Panama’s merchants, operating in one of the great crossroads of the world, bring to the isthmus the finest merchandise and the volume generated by buyers who flock in from all over the Americas guarantees variety and excellent prices. A Value Added Tax of only 7%, one of the lowest in Lat-in America, has also helped to make Panama the shopping destination per excellence for the region. The Colon Free Zone is a significant contributor to Panama’s success as a shopping center. Many wholesalers operating in the Colon Free Zone have retail outlets in Panama City which draw on the huge variety offered in the zone and pass price advantage on to their customers and of course many visitors come to visit the Free Zone itself, either to buy in bulk or to take advantage of the companies there who will do retail business. Panama’s old-established and traditional shopping areas are Avenida Central, now a pedestrian precinct, and Calidonia, on Via España. Shops in those areas are noisy and bustling. Prices are economical but the experience is not for the meek. There is a good selection of shopping on Via España in the main hotel and banking area, which also offers the Plaza Concordia. Casco Antiguo, the World heritage site, makes a picturesque shopping destination with many interesting boutiques and souvenir stores. Sidewalk cafes and restaurants add to the ambience. Paitilla, Marbella and Obarrio are upper-class neighborhoods with many fine shops located in converted homes, strip-malls or on the ground floor of skycrapers. However, Panama’s malls seem to be the main shopping attraction nowadays. Malls have become part of the city life where people go not just to spend money but to be entertained. They are home to shops, restaurants, cinemas and even bars, depending on the locations. The parking lot in any mall, any afternoon of the week, will testify to their popularity. Soho MallThis mall, located on Calle 50, right in the middle of the financial and banking center, has more than 100 shops offering luxury international brands. It has the first Ritz Carlton Hotel of Central America, as well as a gym, spa, restaurants and movie theaters. This commercial center was built at a total cost of $400 million. Soho Mall is divided into four levels. The first one is dedicated to high fashion; the second focuses on sports and juvenile fashion and also has some restaurants. The third floor has shops selling sportswear, beach wear and leather goods, a gym and a deli. The fourth level is dedicated to gastronomy and entertainment with VIP cinemas, a food court and fine restaurants. Albrook MallThis is the biggest mall in the country, located near Albrook Gran Terminal where buses depart to and arrive from the interior. The mall has a hotel, casino, bars, supermarket, several food courts, wide passages, stadium-type cinemas with capacity for 2,500 people, completely air-conditioned department and brand stores and 5,000 parking spaces with strict security. It can be intimidating because of its size, but there are virtual maps with tactile screens to guide shoppers as well as security guards on hand to give directions. The mall has a hallway system where the areas are named after animals with sculptures of them for easy reference. Multiplaza MallThis mall is located in Punta Pacifica. It has three levels with more than 400 shops and covered parking spaces. A total of 47 restaurants and cafes operate there, together with nine department stores, 16 luxury shops exclusive to Multiplaza, a hotel, 12 cinema theaters and a supermarket. Among the prestigious brands that can be found there are: Cartier, Chanel, Bulgari, Hermés, Dolce&Gabbana Gucci and Tiffany. It is the only place in Latin America where these brands can be found under one roof. Multiplaza offers a discount card called “Panama Tourist Card” to all tourists. There is also a shuttle service from hotels and Tocumen airport. It caters to the needs of the Panamanian upper class. One well known anecdote is that Jennifer Lopez asked for the mall to be closed so that she could go shopping there with her then-husband, Marc Anthony. Multicentro MallLocated on Balboa Avenue, close to the coastal strip and the residential, financial and banking areas of Marbella and Paitilla, it is very centric, near Calle 50, Calle Uruguay, Via España and Via Argentina, which are home to some of the best and better-known shops, hotels and restaurants of the capital. It has more than 3,000 covered parking spaces, eight movie theaters, one supermarket, casino, food court, restaurants and high and low-end shops, all air-conditioned. The mall is smaller than Albrook, but has excellent shops. Its four-story design, with four mechanical escalators and mirror covered ceilings is striking. Inside there is the famous Hard Rock Cafe and is connected to the Hard Rock Hotel. El Dorado MallThis was the first mall ever to open in Panama. At first a strip mall, it has been remodeled various times and in recent years has gone under cover like the conventional malls. It has a good variety of small stores, a Gran Morrison department store, supermarket, cinemas and a bowling alley. Metro MallThis mall is located on the outskirts of Panama City and is closest to Tocumen International Airport from where it offers a shuttle bus for passengers in transit who can take advantage of a few hours stopover in Panama to shop. It has a hotel, 300 shops, four department stores, one supermarket, ten movie theaters, more than 40 food establishments and 300 parking spaces. Metro-mall. Has a good selection of clothes, jewelry, accessories, shoes, electronic goods and furniture. The prices are affordable and tourists can obtain a discount card called “Panama Shopping Card”. Altaplaza MallLocated on the Via Centenario, close to the Technological University, this is the latest mall to open its doors in Panama City. Complete with upscale stores, cinemas, more than 30 eating options and a supermarket, it is a popular meeting place. Among its services it offers are 24 hour security, paramedic assistance, a lost and found office, wheelchair service, valet parking, free Wi-Fi, information center and a customer help line 202-7777
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Its goal is to continue to strengthen Panamanian education and social wellbeing through reinforcement in creativity and through exchange.
