Mike Karanicolas's Home Page

Nightlife Summary

Panama City's raging nightlife will not disappoint club-loving travleres. The center of the action is Calle Uruguay in the Bella ......

Services

As a capital, Panama City has no shortage of places to access the internet or make a phone call. Chances ......

Safety

Compared to war zones like Guatemala City or Tegucigalpa, Panama City is relatively safe. That being said, you still need ......

When to go

Panama City's biggest festival is their annual Carnival, held on Mardi Gras. Santa Semana is also celebrated enthusiastically. Mid-December to mid-April ......

Getting Around

The paved road on Ometepe only extends between Altagracia, Moyagalpa, Playa Santo Domingo and Merida. If you're biking or driving, ......

Getting To and Away

The easiest way to get to Ometepe is to catch a boat from San Jorge, a small town just outside ......

When To Go

Ometepe puts on a pretty good show for Nicaragua's Independence Day on September 15, but the best festival to catch ......

Safety

Although there have been reports of pickpocketing, Bocas del Toro is generally pretty safe. There are some strong currents to watch ......

When to go

Bocas del Toro gets a lot of rain all year. It's really a matter of luck whether or not the ......

Getting To and Away

The main port of entry to Bocas del Toro is through the city of Changuinola. Small lanchas depart frequently for ......

Getting Around

Bus service in Bocas is somewhat irregular, but there is a daily shuttle that will take you to Drago Beach ......

Getting to and away

From Granada, get on any Nandaime or Rivas-bound bus and ask the driver to let you off at Guanacaste. From ......

Shopping

Most travelers who have serious shopping to do head to Masaya. This city's just a half-hour away by bus and ......

Getting to and away

Taxis in Granada will know where boats leave for La Isletas, simply tell them you want to go there and ......

Granada and Around History

Granada was founded in 1524 by the conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, making it the oldest colonial city in the ......

Shopping

Most of the visitors to Masaya come to shop. The city has a range of excellent goods, from the beautiful ......

Holidays and Fiestas

Masaya is famous for its festivals, and the grand-daddy of them all is in honor of San Jeronimo, the city's ......

Getting to and away

From Masaya, there are two daily buses that will take you to the waterfront of Laguna de Apoya. These usually ......

Getting around

Masaya's intra-city buses are centered at the main bus terminal next to the municipal markets. If you want to get ......

Getting to and away

Because it is right on the road between Granada and Managua, Masaya gets a fair amount of traffic from both ......

When to go

In terms of climate, the weather here generally echoes the rest of the region. High season runs from September to ......

Safety

Masaya is a very safe city. Violent crime is not a serious threat. Use common sense: don't brandish valuables if ......

Getting to and away

Several stations around the city offer bus service to Managua. The most convenient is located half a block south of ......

Getting around

Taxis in Granada are relatively inexpensive, but they go by the Nicaraguan custom of charging per person. Expect to pay ......

When to go

High season for Granada tourism generally extends from mid-December through May. The months of January, February and March generally have ......

Services

Frustratingly, Bluefields has nothing that even remotely resembles a tourist information office. If you need information about boat departures, there's ......

Getting around

Bluefields is quite a small place, and taxis just about anywhere shouldn't cost more than 20 C or so. The ......

Getting to and away

Bluefields' lack of a road connection makes it an infernally difficult place to visit. By far the easiest option is ......

When to go

By far the best time to visit Bluefields is during the Palo Mayo celebrations. These run throughout May, but reach ......

Safety

Bluefields is fairly safe by day, but gets quite sketchy at night. It's a poor community, so the standard precautions ......

Safety

Generally speaking, Granada is quite a safe town provided you stick to the tourist areas. The city's historic center is ......

Whale Sharks

These gentle giants are by far the most popular attraction on Utila. People come from all over the world to ......

Safety

The importance of the tourist trade has made the Bay Islands relatively crime free. The influx of cash has left ......

Getting Around Bay Islands

Island hopping is, unfortunately, not a possibility unless you've got the cash to charter your own boat. The prices for ......

