Hostal La Casa de Carmen, Calle 1ra No. 32 El Carmen, Panama City; 263-4366, www.lacasadecarmen.com. Billed as Panama's first bed-and-breakfast. The budget hostel is in a quiet neighborhood just one block from Via Espana. Doubles begin at $30, including continental breakfast.
WHERE TO EAT:
Manolo Caracol, Avenida Central y Calle Tercera, Casco Antiguo, Panama City; 228-4640. This trendy fusion restaurant in the historic quarter offers art exhibitions and a fixed-price menu with up to 11 courses, all for $16.
Parrillada Jimmy, Via Cincuentenario, Panama City, 226-1323, www.parrilladajimmy.com. Across from the Atlapa Convention Center and the Tourism Ministry headquarters, this casual family restaurant is a favorite lunch spot for Blades. Known for its steaks. Entrees $4.50-$15.50.
Restaurante Miraflores, Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal. Food is passable. Dining on the outdoor patio watching huge ships pass through the locks only yards away: priceless. Most expensive item $15.
TO LEARN MORE:
An extensive website, www.panamainfo.com, with information on travel, investment, retirement and more.
Official site of the Instituto Panameno de Turismo (the government's tourism ministry), www.ipat.gob.pa.
*
To see a gallery of photographs and hear samples of songs from Blades and others, go to latimes.com/panama.
*
-- Agustin Gurza
