Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND AND INFORMATION
By car
It might be worth renting a car (4WD in the rainy season) for a couple of days, es-
pecially to get to the less accessible protected areas or to explore further inland. There are
several of the international rental companies in town.
ANAM office
The ANAM office is near Vía Circunvalación (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm;
996 7675); contact it for permission to visit La
Reserva Forestal El Montuoso
or the
Parque
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Rex
Parque Unión, C Melitón Martín 996 4310,
hotelrex@hotmail.com
.
You're
paying more for the prime location on the plaza so it's worth splashing out for the French
windows and a view over the park. Slightly faded furnishings but pleasant woo
den
panelling
and comfy beds make it a reasonable option for the unfussy. Takes credit cards.
$55
Hotel Santa Rita
C Manuel María Correa, at Av Herrera 996 4610.
Good value in a
prime location, this ageing but well-maintained hotel has dark, simple en-suite rooms (fan
or a/c, cable TV, good
bed
and hot water) off long corridors at modest prices. There's a $10
discount on weekdays.
$33
Hotel Versalles
Paseo Enrique Geenzier 996 4422,
hotelversalles.com
.
Don't delude
yourself with visions of Parisian splendour, though rooms in this functional motel-like busi-
ness hotel on the main approach road are comfortable and well equipped (a/c, phone, wi-fi,
satel
lite
TV, room service and hot water), if lacking in character. Small pool and bar-restaur-
ant.
$64
Miami Mike's
Av Herrera, at C Manuel María Correa 6603 9711,
miamim-
ikeshostel.com
.
Cheerily decorated, small-scale, fan-ventilated hostel offering little more
than a bunk, a kitchen-cum-living area
an
d a fantastic rooftop view but run by an affable
American, at rock-bottom rates. Dorms
$10
EATING AND DRINKING
Boulevar Tío Caimán
Plaza San Pedro 996 8040.
Enjoy some succulent seafood dishes
on a breezy tiled patio by the public swimming pool. Mains start from around $9 including
some slightly more inventive dishes such as
corvina
with grapes and cashew nuts and you
can even buy wine by the glass.
Mon-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun noon-10pm.
El Mirador
Up the hill off the Carretera Nacional between Chitré and La Arena 974 4647.
Atmospheric open-air hilltop spot (well signposted) to enjoy a cheap beer while admiring the
sunset or the twinkling night lights of Chitré. Specializes in whole fish and seafood (mains
from $6).
Mon 4-10pm, Tues-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat 1-10pm, Sun noon-9pm.