When to Go to the Bay Islands

The rainy season on the islands generally runs from September to February, so sunbathers might want to reconsider taking a ......

The Bay Islands History

The Bay Islands were known as an untouched paradise long before any European laid eyes on them. The Mayans were ......

When to go

Like many Central American cities, Leon puts on a blockbuster show for Semana Santa including sawdust street-paintings and re-entactments of ......

Getting to and away

Most regional transportation goes from Leon's main bus terminal, a few blocks east of San Juan park. A taxi from ......

Hiking

Besides wandering through the uninhabited northwest of the island, a popular hike is to head up to the lighthouse that ......

Baseball

Baseball is serious business in Nicaragua, and Little Corn is no exception. There are games every Sunday at the field ......

Horseback Riding

Farm Peace and Love offers horseback riding tours along trails in the uninhabited north of the island. This should be ......

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is excellent in the waters around Little Corn. Both dive centers and many hotels will rent out a mask ......

Diving

Many people come to Little Corn to get their Open Water certification ($305). It's hard to think of a more ......

Safety

Generally speaking, Little Corn is quite safe in terms of violent crime. Visitors to the budget hostels on the East ......

Services

One of the drawbacks of an "unspoiled paradise" is an almost total lack of modern amenities. Few hotels have 24-hour ......

When to go

Little Corn used to have predictable wet and dry seasons, but recently the weather seems to have grown more unpredictable. ......

Getting To and Away

The only transportation to or away from Little Corn is via pangas (mid-sized motorboats) that depart twice daily from the ......

Getting Around

Public transportation on Little Corn is nonexistent and unnecessary. Everything is in walking distance. The walk from the dock to ......

Safety

Generally speaking, Leon is quite safe for such a large city. The downtown area is heavily policed during the daytime. ......

Getting around

Most of the attractions in Leon will be located within walking distance of your accommodations, but a taxi just about ......

Safety

As a small town and a tourist center, Valle de Angeles is generally quite safe. Crime is not a major ......

Getting to and away

Buses to Valle de Angeles depart regularly from a curbside stop opposite the Hospital San Felipe in Tegucigalpa. There are ......

Services

The area around centro is dotted with internet cafes, but the biggest and probably fastest is located at the corner ......

When to go

Tegucigalpa's two main festivals are Semana Santa, the week before Easter, and the National Day on September 15. Both of ......

Safety

When Viva's writer first visited Tegucigalpa a few years ago, automatic weapons could be seen ubiquitously throughout the city. Today, ......

Getting to and away

Like many Honduran cities, overland transit in and out of Tegucigalpa is made infernally complicated by the existence of multiple ......

Getting around

Tegucigalpa's traffic problems are easy to understand when one considers the abysmal lack of public transportation. Although bus routes do ......

Getting to and away

Most buses leaving La Ceiba pass through the central station at Mercado San Jose. Here you can find direct buses ......

Getting around

Bus service in La Ceiba is somewhat unreliable and, given the city's small size, it's probably quicker to just walk ......

When to go

Probably the best time to visit La Ceiba is during their massive annual carnival, reported to be the largest in ......

Safety

La Ceiba is not an overly dangerous town, but we'd hesitate to call it safe. The downtown area gets a ......

Orientation

Utila Town is exceedingly small. Getting around is even further simplified by the fact that nearly all restaurants, hotels and ......

People

The Bay Islanders are as diverse a group as you can imagine, from the light-skinned and blond who trace their ......

Costs

Between the three major islands, Guanaja is the most untouched and, consequently, by far the most expensive. Budget travel is ......

When to go

The party really doesn't ever stop on Utila. Peak season in February and August coincides with the dry season and ......

Services

Utila is a small town, but the massive flow of tourists has left it better provisioned than many of Honduras' ......

Getting around

The town of Utilaitself is quite a small place. Most amenities, restaurants, dive shops and bars should be within an ......

Safety

The main safety concern on Utila has to do with the traffic. Streets are narrow and many motorcyclists drive recklessly ......

