Panamá City Travel Forum

Hello all,

My name is Matthias McCurren. I am 21 years old, and am a Junior in College. I have the opportunity to do an internship in Panama City, Panama this summer-specifically-Amador Causeway. I just wanted a bit of inside information on the area, as I've never traveled there before. I'd really appreciate it if anyone could help me out as to if...

The area is safe? Which areas should one stray away from?
Expensive? Approximately how much is an average apartment's rent per month?
Fun? How's the night life?

Any extra information that you think I should know would also be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Matthias

If you have time, look at my web pages, all your questions will be answered. Apts rent for as little as $300 a month, but they are not in very good neighborhoods. If you want a decent apt in a decent area, you should expect to pay about $500 a month, at least. If you go online at LaPrensa.com there may be some shared apts available in their classified section. How is your Spanish? If you don't speak Spanish well, you may have some problems with negociating for a lease, etc. Cabs are plentiful and not too expensive, but they try to take advantage of foreigners, so be careful! Buses are only 25 cents but usually crowded and if you don't know the city well, you could get lost. The drivers don't usually speak English and they usually don't know where anything is off their route, as they usually live in outlying areas and don't know the city that well. Amador Causeway is very upscale. It is more expensive than most of the rest of Panama City. Night life, there is all kinds of it! Stay near Via Espana around the hotel area (Cangrejo) there are all sorts of clubs and casinos there with entertainment. If you want to share an apt, let me know, a friend of my wife may have a room available the time you will be in Panama City. Let me know when you will be there and how much you can afford, I will ask her. Any other questions, let me know.

Yes its safe but avoid the areas Los Poetes, Santana, Avenida Central Chorrillo at night. Rental can be pretty expensive, look for Obbarrio area or Bella Vista (in the area near Veneto Hotel) off Via Espana. Actually for the Causeway you should also look at renting in Howard or Albrook or Los Rios or any of the reverted areas but they may be expensive. Good luck. What will your internship be related to? nightlife is GREAT - Calle Uruguay

Howard and Albrook are VERY expensive and hard to get to the central city as they are in outlying areas, especially Howard, it is on the other side of the canal! That is in the country to Panamanians! Bella Vista may not be that bad, but most other areas are pretty expensive. San Franscisco and Las Sabanas are not as expensive as some areas, and easy to get around from.