What to do during a long layover in Panama City? – Vacation Destinations

With enticing costs and a big selection of locations departing from the principle Brazilian cities, Copa airline has been conquering many Brazilian prospects. And that is how Tocumen Worldwide Airport, in Panama Metropolis, has develop into well-known amongst Brazilians.

Lengthy connections, 7 hours or extra, are widespread on Copa flights. Is it doable to go away the airport?

Sure. Brazilians don’t want a visa to enter Panama, however it’s essential to have the Worldwide Prophylaxis Certificates with proof of vaccination in opposition to yellow fever.

After disembarking, you’ll have to undergo passport management earlier than leaving the airport. There isn’t any rush to fret about baggage. You examine your baggage in Brazil and solely choose them up at your remaining vacation spot (it's the identical the opposite approach round). Simply don't carry an excessive amount of hand baggage…

And what to do throughout all this time? See our ideas right here.

The primary level is to concentrate to the connection time. Analyze whether it is doable to go away the airport and return, with out the chance of lacking your subsequent flight. Keep in mind to calculate the immigration time, the time to bear the x-ray and the unexpected occasions, which, relying on the Murphy's regulation, at all times occurs. Nonetheless understand that the airport is just not very near the town heart and that site visitors jams are frequent in Panama Metropolis throughout rush hours.

If after the calculations you continue to have time to go away the airport, take the chance to go sightseeing or buying!

Buy groceries with out going too removed from the airport

Panama airport has a substantial variety of shops. Nonetheless, it doesn't examine to a shopping center. For many who don't need to go too removed from the airport, an excellent buying choice is the Metromall.

The mall is 10 minutes from the airport and has some good worldwide shops like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Columbia, Payless Footwear, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger Youngsters, US Polo, and many others. Then again, there are eating places and cinemas.

The nice benefit, above the proximity to the airport, is the van that takes you from the airport to the buying heart for free of charge. oh free transportation It leaves each half-hour.

Purchasing in downtown Panama Metropolis

For extra subtle buying, the Multiplaza Pacific buying heart is the perfect aspect.

There yow will discover a number of shops of well-known worldwide manufacturers, reminiscent of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Guess, Ferragamo, Cartier, Bulgari, Fendi, Núcleo Armani, Armani Change, Hugo Boss, Diesel, Ralph Lauren, on high of shops reminiscent of Zara and Mango. MAC Retailer and Sony Type are nonetheless current there. Examine the whole record of shops right here.

There are some subtle eating places and a few rooftop bars with panoramic views of the town. Extra particulars right here.

Should you desire to browse the biggest buying heart in Panama Metropolis, head to Albrook Mall. There aren’t any well-known shops there, however the costs could make up for it.

Vacationer to the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is likely one of the hottest locations amongst vacationers visiting Panama Metropolis. That's why the Miraflores Customer Heart, the place you may see the Miraflores Lock and the comings and goings of boats, is at all times full.

There’s a museum and an statement deck the place you may watch the ships. It’s nonetheless doable to see a video that tells the story of the canal's building.

Admission prices USD 8. Kids and college students pay USD 5. Tickets with direct entry to the terrace to look at the boats price USD 5 (adults) and USD 3 (minors and college students). Kids underneath 5 years previous don’t pay.

These with extra time can take a ship journey to navigate a bit of the canal. A number of native firms supply this service. The boat journey lasts about 5 hours and has a median price of USD 115.

To be taught extra about crusing by means of the Panama Canal, learn our put up Panama Canal: info and ideas for having fun with the crusing

Flying over the town

To find Panama Metropolis in fashion, we propose taking a helicopter tour.

There are excursions that solely fly over the town or that also embrace the Panama Canal.

Photograph: Copy. http://heli-ancon.com/destinos/tour-8-canales

Metropolis stroll

A number of Panamanian tourism companies supply metropolis excursions across the metropolis. The primary vacationer sights are Rancid Helmet, with its colonial mansions; the boardwalk Coastal belt overlooking the fashionable buildings of the town; the ruins of Panama Rancio; oh Ancon Hill, which presents a panoramic view of the town; and the avenue Amador Causewaya slim avenue that separates the doorway to the canal from the ocean.

Give desire to non-public excursions, with expectations and returns to the airport, in order to not waste time. An alternative choice is to rent a taxi to be at your disposal. The common worth for hiring a taxi that’s appropriate all day is 90 to 100 USD.

Our private expertise

Our connection in Panama took simply over 8 hours. We selected to rent a driver to be at our disposal for a drive across the metropolis and a few buying. We searched the Journey Advisor dialogue discussion board and ended the dialogue with Mr. Orville Kellyextremely beneficial there.

We agree on worth and day/time by e mail (kellyorvill@yahoo.com) and on the scheduled day he was ready for us at arrivals.

First we went to the Panama Canal, the place we noticed the lock and the comings and goings of the ships. From there, we made a rapid cease for lunch at a snack bar beneficial by Mr. Orville. We did a fast hike by means of Casco Rancio, with just one cease for pictures (however you may plan no matter you need). Then we went to the Multiplaza buying heart to do some buying. Leaving the mall, we noticed the ruins of Panama Rancio from the automotive and headed again to the airport.

The schedule was fairly tight, but it surely was price it. I actually favored the driving force. He’s extraordinarily pleasant and useful, and nonetheless instructed us many particulars concerning the historical past of Panama. The one criticism is the automotive, which was a barely aged Corolla with damaged air con. The settled worth was USD 90 in order that it will be at our disposal all through our connection in Panama.

* Textual content revealed on the Melhores Destinos web site on 08/03/2012 with minor modifications.

I nonetheless suggest analyzing the good put up by Rafael Carvalho from the journey weblog This world is ours: What are you able to do throughout a connection in Panama?