Hi guys, we are coming the 28th of december to Panama City in the evening and we need a nice, cheap and clean Hostal, maybe including Pickup Service from the airport.

Can you recommand anything?

Thank you very much - Jens

Last year, I stayed in the Casa de Carmen (phone: 263-4366; email: serviturisa@cableonda.net; address: Calle 1a de Carmen 32, near Via Brasil) It is on the northeast side of the city, away from most of the hotspots but within walking distance of a grocery store, library/bookstore and many other necessities. Maybe a few miles to Casco Antiguo.

Very clean and pleasant, secure parking for the bike, free internet, laundry services, full kitchen for guests. I paid ~$10US for the dorm, but they have a few double rooms. It might be a good idea to call ahead for reservations. The staff speaks English if that is a concern.

As far as a pickup from the airport, I doubt they provide that service. But taxis and Diablo Rojos should be plentiful from the airport. Something to note, if you tell the taxi driver that you want to go to Casa de Carmen and even go so far as to tell him the exact address, they will simply look at you funny. Most drivers operate by large landmarks. Casa de Carmen is 1 block away from Exedra Books at the intersection of Via Espana and Via Brazil.

Enjoy!
ted

Assuming you are looking for a place to stay while you recover from jet lag and get your bike sorted out of customs and get acclimatized a bit.
SO may I offer a possible hotel : Hotel Bella Vista, Avenida Central # 31 , at junction with Av./ Peru. Av.Central turns into Via Espana and is the older main trhough route across the north of downtown Panama.
The hotel is in a nice neighbourhood called Bella Vista, in 2005 a big room with private bath was only $15 , the bike was permitted to be parked in a small anteroom to the lobby( don't know their current parking) The bigger hotel next door is double the price , has a good restaurant, lots more hotels in the same area, close to city center.
Asking for shuttle service is contradictory to inexpensive hotels.The taxis should be useful, even consider public transit if not laden down with baggage.
Taxi drivers probably do know quite well all the street addresses but they are more than likely playing dumb so that they can suggest hotels of their own preference , hotels where they have an arrangement to deliver unsuspecting customers for a higher room rate of which they will then receive a cut.
Enjoy the trip, watch your wallet =)

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

Hello My name is Sonia... i know that you are loking for a place in panama , i just left 2 days ago from there... and i can certanly recomend a nice and cheap hostal....i was quit happy with the service and is very good located ... please tried !!!the phone is : 2276182 or 6674-6424....and also in in a very good area.....by have a nice trip!!! i love it!!

HI!!

I forget to tell you the name of the Hostal... is BALBOA BAY PANAMA.....

227-6182 or 66746424 ... and the also have tranfer to the airport ... with preview reservation.... ok ..have fun ....

Know it is not cheap, but just incase.....We stayed at Plaza Paitilla Inn $33.00US for king bed.safe parking for moto. Avenida Balboa to Via Italia. It is a round hotel on punta Patilla, visible from AV Balboa as you round the bay. We are in Bogotá headed to Medellin tomorrow Shipped the 950KTM via Girag Air Cargo. Have not had time to post about shippìng, but will try tomorrow. Good luck.

Thanks for your help guys! I think I will try one of your hotels maybe Michells!

Do you know how to insure a bike for whole Central America?

I will spend 4-5 weeks to USA.

Thanks a lot - we will arrive the 28th of this month.

Jens

Insurance in Central America is usually on a country by country basis, and can usually be purchased near the Aduana booth at any border crossing for a nominal fee. I am unaware of any package deals for insurance covering all of CA.

Once you get to Mexico, however, you should find an actual insurance broker that is not affiliated with the state (again, they are usually conveniently located near the border crossing) to write you up for a liability policy. If you plan on riding in Mexico for more than 2 weeks it is probably better to purchase a year long policy.

Have fun!
ted

We stayed in the Balboabayhostal in Panama City, it is very clean and safe.
Good parking for motos.

Now in David / the purple house hostal, nice place too.

Tomorrow going to Bocas de Toro!

See you!