My buddy Charlie is often quoted as saying, “Sorry for partyin’!”  You see, Charles has what I like to call a penchant for fiestas. When it comes to the PTY nightlife scene, Charlie is the 6 foot 4, redheaded equivalent of Elvis.  It’s hard to find a bartender who doesn’t know him by name.  So, when I went looking for a list of Top Bars in Panama City, I knew nobody was more qualified than Sir Charles.  Here’s his list:

Top 10 Bars in Panama, by ChArnold

• Platea – Good bar with live music in Casco Viejo. The prices can be a little high, but the service and atmosphere are top notch. Great mix of locals, ex pats, and tourists.
• Cayuco’s – Located right on a Marina, this bar is set outdoors, and it’s great for watching the yachts come in. The prices are very reasonable, and the food is great as well.
• Relic – Great bar for young people looking to meet other travelers. The fact that it’s located beneath Panama City’s biggest and most popular hostel definitely helps keep the bar packed with people that are passing through. It’s also becoming a hot spot for local Panamanians.
• Superbook – A very comfortable sports bar. It’s also a sportsbook for anyone that feels like putting some money down. Any sporting event you could imagine can be watched here.
• Pavo Real – A traditional American-feeling sports bar. It’s a small sports bar located on Via Argentina, and it definitely feels like something borrowed from the U.S. Two pool tables and big TVs make it a great spot to catch a game.
• Steinbach – This German bar is famous in Panama City for its authentic German beers. It’s also a restaurant and offers some really great dishes as well, but most people just come here for the beer.
• The Londoner – This is a great English pub located right on Calle Uruguay.
• Tequila Bar – A great place in Casco to have a few drinks and a bite to eat before you go out for the evening. The bar is owned by three young Venezuelans that are extremely nice. Make sure to grab a seat outside.
• Veneto Casino – Most people don’t come here for the bar, but it’s a fun atmosphere. It’s the only Las Vegas-style casino in the country, and you are sure to meet many other travelers.
• Zona Viva – This is not a bar, but an area with several different bars and clubs. It’s a great place for people that like the “club” atmosphere. Things don’t really pick up here until around 11 p.m.

So there you have it, Charlie’s A-list.  If you haven’t been to all of these places, well…you just haven’t lived.

Super 99-

This is the biggest grocery store chain in Panama, (owned by Presidential hopeful Ricardo Martinelli) it has a concrete floor with industrial feel, but you will find basically everything you need. Sometimes the veggies might be a little limp, but what isn’t in this steamy, steamy land? The Super 99 located in the Azuero Peninsula breaks up the trip to Las Tablas or Pedasi nicely, stop for a tea and a pastry. I’ve heard that the meat under the counter is a little scary, but a Panamanian told us to simply order exactly what you want and come back to get it the next day.

Rey- Rey looks and feels a lot nicer than Super 99. Vegetables are generally more fresh and products are more abundant in variety (i.e. more than two types of bread). Rey also imports more international food items. Both Rey and Super 99 are open 24 hours and have pharmacies.

Riba Smith-Best for Gourmet shopping and those hard to find foreign items (Rob finds his Coffee Mate here). Cleanest and freshes super market by far, though prices are a tad more expensive than the others. The Riba Smith on Transistmica has an amazing café with the most delicious ice cream in Panama in a huge array of flavors.

On the Run- This is a convenient store, but i needed to mention Surprisingly delicious breakfast croissants and equally delicious selection of English gossip magazines (even the obscure- Teen Vogue, Nylon anyone?) And great candy selection. (Hey, I know what’s important) so munch on your Everlasting Gobstopers and read People and be happy.

El Uverito Beach is about a ten minute drive from the center of Las Tablas in the Los Santos province. This small seaside village sits on a ledge overlooking the endless Pacific Ocean.  So far, there is only a small number of houses and restaurants built, but this location seems like it could be an up and coming spot for tourists. At present there is one nice hotel run by an Italian man called “Hotel La Luna.” Rooms are clean and the design is slick, very reminiscent of a ship with its cool woodwork and rope elements. Rooms cost 55 a night for a double and $58 for a triple.

The best part of the afternoon was our stop at “El Faro”, a restaurant located along the ledge of the ocean. The view from the restaurant were incredible and the food here was just as good. We dined on fresh fish sticks “deditos de pescado” and clams in a delicious garlic sauce. The restaurant is elevated above a lower deck overlooking a pool and lounge area. Other (younger) guests swam around and played in the pool.

Uverito is an ideal spot for those looking for a peaceful escape, perfect for spending a night while journeying on further down the Azuero Peninsula.

Many people who live in the small towns on Panama’s Pacific coast are self sufficient when it comes to what they eat. Fisherman catch their food and sell what is left over. Locals in these towns are also self reliant when it comes to other delicacies the ocean offers up.

