Panama City

[Lee]

I will have a one-night stay in Panama City before heading to Cartagena the next morning. The website of US Embassy in Panama says that one needs PCR or Antigen Covid Test to enter Panama. Can someone who recently entered Panama within July or August 2021 confirm this? Thanks.

I will check out the quality at Don Julio and the casino next to Marriott after checking in to the hotel.

Was there in July. You must have a negative test to get in. The airline will require it of you to board and on your arrival have to show it before they let you go through immigration.

[DiverOyster]

I will have a one-night stay in Panama City before heading to Cartagena the next morning. The website of US Embassy in Panama says that one needs PCR or Antigen Covid Test to enter Panama. Can someone who recently entered Panama within July or August 2021 confirm this? Thanks.

I will check out the quality at Don Julio and the casino next to Marriott after checking in to the hotel.

[SouthernOcean]

Thanks! Do the girls there speak any English, or is Spanish preferred? I'm fluent, but simply curious what to expect. I have been to Colombia now 20 x times so feel free to PM me and we can chat via WhatsApp if you want. Always happy to help with advice on a first trip.

I am headed to cartagena the last week of September. It has always been outstanding for me.

[Trvllvr58]

Thanks! Do the girls there speak any English, or is Spanish preferred? I'm fluent, but simply curious what to expect. I have been to Colombia now 20 x times so feel free to PM me and we can chat via WhatsApp if you want. Always happy to help with advice on a first trip.

I was only there for 6 nights, but in my experience very few girls speak English.

I don't have PM ability. Yet. Sent in my payment (cash = no trace) and am waiting for it to het processed. Appreciate the offer. May reach out to you just to test the PM function!

Should be good for my 1st trip to Colombia thanks to this board and my overall experience. I've been fortunate to have visited 60+ countries and have gotten laid in most of them!

[YyzTravel]

It really isn't far from Don Julio. No congestion on the roads from JW to DJ. Yes, I went to DJ and brought girls back. No issues getting them in. Take the elevators on the left side of the floor level and when you exit at the hotel lobby level turn left, pass the bar, and go straight to the elevators. Reception is on other side of hotel lobby. Also, the Ocean Sun Casino in same building as the JW has a bunch of girls. Not every night, but I'm guessing Thur-Sat for sure. I'd suggest you check that out. Similar pricing / quality. FWIW, both girls I pulled from the casino provided BBBJ. YMMV, they always say "depends on hygiene". Enjoy your trip to Panama. I'm heading to Cartagena in late September. First time. From what I've read it's going to be legendary!

P.S. - Ambassador got me breakfast buffet (or ala carte) in the restaurant one floor below the lobby and "dinner" in the lobby bar. You might want to write to them and ask what benefits they are offering now. Those things can change!

Thanks! Do the girls there speak any English, or is Spanish preferred? I'm fluent, but simply curious what to expect. I have been to Colombia now 20 x times so feel free to PM me and we can chat via WhatsApp if you want. Always happy to help with advice on a first trip.

[Mcd2293]

I'm typing this up as I'm at the airport on my way to board a flight to Cartagena in the early AM. So normally I hate long layovers especially ones that require me to stay overnight but my layover this time was in Panama so I thought to myself, why not? I've heard decent things about it and my layover could be worse. So I booked a night at the Intercontinental Miramar which is like 7 mines away from Habano's so it worked out perfectly. The country is still under a curfew but has slightly improved based on what previous reports indicate. The curfew is now 12 am pending on your region and Habanos is open until 11 pm. I got there around 10 (due to the shit show at customs) and thought I would have arrived too late. I told my taxi driver to just drive by so I could take a look but fortunately made the right decision. A bunch of Colombian girls are there and they won't make a move on you unless you flag them over. Personally, I like Colombia or Brazil where they come by and tap me or give me affection when they want me attention but that's just me. The girls were pretty attractive and still plentiful at this time of hour, I can only imagine what it's like a bit earlier and on a weekend as I went on a Wednesday night. The beers are $6 a piece but as the saying goes I'm here for a good time not a long time. Talked the girl to an hour and went back to my hotel for $100/ hour. Had no issues getting her into my hotel and went to my room. Had a great experience, however the girl just didn't want to kiss which is fine. Had an early morning so I told the girl to go home after we sessioned. All in all, Panama is a pretty city and I would return but I wouldn't stay much longer than a weekend.

[Trvllvr58]

I looked again and found the JW! I just booked 8 nights. I'm an Ambassador level with them, so the lounge in closed but you can get the complimentary breakfast / dinner at their bar?

Also, it's a bit far Don Julio. What was your best approach for the girls? Did you go there and bring them back? Any problems getting them in? (I booked a room for 2 people just in case).

