Albrook, formerly part of the Panama Canal Zone and now one of the more exclusive residential areas of Panama City in the Republic of Panama, is probably one of the best examples of living in the former Panama Canal Zone along with the community of Clayton, located right beside it.  As part of the territories given back to the Panamanian government thanks to the Torrijos-Carter treaties of 1974, Albrook used to be a neighborhood for American troops stationed in Panama and their families from the days of the construction of the Panama Canal to after the “Just Cause” operation in 1989 to overthrow Dictator General Manuel Antonio Noriega from power.

Nowadays, Albrook is home to one of the most beautiful suburban areas in Panana City, and probably the country. It’s like the Latin American version of Beverly Hills, with some truly impressive houses on display, with recreational areas, tennis courts and more. Of course, there are other quirks about living in Albrook, as they have their which has a pharmacy, restaurants, banks and other specialty shops with quick essentials. If you’re looking for a more complete experience though, look no further than the Los Pueblos Albrook Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the region with so many stores and restaurants it will make your head spin. Albrook Mall is also a place where you’re bound to find that traveler tip that says that everything costs less in Panama, as you can easily get a brand new wardrobe for the next 10 years while spending a little over $50 dollars.

Another site to note about Albrook is the Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport, a rather small one with airplanes that leave to various points of the country and even Costa Rica or Colombia. Don’t expect the pomposity of the Tocumen International Airport, but the staff is bilingual and highly capable of assisting you should you have any concerns. There’s also the St. Mary’s School, a bilingual school that has been around for decades and provides some of the best bilingual education in the country. There are gas stations, a museum that is host to several genre conventions throughout the year, a branch of the University of Panama, a well-equipped supermarket and many other additions that make of Albrook a very special place to visit and live in. Currently the only hotel in the area is the Albrook Inn, located smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood.

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Filed under: Country Guide on March 18th, 2008