Your Vacation in Panama | Panama Republic Tourism

Not quite yet a “hot” tourist destination, Panama, the word which means “an abundance of butterflies and fish”, is slowly becoming an alternate choice for tourists seeking the sun for their winter vacations. This fact is resulting in an increase in Panama tourism. I started this blog on Panama because of my love of the Panama Republic. I love Panama City, its ambiance and excitement and the beaches so close to Panama City. And Panama’s location, between two oceans adds to the excitement. You can see the sun rise in the morning over one ocean and see the sun set on another.

Who knows why it took so long for tourists to start discovering Panama? Maybe it was because of the history, or that it was a bit farther than the other typical holiday destinations of the Caribbean islands or the mystique that is Panama. But tourists are just beginning to flock to Panama on their winter retreats from cold nasty weather.

Travel to Panama can be motivated by a number of reasons. Some people want to take a Panama Canal cruise, to discover and experience what is considered by many, the eighth wonder of the world. Truly an engineering marvel, the Panama Canal, constructed in the 20th century by the Americans, is a sight to experience and you can find any number of companies conducting Panama Canal cruises including Princess Cruises. If you are looking for a hotel that is close to the Panama Canal, you could try the Country Inn & Suites Amador. I heard of one guy who had travelled to Panama, just to see the Panama Canal because he considered it to be the one great adventure he had to have in his life. Everybody has their reasons to travel to Panama.

Another reason tourists are choosing Panama travel is that Panama offers wonderful beaches and virgin rainforests to explore. Hiking through the rainforests, observing nature where it is most unspoiled is an adventure many tourists to Panama are seeking. One luxury resort in Panama which makes it possible is the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. This all inclusive resort in Panama offers ecological tours to explore the rainforest, or you can board a tram to experience an aerial tour of the rainforest. Gamboa Rainforest Resort also offers fishing tours and is close to the Panama Canal. With many tourists seeking alternative eco-tourism, Panama offers another alternative.

Other tourism to Panama are those that want to visit the city of Panama, perhaps to visit the historic area of the city, known as El Cangrejo to go to the museums, see the old churches and cathedrals and architecture. Panama City itself is a blend of the old and the new, an urban center that is bustling with excitement, business, nightlife, the Latin- Caribbean lifestyle. Currently growing with many new building projects, the skyline is a jewel against the sky at night, overlooking the Gulf of Panama to the Pacific Ocean. Panama City offers fantastic shopping opportunities, great architecture, restaurants, bars and casinos. It is truly an exciting tourist destination and so close to the beach where there are many Panama city beach hotels, both in the city, close to the Panama Canal and near the white sandy beaches, unfettered by masses of tourists. Did you know that within a couple of hours, you can swim in two different oceans in Panama? Choosing from any of the vast number of hotels in Panama is easy because there are so many available to stay in from the small hostels like La Casa de Carmen to the high rise buildings in the city to the beach resorts such as the Royal Decameron Beach Resort or the Playa Blanca Beach Resort which is an hour and 15 minutes away from the city of Panama. So Panama offers a lot, blending both the old and the new, the urban lifestyle and the resort-like atmosphere.

It’s easy to travel to Panama. You can either book a Panama Canal cruise from many destinations, or fly there in only four to five hours from any number of states in the U.S., such as Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Newark, New York, Los Angeles, and Orlando. From Canada, you can fly either from Toronto or Montreal. Tour operators such as Sunwing.ca or Nolitours offer all inclusive vacations to Panama at a number of different resorts.

Tourists are looking for new destinations that are safe to travel to. Panama travel is increasing, offering unspoiled beaches, lush vegetation, friendly hospitable people, a rich cultural heritage, a tropical climate, wildlife and oceans to explore. Panama is a vacationer’s paradise, still somewhat relatively unknown and unexplored.

