Thread: Impression's of Las Tablas and it's surrounding area by an Xpat.

Hello all. I have lived in the Las Tablas area now for 18 months and am now a permanent resident. I have noticed a few people have expressed interest in this area so I thought it would be good to post my thoughts. Las Tablas is a typical frontier town in Panama, with probably 10 thousand residents. There are little villages around the town that are also quite nice. The City is famous for it's wonderful yearly carnival which will be 4 days of chaos and partying in early March. There are many photo's online. But, anyway, Las Tablas for me was a good choice of locations, number 1, I wanted a charming town and I wanted peace and quiet. The town has the typical look and feel of many little towns in Panama with the square and the big white Catholic church and the little taverns and shops and stores. There are no brand name restaurants here and very little shopping of any real value. For shopping, you need to go to the city of Chitre or just take the bus back to Panama City. For basic needs though, everything is here. The area has access to the beach. The best beach I have seen is near the village of Santo Domingo. I think it is called Playa Uverito. A nice clean beach although it is not nearly as nice as the legendary Playa Venou in Pedasi. But, it is convenient and worth visiting or living near actually. There is no crime to speak of here either and we have access to cable TV and internet services in most cases. Now, this isn't Panama City. We don't have a movie theatre or fast food restaurants. Most people use the short bus to get around. Life is slow here. There are not many Americans here. So brush up on the Spanish. But, people are nice here.
Oh, there is a real Super Market here which for some of us is important. And, Las Tablos is located so you can catch a bus to Pedasi if you just have to see that. I think Pedasi is over rated myself. I have to live near a town with at least some shopping. But, when you come, you will have an opportunity to see the little towns surrounding Las Tablas and you will be able to judge it's potential. There is plenty of room here folks and plenty of potential. Las Tablos is a "best kept secret". Maybe I shouldn't even be talking about it. Hmmmm.

Oh, I didn't mention this part. The Las Santos province is mostly cattle country. There is scattered corn, pineapple, rice and sugur cane etc also. The land appears to have been completely deforested. The areas appears vast and roomy and has many hills and mountains in the distance. It is disappointing about the fact that the forest is gone. The soil is kind of hard packed and poor in consistency and full of stones and rocks. It is not as tropical in appearance as you might expect. You see a smattering of coconut palms but not so many. The area is roomy, but also there is much poverty here. Weather wise it is hot year around. We are now approaching the end of the rainy season. We will see a stretch of 6 months without rain and I will miss it cause it's hot and humid here. The rain cools us off. And, those 6 dry months are hot as hell. Most people here don't use airconditioning and have no hot water in the home. It's not considered an essential. For Gringos I would think it would be. So that is just a little extra info on the Las Tablos Area

Ok, I have just purchased a little scooter so I can now begin to systematically visit the little towns between Las Tablas and Pedasi. I took a ride towards Pedasi and drove in to the little town of San Jose. That town is 3-4 miles from the main road. Part of the road is gravelly and uncomfortable to ride on with the scoot-and slow going. Absolutely beautiful, numerous rolling hills, lots of cattle and corn. The little town has 1300 people according to the welcome sign. A typical farm community and guess what?-it has a square and white Catholic church. A couple of little hole in the wall restaurants and of course the cantina's. Real pretty little town, out of the way-typical cottage style concrete block housing. I have a feeling that the more I look at these towns the more I will decide that they are basicly the same. No Gringo's spotted folks. Pure Panama.

Someone asked me recently about the meaning of the "bark". In your travels here you might hear this going on, anywhere you see the fella's hangin out.

I remember the Marines barking like dogs. They call them "dog faces". Pretty awesome actually as the Marines are awesome.

