Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
can bag a simple
rancho
during the day, complete with hammocks for lolling in, and use of
showers and bathro
om
s. There's a simple on-site seafood restaurant, and day-trippers can use
the showers for $3.
$5
/person
Las Sirenas
Playa Santa Clara 993 3235,
lasirenas.com
.
Tranquil, fully equipped
one- or two-bedroom cottages (sleeping 4 or 6) located either over the hilltop in bougainvillea
or plum on the beach
. Ad
d to each a large patio, hammock and BBQ, and you have the nicest
lodgings in the area.
$182
Togo B&B
C La Venta.
Thoughtfully designed and exquisitely appointed rooms (one with
kitchenette) in an airy house set within a verdant, tree-filled garden. Living space is shared
with the owners though there are plenty of ha
mmo
cks and shady patio spots for privacy.
Breakfast is included and meals can be ordered.
$127
Villa Botero Panamá B&B
Playa Santa Clara, C Aviación at C Arroyo 993 2708,
villaboterobb.com
.
A short hop from the beach, this charming B&B offers a couple of beau-
tifully furnished rooms in a colonial-style tiled-roof cottage with all mod cons - wi-fi, flat-
screen cable TV, fridge - overlo
okin
g a pool and surrounding garden with use of a shared
kitchen. Full breakfast included.
$125
EATING AND DRINKING
The large resorts take care of the catering and evening entertainment for their guests. Other-
wise there is a sprinkling of local bars and
fondas
amid a handful of restaurants aimed ex-
clusively at tourists and expats, where prices are high. Hours given are for high season. In
the rainy season, opening hours depend a lot on the weather and some places may shut down
completely for a few weeks.
THE EASTERN BEACHES
Los Camisones
La Ermita, km 104 off the Interamericana to the right between San Carlos
and Santa Clara 993 3622,
loscamisones.com
.
Its reputation for serving the best sea-
food in the country (including paella) has pushed the prices up in recent years, though this
Spanish-Panamanian restaurant rarely disappoints. A changing menu dependent on available
fresh produce is enjoyed in a relaxed large
rancho
set in a pleasant garden. Most mains
$16-25.
Mon-Thurs 9.30am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9.30am-11pm.
Restaurante El Parque
Centre of San Carlos.
Reliable, inexpensive local place (with a/c)
selling platefuls of Panamanian and Chinese regulars for under $5, and the
menu del día
for
even less.
Daily 8am-10pm.
PLAYA SANTA CLARA AND FARÁLLON
La Fogata
C Central Arriba, Farallón (Playa Blanca) 908 3975,
lafogatapanama.com
.
Cosy
rancho
in a garden setting, specializing in Caribbean-Panamanian cooking, so plenty
of coconut rice. Try the signature “Sexy lobster special”, a veritable seafood orgy of prawn
cocktail, lobster, jumbo shrimps, dessert and coffee for $35.
Daily noon-3pm, 6-10pm.
