Thread: What do you do to for a change..

We all know how Panama City looks like at ground level. What do you do when you are sick of the ugliness and want to "clean" you palette, look at some pretty things (I am not talking about malls!), to get away from it?
Any art galleries, museums?
Or even anything that involves a short drive away - less than 2 hrs from PC?
I hope I am not talking alien language here, and please don't miscontrue that I have a holier than thou attitude. But after a while here, you adapt, but sometimes you do need to "refresh", wash it all off, you know what I mean?

You build a beach or a mountain house.

Summit Gardens is an interesting place. Lots of animals and wide open spaces. Close to town out near Gamboa. My family always loved going out there and the admission is dirt cheap.

I do suggest that foreign nationals that move here get out and about the country. To often people wind up in the same rut they do back home and wind up in the same routine. This is an extremely easy country to get around for a cheap price. I can literally get from the Azuero, up across the border, and a good distance into Costa Rica for less than $20. There are many good hostels and if you have a decent personality and make some friends in different parts of the country you can have an adventure whenever on a budget.

I go walk in Metropolitan park. Best kept secret in Panama City.

Matt, Metropolitan Park sounds like a good idea. Where do I start? The Visitor Centre?

The website has an address

• Avenue Juan Pablo II final
  Zipcode: 0843-03129

(I didnt know PC has zipcodes!)

Tennvol, will check out Summit Gardens too.

Mr WooHoo, thanks for the suggestion. I want to drive out and away too.. Problem is husband is too busy working and cannot get away. So I can only manage within PC with the kids (8 and 10). Say if we have some time for a (1) daytrip (2)weekend, where do you suggest? Thanks.

You might try a day trip to Cerro Azul.

You can visit El Valle de Anton. Take the bus from Albrook Terminal, I think it is around$3.50 USD. It's a comfortable ride. The kids can visit Nispero (the zoo). There is also the hot springs but I am not sure if the kids would enjoy that. Of course on Sunday there is the open market too.

Great suggestions. I shall copy down all these ideas.

Panama Dreamer, how are you?

Metropolitan Park for sure.

Originally Posted by No-Non-Sense-Matt

I go walk in Metropolitan park. Best kept secret in Panama City.

I had a great time hiking in the park. It's amazing how clean, fresh, and green everything smelled. Even more amazing how close it is to Panama city.

Originally Posted by Panama Dreamer

You can visit El Valle de Anton. Take the bus from Albrook Terminal, I think it is around$3.50 USD. It's a comfortable ride. The kids can visit Nispero (the zoo). There is also the hot springs but I am not sure if the kids would enjoy that. Of course on Sunday there is the open market too.

El Valle is a great place to go on a less than two hour trip from the city. I also know that they do sell volcanic mud there for really decent prices. Looking for a great skin treatment, that will do it. Going by bus is cheap and easy. Actually El Valle is really so cheap and easy to get to it's worth going for even 4-5 hours. There is a really really good bakery there as well the open market.

Thanks.
Found a website on El Valle.
El Valle de Anton, Panama

Any recommendations for hostels? Pref one that has private rooms with detached bathrooms? (we are travelling with kids)
Thanks.

I do know they have at least one hostel. It's been awhile since I have been there.

Basically -- if you're driving on Via Brazil and you go past "Tumba Muerto" and go towards Clayton/Albrook/Albrook Mall.

It's basically the massive jungle on your right. You'll see a location selling plants and trees and it's the next building/parking lot after.

2$ for non-residents -- $1 for residents.

Amazing vibes!

Parque Metropolitan is ok for the first 2 or 3 times you visit, but the main trails are not very long and I find it a bit dull. For the more adventurous (or for people who need a change of pace), I suggest walking the original "camino de cruces trail" in Parque Soberania. This is the same trail that privateers Sir Henry Morgan, Sir Francis Drake, thousands of '49'ers, and many other adventurers traveled to get to both what is now Panama Viejo and the "new" city in Casco Viejo. Quite an adventure historically as well as great exercise.

I walked from the abandoned city of Cruces (near Gamboa) all the way to the end of the trail where the famous canon now sits overlooking that main street. It took about 5-6 hours at a moderate pace to finish. You could also start at the canon and walk an hour or so in and simply turn around to come back. I enjoy this trek because you get to walk on the largest relatively intact part of the Camino de Cruces trail and it is more remote than Parque Metropolitan (thus, you'll see monkeys and other wildlife).

Here's a great article on Parque Soberania: Amazing Day Trips to Soberania National Park - Panama Guide