Panama, Panama City - Hostal
 

Casa De Carmen is a great hostel five doors down from Antiono's shop. This hostel has all the amenities for overlanders. In PC there is also Mama Llena Hostel and Voyager Hostel. Both are dumps to be avoided, however, both have comprehensive bulletin boards regarding boat travel to and from Panama and Colombia. It's a long walk or a short cab ride from Casa De Carmen to either of the above hostels, don't bother staying in either one just for boat info. In my opinion the only boat worth taking is here. www.stahlratte.org: Logbuch Contact This website no longer has Ludwig's (Captain) cell phone number in Panama or Colombia, sorry guys, I don't have it. Berlin is not helpful but they can tell you what country the boat is in at least. For the boats, timing and luck are everything.

Contact Info:
Casa De Carmen
N8 59.603 W79 31.258
Telephone: +507 263 4366

If you get into a bind while anywhere in Panama get in touch with me. I have numbers and names that might get you out of a bad situation. I am happy to help.

Panama City, Panama Hotel
 

When in Panama City, I looked to get in to a Hostal Mamallena, but they were sold out, so I went looking for an inexpensive place with off street parking. Desk clerk at one hotel directed me to

Residencial Cibeles
Avenida Ecuador (aka Calle 34) & just south of cross street Avenida 3a Sur (aka Avenida Justo Arosemena). Many streets down here have more then one name. It's close to Hospital Santo Tomas.
(507) 227-2717
rtcibeles@hotmail.com

The place and rooms are clean & well maintained, has hot water, AC, free porn on channel 122, and a garage with a gate they close around 10, 11 pm. No problem with overnight guests if you meet a special sweetie at the nightclub or discotheque.

As of 11/22/09, prices range from $22 to $24, depending on the size of the bed.

There is an internet cafe directly across the street, and around the block (Justo Arosemena). A couple blocks away is the restaurante tipicio El Rincón Tableño, which was written up in Lonely Planet El Rincón Tableño Restaurants in Panama City - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Only open for Breakfast and Lunch, it's pretty good and cheap. Calle 30 and Avenida 2a Sur, first floor of the Hotel Lisboa.

Be aware this neighborhood gets a little rough after dark, homeless, prostitutes, that sort of thing. There are Panamanian national police patrolling, but dont wander too far. Particularly North West.

Of all the Casinos, Veneto is the best. Weekends they have some kind of live merengue band, cool stuff. Stay away from the blackjack table when the hot blonde is dealing. Fiesta (around the block from Veneto) is local Panamanian, but gringo friendly. The other one by the Marriott is pretty run down.

Word of caution

If you're riding anything larger then those little 125cc 3rd world thumper bikes (everybody down here), you are going to stand out, people are going to be curious, and will probably ask where you're staying. Just use a little common sense and pull the dumb gringo (No tendo idea).

Hostal Amador Familiar
 

Hi,

Very good hostel. Hostal Amador Familiar. Friendly owners. A bit more pricey ($15 dorm, $40 double) but worth it: aircon, good breakfast (coffee, juice, pancakes, cornflakes). Laundry, good WiFi.

Safe parking in hostel backyard, space for plenty of bikes. Safe area. Cheap pizza/pasta place just a few meters away. Very easy to get to the "Causeway" area with good views of the city skyline & good restaurants ($10-15 price range)

How to get there:
Coming from the North/West of Panama: Cross the "Americas" bridge, 1st exit to the right, hang a right. 3rd street to the right ("Calle Akee", just before the children's playground/pizza place). The Hostel is a red house.
You can see the Hostel as a point placemark in Google Maps as well.

We're just launched our overlander/moto guest house and resource center located in the Ancon neighborhood of Panama City.

Secure yard, accomodations ranging from simple camping to clean rooms with AC. Free wifi, communal kitchen and laundry service. Great place to wrench on your bike and we can help you get the parts you need.

Check us out on the web, or call us directly for any questions or to check availability.

Panama Passage | Overlander Resource Center in Panama City

Safe travels,

Shaun
Panama Passage Manager
507-6108-4245