Posts tagged Shopping Centers
Shopping in Panama – Malls to Craft Shops
Dec 26th
There are many niche craft stores that offer a huge variety of wood and products made of straw, items that are well decorated with needle work, there are also beautiful paintings that are sold and the native Molas are also very popular amongst the tourists.
These Molas are the blouse panels that are used by the native women to make elaborate patterns on their traditional dresses. These are also sold as craft items. They are hand made items made by the native Kuna Indians so these are ideal gifts that you can carry back for your loved ones at home.
Most of the shops open early in the morning at about 9 am. They remain open till about 8 pm in the evening. The shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday though there are shops that remain open on Sundays as well, mainly in the more populated or touristy areas.
So you’ll never miss the opportunity to shop because the stores are open throughout the week.
The mainland of Panama has shopping centers that are large and modern equipped with all facilities for the modern buyer. The shops are such that it will surely attract the most discriminating of all buyers.
There are innumerable places to shop but the main shopping centers and malls where you can really shop till you drop are:
Panama City Mall- this is considered to be a paradise for all consumers. It offers a huge variety of departmental stores and specialty items for all. You can get almost any thing from here. Right from gift items, clothes, accessories, shoes sport goods, you just have to name it and you will surely find it here.
There are brands that are famous for their quality and range and you can choose from amongst the brands like Dillard’s, Sears, Express, Bon Worth, Hibbett’s Sporting Goods, and Your Earth. There is also a food court a theatre where you can really enjoy. There are also special events held on a frequent basis and these are really enjoyable.
A shopping trip to Panama is incomplete if you don’t visit Alvin’s Island- It bears a fifty year old coastal tradition and you can really find anything you’re looking for here. This particular store has several outlets that are spread all over the city catering to a variety of needs from sportswear and clothing to collectibles and gift items.
Anderson Seafood Market- this is one of Panama’s best markets if you’re into seafodd at anything fresh from the Gulf. No need to have food from the beach side restaurants when you can shop for fresh fish and sea food that can be prepared at home.
Costa Rica – San Jose and Central Highlands
Dec 24th
The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is located in the heart of the Meseta Central or Central Valley. Sitting in the northern region of San Jose province, San Jose lies right in the center of Costa Rica, offering the capital direct access routes to all parts of the country.
San Jose province enjoys mild to moderate temperatures throughout the year, hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, as it has a pleasant climate and temperate weather, making San Jose one of the most populated provinces in Costa Rica. Today thousands of visitors seek out the Central Highlands, where coffee-covered mountains lead into a lush green valley.
North of the province lies the beautiful Parque Nacional Carara, while to the south you can find the lovely Reserva Forestal Los Santos and the amazing Parque Nacional Chirripó. Some other wonderful cities worth visiting in the San Jose area, including San Gerardo de Dota, San Ignacio, Santa Maria de Dota and San Isidro, all these cities having the same thing in common, picturesque natural landscapes.
There are a multitude of organized tours available from San Jose that tourists can find nowadays. Still, for a more special trip, rental cars are the best choice, since they give you the freedom to not only stop and enjoy the wonderful landscape, but also offer you the opportunity to take some extra snapshots and soak up the local flavor. Do keep in mind though that the roads here are sometimes squeezed and having holes in the surface, while in some places smaller vehicles may find it hard to climb hills.
San Jose Downtown
Founded in 1737, San Jose today is a sprawling metropolis. Costa Rica’s capital and the largest city in the country, San Jose is considered to be among the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America.
Here, you can find not only good accommodations and hotels, but many wonderful museums, bars, restaurants, shopping centers, colorful markets and a fast paced night life.
A bustling city nestled inside a tropical paradise, San Jose sits in the center of the country in the Central Valley and is surrounded by gorgeous untouched cloud forests. Serving as a hub to the rest of the country, San Jose is the prefect place to use as a base camp to tour Costa Rica. With the Juan Santamaria International Airport just 20 minutes from downtown San Jose, there are plenty of tour bus companies based here that run buses throughout Costa Rica.
Downtown San Jose is the busiest part of town. A maze of streets and avenues, here you can find most of the city’s museums as well as a number of hotels and plazas. Plenty of tour companies, restaurants and hotels can also be found here, with the Coca Cola Bus Terminal sitting just north of Central Avenue.
San Jose boasts a world class symphony orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica, performing in the small but splendid Teatro Nacional, which was built in 1897 and offering since then many performances of pride. The intimate and ornate opera house was built in 1897 in response to a famous prima donna who refused to perform if a proper music hall wasn’t built. The Orquesta does not advertise much. The best way to get a schedule is to go to the Theater when you arrive and ask for one.
Since the downtown area is fairly small and is one of the most frequented parts of the city, do keep in mind that you will come across heavy traffic here with lots of noise and congestion. But don’t let this deter you, as this part of the city is the heart of San Jose. The streets and avenues here are usually bustling with pedestrians and traffic, so the best way to explore this area is by foot.
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design or tour the Jade Museum in the Instituto Nacional de Seguros here. If you have kids, a great place to take them would be to the Simon Bolivar National Zoo on Avenue 11 or the Kids Museum on Calle 4. To get up close and personal with the residents of this city, visit the many local mercados or markets such as the Mercado Central on Avenue Central.
Some of the attractions you can find downtown San Jose:
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Paramount’s Great America
Raging Waters
San Jose Flea Market
San José Regional Parks
Winchester Mystery House
Besides sightseeing, there are also a number of language schools in downtown San Jose that can help you speak Spanish fluently. You can attend intensive language classes for up to 5 hours a day, since these classes are very popular and offering good value for money. You can live with a host family that will take care of your boarding and lodging at the same time. This is an excellent way to not only learn Spanish, but also understand the Tico culture more intimately.
Since everything of interest is within a three hour drive of San Jose accommodations in the city are not a problem. Don’t worry about countryside lodgings, as there are plenty of wonderful hotels and hostelries in San Jose City.
Accommodation:
Hotel Capital – located in San Jose downtown, near to the bus stations, in the historical center of the capital, near to banks, museums, casinos, sport books, theaters, and much more. There are 15 Rooms offered, all equipped with TV Cable, Private Bathroom, Hot Water, Fan, Double orthopedic bed
Hotel Kekoldi – is the only hotel with a secluded garden in downtown San Jose. All the rooms are equipped with large private bathrooms with hot water shower, comfortable queen-size beds, telephones, cable TV and safety boxes
Hotel Ritmo del Caribe – offers clean ample rooms with private bath, television and Internet access, private bathrooms, warm water, bar, vacation packages, transfer services, laundry service and credit cards are accepted.
Hotel Santo Tomas – located in San Jose Historical District, it recalls the glorious charm of a coffee plantation home, with beautiful hardwoods, King Louie XV furniture, 14-foot ceilings and handmade tile on the floors
