Travel Reference
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The madness peaks on Shrove Tuesday with the biggest parade of all. Floats of all
sizes rule the avenue, not the least conspicuous of which is the traditional entourage of
transvestites. Most of them carry a razor in each hand as a warning to macho types that a
punch thrown at them will not go unanswered.
Carnaval officially closes with the first rays of sunlight on Wednesday morning, when
the hardiest celebrants appear on the beach of the Bahía de Panamá to bury a sardine in
the sand - a symbolic gesture intended to convey the end of worldly pleasures for the
Lenten season.
Sleeping
Panama City offers every kind of accommodations, though its midrange lodgings tend to-
ward overpriced.
Boutique lodgings are on the rise. After extensive renovations, old-world charmer
Casco Viejo is an excellent option, with many restaurants and cafes in walking distance.
Fast-paced, modern Panama is best experienced in the overlapping neighborhoods of
Bella Vista, Marbella and El Cangrejo. However, a highrise fire in October 2012 revealed
that Panama City firefighters lack adequate equipment to fight blazes above the 8th floor;
something to think about in this sea of soaring steel and glass.
For those who prefer the quiet life, outlying neighborhoods have excellent B&B op-
tions. These include the former US-occupied neighborhoods of Clayton, Albrook, Ancón
and Amador, which are located in the Canal Zone.
TOP OF CHAPTER
4 Casco Viejo
Luna's Castle HOSTEL $
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
( 262-1540; www.lunascastlehostel.com ; Calle 9a Este; dm/d/tr incl breakfast US$13/30/39;
) Housed in a creaky colonial mansion, Luna's masterfully blends Spanish colonial ar-
chitecture with funky, laid-back backpacker vibes and great service. A bit loony and very
friendly, it's the kind of hostel people keep talking about long after their trip. Its latest
feature is a helpful activites concierge, whose expertise ranges from planning a sailboat
trip to finding the best mojito.
 
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