update with the right numbers and more hotels.

Panama Marriott.

Is Panama Marriott the same as AC Hotel by Marriott.

All the Marriott names have me confused LOL.

I am thinking its time I check out Panama for a week. Not sure if I want to spend a week in Panama City, or a few days there and then somewhere else. And if there is a somewhere else: the odds of finding a chica to take with me if we have a good vibe? One dude said he saw slim pickings on Seeking. I saw quite a few prospects, but not sure if Seeking is necessary.

Anyway, I know nothing and am just rttf to make a week in Panama happen for once. Lots of good info in here. The whole Habanos or whatever its called name changing and people calling it different names is kind of confusing for me.

[Huacho]

Based on feedback from Giz99 and Lee, I think I'm going to use the Metro for my airport transits as well as my daytrip into Casco Viejo / fish market / La Bocaterena. The only time I'll have to use either taxi, Uber or a bus (to be determined) is for my trip to the Panama Canal. If any of you have ideas for the canal visit, please share.

Assuming you are going to the Miraflores Visitor Center, the C810, or maybe it's 810 C, bus goes there from Albrook Station, which is the main transit point for the metro and also has the intercity bus station.

[Exoticspirit]

The walk is easy and the area safe during the day.

You will need to purchase a metro card first then add money to it after.

The last time I was there the price per ride had gone up to $0. 35.

Based on feedback from Giz99 and Lee, I think I'm going to use the Metro for my airport transits as well as my daytrip into Casco Viejo / fish market / La Bocaterena. The only time I'll have to use either taxi, Uber or a bus (to be determined) is for my trip to the Panama Canal. If any of you have ideas for the canal visit, please share.

[Giz99]

The walk is easy and the area safe during the day.

You will need to purchase a metro card first then add money to it after.

The last time I was there the price per ride had gone up to $0. 35.

I'm thinking of doing this, ie. , taking the Metro from the airport to my Airbnb which is located just five minutes from Hablanos / Global Cigar. Does anyone know if the walk from the closest Metro station which I think is Iglesia del Carmen is doable to the Global Cigar area? It will be during daylight hours and my main luggage is a large packpack which has both wheels and backpack straps.

Speaking of the same Metro system, the station closest to the Casco Viejo area as well as the Mercado fish market is 5 de Mayo and do you guys think this is a doable walk as well?

[Lee]

I'm thinking of doing this, ie. , taking the Metro from the airport to my Airbnb which is located just five minutes from Hablanos / Global Cigar. Does anyone know if the walk from the closest Metro station which I think is Iglesia del Carmen is doable to the Global Cigar area? It will be during daylight hours and my main luggage is a large packpack which has both wheels and backpack straps.

Speaking of the same Metro system, the station closest to the Casco Viejo area as well as the Mercado fish market is 5 de Mayo and do you guys think this is a doable walk as well?

There is a metro station about a five-minute walk from global cigar.

Lee.

[Exoticspirit]

Thanks for the update, I think its worth ($25 vs $1) the hassle to changing the trains / hopping on the bus. I am not a public transport guy, but I will keep in mind when I am there in future.

I'm thinking of doing this, ie. , taking the Metro from the airport to my Airbnb which is located just five minutes from Hablanos / Global Cigar. Does anyone know if the walk from the closest Metro station which I think is Iglesia del Carmen is doable to the Global Cigar area? It will be during daylight hours and my main luggage is a large packpack which has both wheels and backpack straps.

Speaking of the same Metro system, the station closest to the Casco Viejo area as well as the Mercado fish market is 5 de Mayo and do you guys think this is a doable walk as well?

[Yendappu]

Thanks for the update, I think its worth ($25 vs $1) the hassle to changing the trains / hopping on the bus. I am not a public transport guy, but I will keep in mind when I am there in future.

At yendappu, it only costs around USD. 50 cents the whole trip. You can purchase the card at the airport once you clear customs.

[GauntMan]

Wondering can I buy boner pills over the counter? Are the Farmacia similar to Colombia.

Ask for Tadalifo, the generic for cialis or sildenafil, the generic for viagra. Both are crazy expensive here compared to Colombia.

[GauntMan]

Thanks Gauntman for the update, so how much would it cost on the Metro to go from Airport to Marriott?

At yendappu, it only costs around USD. 50 cents the whole trip. You can purchase the card at the airport once you clear customs.

[German Man]

Sounds like a cab is less of a hassle and more likely to get you where you want to go.

Yes, but a cab is 30 $ and the bus and subway combined is less than one; and the travel times are similar.

[Nixonbd]

The new Metro line that goes straight to the airport is FINALLY OPEN!! You can now grab a metro and avoid those pesky expensive cabs if you travel light. You'll need to get a Metro bus card, which also works with the regular buses.

If you take it from airport, it will leave you in the Corredor Sur station, from there, hop on the Line 2 car that will drop you at the San Miguelito station where you'll need to make another switch to the Line 1 that goes into the city.

Your most probable drop would be the Iglesia del Carmen station, next to El Panama and near The Executive, The Bristol and also the Marriot next to Don Julios.

Sounds like a cab is less of a hassle and more likely to get you where you want to go.