Though much of the shellfish in Panama is seasonal, when the timing is right, these coastal village dwelling Panamanians manage to bring home so many sea creatures that many people who don’t live in Panama are jealous. It’s hard work for these Panamanians, but if you are lucky enough to sit down and eat a seafood feast with one of these families, it’s an experience not to be forgotten.

I was fortunate enough to be invited by a Panamanian family to help them dig up almejas, which are kind of like small mussels. It can be very tough work in the hot mid-afternoon sun, but the feast afterward is certainly worth the labor!

Panamanians don’t generally celebrate thanksgiving, but due to the amount of US tourist and residents there are a number of places throughout the country where turkey and all the fixings were served yesterday.

Accion de Gracias or Thanksgiving is not a traditional Panamanian holiday. However, with the US having presence in Panama for nearly 100 years, and with the growing number of US businesspeople and retirees in the country, Panama does offer a number of great options for US citizens and Panamanians to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Many restaurants throughout Panama City offered a turkey dinner on their menus throughout the day yesterday. Bennigans served up turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Some of the smaller restaurants in areas such as El Cangrejo also offered a Thanksgiving menu.

In communities where there is a large expat presence, there were organized Thanksgiving potlucks. These dinners took place in numerous towns such as El Valle, Coronado, Las Tablas and Panama City. At many of these parties there was a combination of expats and Panamanians, with the two cultures blending their food and music giving attendees the best of both worlds.

Though pumpkin pie is hard to come by in Panama, at least tourists and expats had a chance to celebrate this holiday with friends, family and some great food. Now all the Canadian expats have to do is convince restaurants to serve turkey for Canadian Thanksgiving!

I have a confession. I’ve lived in Panama for 3 years and I just visited the Mercado de Mariscos (seafood market) in Panama City for the first time. I suppose because I have lived near the ocean in Panama’s interior for quite a while, I have become spoiled when it comes to seafood. I will admit, I have not bought any seafood from a grocery store in Panama, ever.

Because I live so close to the ocean and have local fishermen friends, I either catch my own fish or go directly to the fisherman. I have heard many great things about this market that I decided it was about time to see it for myself.

The seafood market is located at the entrance to Casco Viejo, just off of Balboa Avenue. The hovering vultures will help lead the way if your nose doesn’t. Though you can really smell the fish from outside of the building, I was pleasantly surprised that inside the market, it doesn’t smell bad at all. There was a hint of bleach in the air, but no fishy smell.

Inside the market there are dozens of vendors each selling their catch. Corvina (sea bass), pargo (red snapper), and tuna seemed to be the most popular on the Saturday I visited. If you are a fan of ceviche (a delicious pickled fish medley), then the market is the place to get your fill. You can buy it by the cup for about $1, or buy a larger quantity to take home with you.

The booths run by the Kuna Indians were my favourite. There you can find fresh lobster (I’m talking, still moving), and giant Caribbean centolla (crab). Prices for lobster and the crab ran about $5-$6 a pound. Not a bad price at all considering they were pulled out of the ocean that same day.

A neat feature of the market is that you can buy seafood from one of the vendors and then take it to the restaurant upstairs and have them cook it for you. Even if you are not a big fan of seafood, the market is a great place to go to get an idea of the variety of seafood that can be found off Panama’s two coasts.  

One warning, even though the market was quite clean the day I visited, I still walked out with the bottom of my jeans saturated and smelling like not-so-fresh fish. If you go, roll your pants up and be prepared to wash your shoes when you get home.

Panama serves up a wide variety of food, from fried fare to fresh fish. The staples in Panama are rice and beans, usually served with chicken or beef. Some of the most interesting and tasty food can be found with street vendors.

Fondas are one of the most popular places to grab a meal on the go. These small kiosk-type restaurants serve their food from glass boxes heated by a light bulb. Most, if not all of the food served in fondas are fried. From rice to hojaldres, pork chunks to empanadas, pretty much everything will leave a layer of grease on your hands. Fondas also serve a soup called sancocho. Sancocho is a type of chicken soup flavoured with onion and cilantro. Order a side of rice and you have yourself a cheap, tasty, filling meal.

An abundance of street food can be found during Panama’s many festivals. On every street corner you will find someone selling anything from chunks of pineapple to barbecued sausages. One of my personal favourites is carne en palito (meat on a stick). I am sure this is not the most sanitary snack, but it sure tastes good. I’ve never been able to find out how even though thousands of vendors sell this street meat, each one tastes the exact same, sauce and all. Brochetas are another great street snack. These shish kabobs feature either beef or chicken and pieces of green pepper and onion are alternated on the stick.