Hotels in Panama City

If you are considering a holiday in Panama, there are many hotels to choose from in a wide variety of price ranges – from budget priced to luxury hotels in Panama City. It depends on your budget, your preferences and whether your vacation in Panama is for business or pleasure. There are a lot of hotels in Panama City for you to choose from for your vacation or business trip to Panama. There are beach hotels in Panama for those seeking sun, surf and relaxation, there are hotels in Panama City for those who are looking for the vibrancy of city life or must be close to the business/banking district, and there are resorts like the luxury Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

The following is a list of the world wide chain hotels which have hotels in Panama City. Please also note, all hotels in Panama are now non-smoking.

The Hotel Miramar Intercontinental, Panama

The Hotel Miramar Intercontinental on Av. Balboa y Fdco Boyd is a luxury hotel in Panama, on the waterfront overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the banking district. Great shopping is nearby as well as the Atlap Convention Center. The price for a single or double room is US $215 per night. All rooms have a balcony. The price includes a breakfast buffet. In total, there are 206 rooms and suites, telephone, mini bar, bathrobes, cable TV and satellite, internet, a business center and meeting rooms, local newspaper, room services, laundry, and gym, swimming pool, and health club. The health club offers sauna, whirlpool, tennis courts, and a Turkish bath. You can hire yachts, go fishing and find other available water sports at the private marina. Tennis courts are also available. For evening entertainment, there is the fifth floor lounge, Sparkles, with live music two nights a week. The Hotel Miramar Intercontinental also provides disabled traveller access.

Gourmet and international menus are available at the Bayview Restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snacks are available at Las Olas by the pool.

Hotel Marriott Panama


At Calle 52 y Ricardo Arias, Panama City, in the banking district, (12 miles from Tocumen Airport) you will find the Hotel Marriott Panama. It is ideal for business travellers because of its location in the banking district. A single and double room will cost you from U.S. $172. and a triple room goes for US $207 per night. The price of the room also includes a buffet breakfast. The hotel is made up of 396 rooms; there is a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center, cable TV, air conditioning, meeting rooms, laundry and an information desk. Excellent conference & meeting facilities are available in the business center and high-speed Internet. Also, be sure to visit the onsite gaming casino.

The Hotel Marriott Panama provides all the expected luxuries and comforts of the Marriott hotel chain world wide. There is a lobby bar and an American bar, the Marriott Café restaurant serving a la carte & buffet items. Once a week, a Panamanian buffet is served and on Friday evenings, a delicious seafood buffet is available.

Hotel Sheraton Panama

The Hotel Sheraton Panama on via Israel, Panama City offers 360 rooms, air conditioned, cable TV, telephone, laundry, gym, tennis court, a swimming pool, a spa, restaurants, bars, a night club, casino, meeting rooms, and an information desk for tourists.

Prices for the rooms begin at US $173 for a single room.

Hotel Crowne Plaza Panama

The Hotel Crowne Plaza Panama on the Av. Manuel Espinosa Batista in El Cangrejo district has 150 air conditioned rooms and suites, coffee makers, Internet, Fax, dining room, kitchenette in the suites, computers, internet access, and cable TV. Its restaurant called La Galeria serves fine cuisine. The bar "Memories" – is a sports bar serving international beverages. There is a nightclub, a fitness center, meeting rooms, laundry and a concierge. A single room starts at the price of US $146. This is an ideal hotel in Panama City for the business traveller because of its excellent location in the business district, El Cangrejo.

Courtyard by Marriott Plaza Real, Panama

The Courtyard by Marriott Plaza Real in the Multi Plaza Mall on the Punta Pacifica
has 150 rooms for its guests, Internet, Fax, dinning room, kitchenette, computers, coffee Maker, cable TV restaurant, bar, discoteque, gym, meeting rooms, laundry and a concierge and information desk to provide information to its guests. Prices for the rooms start at US $138 for a single to US $172 for a triple room. The price also includes a buffet breakfast.

Four Points Sheraton Panama




The Four Points Sheraton in Panama City on the Calle 43 Este in Marbella has 128 air conditioned rooms and suites from US $120 to US $138 offering such amenities as cable TV, telephone, laundry services. Price includes a breakfast buffet. Other amenities include a restaurant, bar, fitness center.