Getting to and away

The majority of visitors to Utila arrive via the ferry from La Ceiba. The boat departs daily from Utila at ......

When to go

San Pedro Sula is not a place particularly known for festivals or celebrations. It's culture is modern and businesslike, lacking ......

El Florido Border Crossing

One of the most popular ways to enter Honduras is via the town of El Florido, due to its proximity ......

Safety

San Pedro Sula is an extremely safe city in the daytime, but transforms into a rather dodgy one at night. ......

Getting around

A range of different private bus companies operate in San Pedro Sula, plying a labyrinth of different routes around the ......

Getting to and away

This city is a major regional transportation hub, and if your travels involve the north or west of the country ......

Things to do

Copan Ruinas is a small town, but it has enough activities to keep you busy for days. The ruins are ......

When to Go

High season for tourists in Copan is between mid-June and mid-August, though this has more to do with North American ......

Getting to and away

Copan has several terminals for buses heading in different directions. Travelers bound for Guatemala have the option of catching a ......

Getting Around

Copan is a small town, and just about everything is within walking distance. If you're feeling lazy, there are tuk-tuks ......

Safety

Being a crossroads town, La Entrada has a reputation as a hub of narco-trafficking. While this doesn't necessarily mean there ......

Getting There and Away

For a transport hub, La Entrada's bus station is surprisingly sparce. In fact, calling it a bus station at all ......

Safety

Copan is a relatively safe town, though certain precautions should be taken. It's not a good idea for women to ......

Granada and Around

Granada is Nicaragua's most popular tourist destination, and the area offers everything a traveler could want. Beautiful architecture? This is ......

Forteleza la Pólvora

This 250-year-old fort was built by the Spanish. It was later used as a torture and interrogation center during the ......

Coyotepe

Although the historical ambience of this old fortress is largely ruined by the prodigious graffiti covering its walls, it's still ......

Masaya

With a nickname like “The City of Flowers,” you'd expect Masaya to be a pleasant place. And generally, it doesn't ......

Bluefields

A few years ago a European NGO decided to build Bluefields a badly-needed road connection to the outside world. But ......

Ruins of Saint Sebastien

This once-beautiful church was destroyed by the government's bombing of the city in 1979. A new building was hastily constructed ......

Ruinas de Santiago

These are the least impressive of Leon's ruins. Only a single bell tower and a pockmarked wall remain of the ......

Ruinas Veracruz

Another casualty of the 1979 bombardment, these are probably the most impressive, intact ruins in Leon. The most likely reason ......

Valle De Angeles

Valle de Angeles is a small, quaint colonial town located about an hour outside of Tegucigalpa. Its popularity as a ......

El Puente

La Entrada's lone attraction is the El Puente archaeological park. The site is located along a side-road and is around ......

La Entrada

La Entrada is a dusty, dreary and dangerous crossroads town. The vast majority of travelers who visit do so in ......

San Pedro Sula

San Pedro Sula is Honduras' economic and commercial hub, and for most travelers it's just a stopping point on the ......

La Ceiba

Like so many of Honduras' major cities, La Ceiba's history is intricately tied to the banana trade. Now Honduras' third-largest ......

Utila

Many backpackers cite a visit to the island of Utila as the highlight of their Honduran experience. And with good ......

Villa Paraiso

The priciest option on Playa Santo Domingo, this place definitely has a more resort-type feel. Their cabins are pleasant, with ......

Hotal Posada Cabrera

An old hotel, but a well-kept one and a pleasant enough place for the price. Staff are friendly and washrooms ......

Altagracia Hotels

Viva's choice for accommodations in Altagracia. The $4 rooms are a bit grimy, but $6 buys you an excellent place. ......

Hospidaje Sinai

The cheapest place in town to get a single room. Unfortunately, in this case you do get what you pay ......

Hotel Escuela Teosintal

Very clean, pleasant rooms coming off of a lovely backyard garden. Quite a nice place to stay all-around. Rooms are ......

Casa Familiar

The corridors of this place are dark and dank, but rooms are clean. Extremely clean. But despite their enthusiasm for ......

