I'm going to Panama to see an old friend. She's got some plans for touristy things to do, plus a few days out of town, but I'll have a couple days on my own. Puedo hablar solamente un poco español, but probably enough to get by solo. Any suggestions for interesting things to do/experience that are close to or in Panama City? I'm not a sit-by-the-pool kind of vacationer, and most of my travels involve self-powered activities, e.g., hiking, biking, backcountry skiing.
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Dec. 29, 2011 11:07 a.m. procainestart Dork
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Dec. 29, 2011 11:29 a.m. EastCoastMojo SuperDork
Rock out to some old Van Halen?
Have a safe trip!
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Dec. 29, 2011 11:39 a.m. cwh SuperDork
Because of the American presence there for so long, your lack of Spanish skills should not be a problem. I believe that Panama is very friendly to Americans, with a lot of ex-pats living there. Very low cost of living for them, retirement money goes a long way. I'm sure there are areas where you should not venture, but you should be able to find out about that easily. Read up on the web, State Department, CIA, websites will give you a lot of info. Ex-pat forums as well. We require many pictures and a full report when (if) you come back. I know that Anthony Bourdain enjoyed it there.
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Dec. 29, 2011 12:12 p.m. donalson SuperDork
was there just a year ago... and lived there for 6 back in the mid/late 90's right before the US pulled out...
your engrish/spanglish will do just fine even in most small villages...
if you like hiking you need to check out and hike up the water falls near summit gardens... i'll find out proper name of it... also las crusas trail (SP?)... its the trail that was used to get from/to the west coast before the canal was built... I hiked a few miles of it back in 6th grade or so... I know there are MTBers that ride it... don't know much beyond that though...
also if you want to see a neat zoo check out summit garden... I know its still around but I didn't have a chance to visit on my stop... but they had some neat animals such... great location for a picnic
see if you can't go scuba or snorkling over near portabello... if you can I highly recommend Drakes Island... you don't need to scuba to see some amazing fish and coral... and its not really only an hr or so drive from the city even though its on the atlantic side... while you are there stop by and check out the ruins of portabello
also if you can figure out a way to get out to the smithsonian island (its water locked in the canal... the only non original/natural plant on the island is an orange tree) do it... a good friend of mine's dad was the head scientist on the island so we had free run of the island... swimming in the canal was neat... although being told a camen (think big scary crock) attacked a scientist a week or 2 prior right where we where swimming ment we didn't swim to long lol...
i'm sure I'll think up other stuff... if you can you should also make it a point to experience a ride on public transport... specifically the bus... they are much nicer now then they where 10 years ago but something you'll remember the rest of your life :)
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Dec. 29, 2011 1:56 p.m. Javelin SuperDork
Panama was the only foreign country the service wouldn't let us roam free on during our 4-month overseas tour. I sailed through the canal and that was it.
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Dec. 29, 2011 3:06 p.m. procainestart Dork
In reply to donalson:
Thanks for the suggestions -- can't wait to get down there!
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Dec. 29, 2011 10:11 p.m. donalson SuperDork
javelin... when where you floating though?
oh ya... need to check out at least one set of locks... think it was the mariflories locks (SP?) that had a small museum... I did the full float though the canal and it was a snooze... all day event on a huge US supply ship moving very slowly (2nd largest ship to ever go though)
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Dec. 30, 2011 8:45 a.m. Javelin SuperDork
2003
