Walkways and Parkways in Panama; the New Cinta Costera

The New Cinta Costera in Panama City

Check it out when you have time. A super new area to walk, run, or bike along Panama Bay (Pacific Ocean side of Panama). The traffic is much improved with a beautiful new bypass for Avenida Balboa in Panama City. Nicely designed and much needed additions to Panama City – more green space, more parking, and a bypass through Chorillo and Cinco de Mayo direct to Amador and the Bridge of the Americas, and reverse – direct to the highway to the Tocumen Airport (Corredor Sur).

Walkways and Bike Paths

Parking lots

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PANAMA: Getting a Driver´s License

I have just completed the process of getting my driver´s license for Panama. The following rough guide may be helpful if you are about to apply, or already have a temporary license. Please call or visit Sertracen with your present license and passport before you begin to ensure that you have the correct procedure as it does seem to vary. Their contact info is below.

I am of the understanding that Canadians and Americans who are tourists can drive in the country with their licenses for the length of their tourist visa. Being in process of getting your residency visa does not count, at least my lawyer insisted I go and get a temporary license to drive here and which is a similar process to getting the permanent one. I do not know about other countries but the regulation is probably it is the same.

I have the experience of getting both types of licenses which are basically identical with the exception of the validity. When we recently got our permanent residency I went to apply for my new, 4 year driver´s license.

My version of getting your license is fairly confusing probably because last year they changed their system. This year it was much simpler.

So to be clear on what I had to do, I first applied for a temporary license last year, and months later a permanent one. Be patient, this will take at least a day and two days in my case.

Note: Last year, I was told to first go to the Transisto Office on the way to Tocumen Airport, this was apparently to make sure I had no outstanding tickets and to input my data into the system, then I had to wait 24 hours for my data to be in the system. Even though computerized, it can be pretty slow.

Please ask Sertracen first what they require. Have someone who speaks Spanish call them and ask, or go together. Sertracen is a privately owned company and are pretty well organized so the experience should be painless but since regulations and requirements seem to change fairly frequently, and are different for various countries, best to check with them. They are located on the street behind Rey supermarket just behind Allbrook Airport. Drive off the main road into the street to enter Rey parking lot, take a left (still heading for the parking entrance) but then then a right, drive about 3 seconds on that street and you should see a new Sertracen building on the right.

So in general for Panama, the documents required are:
-Resident Card (or tourist visa if applying for a temporary license)
-Passport
-Driver’s License from Country of Origin
-Blood Test
-Glucose Test

1. You need a blood and glucose test. Fast the night before and then go to a medical lab and ask for a test for driver´s license, “licencia de conducir.” My test was about $20.

In the end it turned out that I did not need step 2 or 3 because I already had my temporary Panamanian license so please double check with Sertracen.

2. You must notarize or apostille your foreign driver’s license. I did that at my Canadian embassy, which costs $50 and was ready the next day.

3. Then that letter had to be authenticated. After the embassy I went to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores which is at Plaza Edison, on the Tumbo Muerto side, corner of Via Brasil and Tumba Muerto.

-Get in line there and tell them you need your notarized copy of your driver’s license to be authenticated. I was told to return in 3 hours to pick up the authenticated document with my receipts and stamps (instructions below).

-You will receive a slip to deposit $2.00 at the Banco Nacional de Panama which is in Edison Plaza as well, bring back that reciept to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. At the same time, you need to buy from Banco Nacional 2 – one dollar stamps (“estampillas”) The stamps can also be purchased from the same bank teller where you deposit the $2.00. Or outside the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores there is usually a man selling the stamps in case you forget.

-Bring the deposit slip and stamps back to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores and hand them in to the desk to receive your document.

Note: In my case I purchased the $2 stamps from the man outside the door before I went in the the Ministerio the first time, and the woman in the Ministerio showed me where to place them on the document.

4. Head for the Sertracen office in Albrook. Take a number, and you will be called, then they will review your documents. They will ask for a photocopy of your documents which they can make for a few cents. Then you will wait in another area and wait for your number and then you will be sent to another area to wait for your hearing and vision test, then to the cashier to pay $40, and receive your card!

Tangent: I once had to get my driver´s license in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles which was more difficult, and also Japan which was a breeze because like here they just transfer the license after a couple of minor tests, but it is not the same for some. My friends who were not from Canada (I think some European countries may be the same) applying for their Japanese driver´s license had to pass a driver´s test in Japan. Most of them failed at least once, so did the Japanese!

Note: to drive a motorcycle or commercial vehicle in Panama you need a special license.

Sertracen
Allbrook (there is a map on their website)
Tel: 315-0000
Website: http://www.sertracen.com.pa/

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Decameron Resort in Panama

We live in Panama, work and play on a tropical island… so many people might think… why would we want to vacation at Decameron Resort Panama? Good question.

