THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 247

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: LAS TABLAS
By bus Transport from Panama City (hourly, 6am-7pm; 4hr) pulls in at the main bus termin-
al, from where it's an easy walk four blocks down Av 8 de Noviembre to the main square.
The bus stop for services to and from Chitré and Pedasí is located outside Supercentro Praga
on Av Belisario Porras, a few blocks from the plaza. The terminal for buses for Tonosí is
three blocks south of the main square, and the bus for Cañas leaves half a block north of the
square (see map ) .
Destinations Cañas (one bus daily, 1.30-2pm); Chitré (every 10-15min, 6am-9pm; 45min);
Pedasí (every 30min, 6.30am-7.30pm; 40min); Tonosí (10 daily 8am-5.30pm; 1hr 20min).
ACCOMMODATION
Hospedaje Martha C Moisés Espino 994 1012. Ideal for budget travellers, offering small,
clean a/c en- suite doubles plus cheaper options ($18) with fan and shared bathroom off a long
corridor. $25
Hotel Don Jesús C Ramón Mora, four blocks north of the plaza 994 6593, hoteldonje-
sus.com . The town's nicest lodgings in a converted family home with well-appointed rooms
and good service. Guests share a comfortably furnished lounge-balcony area for breakfast
(not included in the pric e) and chilling out. A pond-size pool and wi-fi are welcome extras
and there's a restaurant. $44
Hotel Piamonte Av Belisario Porras 994 6372. Located on both sides of the road, offering
cheaper accommodation on one side and slightly more expensive rooms with frillier bed-
spread s on the other. The larger, brighter, pricier rooms ($40) overlooking the street are the
nicest. $30
Hotel Sol del Pacifico C Agustín Cano Castillero 994 1280. This fairly central three-storey
modern block offers the best value for money in town, with clean, comfortable rooms with
a/c and TV - though it's worth checking out several - and hot-water showers of varyi ng t em-
peratures. For an extra $20 you can get a larger, more modern and comfortable room. $30
EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
Evenings midweek are quiet unless there's a baseball match on at the Estadio Olmedo Solé
(Jan-May; fedebeis.com ) - a highly entertaining party atmosphere to be savoured even if
you don't know a home plate from a dinner plate.
Billar Cincuentenario Av 8 de Diciembre on Plaza Belisario Porras. With great views over
the plaza from its first-floor balcony, this unpromising-sounding joint is a relaxing place to
enjoy a chilled beer, with a video jukebox as well as pool tables for entertainment. Daily
10am-late.