Hotel Lifehacks

The “Dim Sum” Breakfast:

At least one morning, skip the hotel breakfast. Go to Sunly or Lung Fung nearby. They serve world-class Dim Sum. It is loud and chaotic and delicious­—carts of dumplings wheeled to your table­—this is a Sunday morning ritual for Panamanian families.

Corredor Norte Usage:

If you are taking a taxi to the airport or the Colon Free Zone, explicitly ask the driver to take the "Corredor Norte." It is a toll road (fast pass required, which taxis have), but it saves you from the gridlock of the city center.

Kitchenette Supplies:

If your suite has a kitchenette, note that it might be sparsely equipped (maybe just a few glasses). If you plan to cook, you might need to buy basic supplies (dish soap, sponge, paper towels) at the Super 99 across the street.

Traffic Strategy: Use long-tail keywords and question-based queries about pricing for hotels in Panama City. Target generic informational intent traffic about whether hotels have amenities like kitchenettes or allow late checkouts.

"Tumba Muerto" is a parking lot from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and again from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Plan your movements accordingly. If you need to go downtown for dinner, leave after 7:30 PM so you can cruise there in 15 minutes; leave at 6:00 PM and it will take 50 minutes.

Language:

Unlike the Marriott or Hilton downtown where everyone speaks perfect English, the staff here (and in the surrounding shops) may have more limited English proficiency. A few basic phrases of Spanish will go a long way.

Safety:

The immediate plaza is safe, and there is security for the casino. However, those pedestrian overpasses crossing the highway can be real sketchy late at night. Better to take a taxi/Uber even for short distances after dark than walking along the highway shoulder.