Hotelito Aly

If you wanted to put a positive spin on this place, you'd call it rustic. Or, you could just be ......

Hostal Balboa Bay

A reasonable hostel in the Bella Vista neighborhood with a common room, kitchen and internet access. Not the best hostel ......

Hotel Caribe

A reasonable but unexceptional midrange hotel. The place is a little run-down, but has a funky color scheme and some ......

Luna's Castle

Luna's Castle is, without question, one of the best backpacker hostels in Latin America. Beds are new and comfy. Amenities ......

Flor de Angel

Rooms here are basically the same as those in Arenas Negras, but at a higher price. There's a disco under ......

Hotel Ometepetl

Once billed as Moyogalpa's finest hotel, the glory has faded and now only the high prices remain. The staff makes ......

Voyager International Hostel

Popular with Israeli travelers, Voyager International offers barracks-style dormitories. The hostel features a television and free internet, and includes a ......

Wyndham Grand Veneto Hotel

For those who truly have cash to throw around, their $800 presidential suite was the priciest hotel room we were ......

Hotel Riande Continental

An excellent five-star hotel with all the predictable features, including a casino. Centrally located and efficiently staffed, it's what you'd ......

Arenas Negras

A clean, comfortable, reasonably priced hotel. The extra hundred cordobas buys you a room with a television. Also features a ......

Hospedaje Central

What's not to love about a hostel that has a pet deer? Minta, as the fawn is known, can be ......

Hospedaje Casco Viejo

While it's tough for them to compete with the glitz and glamor of Luna Castle, Hospedaje Casco Viejo offers decent ......

Hotel El Panama

This is one of the swankiest hotels in Panama. El Panama is located within a sprawling complex that includes shops, ......

Zuly's Backpackers

When we visited Zuly's in July of 2008, they were in the process of moving to new digs down the ......

Resedencial Texas

Hotel Texas is the cheapest option in the area. Furniture and bedding are definitely older, but all in all the ......

Hotel San Remo

Rooms are not spectacular, but they are reasonable for the price. A little bit extra gets you a larger room ......

Hotel Bahias Suites

This is the flashiest hotel in the area, though their staff are startlingly inefficient. Bahias Suites features WiFi, a restaurant ......

Hotel CentroAmericano

CentroAmericano offers no-frills rooms with a desk, television, mirror and closet. While it's not the best mid-range, it's a perfectly ......

Hotel Discovery

At $25, Hotel Discovery offers one of the cheapest private rooms in the city, though the rate probably jumps in ......

Hotel Bella Vista

This basic, somewhat dingy hotel has a problem with mosquitoes. It also has a problem with rude receptionists. Not the ......

Hotel California

This lovely place is the best hotel in its price range. Similar to others in the area, it features WiFi, ......

Hotel Via España

Very secure and organized, Via España is a solid mid-range option, though the pricier rooms are not worth the difference. There's ......

Hotel Costa Azul

A clean and safe mid-range option with an on-site restaurant and free parking. Features cable TV, hot water, internet and ......

Hotel Tower House Suites

A mid-range option conveniently located near the bars of Calle Uruguay. The place is nothing flashy, but rooms are clean, new ......

The Executive Hotel

The Executive is definitely the least impressive of Panama City's top-tier hotels. Other spots in the area offer a far ......

Hotel Zapatilla

This hotel is one of several standard, mid-range places that offer clean rooms for $15-$25. The one thing that sets ......

Hostel Hansi

This is the cheapest private room in Boca del Toro. Hostel Hansi is a clean, safe place to get some ......

Gran Kahuna

This hotel provokes a mix of feelings. There's no question that it has an excellent environment. There are plenty of ......

Hospedaje la Calzada

Although this place won't win any awards for cleanliness, it is an excellent price for a double room with bathroom. ......

Hostal Santa Maria

The owners of Santa Maria seem to think that by adding lace curtains and a few dried flowers, they can ......