Hotel Plaza Paitilla Inn, Panama

Hotel Plaza Paitilla Inn situated on the Via Italia, Paitilla offers its guests rooms and suites from US $90 to US $148 including breakfast buffet. The 252 rooms and suites are air conditioned, with Cable TV, telephone, room service, a fitness center and information desk for its guests. There are several restaurants in the hotel, bars and a nightclub. Meeting and banquet facilities are available.

The Best Western Suites Las Huacas, Panama

The Best Western Suites Las Huacas on Calle A, El Cangrejo is a small hotel offering 33 rooms designed in the Panamanian folkloric style offering its guests the comfort and services expected at a Best Western Hotel during their vacation in Panama. Rooms come in a price range of US $77 to US $106 and include a continental breakfast. The rooms are air conditioned, have cable TV and laundry services are available. Panamanian cuisine is served at the Sabores Panamenos Restaurant in the Hotel and regular entertainment is available of Panamanian folkloric dance and music.

As you can see, there are many international chain hotels in Panama City offered for business travellers and vacationers alike. The city of Panama is in a unique location, offering fabulous shopping, casinos, business and commerce, 85 international banks in the banking district, the Pacific Ocean, beach front views, magnificent skylines and the mountains in the background. If you are more interested in beach hotels Panama City, you can book your vacation at a resort such as the Royal Decameron Beach resort or the Playa Blanca Hotel and Resort. For those who want to explore nature and the rainforests of Panama, you could investigate the 5 star luxury Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Panama City offers so much to the business traveller or the vacationer alike.

Riande Continental Hotel in Panama City

At the corner of Calle Ricardo Arias and the Vía Espana in the El Cangrejo district of Panama City you will find the Riande Continental Hotel and Casino. This hip hotel, Latin, open aired and breezy might remind you of Havana more than Panama. It’s a 4 star hotel you will love.because of its great location and marvelous skyline views from the rooms on the upper floors. Because of its location, it’s a great choice of hotels in Panama City for both tourists and business travelers alike.

It’s a beautiful hotel, open architecture in the Latin style, loads of fresh flowers, with 363 rooms designed in a modern style and very comfortable. There is also a luxurious Executive floors and a private Business Center with free internet service. Because of its location, close to the popular shopping area, international banks, night clubs, movie theaters, shopping centers, it’s a great hotel in Panama to choose. It’s a 4 star hotel in Panama, but it’s quite lovely for your holiday stay. They also offer transport to and from the airport to the hotel.

Services and comforts offered to their guests include high speed internet, warm accommodations, and great service. There is also a swimming pool, Lobby Bar, currency exchange, modern casino, parking on site, four meeting and conference rooms and a team of people able to assist your business conference plans, a souvenir and gift shop, and cable TV and daily maid service. The outdoor pool has a lifeguard and is the place to relax, grab a drink and watch the world go by. There is also a solarium and recreation area and a workout gym for those who wish to keep fit. There is also a panoramic elevator for the guests where you can get great view of the city.

For eating and drinking, the Riande Continental offers a 24 hour café offering both modern cuisine and wonderful tea evenings. There is a newly renovated Pub Bar in the Lobby where you can order Panamanian drinks, cocktails , music, happy hours and karaoke for those who love to pretend to sing. The Casino is lots of fun with machines, poker tables and special deals for the guests. Don’t miss at least one night here at this Casino in Panama City.

For the best looking views at the hotel Riande Continental, upgrade to a suite, where you can watch the skyline at night. The suites have walk in closets for your space and convenience. I would not recommend getting a room in the Old Tower. However, you will enjoy a very comfortable stay at this hotel in Panama.

More information about the hotel is available at their website hotelesriande.com.

You will enjoy very comfortable accommodation in Panama City at the Hotel Riande Continental, located right in the heart of everything in the city center neighbourhood of El Cangrejo.

Weather in Panama

Update. I've been checking back to my weather in Panama widget a couple of times and it hasn't been updating the weather as you may have noticed.

I did find out that the weather in Panama for the next week is mostly rain and thunderstorms.

I then click on the link which takes you to the wunderground page and the result is that the weather station in Panama is not reporting. Perhaps this will be fixed shortly. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the weather starts being reported to wunderground in the near future so my readers can check the weather in Panama instantly on this page.