Many Panamanian friends of mine tell me I eat street food that they wouldn’t touch. I guess this type of meal isn’t appealing to all tourists, but I haven’t had a bad experience yet! My one piece of advice is to ask the person cooking the meat for you to cook it well. The last thing you want is to have your vacation ruined by a bout of food poisoning.

Though you wouldn’t want to make a habit of eating street food on a daily basis, it sure can be a great way to get a tasty snack on the go. Watch the video below to learn more about Panamanian street fare.

Because of Panama’s unique geographical position between two huge bodies of water and its multicultural population, the country has an incredible amount to offer a tourist. Here are some of the things I think a visitor would regret not experiencing while in Panama.

1. Eat Panamanian Food
You can go to McDonald’s, Wendy’s or KFC anytime back home. Panama has an incredible array of terrific cuisine that you will regret not trying. If you are in a rush, go to a fonda (food kiosk-type restaurant) and get a sancocho (chicken soup) or empanada (stuffed patty). Arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), lechona (hunk of pork), carimanola (a flavored ground beef stuffed yuca roll), and ceviche (lime-cured seafood with yummy spices) are some really delicious Panamanian foods.

2. Visit the Canal
You don’t need to spend all day there, but at least go take a look. It’s an incredible engineering marvel and famous around the globe. You won’t really understand the scope of it unless you see it in person. Call ahead to the visitors center (276-8617) to find out what time the ships will be passing through the Miraflores locks so you can see it in action. The visitors center boasts 4 floors of exhibits about the canal, as well as a theater that shows a movie on the making of the canal. There is also a great restaurant on site that overlooks the locks.

3. Stroll Through Casco Viejo
Panama City’s old quarter is an architectural beauty. For years now the Panamanian government has been providing incentives for developers to restore some of the old buildings to their past glory. There are a number of great hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes on the narrow, stone streets of this neighborhood, so sit and enjoy an ice cold drink on an outdoor patio.

4. Take a Dip in the Ocean
Even if you planned to spend most of your time in Panama City, take a day trip to one of the many gorgeous beaches within an hour drive of the city. Portobello on the Caribbean coast offers great snorkeling and Spanish ruins. There is also a handful of great, nearly deserted beached on the Pacific coast, just an hour west of Panama City. If you’ve got a full day available, hit both coasts so you can brag to your friends that you swam in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean in the same day.

5. Beat The Heat In The Mountains
Boquete, in the province of Chiriqui is a great little town on the Baru Volcano. Located 3,475 meters above sea level, enjoy year round spring temperatures and incredible views. Boquete is well developed and offers many activities for visitors. If you are staying closer to Panama City, El Valle de Anton is just an hour and a half away. Cooler temperatures, waterfalls, restaurants and craft markets are just a few of the great things El Valle offers.

6. Practice Your Spanish
You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish, but just making an effort will please the locals. Some key words to remember: porfavor (please), gracias (thank you), de nada ( you’re welcome), bano (bathroom), mucho gusto (nice to meet you). A little goes a long way!

7. Enjoy Panama’s Wildlife
Take a boat to Monkey Island in the Chagres River or an early morning stroll through Parque Metropolitano. Panama offers some of the best birdwatching in the world, so bring your binoculars. It’s not uncommon to see sloths, crocodiles, parrots, snakes and other creatures very close to Panama City. If you’re in the interior, go to Isla Canas in Los Santos province. Turtles nest on the shores at night between April and November. Humpback whales and dolphins are also prevalent during those months. Take a boat out to Isla Iguana, but make sure you have extra batteries for your camera!

8. Visit A Small Town
You won’t get a feel for what Panama is really like until you experience it like a local. Drive to a small town in the interior (I recommend Pedasi) and enjoy the typical Panamanian lifestyle. In these towns you can often run across a makeshift jam session with folkloric Panamanian instruments and tipico singers. The food in these towns is cheap and delicious!

9. Hit Up A Festival
Panama has a LOT of festivals. The most well known would be Carnaval, but there are so many other great events as well. The festivals in the interior, especially the Azuero peninsula are the most fun. Since Panama’s folklore and traditions originated in Azuero, it really is a great place to enjoy a party. Panamanian festivals are known for the great food, music and fun-loving people. Find a list of festivals in Panama here. 

10. Buy Something Traditionally Panamanian
You can’t go wrong investing in a Panamanian treasure. Some of the most typical Panamanian articles include:
Tagua: An animal carving made out of a palm tree nut
Pollera: A woman’s dress from the Spanish legacy
Sombrero pintado: The REAL Panama hat. Usually black and white and woven so thin it can hold water
Guayabera: A light-weight men’s dress shirt usually featuring 4 pockets
Mola: A tradition with the Kuna Indians. It is a decorative fabric sewn using between 2 and 7 different colored fabrics.