They don't just bark here. Evidently they bark in Columbia also. I don't really have the exact meaning of this rather bizarre behavior but since I recently have been asked I will give you my 2 cents. It seems to be a festive activity. When men see something they are excited about they "bark". They might be in a bar and just out of nowhere they will start barking. It has a certain tone. It is rather distinct and really doesn't sound like any dog I have ever heard. It can be melodic. There can be several men doing this in a sort of syncopated rhythmic bark. I have seen 3 or 4 guys doing it in a cool, kind of rap form for example. Pretty talented actually. No actual use for it except that it could be considered fun. When a Chico see's a pretty girl that will definitely elicit his best bark. The I want to get with you "bark". The girl may smile or just look the other way-ignoring the bark.

When barking is done, the others don't try to quiet it down. Sometimes, it is cheered on-depending on the perceived quality of the bark. Sometimes the bark gets leers. I guess that means the bark is not so great.

But, usually when you hear the bark or see someone doing the bark that usually means the person is happy or just drunk or approves of something they see.

So practice your bark before you come. Why not?

Everyone else around here seems to be doing it.

Hi Pollerkeeper, want to get together for a beer, bark, or both?

Mr WooHoo I would enjoy that. I like the America owned bar near the terminal. I think you mentioned once that you liked that place. Let me know when you want to do that. I am retired so time is not a problem for me.

Sounds great, I got sometime manana later in the day.

Just let me know.

near the terminal ?

i was told in Cuba that the barking is a form of greeting , just hope they dont start sniffing crotches as well , just seems weird to me

Ok, for those of you that don't live here the terminal is where you catch the bus to Panama City. Las Tablas is very small so everyone that lives around here knows where it is and also about the little American owned bar that is very close. Anyone is welcome to join me and Senor Woohoo for a pop or a beer. I am glad also to get a little feed back on the barking that goes on around here. I knew I wasn't the only one that noticed it. Anyway, I have continued to peruse the little towns along this coast and today I eased into the little town of La Palma. La Palma is about 4 klicks down the road from Santo Domingo. The sign boasts 1300 residents. I cruised in and was delighted with this little town. It is set in the hills. There is nothing flat about La Palma. The homes are crammed together but this is the most beautiful town I have seen yet. This little community oozes with culture and charm. You can see rows of houses in the hills in almost European style. The homes are an eclectic mix of the old and the new, with many of those old mud-straw, bamboo framed affairs with the hand-made barrel tile roofs. I didn't see a hotel or a grocery store. I did see the little barrio tienda's and 4 or 5 cool cantina's. Of course there is a square and the typical Catholic church. This little town is a must see. When you are in Los Tablas you can catch the La Palma bus in front of the super market and get there for 65 cents or something ridiculously cheap. Walk around, stop into one of the cantina's and have a pop. If you like old-fashioned Spanish neighborhoods this town gets a very high mark from me. Four BARKS. That's four out of Five. You got to see this. I for one, will be keeping my eyes open for a house to rent or buy in La Palma. Totally cool.

Good job reporting. I enjoy reading your observations of the countryside. Thanks, keep them coming.

Originally Posted by jimmy

near the terminal ?

Wanna join us?

I sort of skipped Santo Domingo. Sorry about that. Santo Domingo is worth mentioning as it is a town that is very convenient to Los Tablos. I would say that it is typical, but clean and cute. The land is level and not all the houses are crammed together but in places they are. You see more stand alone cottage style houses and most of them are concrete block and they have metal roofs. There are still a few of the beautiful old style cottages there. The old homes have been replaced and the charm is slowly disappearing. I think it is because of its proximity to Las Tablos as its only 3-4 clicks down the road. The streets appear almost new. Of course, there is a square and the church and a couple of Fonda's and Cantina's. On the main road is the Super Chino. Playa Uverito is about 10 klicks away on a side road-the name of which I have no idea. Santo Domingo gets high marks for its convenience to the beach and to Los Tablas. They also have good bus service. Four Barks from me.

