We had some time at the beginning and end of our trip to explore Panama City. One of the things that struck me about Panama City was the huge differences from neighborhood to neighborhood. In most of the districts you would see construction going on and the city being revitalized.
Ancon Hill
A short drive from the Albrook domestic airport and the Albrook Mall where we had just dined on some typical Panama cuisine, is Ancon Hill. We drove most of the way up the steep hill to a parking lot and then set out on foot for the last hundred feet. The view from the top was worth it! We looked out through the trees on downtown Panama City with the giant skyscrapers and beautiful waterfront. Our guide pointed out a toucan in the trees above us and we spent a few minutes to get this photo before moving on. At the very top of the hill, our guide told us to look above us. Circling around where a couple hundred condors. Our guide introduced us a to a few volunteers who's job it is to count the condors. They travel up and down Latin America during their migrations and Panama City was the perfect intersection to see their movements.
The Waterfront
The Waterfront in Panama City was another great highlight. We spent a few afternoons and evenings walking along different sections to see the many faces of the city.
Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo or the Old Town of Panama City was a unique experience. This part of the city had been abandoned at the beginning of the 1900s. Since then the neighborhood had been inhabited by squatters. Only recently in the past decade has Casco Viejo become popular again. Now there is a flood of people scrambling to develop in this area. It is an odd mix of old and new. I would recommend staying or at least visiting this neighborhood on your tour of the city. It would be a great foodie mecca as several internationals have come to set up unique restaurants, coffee shoes, gelato houses, and brew pubs. The sad part was seeing the squatters who would eventually be evicted from their homes in this district. Walking around we saw a newly renovated five star hotel next to a dilapidated colonial building next door. The old town looked like a checkerboard of old and new.
Metropolian National Park
We hiked through the Metropolian National Park one morning with my friend and her family. It is located right in Panama City but once you are inside the park, you feel like you could be miles and miles outside the city. Traffic noise is apparent everywhere we had been thus far. The sounds of the forest - the birds, the monkeys, and the millions of insects - created a white noise backdrop that drowned out civilization around us. We hiked up to the mirador at the top and once again had a lovely view of the city and waterfront.
Fish Market
Our final stop before leaving Panama was to the Fish Market down from Old Town. Our friends told us this was a typical Saturday for Panamanians to head with their families to the market for fresh ceviche. Each little shop had several types of ceviche to chose from. Our friends bought four different cups for us to share and taste. They give you a small cup and some saltine crackers to scoop up every delightful bit. We had the typical ceviche with fish, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. It was so fresh and we knew they had caught those fish earlier this morning. We also tried a shrimp ceviche, mayonnaise based ceviche, and a tomato paste and calamari ceviche. All were amazing and washed down very well with a Balboa beer.
Panama you did not disappoint us! We loved your people, your food, your animals, and your oceans surrounding you. We hope to return someday soon!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.