Hotel Masaya

Hotel Masaya is interestingly designed following a Harley-Davidson theme. The friendly staff are obviously biker fans and are welcoming to ......

Madera's Inn

The family-run Madera’s Inn is a pleasant hotel with 14 spotlessly clean and very well-maintained rooms. The homey common area ......

Hotel Regis

The safe and relatively clean Hotel Regis is another good budget option if you find Hostal Mi Casa full. This ......

Mi Casa Hostal

Conveniently located inside the Fruti Fruti restaurant (see listing), Mi Casa Hostal is a good value budget option. A relatively ......

Hostal Amigo

Dorms here are a bit shabby, but the rest of the place is quite clean. The relatively expensive price includes ......

Hotel Terrasol

A small, charactered bed-and-breakfast with fresh and immaculately clean rooms. Everything is new and spotless, and upper level rooms have ......

Mini Hotel y Cafetin Central

A clean, smart and friendly hotel. Their three-person room for 550 C is a particularly good deal if you can ......

Caribbean Dreams

This handsome white building is a clean, safe mid-range option. Rooms come with private bathroom, cable television and air conditioning. ......

Lobster Pot Guesthouse

Bluefields' other budget option, rooms here are darker and smaller than the El Dorado down the street. A few rooms ......

Hotel el Dorado

Some have rated this Bluefields' best budget option, but during our stay there were some serious problems involving water and ......

Hotel Nuestra Casa

Run by the same affable Floridian behind the Alabama Rib Shack, this hotel is particularly popular among Peace Corps visitors. ......

Hotel Dario

Located in a charming 19th century neoclassical building, the Hotel Dario blends seamlessly with the beautiful architecture of Granada's downtown ......

Hostal Dorado

Charming and central, Hostal Dorado offers clean and new dorms as well as cosy private rooms. Comfy hammocks are set ......

Hosp. Ruiz

The Ruiz is Viva's choice for a cozy, comfortable and cheap private room. The place is spotless with an inviting ......

Hotel La Posada del Doctor

Charmingly laid-out and sparklingly clean, La Posada del Doctor is a comfortable way to explore Leon's colonial past. The hotel ......

Hotel La Perla

Who would have expected a place of such opulence here in the heart of Sandinista territory? From the Italian marble ......

Posada Dona Blanca

One of several bed and breakfasts in the area that offers television, hot water, and air conditioning. Other places have ......

Hotel Casa Leonesa

Casa Leonesa is located in an old, but well-maintained building. Of the three bed and breakfasts in the area, Leonesa ......

Hotel Enrique 3

Set around a pleasant, quiet courtyard, Enrique 3 offers clean rooms with AC, TV, hot water and big comfortable beds. ......

Hotel America

The America generally has nicer rooms than the Colibri, all of which feature a private bathroom. However the steeply differing ......

Hostal Colibri

A budget option for those seeking private rooms. The Colibri's rooms are dark and rather unimpressive, partly because the windows ......

Farm Peace and Love

This place definitely gets V!VA's vote for the most romantic getaway on the island. Prices are high, but well worth ......

Derek's Place

Derek's offers small rustic cabins on the island's secluded northern coast. Cabins are remarkably clean, considering they're made of palm ......

Casa Iguana

One of the few hotels where your room doesn't step directly onto the beach, they make up by offering a ......

Carlito's Sunrise Paradise

Carlito's is the most expensive of the budget places. It's definitely the nicest of the three, but for $40 you ......

Gracie's Cool Spot

Gracie's is the only budget hotel that does not raise its rates based on the number of people in a ......

Hotel Posada del Angel

A calm, peaceful and luxurious place to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Tegucigalpa. Rooms feature 24-hour hot ......

Hotel Iberia

Probably the most popular backpacker lodging in Barrio Centro, the Hotel Iberia is an excellent value. Rooms are clean, safe ......

Real Intercontinental Hotel

One of Tegucigalpa's finest hotels, the Intercontinental also is conveniently located right next to Multiplaza Mall, so shopping and movie ......