Since we had family coming on a one week Decameron package to visit from Canada with Westjet on a package, it seemed the simplest option, and offered us something different. We had stayed at the nearby Playa Blanca Resort with them a couple of years back which was a very nice time, a lovely medium sized all inclusive resort, but still we felt it lacked the Panama experience. It is so interesting for visitors to Panama Resorts to leave the grounds to see what the country has to offer. Unless of course the main intention is to completely relax sitting on the beach and at poolside.

From reports we had heard about Decameron, we did not have our hopes up. After an easy drive of about 1.5 hours from the city we arrived. On arrival directions were a little confusing, parking very limited, and check in, it was not up to international par. We were sent away from reception to a large hall with about one hundred other new guests, and a number system. Things started to look up. Although the system seemed antiquated in the beginning, it worked efficiently. At the table where we were checked in we asked about the number of rooms… over 1000 they told us. It is a huge resort catering to both the Latin and the North American markets. A management nightmare.

After struggling to find parking, we headed off to our room and were surprised to have a lovely, clean ocean view room (among some 999 others). Beds and pillows were comfortable, rooms had television, hot water, and were well maintained. My cousin mentioned his room was noisy, but ours was not. Our rate was good; we were fortunate because we received the weekday residents rate of $53 per person per night, all inclusive. That is a fair deal. At certain times of year the price can be lower.

We tried to book a restaurant for the first night but they were all full, so we ate at the buffet which was fine. Some of the offerings were great, some were mediocre. That is what we expected, so were not disappointed. In our 3 days we learned to head to the buffet early rather than late for fresh food and energetic service from the personnel. The open air evening restaurant was nice, service good, employees well trained.

Because this is green season, we think that the resort was not full. Given that, we never want to visit when it is full! Lots of guests, and plenty of action, if that is what you are looking for. Luckily the weather was lovely in the mornings and by mid afternoon it clouded over and rained heavily. It was time for a siesta!

Decameron has a beautiful enormous beach front property to share with the other 2000 or more people who may be there at the same time. I possibly seem a little sarcastic, but the truth is with the exception of the main activities pool, there was plenty of space and surprisingly well maintained. They must work all night to keep the resort and beaches clean.

Activities were fun, and the liquor was overflowing from every corner of the resort (about 11 bars), and there were an abundance of restaurants. They have a golf course nearby but we didn´t make it even to the driving range, we were so busy hanging out at the pool and beach!

Both my husband and I enjoyed massages. He in the spa and I on the beach. The masseuses were well trained and prices reasonable. ($30 for 30 minutes) We tried to book horseback riding but it seems necessary to reserve the day before.

Among the negatives were staff training in F&B seemed somewhat lacking, front desk service was mediocre, from time to time attitude could be improved. Still, our overall impression was good, and at times we were amazed how the resort can operate as well as it does considering the size. We will go back, and as soon as we arrive book everything for our stay so as not to be disappointed.

Our family stayed at Decameron in Fallaron for several days, then stopped in the city and later to our Cerrito Tropical Bed & Breakfast on Taboga Island. They had been to Isla Taboga before and really loved it; now they are planning a new vacation including time on Taboga and probably Isla Grande. The 2 oceans tour!

Now some people love the resort experience. I still have a bit of trouble with it even though I really had a chance to kick back. I love to get to know a country and enjoy the local experience. In any big resort that is difficult. If you do opt for any resort experience, try to get out to experience the beauty of Panama either on a tour, or by renting a car. Panama has so much to offer outside the walls of any of its resorts.

As a side note: one of our friends who were staying at Decameron from Canada… their son had an accident; the family was very happy with the way Decameron handled it and arranged to have the young man taken to the hospital where they were quite pleased with the doctor, the hospital and the price. From what they said, Decameron seems very well organized to handle mishaps.

For more information contact the Hotel Royal Decameron:
www.decameron.com
Panama City Office: 507-214-3535
Toll Free: 800-2111
Resort: 507-993-2255

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Panama City UnPlugged? Not soon.

The streets of Panama City are often plugged solid during the day. One road in particular is a headache, Avenida Balboa and its connecting streets. Living near Avenida Balboa I have a bullseye view of the new road expansion. While the future road will be a blessing if it is anything like the attached YouTube video below, and although the crews are working diligently, the project won´t be completed soon enough for anyone trying to drive through the area. When the huge landfill in the Panama Bay started we were thrilled that the crews were working all night, and during the day when there is peak traffic there was very limited action. Still even with the majority of work at night, there are a number of bottleneck areas on the main road and a major blockage and confusing detour at the end of Balboa near Cinco de Mayo.

Where there were police officers during day hours to help pedestrians cross the crosswalks because drivers of cars and particularly SUVs seemed like they would rather hit pedestrians than slow down, now there are uniformed crossing “guards” employed by the contractors (I think) who are quite serious about their jobs. It slows down traffic even more but people can cross safely now without of being hit by a car.

The ambitious project not only promises to relieve traffic but will offer the added benefit of a modern seaside city park. (a new place to walk the dog and play amongst traffic:)

We were told that it would be completed during President Torrijos´ term which is over in 2009 but it is a huge project and many residents are doubtful that it will be completed on time… perhaps it is on Panama time?

http://cintacostera.com/

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