Panama City

I am currently in Panama City, and I am trying to learn the lay of the land.  My current dilemma is trying to find a 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment for about $400 – $600 per month.  I know that is going to be hard to find in a city as modern as Panama City.  I am hold up in a hostel/housestay in the Ancon/Bsalboa area, and I must say I am having a great time, but something is missing.  I am missing the open road and the wind in my face.  I am contemplating three options:

1             

1             1.       Stay in Panama City for the next year (if I find a place I can afford)

2             2.       Heading South to Columbia (it will cost $850 one-way)

3             3.       Head back North to visit all of the places I missed on the way down (my favorite choice)

Costa Rica to Panama

I took to coastal road in Costa Rica headed for David, Panama, but got a little tired and decided to stay in a border town called Ciudad Neily, Costa Rica.  Border crossings seem to drain my patience…so I decided to get a good night sleep, and deal with the usual border madness in the morning.  Arrived at the Costa Rica/Panama border at 9:30 AM, and did the usual passport/customs stuff, and by 11:30 AM I was on my way into Panama.  I was happy to be out of the border and riding on some good quality roads, I decided to push my speed to 90 mph.  I was not into Panama for 5 minutes, and I was pulled over by a cop for speeding.  I did not get a ticket, but I got a Spanish verbal warning.  Note to anyone traveling through Panama, the police use radar, and the cops are everywhere.  I arrived in David, Panama about an hour later, and found a hotel.  I did not see too much of David, but I am sure it is a nice place.  I got an early start the next day and headed to Panama City, which was about 6 hours away.  On my ride, 5 BMW GS’s blew by me in the blink of an eye.  Later down the road I saw them refueling at a gas station, I honked and kept it moving.  About 30 minutes later, the BMW’s passed me, and we decided to stop and talk.  We did the standard introductions, and they were on their way to Panama City (where they live).  They asked if I would join them for lunch, I accepted, and we all headed to this great restaurant about 1.5 hours outside of Panama City.  The restaurant had great food and a rodeo going on in the back…who knew?  The BMW Club of Panama was very kind and gracious to offer me 1.5 hour, 100 mph BMW GS escort to my hotel (thanks guys & lady).  We exchanged numbers, and they offered some great advice about the city…I will stay in contact for sure.  The next morning, I need to get some small issues sorted with my bike.  As luck would have it, I saw a VSTROM outside my hotel and quickly found the owner and inquired about the nearest Suzuki dealership.  He then told me he knew a mechanic, and escorted me to his place of business.  Antonio (the mechanic) was great…he sorted out all of my small issues (new chain/sprocket install, horn install, oil change, and front suspension bolts install).  I guess those bolts came off somewhere along the way…go figure.  During my visit to the mechanic, I ran into some motorcycle travelers that were waiting on the cargo ship leaving for Columbia on 1 NOV 2012.  I had a great time conversing with them, and telling stories of our travels.  I am still debating making the boat trip to Columbia…$850 bucks…I will need time to let that cost sink in my brain.  The next item on my list of to find a room or small place to rent for the next 6 months in Panama City.  I really love this city, it is good to be back.   

Coastal view of Costa Rica

Rodeo action

Backside of restaurant

Me and the BMW Moto Club of Panama

Antonio installing new chain

Antonio's shop

My favorite building in Panama City

Nicaragua to Costa Rica

First of all, I would like to apologize for not updating my travels in a timely manner.  Right now I am in San Jose, Costa Rica, and plan to travel to David, Panama tomorrow.  I entered into Costa Rica about 6 days ago, in a town called Liberia.  I stayed one day in Liberia for one night and had a good time, my first taste of Costa Rica.  Costa Rica is the most advance country in Latin America, and the most expensive.  After leaving Liberia, I headed to the beach town of Tamarindo, and found a great place to stay the Hotel Villa Amarilla.  The owners TJ and Cindy were great hosts, and I befriended a group of British travels, who turned out to be great group of people.   I guess having a great time in Tamarindo, caused me to neglect my travel updates.  I stayed in Tamarindo for4 nights, and headed to San Jose on the 5^th day.  It rained the entire travel day to San Jose, but I arrive safely.  San Jose seems like a great capital city, but I am just not in the mood to explore (I am getting a little lazy), but I think it is the rainy cold weather that is making me lazy.  I just don’t feel like getting wet anymore.  I plan on taking the costal route to David, Panama versus the Pan American highway via the mountains…getting sick of the mountains.  I will have updates soon after I arrive in David.

Me and the British posse with Cindy in the back

La Libertad, El Salvador to Granada, Nicaragua

I got an 8:00 AM start leaving La Libertad and decided to cross through both Honduras borders in the same day.  I arrived at the El Salvador and Honduras border at 12:00 PM, and ran into the usual two helpers that try to rip every motorcycle traveler off.  I discussed with them a price of $10 US for their services.  I also stated that I knew them from the Internet, knew the true cost to cross the border, and that they had a bad reputation via the Internet.  Their tone change quickly, and I had no further trouble out of them for the border crossing.  While at the border, Honduras did not look like a very safe place.  My gut was telling me to not stop/sleep in this country.  Trash was everywhere, and the roads were full of potholes, so I decided to press on to the Nicaraguan border before the sunset.  I made through the Nicaraguan border, and stayed in the border town of Somotillo for the night.  Stayed at an $8 US hotel, and it served its purpose, but sleep did not come easy.  I got another 8:00 AM start, and made my way toward Granada through Managua.  I arrived in Managua at noon, and had to ask directions to Granada, which everyone I asked was very helpful.  By 1:30 PM, I arrived in Granada and ten minutes later it started to pour down with sheets of rain.  I took refuge at an ice cream shop, and waited for the rain to stop.  Managed to find a hotel…$20 US, I will stay for two nights, it is OK and I have no complaints.  Granada looks to be a laid back city, and everyone seems to be very nice.  My plan is to cross into Costa Rica once I leave Granada.    

$8 hotel shower