It really isn't far from Don Julio. No congestion on the roads from JW to DJ. Yes, I went to DJ and brought girls back. No issues getting them in. Take the elevators on the left side of the floor level and when you exit at the hotel lobby level turn left, pass the bar, and go straight to the elevators. Reception is on other side of hotel lobby. Also, the Ocean Sun Casino in same building as the JW has a bunch of girls. Not every night, but I'm guessing Thur-Sat for sure. I'd suggest you check that out. Similar pricing / quality. FWIW, both girls I pulled from the casino provided BBBJ. YMMV, they always say "depends on hygiene". Enjoy your trip to Panama. I'm heading to Cartagena in late September. First time. From what I've read it's going to be legendary!

P.S. - Ambassador got me breakfast buffet (or ala carte) in the restaurant one floor below the lobby and "dinner" in the lobby bar. You might want to write to them and ask what benefits they are offering now. Those things can change!

[YyzTravel]

Maybe you need to scroll down further? There is a JW Marriott in the old Trump Tower. Attached to Ocean Sun Casino. Just checked to make sure they hadn't closed!

Found it! You were right, I didn't scroll far enough. Do you think it's a bit far from the action, or did you find lots of opportunities for the girls down near the water?

[YyzTravel]

Don't know about Waldorf but the JW Marriott is very nice (see post below). Great wireless and they hooked me up with an extra monitor for my visit end of May. Lounge was closed, but they had a menu you could order from in the bar. Chicken wings were great! Burger was also very good. Also, since you mentioned you're a Marriott guy, the AC hotel is very close to Don Julio (FKA Habanos) and is guest friendly.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but it's all I got!

I looked again and found the JW! I just booked 8 nights. I'm an Ambassador level with them, so the lounge in closed but you can get the complimentary breakfast / dinner at their bar?

Also, it's a bit far Don Julio. What was your best approach for the girls? Did you go there and bring them back? Any problems getting them in? (I booked a room for 2 people just in case).

[Trvllvr58]

Are you talking about a "JW", or just a "The W". I only see "The W Hotel" on the Marriott website.

Maybe you need to scroll down further? There is a JW Marriott in the old Trump Tower. Attached to Ocean Sun Casino. Just checked to make sure they hadn't closed!

[YyzTravel]

Don't know about Waldorf but the JW Marriott is very nice (see post below). Great wireless and they hooked me up with an extra monitor for my visit end of May. Lounge was closed, but they had a menu you could order from in the bar. Chicken wings were great! Burger was also very good. Also, since you mentioned you're a Marriott guy, the AC hotel is very close to Don Julio (FKA Habanos) and is guest friendly.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but it's all I got!

Are you talking about a "JW", or just a "The W". I only see "The W Hotel" on the Marriott website.

[Ecchi]

I just returned from a trip that started out for 3 nights in Panama City, Panama and then 8 nights in San Jose, Costa Rica. I opted for just 3 nights in Panama City as I had never been there before and there was just not much current information available on the forums. The majority of this report will concentrate on Panama City as there is plenty of San Jose info available.

Panama City.

Very useful information for a place that definitely needs more intel.

[Trvllvr58]

Does anyone know if the Waldorf Astoria is guest-friendly? I'm debating between that, and the W hotel. I'm usually a Marriott guy, but the W is usually just too modern for me.

Don't know about Waldorf but the JW Marriott is very nice (see post below). Great wireless and they hooked me up with an extra monitor for my visit end of May. Lounge was closed, but they had a menu you could order from in the bar. Chicken wings were great! Burger was also very good. Also, since you mentioned you're a Marriott guy, the AC hotel is very close to Don Julio (FKA Habanos) and is guest friendly.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but it's all I got!

[YyzTravel]

Does anyone know if the Waldorf Astoria is guest-friendly? I'm debating between that, and the W hotel. I'm usually a Marriott guy, but the W is usually just too modern for me.

[Ecchi]

I just returned from a trip that started out for 3 nights in Panama City, Panama and then 8 nights in San Jose, Costa Rica. I opted for just 3 nights in Panama City as I had never been there before and there was just not much current information available on the forums. The majority of this report will concentrate on Panama City as there is plenty of San Jose info available.

Panama City.

The City.

Panama is a real city with a significant skyline that rivals many US cities. Streets are clean and I felt relatively safe when walking in the main downtown area. Covid precautions really have a grip on the city. Masks are required everywhere, even walking down the street or sitting alone in a car. If you have a problem with this don't go.

A real curfew, not just driving restrictions begins at 9 pm. This is relatively new as before a surge in cases I believe things were open until midnight. They do give you time to get home. Some convenience and liquor stores are open a little later. I didn't hear about any real after hour activity. I'm sure it exists somewhere but I was only there 3 days and it really didn't matter.

USD is the currency used here for paper money, Panama does mint their own coins for change.

And when the sun is out, it is very hot.

Awesome intel! It'a a place I'm considering as a stopover BTW Costa Rica and Columbia so this updated info is much needed. Thanks again.