We’re Number Two!
No, the OTHER Panama City.
When it comes Central America’s top gay hot spot, Costa Rica usually takes home the gold. The silver is a little more up-for-grabs, but if Central America had a gay salutatorian, Panama is a really good bet. As with most, the story really gets going in the capital.
Being on the Pacific end of the Panama Canal, arguably the most strategic trade corridor on the planet, Panama City is as multicultural and glittering as any other capital. As, as with so many Latin-infused destinations, there is an unrepentant party culture even when it isn’t Carnivale — and oh, yes, that’s a thing in this parts. But that’s another article.
Anyhoo, several clubs, like Bellini, have gay nights. And at last count, Panama City had three “main” gay clubs, Praga, BLG, and XS, and a gay sauna in the form of the Hammam Sauna and Spa. That last one is something of a gay one-stop-shop: it has turkish bath (this is, the labyrinth), jacuzzi, dry sauna, VIP relax rooms, massage rooms, bar, lounge and internet. Talk about taking out the middle man and buying direct…
However, there is no real gayborhood in town, so a gay night out on the town is going to involve a taxi or a good pair of shoes (it’s annoying, but don’t be too critical; most European cities don’t have gay sections, either). Throw in the fact that all clubs, gay and straight, have a nagging habit of being very short-lived, and nightlife in Panama City suddenly becomes an exercise in patience. The place to be last month could be shut down this month, or be something entirely different. You snooze, you loose.
Aside from the Internet, Twitter, and almighty Facebook, a good way to keep up with this dizzying situation is checking out the Weekend supplement in Thursday’s La Prensa newspaper (in Spanish only) that is an excellent head’s-up, and La Prensa has a daily section called Vivir+ that is the best way to confirm where you want to go is, in fact, still there, as well as being a window into the underground dance scene that revolves around pop-up clubs that last all of a day. Some of them are gay, others are straight, and still others are mixed, so ready carefully.
Can’t speak/read Spanish? Go the old-fashioned route and ask your hotel concierge. All the biggies have one, and it’s their jobs to be on top of things like this. Contact Steele Luxury Travel for all of your travel planning needs to Panama! www.SteeleTravel.com