Of course these are just a handful of things to do in Panama. There are many, many more activities for all abilities and age groups. What is your favorite activity in Panama?

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” my health teacher used to say: a large woman with a Geri curl-like haircut and a voice deeper than that of my father. She’d always say this line standing in front of a poster she kept taped beside the chalkboard showing what was considered to be a healthy breakfast. It showed fruit, cereal, toast, eggs, bacon, and various juices.

I didn’t even like most of the things on the poster, but remember confidently thinking that if I had a breakfast display like that set up for me, of course I’d eat it. It was a contrast to what I was offered each morning: a small box of Rice Chex or, if I was lucky, a freshly toasted Pop Tart.

“If we skip breakfast,” she said, “we are likely to become tired in the middle of the day because our bodies are running low on fuel. Let’s take a poll, shall we? Who of you all had a healthy breakfast this morning?” The only person who raised her hand was Courtney, the class kiss up. Of course she had a healthy breakfast. “Good, Courtney. Looks like you’re on the right track to becoming old and wise like me.”

Then, with the senseless power that the teacher wielded, she awarded Courtney an A for the morning: the rest of us got an incomplete. To this day, I can’t really justify the logic behind her lesson, but it had left an impact on me deeper than the hunger I’d feel around mid-day.

From that day on, I made an effort to consume something every morning before I went to school, if for no other reason than to receive a good grade in Health. Because I was allergic to most of the poster foods, I was inclined to eat more unconventional breakfast foods, such as leftover Lo Mein from the fridge or a bag of Jiffy Pop. Whether my breakfast was customarily accepted I wasn’t concerned: as long as it tasted good.

In Panama, only part of the lesson I learned in Health class holds true. Sure, breakfasts are consumed by nearly the entire population: this is a good thing and this is what gives Panamanians fuel throughout the day. But contrary to the book, breakfasts usually consist of fried hotdogs and fried dough balls: not exactly what I imagine showing up on a poster anytime soon.

It was a sunny Saturday morning in Casco Viejo, Panama that my friend Carlos and I walked into one of the lone restaurants open and proceeded to order breakfast. Carlos ordered a myriad of Panamanian breakfast specialties. One fried flab of dough called an hojaldras, cut up hotdogs in tomato sauce called salchichas, a fried pastry with meat inside, and a whole boiled egg. He topped off his order with the request of a bottle of hot sauce which he’d ensuingly douse his breakfast food in.

I asked if Carlos was done, then ordered myself a cup of pickled fish called ceviche and a bottle of Coke.

“What are you doing? Did you just order ceviche for breakfast? That’s disgusting! Why don’t you eat something…more traditional?”

That’s the problem with breakfast Panama food. When you hear the words “traditional” or “customary”, you tend to associate eating such foods with culturally-enlightening acts akin to scaling the Great Wall of China. Though in reality, consuming these foods is not unlike ingesting the remnants left behind in a McDonalds fryer. Beside most roads in Panama you can find fondas or cafes where this breakfast food group is displayed prominently in glass cases, lit deliciously by the sheen of an exposed 40-watt bulb. What’s missing from most of these displays is the amount of calories you’ll rack up over a meal: homemade pork rinds are one of the biggest attractions.

It was only after that breakfast with Carlos that I fully grasped the power of the Health class lesson. Breakfast is less about what you actually eat and more that you eat something period. Whether it’s ceviche or fried hotdog slices, Carlos and I took comfort in having a full tank of fuel for the day that lay ahead.

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Aloe Panama, founded in 1998, produce Sabia (or Aloe extract) for health drinks exclusive to Panama. Aloe Panama soon plans to expand to a global market, mainly in Europe and Asia.

In Panama only Aloe Panama processes and sells the pulp of the aloe plant. This company imported this specific species of sabila called barbadenis miller from the U.S. The sandy land in Santa Clara is perfect for growing the aloe plant, which Aloe Panama grows on seven hectares. Yearly Aloe Panama produces 20,000 liters of aloe.

In order to sell to most European countries the aloe can not have chemical insecticides or fertilizers in its plantations. At the moment Aloe Panama is procure an organic certification.
Aloe Panama is also in the process of inventing an organic national drink, giving the organic consumer a chance to ingest the great properties of aloe immediately.

Currently, Aloe Panama has one liter extracts of aloe in aloe flavor, orange and passion fruit available on the Panamanian market. Orange and Passion fruit are also available for export. The local demand for these drinks is a niche market that is stable, but has not grown. For this reason the company seeks outside and international markets.

Properties of Aloe
Reinforces the immunological system
Elimiates acidity
Eliminates constipation
Reduces cholesterol
Helps to treat asthma, colds, bronchitis.