Panama City

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;1748501]
One of the chicas I chat with on Whatsapp occassionally told me that the area around Habanos is getting dangerous. [/QUOTE]I've stayed at Hyatt for 2 nights a month ago, and I concur that the area between Hyatt and Habanos is "dangerous. " Especially for a gringo. But in a different sense: both nights I was stopped by tourist police within 2-3 blocks from Hyatt. 1st night they kept asking where I was going and demanded to see my cedula. I showed them a copy of my passport (the original was in my room of course).

The "jr" guy called up the senior, and both looked surprised that I was a gringo (1st time in a Lat Am country that a local thought I was a latino, not a gringo.) I pretended that I speak zero Espanol, so the next thing the "sr" officer wanted to see the page with visa. I told him let's walk to my hotel. It's 2 blocks away. The "officer" of course said no and started talking like he wants me to "ayudar" (help) him. That made me effing-mad: my 1st night, less than 4 hours off a plane, and I'm already being extorted. It's dangerous to show signs that you're mad at local cops in a foreign country, so I kept repeating "am I free to go?" and after a few min of literally haggling he figured that I wasn't going to pay him.

He told me I was free to go. Funniest thing was when I turned around and went back in the direction of my hotel. That officer almost ran back to me and started pointing that habanos was in the opposite directions. It was almost comical how he ran up that small hill toward Hyatt behind me. He caught up with me and was telling me it's ok to proceed to habanos. Why he was so worried that I was going back to the hotel? I have no idea. But he was very surprised when I told him in a heavily accented but grammatically solid spanish that I didn't appreciate such treatment, and that I was leaving next day and I'll never come back to Panama and will not spend another dime in his country, and that I will make every effort to contact Habanos management and tell them how I was treated by the tourist police.

That night I actually did not go to my hotel but went to Elite and Ashe.

The next night I was stopped by 2 different "officers" , but that time I had a copy of the visa page. They didn't like that either (they wanted the original to which I told them I'm not an idiot to carry the passport at 11:30 pm) but again they didn't get a dime out of me.

So, is the area dangerous for gringos? Yes, because we're subjected to blatant extortion.

P.S. I don't think I look threatening or suspicious at all, and almost never get hassled by cops in any other country.

That sucks Lucky Strike. I would be fuming too.

The chica I chat with on Whatsapp (occasionally) told me she got mugged and sent me photos of her bruises. She was begging for money to eat. It was the one time I felt bad and sent her some cash through Western Union. I was probably hustled but on the off-chance that she was serious I didn't want to be cold hearted. Then she came up with other stories which were less convincing so I told her to cut that shit out.

That being said I actually feel bad for her. I can't imagine being a single mom with two kids and essentially hustling tourists for money and turning tricks. What a crazy life. That's one of the downsides of meeting these women. It's a hustle, and even if they "befriend" you they are still looking at you like a giant sack of cash. Before leaving PC last November, she told me she really enjoyed her time with me because I made her feel "rich" like a "tourist. " I think she was being sincere. I really doubt she gets to eat out or hang out in nice places without getting a gringo to pay for it. When I say nice places, I mean a bar in Casco Viejo that looks like a regular chain bar from North America.

In any case, when I did tell her I'd be back and hitting Habanos and how I would be fucking "cada chicas" she kept telling me that area is a lot more dangerous and I should stay away. Yeah, that warning isn't deterring me.

[QUOTE=LuckyStrike;1748544]
That night I actually did not go to my hotel but went to Elite and Ashe.
[/QUOTE]How are those places? I have never been but from what I gather you're looking at $200-400 to get the girl to leave for an hour because of all the extra fees. Always seemed like a rip off. I'd much rather just hire an independent from Veneto or Habanos. What was your experience like there?

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;1748758]That sucks Lucky Strike. I would be fuming too.

The chica I chat with on Whatsapp (occasionally) told me she got mugged and sent me photos of her bruises. She was begging for money to eat. It was the one time I felt bad and sent her some cash through Western Union. I was probably hustled but on the off-chance that she was serious I didn't want to be cold hearted.
....
How are those places? I have never been but from what I gather you're looking at $200-400 to get the girl to leave for an hour because of all the extra fees. Always seemed like a rip off. I'd much rather just hire an independent from Veneto or Habanos. What was your experience like there?[/QUOTE]I've not posted a "full report" because I've stayed in PTY for a very short time (2 nights, both were shorter than normal due to late arrival and early departure) and myself I had to read this thread before venturing out. Plus my recollections are probably biased because of the tourist police thing that drove me mad. I did not pay for "take out", got their numbers and negotiated lower rates during the day-time.