This year's festival will pay tribute to the renowned Panamanian trumpeter Alex Blake and Family. Born in Panama in 1926, he stands out as one of the most emblematic musicians of Panama's "golden age" of music which lasted throughout the forties and fifties. In 1959 he emigrated to the United States, where he had the opportunity to work with the greatest salsa musicians from the New York City music scene in 60s and 70s. In the late 1960s he created "Alex and his Orchestra" an ensemble of ten musicians which stood out as one of the most popular latin bands of the time. His legacy as a musician still echoes locally and internationally, through his children, bassists Alex and Russel Blake, whose music continues to make history in our music scene. The Panama Jazz Festival will feature musical artists such as: Idania Dowman, Omar Díaz, Afrodisíaco, Luz Acosta, Lucía Pulido, American trombonist Andrew Hayward, saxophonist Jane Bunett and his group Maneque and Danilo Pérez Global Messengers who will play a tribute to Panama City's 500 years. In addition, prestigious educational institutions such as the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Mew England Conservatory, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz ad the Crossroads High School, will participate and offer amazing support to the event. Additionally, the VI Latin Music Therapy Symposium will be held, with the participation of important music musicians. Also, the II Classical Music Exchange Program and the III Symposium of the Musical, Artistic and Cultural Expressions of Afro descendants in Panama will be held. The PJF is produced by Panama Jazz Productions in benefit of the Danilo Pérez Foundation. It Touches Us, It Leaves a Mark, It Changes US, is the 2019 Panama Jazz Festival's motto. A Festival that has changed lives, bringing many people to Jazz music and demonstrating for 16 consecutive years that Panama has a lot to offer the music scene. We all love to travel, but sometimes the high price tag of an airplane ticket can put a damper on vacation plans. If you’re looking to see the world on the budget, you first have to learn how to spend your dollars wisely — starting with airfare. Read on to discover ten tips for finding the cheapest flight possible. Be FlexibleBeing flexible with your travel dates is key to finding an affordable ticket. If you’re always flying on a Friday, Sunday or Monday, chances are, your ticket will have added costs associated with popular travel days. According to Aire Fare Watch Dog, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as it’s less ideal to travel midweek. Having a flexible itinerary also means you can take advantage of last-minute deals or travel vouchers for oversold flights. Go IncognitoLooking for the perfect flight for an upcoming weekend trip? When you frequently search a particular route, the flight prices will go up, thanks to the website’s cookies. However, this can be avoided if you search in a private browsing mode, such as Google Chrome’s incognito. During incognito, a website can’t create cookies and you can be assured you’re looking at the lowest prices available. If you're traveling with friends, have them help in the search on their own computers when you're ready to book. Be Picky About Your Search SiteNot all airfare search sites are created equal, and sometimes your best bet is avoiding your carrier's website at first. The best sites are geared towards finding the cheapest flight possible, like SkyScanner, which searches over 1,000 sites to find the most affordable flights. Google Flights gives you the ability peruse fares over the course of the month, allowing you to pick and choose the cheapest days to travel. And Momondo has received consistently good reviews across the board when it comes to finding economical flights. Sign Up for Flight AlertsMost airfare search sites allow you to sign up for flight alerts and it's an easy way to get a bargain. Scott’s Cheap Flights is a great site for flexible travelers, with daily email alerts regarding the best deals in domestic and international travel. The base membership is free, but Scott’s also offers a premium version, which gives members priority alerts on deals and mistake fares. Google Flights also lets you save a certain search and will alert you when flight prices drop. Finally, Seeqr is another awesome email-based company that sends more than flights directly to your inbox, alerting you to great deals and lowered flight prices for your entire vacation. Don’t Be Afraid of Budget AirlinesFlying a low-cost carrier is a no-brainer when it comes to saving money in airline tickets. However, when you choose to fly budget, you often forego some of the amenities of the more expensive airlines, such as inflight services, entertainment and pre-allocated seat selection. Don't let this deter you, though. You can avoid the alleged misery of a budget airline with a little preparation. Pack a lunch, bring a bottle of water and download some movies on your phone. You’ll be set. Fly to Major AirportsUsing planes, trains and automobiles may just help lower your travel costs. When you fly to a large hub airport, the cost of your airplane ticket will be substantially less. Smaller airports have less competition regionally and are often subject to higher surcharges and fees. Ultimately, this makes your ticket to and from a small airport more expensive. If you originally planned on flying to a regional airport, consider flying to the nearest major airport and take a car, bus or train to your final destination. Forego the Nonstop FlightYes, nonstop flights are amazing. Being able to hop on a plane and fly directly to your desired destination is the best way to travel. It’s not, however, the cheapest way to travel. Choosing to fly nonstop can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of your flight. If you decide that you can handle a layover, your ticket will be considerably lower and you can do some duty-free shopping along the way. Buy at the Right TimeBuying your flight at just the right time contributes to those low costs, and the “right time” may be earlier than you think. According to CheapAir.com, the best time to buy is 54 days prior to your departure date. That’s just under two months. In general, the best booking window is between 29 and 100 days, so as long as you don’t book too early — or too late — you should be able to find a reasonable rate. Rack Up Those PointsThe secret to the consummate traveler's ability to fly all over without spending too much money? Travel points and miles. If you haven’t already signed up for a credit card with point rewards, you should do so right now. Pick a credit card that works with your preferred airlines and allows you to rack up travel points every time you swipe. You won’t regret it. Shop For DealsIf you’re flexible regarding where you want to travel and when you want to go, shopping for flight deals is an easy way to fly inexpensively. Head to Expedia’s Amazing Flight Deals to discover their roundup of the cheapest airfare to popular destinations. Kayak has a similar Deal of the Day, offering up steals on airfare based on your departure city. Plus, their Routes Map lets you explore affordable destinations worldwide, making it fun to shop for a bargain.
