Small Hotels in Panama City

Small Hotels in Panama City

By Matt Atlee

Small hotels have become the backbone of Panamanian tourism over the last few years. The consensus amongst visitors to Panama is that the small hotels are the best hotels to stay in whether you’re visiting the deep countryside or staying in Panama City. The benefits of the small hotels are their price, location and service. The following are some of the best small hotels in Panama City.

Canal Inn

The Canal Inn is located in the former Canal Zone in the small town of La Boca. This is a small Bed & Breakfast that has basic rooms for a decent price. The neighborhood is quiet, if a little far from Panama City and the airport. The hotel is located right at the mouth of the Panama Canal. There is a good view to the Bridge of Americas. If you plan to stay at the Inn then be sure to rent a car; taxi service here could be a little irregular and expensive: ask the management at the Inn about transportation. There is a small restaurant called La Boca that is located not too far from the Inn; this is a good place for a beer and fresh fish. The Causeway is also not too far from the Inn. I would recommend this place to anyone who doesn’t mind a basic room and likes to stay at a small Bed & Breakfast. Parking Available. Website: http://www.canal-inn.com/

Amador Ocean View

This hotel is located on the Causeway; the Causeway is a water break that extends out into the Bay of Panama. This hotel has great views of both the Panama Canal and Panama City. And in the Summer (December-March) there is a constant cool breeze blowing across the Causeway. Every room at the hotel has a balcony so you can sit and watch the ships go through the Canal or look across the bay to Panama City. This is also a good place to people watch. There are all kinds of restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops on the Causeway. If you stay at this hotel you will have a wide range of restaurants to choose from: seafood, Italian, American, Panamanian food can be found on the Causeway. The downside here is the distance from the city center. The taxi ride will cost around $10 and takes about 15- 20 minutes.  There are restaurants and bars at the end of the Causeway, a leisurely walk from this hotel. Parking is available. Website: http://www.amadoroceanview.com/

Hospedaje Casco Viejo

Located in the historic district of Casco Viejo, this small hostel has great charm and location if you want to stay in an historical setting. I visited this small hostel when it first opened and loved the layout of the place. Great little place with an indoor courtyard and classic Spanish tiles. I recommend this place if you like to stay in very basic quarters. It’s a hostel, not a hotel. This is a place to stay if you are young, bohemian and like roughing it when you travel. The rooms are fine and the place is very clean and safe. Its just not polished like a hotel. You can walk all around Casco Viejo from here and there are plenty of great restaurants and bars especially in the area around the French Embassy. Don’t rent a car if you plan to stay here: no parking. Website: http://www.hospedajecascoviejo.com/

Albrook Inn

This small hotel which was formerly officer quarters for air force pilots is located in the quiet neighborhood of Albrook – formerly a U.S. air force base. The advantage of the Albrook Inn is that it is located near the domestic airport. So if you plan to catch a second flight within Panama, then this is a good place to stay. The larger rooms have fridges and other appliances. The Inn is located a little far from Panama City; you should rent a car if you plan to stay here or plan on taking a taxi for $10 to the city center. Parking is available. The Panama Canal, Gamboa, Causeway and the highway to the Pacific beaches are all close, so the Albrook Inn has a very good location if you plan to go sight-seeing. Stay here if you want a quiet place that’s small in size. Website: http://albrookinn.com/

B&B La Estancia

Try to stay at the B&B La Estancia in Panama City; it’s has one of the best locations in the City. This small B&B is located in the Quarry Heights neighborhood of Panama City. Quarry Heights is located on the side of Ancon Hill, which rises over Panama City. This is the neighborhood where the U.S. generals lived in Panama City when Southcom was stationed in Panama. Lots of greenery and the neighborhood is quiet. The B&B is clean and well run; everyone that I’ve talked to really liked their stay here; it’s small so you might find it hard to book but it’s worth a try. Website: http://www.bedandbreakfastpanama.com/

Balboa Inn

The Balboa Inn is located within the old U.S. Canal Zone. The Inn is owned and operated by a Dutch couple and their Panamanian/Colombian staff offer guests great service and comfort. The Inn is located in a quiet comfortable neighborhood that is not choked with heavy traffic. The Inn is the perfect place to stay if you want to know what it was like to live in the old U.S. Canal Zone. The Inn is centrally located so you’ll be able to quickly see the different sites around Panama City. The Bridge of Americas is very near the Inn so you’ll also have quick access to the Pan-American Highway. Website: http://www.thebalboainn.com/

Written By Matt Atlee.

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