The best accommodations Panama

Budget & Tips

Accommodation prices are reasonable in Panama. They vary considerably between high and low season (mid-April-early November). Rates often do not include the 10% tourist tax. If you're on a budget, you can opt for a dormitory bed in a hostel (average US$12-15) or private rooms with an outdoor bathroom. Youth hostels can be found all over the country. For greater comfort, a double room with private bathroom costs between US$60 and US$120. In the capital, luxury hotels for business travelers are plentiful. Occupancy rates are generally low, with the result that there are numerous promotions throughout the year. Away from the skyscrapers, the boutique hotels of Casco Viejo, or the ecolodges by the sea, are less accessible, but still much cheaper than in neighboring Costa Rica, for example. Expect to pay between US$80 and US$300 for two people, often with meals included for the more isolated. In conventional hotels, rates are given per room (single, double, triple, quadruple, etc.), with the exception of todo incluido (all-inclusive) establishments, which are mainly found near Playa Blanca, on the Pacific coast, just over an hour's drive from Panamá City. Inhostels, prices are quoted either per person, when you sleep in a dormitory, or per room, when it's private (private or shared bathroom). Establishments known as pensión, residencial or hospedaje are the most economical. Comfort, tranquility and service vary widely. It's always possible to find a room for less than US$25, especially in the provinces. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but sometimes incur additional charges (around 5%).

To be booked

It's advisable to book your room in advance all year round, but especially during the high tourist season, which runs from November to early April. The very high season takes place around the November bridges for national holidays(fiestas patrias), the week between Christmas and New Year, Carnival (in February or March) and Holy Week in April. In the very low season (May-June), you may find that hotels are closed, as many owners take their vacations at this time, before the arrival of European tourists in July-August. Be aware that some reservation platforms, such as Booking or Expedia, may indicate that a hotel is fully booked, although rooms may be available if you contact the hotel directly (by phone, WhatsApp or e-mail). Rates are generally the same for direct contact.

What's very local

Most establishments have air conditioning(aire acondicionado), but some offer a choice of air conditioning or a fan, with a lower price for the use of the latter (which is sometimes more efficient than an unregulated air conditioning!). For the shower, you will have to get used to cold water, or rather lukewarm in the simplest establishments. Considering the heat, it is not that disturbing.

Another precision, not very glamorous but important: as everywhere in Latin America, in the great majority of the toilets of the hotels (but also restaurants, at the private individuals, etc.), it is necessary to throw the used paper in the dustbin envisaged for this purpose, and not in the basin, at the risk of blocking the drains. You'll get used to it pretty quickly, you'll see!

Finally, to avoid surprises, you should know that in Latin America, the motel does not mean a roadside hotel, as it is in the United States for example, but a place where discretion is required. You arrive by private car (or cab), directly in a box that gives access to a room, without having to go through a reception. Whirlpool, mirrors, mini bars... Everything is provided to spend a pleasant moment with your partner, official or not, and especially not to sleep! The motels are often located at the entrance of the city, or in certain districts known for that. In case of doubt, the romantic name of the establishment and its flashing red kitsch sign should tell you what it is!

For food lovers

Breakfast is usually included in the room rate, but is sometimes available at extra cost. It is served as a buffet in larger hotels or youth hostels, or at your table in B&Bs. There's often a choice between the classic continental breakfast, with cereals, toast, butter and jam, orange juice, coffee or chocolate, or the more American breakfast, with eggs, fried or scrambled, and pancakes. There's also usually a good fruit salad, with papaya, banana or pineapple. More traditional Panamanian breakfasts are rarely offered in hotels.

Tostadas a la francesa are our French toast, tostadas de pan con mantequilla are buttered bread, and hojaldresare large, thick cornmeal pancakes fried in oil.

Smokers

It is forbidden to smoke inside the hotels, including in the gardens and by the swimming pools, on the terraces of bars and restaurants, and of course in the rooms, even on the balconies.

Tourist traps

The big hotels often offer excursions at much higher prices than by contacting the agencies directly. The same goes for cab services, more or less VIP. This is less the case with youth hostels and small hotels, where the prices advertised are generally the same as with a direct agency.