I too had girls working at PTY asking me for money. Yes, you don't want to appear a dick, but also don't want to be an ATM. I've helped one that I knew for several years. She was god at making $$, but even better at spending $$. I knew she needed it, and if I ever met her again she'd "pay" me back. Also, some chicas just aren't made for this business and simply can't make enough money in this game. But there are some that make enough to start business and buy real estate so they "retire" and live upper-middle class lifestyle. Most of them are "hot", but by no means the hottest out there.

[QUOTE=LuckyStrike;1748812]I've not posted a "full report" because I've stayed in PTY for a very short time (2 nights, both were shorter than normal due to late arrival and early departure) and myself I had to read this thread before venturing out. Plus my recollections are probably biased because of the tourist police thing that drove me mad. I did not pay for "take out", got their numbers and negotiated lower rates during the day-time.

I too had girls working at PTY asking me for money. Yes, you don't want to appear a dick, but also don't want to be an ATM. I've helped one that I knew for several years. She was god at making $$, but even better at spending $$. I knew she needed it, and if I ever met her again she'd "pay" me back. Also, some chicas just aren't made for this business and simply can't make enough money in this game. But there are some that make enough to start business and buy real estate so they "retire" and live upper-middle class lifestyle. Most of them are "hot", but by no means the hottest out there.[/QUOTE]I've spent a total of 18 nights in PC since late February. The experience has been very different for me. I have not yet met a police officer and actually I don't recall if I've even seen one anywhere other than an occasional police car. I have often walked around with an open beer and cross streets anywhere zipping between the cars. I did have a couple casino security guards stop me one day to inform me it's not legal to walk around with a beer. Since then I get cans instead of bottles since cans are less noticeable. I've never had anyone directly ask me for money except one day a guy approached me while eating at Manolos. Maybe it's got to do with the way a person dresses or appears. I'm typically wearing raggedy cargo shorts and a white t-shirt of sorts. I haven't worn any jewelry for over 20 years. Although I'm clearly a gringo I definitely look like a poor son of a *****. I'll always remember a remark a stripper at Spearmint Rhino in Vegas a few years ago - "I guess you can get away with dressing like that when you have a pocket full of money" LOL! (I was wearing old jeans and a raggedy old black hoodie. Which has since been disallowed in there due to gang problems.

P.S. I was probably a sucker too but I gave that guy $5 because he said he needed to buy medicine for his daughter who was sick. I figured there was probably a one in ten chance he was telling the truth because I never saw him before. So I decided to err on that side since five bucks doesn't mean shit to me anyhow.

P.P.S. Elite club is a nice place to relax in a very comfortable chair, drink all you want for $30 (certain things), and enjoy some great stage dancing. But don't get take out from there like my amigo and I did one night after too many free drinks. Cost was $400 with all fees to house and chica. Ashe is another decent club (like Habanos) to find independent chicas but it gets going later at night. Both Elite and Ashe are located near Hooters.

[QUOTE=VegasCrazyGuy;1748850]I've spent a total of 18 nights in PC since late February. The experience has been very different for me. I have not yet met a police officer and actually I don't recall if I've even seen one anywhere other than an occasional police car. [/QUOTE]Perhaps since February thing have changed and YippieKayay's chica was telling the truth: crime is up and so are police patrols. While I've not seen police in the immediate vicinity of Veneto, both nights I was there I saw "tourist police" (can't miss them, it's splashed in shiny letters on what looked like body armor) in groups of 2 on several corners as I was walking from Hyatt to Habanos or Ashe / Elite. I witnessed they stopped gringos 3 other times, and at least 2 of them produced actual passports, or something that looked very much like passports.

Maybe it was just "unlucky" weekend. Anyway, even though I don't intend to travel to PTY anytime soon, I'd appreciate if someone would post up-to-date info on the "tourist police" situation.

Vegascrazyguy,

Enjoyed your story. Anyway, I was trying pm you. Is PM allowed on this forum?

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[QUOTE=LuckyStrike;1748998]Perhaps since February thing have changed and YippieKayay's chica was telling the truth: crime is up and so are police patrols. While I've not seen police in the immediate vicinity of Veneto, both nights I was there I saw "tourist police" (can't miss them, it's splashed in shiny letters on what looked like body armor) in groups of 2 on several corners as I was walking from Hyatt to Habanos or Ashe / Elite. I witnessed they stopped gringos 3 other times, and at least 2 of them produced actual passports, or something that looked very much like passports.
[/QUOTE]This would likely explain the exodus of Cubans. I wonder how many of those Cubans had proper paperwork? How many of them were trafficked in, caught, and sent home.

