Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ting picked up isn't a problem either as there are many buses that pass by the turnoff dur-
ing daylight hours.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Punta Chame
POP 390
Just before the Interamericana reaches the coastline, there is a turnoff immediately east
of Bejuco, which leads to the tiny sliver of a peninsula known as Punta Chame. The road
out to the sea winds past rolling hills before opening up to flat land that consists mainly
of shrimp farms and mangroves. The brackish water makes farming near impossible,
though the environment here is unique to this region, and well worth the diversion.
Punta Chame, a one-road town on a long, 300m-wide peninsula, is getting more vaca-
tion homes and weekenders since the road in was paved. To the north of the peninsula, a
scenic but muddy bay is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers from December to
April, during trade wind season. Outside of those months wakeboarding is popular.
Beaches at Playa Chame on the east coast of the peninsula have lovely tan sand and a
wilderness backdrop. The area is notorious for stingrays, so swim with caution and
shuffle your feet while walking out.
Guests adore Hostal Casa Amarilla ( www.hostalcasaamarilla.com ; d from US$77, tr with
shared bathroom from US$44; ) , a French-run B&B also serving exquisite French
and Mediterranean cuisine (not to mention homemade pastries) in an open-air restaurant
(three-course dinner US$13). Rooms vary and include cute yellow cabins and rustic
bamboo lodgings with mosquito nets over the beds.
Panama's first extreme sports resort, Nitro City ( 202-6875, 223-1747;
www.nitrocitypanama.com ; d/ste incl breakfast from US$259/360; adult/child day-pass US$30/15;
) is pretty much what you would expect in a beach haven bankrolled by energy
drinks. Stylish lodgings have sleek decor, stone sinks and bamboo ceilings; pro suites
boast their own outdoor hot tub. But the real draw is a circus of adrenaline offerings,
from a skate park to mountain and motorbike courses, wakeboarding and kitesurfing (les-
sons available). Tamer offerings include volleyball and soccer areas as well as a stunning
pool replete with island. There's also game and video rooms. Hyperactive teens do well
here, and young Panama City weekenders don't seem to mind the US$18 burgers with
live rasta-rock backbeat. Still, the management is attentive and there's really nothing else
of its kind around. On weekdays, lodging prices fall by nearly half.
 
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