Unfortunately this is going to be a post without information about accommodation costs, due to the fact that this trip already lies a few months in the past.
Actually we had planed to go to Costa Rica first and to travel to Panama from there but due to a unfortunate or rather fortunate coincidence of a missing yellow fever vaccination I was not able to enter Costa Rica directly from Colombia. Only after a one-week incubation period I was entitled to cross the border to Costa Rica. Hence we had to go off the plane in Panama and start our trip from there.
Due to the circumstances of our unplanned stop we just took a taxi to the next hostel that still had accommodation available.
Casco Viejo
And there the trip started on our first day we went to Casco Viejo.
Casco Viejo isthe historic district of Panama, which we both fell in love with instantly. Already the way to get there along the promenade with this great view of the skyline of Panama city was very impressive. And the historical district is just amazing. The lovely little bars, ruins and colonial buildings create a very unique charm. You can also find some very nice hostels and hotels in this part of Panama City.
Albrook Mal/Mercado de Mariscos
The next day, because of the fact that my girlfriends’ luggage continued to fly to Costa Rica and she necessarily needed some clothes we had a little outing to Albrook Mal. For everyone who is fan of cheap shopping Albrook Mal is he place to be due to very moderate clothing prices.
Afterwards we proceeded to Panama cities fish market (mercado de mariscos) where one can get fresh fish and Ceviche (in lemon juice marinated fish). You can buy the fish and take it to one of the restaurants around and they will prepare it for you. Which I think is pretty cool considering that as a tourist who likes fresh fish but lives in a hostel it is very convenient to let someone else prepare it for you. Even though I love cooking this is a very good alternative.
On our way back to the hostal in direction of the Panama Canal we noticed some loud music hence we decided to figure out where the music was coming from. We were actually thinking that there had to be a club around in this area but as it turned out the Panamanians like to party in parking lots. Several SUVs lined up on a parking lot were pumping Reggae and Dancehall music through their massive speakers. We joined the party for a while and ate some grilled chuzos until the police decided to suspend the festivities. But his was definitely a nice first glance at the Panamanian nightlife.
Back at the hostel I noticed a picture hanging in our room, which looked like a photo of the Maldives. After asking the receptionist from the hostel which place the motive showed on that picture he advised me that this was a picture of the San Blas Islands which are located pretty close by Panama City.
Since this place looked simply incredible and our hostel offered tripa to San Blas, we decided to go for a tour to the islanda. We booked a Cabaña of the middle price rage, which was 70 Dollars per night, plus 30 Dollars transfer fee for 2 persons. So next destination were the San Blas islands.
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