[QUOTE=Hobbiest1;1737048]I went there 2 months ago on a Sunday night and it was dead. If Gauntman is around. Ask him as he knows better than anybody what's good on which nights.[/QUOTE]Ashe is packed almost every single day, it all depends on the time. Mostly after 12 am or 1 am the place is crowded.

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;1749332]This would likely explain the exodus of Cubans. I wonder how many of those Cubans had proper paperwork? How many of them were trafficked in, caught, and sent home.[/QUOTE]Most Cubans I spoke to told me that they only had transit visas. Meaning that they were only valid for a few days so they can transit through Panama to Costa Rica.

[QUOTE=DarkSide99;1749943]Most Cubans I spoke to told me that they only had transit visas. Meaning that they were only valid for a few days so they can transit through panama to Costa Rica.[/QUOTE]I've been with a few Cubanas and they each told me they planned to stay in Panama about a month before continuing their journey north. So I'll guess they are travelling on a 30 day transit visa and maximizing their time in PC to raise cash. I think this explains why most Cubanas are better providers than Colombianas (IMHO). It's because they aren't really pros. They are just working temporarily while they are travelling. If someone knows they are still working upon arrival here in the USA Please let me know where and how to find them.

[QUOTE=VegasCrazyGuy;1752478]I've been with a few Cubanas and they each told me they planned to stay in Panama about a month before continuing their journey north. So I'll guess they are travelling on a 30 day transit visa and maximizing their time in PC to raise cash. I think this explains why most Cubanas are better providers than Colombianas (IMHO). It's because they aren't really pros. They are just working temporarily while they are travelling. If someone knows they are still working upon arrival here in the USA Please let me know where and how to find them.[/QUOTE]It appears they settle mostly in Miami. Like VegasCrazyGuy said, anyone with links to them there and are willing to share?

Can anyone advise if the Hampton Inn is GF? It's 5 k Hilton points a night which seems a great deal.

I just got back from Panama for a short visit. I had the chance to check out the Veneto and the Havana Club. I had a gal from Medellin fly in and stay with me 4 of the 5 nights I was there-- so really only had one good night to check out the action.

Veneto was full of girls-- I met a couple of very sexy Cubans at the bar and chatted them up. They were 7-8's.

I headed over to Havana club-- full of Colombian gals-- many 5-6's and a sprinkle of 8-9's.

I ended up pulling a solid 9 who happened to be Panamanian. She wanted 200 $ which is really high in my opinion. I tried to negotiate with her she wouldn't budge-- as she was the best thing in the bar by far I went for it!

Great choice-- she was awesome in every way. Very sweet and personable also.

My big complaint! The Hard Rock sucks assholes. They charged me a 105 $ guest fee for the night. It is total bullshit and I will never stay at that crap ass hotel again. The rooms suck, the service sucks, and they are NOT chica friendly at all. Fuck the Hard Rock Megaopolis up the fucking ass.

The rest of my trip was outstanding-- I had my long time GF from Medellin for the next 4 days and we had a great time-- the fact that she is a solid 10 with no kids and no boyfriend is also a plus!

[QUOTE=GeechieBoy;1756864]I just got back from Panama for a short visit. I had the chance to check out the Veneto and the Havana Club. I had a gal from Medellin fly in and stay with me 4 of the 5 nights I was there-- so really only had one good night to check out the action.

Veneto was full of girls-- I met a couple of very sexy Cubans at the bar and chatted them up. They were 7-8's.

I headed over to Havana club-- full of Colombian gals-- many 5-6's and a sprinkle of 8-9's.

I ended up pulling a solid 9 who happened to be Panamanian. She wanted 200 $ which is really high in my opinion. I tried to negotiate with her she wouldn't budge-- as she was the best thing in the bar by far I went for it!

Great choice-- she was awesome in every way. Very sweet and personable also.

My big complaint! The Hard Rock sucks assholes. They charged me a 105 $ guest fee for the night. It is total bullshit and I will never stay at that crap ass hotel again. The rooms suck, the service sucks, and they are NOT chica friendly at all. Fuck the Hard Rock Megaopolis up the fucking ass.

The rest of my trip was outstanding-- I had my long time GF from Medellin for the next 4 days and we had a great time-- the fact that she is a solid 10 with no kids and no boyfriend is also a plus![/QUOTE]No kids or boyfriend that you know of. I too hate Hard Rock hotels, regardless where they are located.

[QUOTE=Agee19;1757090]No kids or boyfriend that you know of. I too hate Hard Rock hotels, regardless where they are located.[/QUOTE]Yeah -- I'm a little smarter than that.

I have been to Medellin many times and have spent a lot of time with her and her family. I am quite sure she has no kids and boyfriend.