I have noticed on the forum that there are folks that have never even been here and they are talking about buying a home here. Why is this? There is so much to see in this beautiful country. Every time I see a place I like it is inevitable that I will find another that I like as much or more. You see, it takes time. One must be patient. Bide your time. And, Panama offers something different. Not just a cheap lifestyle. Living in Panama is a way of life. A "real", simple kind of life. Simple pleasures. Materialism exists in Panama. But, it is different. You don't need "things" here. Yah, things are nice but they are not necessary. If you just want to live cheap and you don't want to change your lifestyle then I suggest some place like Florida. Gringo style housing is much cheaper right now in Florida. If you want to import the US lifestyle into Panama its possible but why would you even want to do that? This is a place to slow down. Put on a different pair of goggles and see things from a different perspective. I am going to continue to visit more little towns as I can and will report observations. My experience so far is that "I" as a Gringo certainly don't have all the answers when it comes to how to live. Panamanians as a rule seem very happy and content with what they have. For now, I will continue to look and see and feel this place.

If you haven't already I would suggest taking a good look through Guarare. I like the location and the town.

I have not seen the entire town. I have been to the square etc and a few restaurants and also to the local beach they have there. I will get there soon again and explore it thoroughly. After all, it is the birth place of Roberto Duran. This little scooter I just bought is just perfect for viewing the nooks and crannies. Five BARKS for the scooter!

This place is such a trip, I just returned from getting a fried rice combination order to go from Arco Iris. Anyway I stopped by that classy joint nearby called "The Royal Gin" to get a beer while waiting. I walked into the place and started talking with a couple of locals. The one guy is in tears, really drunk, and holding up his pant-leg. Looking at his leg I noticed an older scar starting at the front of the knee and continuing down to the ankle area. Upon further examination you can see a purple bump forming on the side and what appears to be a possible bone poking against it? Even though the guy is hammered he cannot stand on his leg whatsoever because of the pain. I suggested the hospital and even offered to take him. He refused and continued to cry in pain and keep drinking cheap booze.

Sounds like the gentleman has a different priority system going on, thats all. Hell, the emergency room is open all night. Get a few drinks on first. Worry about the life-threatening situation later. By the way, I love the Arco Irus. Great restaurant.

Gotta have priorities in life.

Let's meet up at around 5pm at Oceano's near the terminal. Anybody else that would like to stop by feel free.

Oceano's it is. I'll be there.

Excellent, to nice of a day to spend online (unless you are buried in snow somewhere).

You had to say that, didn't you. You no longer posted and it started snowing Mr.Woohoo.

Originally Posted by mudshark

You had to say that, didn't you. You no longer posted and it started snowing Mr.Woohoo.

My bad and I apologize, Lol. Trust me when I say I can feel your pain because I have been there. Not to worry, all you gotta do is move to Panama and kiss the cold white stuff goodbye.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

Ok, I have just purchased a little scooter so I can now begin to systematically visit the little towns between Las Tablas and Pedasi. I took a ride towards Pedasi and drove in to the little town of San Jose. That town is 3-4 miles from the main road. Part of the road is gravelly and uncomfortable to ride on with the scoot-and slow going. Absolutely beautiful, numerous rolling hills, lots of cattle and corn. The little town has 1300 people according to the welcome sign. A typical farm community and guess what?-it has a square and white Catholic church. A couple of little hole in the wall restaurants and of course the cantina's. Real pretty little town, out of the way-typical cottage style concrete block housing. I have a feeling that the more I look at these towns the more I will decide that they are basicly the same. No Gringo's spotted folks. Pure Panama.

Hi Pollerkeeper,
I enjoy your scooter-based travel log. Very detailed and informative. Your "bark-o-meter" rating system is quite amusing. Keep up the good work!

You're not bad Mr. Whoohoo, no need to apologize. Keep a date open in Feb. at Oceana for me, and all will be forgiven.

The Oceana is an awesome little local watering hole here in Las Tablas. And, the "water" is excellent(wink-wink). Photo's will be added sometime in the future that show a little of the local color.

I hope this works. This is a link to some recent photo's of La Palma.
https://cid-86885f4e63354447.skydriv...5QMeLltvpj4%24
La Palma is basicly just a barrio that wants to be a town. Typical I would say.

I 'll tip my next cold one to "The Keeper man" for the great photo's. I'm sure we all appreciate the info and pics provided. Thanks