The Discoverer This species of endangered toad is endemic to Panama and is found near stream banks in humid lowland tropical forests and surrounding rivers of the Chagres Basin in central Panama. Its scientific name is Atelopus limosus and it belongs to the toad family. Is has two color forms: a lowland color form is brown with a yellow nose and fingertips, while the upland color form is green with black chevron markings on its back.
This toad is threatened by habitat loss and chytridiomycosis, an infectious disease caused by a fungus that affects amphibians. This disease is so serious that the dramatic decline in amphibian populations around the world are attributed to it, and it is believed that is may lead to the extinction of numerous species. Amphibians are essential to our ecosystems because they are environmental gages and insect controllers. Little in known about the diet of this toad, but it is likely that they feed on beetles, ants, flies and mites. This species is diurnal and is typically found on the slopes and on the shores of narrow rocky streams in primary forests. Scientists from around the world have joined the efforts to cure amphibians. In Panama several conservation, rescue, and reproduction projects are taking place. Fun fact: the silt in its habitat matches the color of the toads; thus, they are inconspicuous on this surface. Taboga Island is also known as the Island of Flowers due to its beautiful flora and fauna which grows throughout the town. The island is called home to approximately 800 residents and is one of the most popular beach destinations in Panama for residents and tourists alike. Isla Taboga is only 30 minutes away from Panama City aboard a catamaran. Equipped with a beverage service, 2 bathrooms, and the best customer service on the sea, Taboga Express is the most popular and comfortable way to get to the island and boasts 4 and 5 round trips to the island daily.
Isla Taboga has a very colorful history due to the passage of many cultures during its earlier years, which includes the influence of Spaniards, French, British and Americans. On of the most popular beach areas is known as Playa Restringa, a short walk from the dock of the town. During low tide is is possible to walk across the sand spit that links the Island to el Morro, where you can see the vestiges of an old shipyard. Isla Taboga is known for its pirate history, and this shipyard used to service the galleon ships. Still present is the old waterwheel that used to power the shipyard equipment. Above the village stands a mountain known as cerro El Vigia, which offers amazing 360-degree views of the mainland and the island communities plus the entrance to the Panama Canal. Another smaller mountaintop know as Cerro de la Cruz is a short hike, where you will encounter a large cross that also offers spectacular views. Also on the island is ruins of a Spanish Convent, the house of Francisco Pizarro (conquerer of Peru), and the Church of San Pedro, which is considered the second oldest church in Latin America. Located in the Pearl Islands Archipelago, only 35 nautical miles south of Panama City, Isla Contadora is a Place to go for relaxation and leisure on the most beautiful white sand beaches Panama has to offer. The best way to access the island is to take a 1.5 hour ferry ride on Sea Las Perlas, which departs 7 days a week from Flamenco Marina. The ferry ride is part of the adventure, as you will pass by the huge ships awaiting to cross through the world-famous Panama Canal and quite often large pods of dolphins can be seen swimming behind the wake of the ferry on the journey toward the magical Island of Contadora.
Once on the island you will find your self immersed in a mist of ecstasy with crystal clear waters, beautiful sea breezes, and of course the ever-so-amazing sun as it lays warmth on your shoulders. Looking for some adventure? A nice restaurant? Hotel or vacation rental? There are many great options to supply you with a spectacular experience on the island with family and friends. With some of the best fishing waters in the world, many beautiful Virgin Islands to visit and beach comb, great coves to snorkel or scuba dive in or simply rent a club car or 4x4 mule to cruse to the different beach's on Contadora Island Panama, you are sure to find an adventure that interests you. |
AuthorAll people can be part of this blog, tell us about your experience in San Blas Islands or some tips for traveling to Panama. Archives
February 2024
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