Panama City

Latin Trade, Feb, 2004

BEST HOTEL

Caesar Park. Decorative details, historic ambience and comfort make this hotel a favorite among LATIN TRADE readers. The location is perfect--in front of the Atlapa Convention Center, close to the airport and near large financial institutions. Housed in a colonial-style building, Caesar Park has tour restaurants, a lobby bar, 353 rooms and eight luxury suites. All guest rooms look out over the bay or the Pacific Ocean. Guests can use the Caesar Xpress Service Center 24 hours a day to do anything from make a plane reservation to drop off dry cleaning. The Executive Club rooms, set up with workspaces and Internet and computer connections, offer business travelers extra privacy and amenities. There's also a business center with a wide range of services. Rates run from US$105 for a regular room to $165 for an executive room. Via Israel at Calle 77, San Francisco de la Caleta. Phone: [507] 270-0477. www.caesarpark.com

BEST HISTORICAL RUINS OUTSIDE PANAMA CITY

Portobelo. This 400-year-old former fortress guarded one of the most important ports of the Spanish empire, used to load gold and silver from South America onto galleons for shipment back to Europe. The fortress came under repealed attacks from legendary pirates Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan, prompting the Spanish government to seek safer sea routes in the late 17th century. The mine great fortress-port, declared a national historical monument in 1976, is now a sleepy fishing rover with several excellent seafood restaurants. Portobelo is in the Caribbean province of Colon, two hours east of Panama City by car.

BEST TOUR

Bocas del Toro. Most of these enchanting Caribbean islands, which offer diving, swimming and hiking, are part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park During nesting season, you'll see turtles along the beaches. The main town, Bocas del Tom, on the southeastern part of Colon Island, has hotels and entertainment spots. The archipelago is accessible by plane from Panama City or from the towns of David and Changuinola, or by boat from Almirante and Chiriqui Grande.

BEST RESTAURANT

Las Bovedas. This chic restaurant and weekend jazz bar is tucked into an old dungeon under the defensive sea wall of the Casco Viejo, the center of Panamanian architectural history. La Bovedas offers a unique dinning experience inside the century-old, domed-ceiling stone dungeon. If you gel, claustrophobic, you can eat on the outdoor plaza. French fare and seafood. Plaza de Francia in Casco Viejo. Phone: [507] 228-8058.

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY

Fidanque Panama. The efficiency and quality service of this local agency has made it the exclusive representative in Panama for Avis car rental, American Express and Crystal Cruises. Calle 50 at 59, Urbanization Obarrio. Phone: [507] 264-2444. www.fidanquetravel.com

BEST TOURIST SITE

Miraflores locks. The longest and tallest of three sets of locks on the Panama Canal, the gates at Miraflores on the Caribbean side of the canal has a two-story observation tower to take photos of ships passing through the canal and wave to boat passengers. English- and Spanish-language tourism information is available about the history and construction of the canal. A bilingual guide offers information on the boats and ships passing through. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes for boats to enter and leave the gravity-powered locks. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Public bathrooms and a gift shop. The best way to get there is by taxi, $8 one way.