I'm leaving for Panima City on the January 25, 2005. We will be there for Fat Tuesday and the period before.

Can anyone offer any advise on surviving Carnaval in Panama City? I've been to New Orleans but not to Central America fo fiesta.

I'm particularly interested in places to go, places to avoid and what to expect.

TIA,

Mark

Mark -

Get your chicas early! Carnival can leave you high and dry if you have no dates lined-up.

During Carnival most massage parlors are closed. A majority of Panamanians do not report for work...so most businesses are closed. Chicas head home to their families. Those with no families go home to their friend's famlies.

Given most chicas (pros & semi-pros) are partying with their family...makes it very difficult to pick them up...with mom/dad & aunts/uncles watching.

What I would do is befriend a chica at one of the massage parlors before Carnival and ask her to take me with her.

Otherwise, with nothing pre-planned, walk the streets (via Espana or Central) with all of the party goers, grab a beer, and walk through the crowd...you may get lucky.

Also, I normally put my wallet in my front pocket. Don't wear any valuable jewelry or anything that can get snatched...if you have a valuable watch, consider leaving it the hotel lock box. Some areas will get so packed that you will be standing shoulder to shouler with people constantly bumping into you. Gets pretty physical sometimes. Ideal setting for pick-pockets...if you are a gringo...you'll stick-out like a sore thumb...as a tourist you'll be a target.

I never monger during holidays or Carnival...but, fun if you are there with a bunch of friends.

Good luck.

AlecJamer

I am very much the gringo! Thanks for the advise. Hopefully I'll get photos before and after carnaval and I'll post.

M

Ironically, having a hotel near the parade route will be a benefit. Many girls will be in town for the party and not have a place to stay. Bathrooms are scarce and merely offering a place to piss can turn into a weekend affair.

Look for girls drinking lots of beer (and there will be many) that are obviously getting real drunk. Offer a bathroom and place to sleep. You may just get real lucky!

So Carnival ends when? I'll be there on February 24th, returning on March 2nd.

I don't want to get lucky, I'm more of a sure thing type of guy.

Where can I find the most current info on this
years (2007) Carnival in Panama?

I read where the best Panamanian Carnival was not
actually in PC?

Will be in PC or vicinity Feb 10-24.