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Where to Stay, Eat, and Go

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Panama's climate varies primarily with altitude: the higher you are, the cooler it is, while coastal areas remain hot and humid year-round. The rainy season lasts from mid-April through December. The national airline, COPA, and most major carriers operate direct flights from New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

WHERE TO STAY

The Bristol
Elegant 56-room hotel in the financial district. Doubles from $195
Aquilino de la Guardia, panama city; 011-507/265-7844; www.thebristol.com

Caesar Park
Centrally located hotel with good views from most rooms. Doubles from $122
Via Israel and Calle 77, panama city; 011-507/270-0477; www.caesarparkpanama.com

Meliá Panama Canal
Set in a former military academy on Gatun Lake, just outside Colón. Doubles from $135
Antigua Escuela de las Americas, Lago Gatún; 888/956-3542 or 011-507/470-1100; www.meliapanamacanal.solmelia.com

Panamonte Inn & Spa
This 19-room country inn makes an ideal base for exploring Boquete. doubles from $99
Avda. 11 de Abril, Boquete 011-507/720-1327; www.panamonteinnandspa.com

Villa Camilla
doubles from $200
at the end of los destilideros hwy., pedasí; 011-507/211-2548; www.azueros.com

WHERE TO EAT

Barandas
Celebrity chef Leticia Arias de Calvo prepares gourmet Panamanian cuisine. Dinner for two $40
at the bristol 011-507/265-7844

Café Barko
At the very tip of the Amador Causeway, with impressive views of the capital, the Pacific, and the canal. Dinner for two $40
Isla Flamenco; 011-507/314-0000

Limoncillo
A stylish crowd flocks here for the imaginative dishes. Dinner for two $50
Calle 47 and Calle Uruguay, Panama City; 011-507/263-5350

Manolo Caracol
An ever-changing menu of fusion tapas made with fresh seafood. prix fixe Dinner for two $30
Avda. Central and Calle Tercera, Panama City; 011-507/228-4640

El Trapiche
Excellent comida tipica (local cuisine) and good coffee. Dinner for two $20
Via Argentina, El Cangrejo, Panama City; 011-507/269-4353

WHAT TO DO

Amador Causeway
The mile-long breakwater connecting four small islands at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal has biking and jogging paths, a marine biology center, and restaurants.

Casco Viejo
New restaurants, bars, and galleries have reinvigorated the capital's colonial quarter, home to 17th-century churches, ruins, and a monument to the 22,000 laborers who died building the canal.

Miraflores Locks
An interactive visitors' center introduces the canal's history.

Presidential Palace
avda. eloy alfaro, casco antiquo 011-507/227-9600

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