Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Avenida Central
The pedestrianized stretch of
Avenida Central
, from Parque Santa Ana north as far as Plaza
Cinco de Mayo, is one of the oldest and most colourful shopping districts. Blasts of air con-
ditioning and loud music pour out from the huge, predominantly Hindu-owned superstores
that line the avenue selling cheap clothing, electronics and household goods, while on the
street itself hawkers flog pirate DVDs and cheap sunglasses and vendors quench the thirst
of shoppers with fruit or sugar cane juice. Nowhere is the enormous cultural diversity of the
city more evident, a constant kaleidoscope of Hindus in saris, Kuna women in their tradition-
al costumes, bearded Muslims in robes and skullcaps,
interioranos
in sombreros, Chinese,
Afro-Antillanos and Latinos. In the evening, in the pedestrianized area round Cinco de Mayo,
extra food stalls pop up selling kebabs and sausages and as the night wears on, prostitutes
tout for custom. Exercise caution when walking round the streets either side of Avenida Cen-
tral and north of the Parque Santa Ana, and avoid wandering around the side streets at night.