Tegucigalpa Marriott Hotel

The Marriott has a location in Tegucigalpa, with all the usual features (wireless internet, gym, business center, etc...). Staff here ......

Hotel Excelsior

This is an excellent luxury option, which offerins all the amenities you'd expect from a four-star hotel and a few ......

Hotelito Sureno

One of several hotelitos around centro. This is probably the cheapest one that we'd recommend, though you will feel the ......

Hotel K(C)aribean

Probably the best value for a room near the bus station, particularly for their double rooms that sleep up to ......

Hotel Granada

There are three Hotel Granadas all located within a couple blocks. They all provide basically the same quality of room ......

Hotel Prado

The dark décor of Hotel Prado's lobby gives way to surprisingly bright and airy rooms. Unfortunately, this hotel has definitely ......

Hotel Maria Jose

A slightly more upscale hotel near the bus stations, the extra cash buys you a nicer room with cable TV. ......

Gran Hotel Krystal

The Krystal offers a wide range of rooms at different prices. The place is safe enough, but it smells cleaner ......

Plaza Hotel

An excellent choice for anyone who's nostalgic for the '70s. The boxy couches and the wall paintings —even the hairstyles ......

Hotel Hedman Alas

Attractive, newly furnished rooms make this place an excellent value for your money. Rooms come with cable television and hot ......

Hotelito Goascoran

Grimy and wholly without character, the Goascoras has an atmosphere that's neither clean nor particularly safe. Still, it's cheap. ......

Hotel Nan Kin

Although the overwhelming majority of Chinese migrants to Honduras have opened restaurants, the Chong family boldly bucked this trend by ......

Hotel Las Palmas

Las Palmas is a slightly nicer budget option in centro. Rooms here are clean, quiet and secure. A reasonably good ......

Amsterdam 2001

Run by an affable Dutch ex-pat, Amsterdam 2001 is a longtime backpacker's hangout. Rooms are hit and miss when it ......

Gran Hotel Paris

With beautiful rooms, a central location and a bright poolside patio, the Gran Hotel Paris is one of Honduras' best ......

Hotel Olas del Mar

For whatever reason, La Ceiba has very few hotels that offer a seaside view. Hotel Olas del Mar does, which ......

Hotel La Fuente

This hotel offers a beach view, though sadly not from the rooms themselves, which were perplexingly designed facing the other ......

Hotel Alvarez

Hotel Alvarez is pleasant, bright, clean and quiet. Rooms come with televisions and either AC or a fan, depending on ......

Hotel Principe

Due to the impressive range of wildlife observed in the corridors and rooms of the Hotel Principe, we would hesitate ......

Hotel Granada

Although the décor of this place hardly inspires, its friendly service more than makes up for this shortcoming. In fact, ......

Banana Republic

Viva Travel strongly warns readers to avoid this hostel due to serious problems with security. At time of review (May ......

Slumberland Villas

If you're looking for a more luxurious experience while on Utila, there are several outfits that rent out private villas. ......

Mango Inn

Walk through Mango Inn's swinging, saloon-style gates and you've entered a different world. Trees hang heavily over peaceful gardens, and ......

The Relax Inn

A good midrange option. These rooms have air conditioning, a refrigerator and hot water. Rooms are clean, with a new ......

Hotel Rose

Centrally located and reasonably priced, the Rose is a good choice for any traveler looking to get away from the ......

Hotel Trudy

This charming wooden complex is part of Underwater Vision's dive center. A view of the ocean and frequent activity around ......

Caribbean Dreams

Another good option for long-term stays, Caribbean Dreams, offers fully furnished rooms with AC, cable television and internet access. Apartments ......

Palms Hotel

This very quiet hotel is affiliated with Utila Watersports, though non-divers are just as welcome. The location and view of ......

Lagoon View Apartments

These apartments are an excellent choice for long-term visitors. Although, they generally discourage short-term visitors, which is evident by the ......

Hotel Loma Vista

These rooms are basic and bare, but cheap. The place has no view and little character, but receives good reviews ......

Hotel Bavaria

The Hotel Bavaria is a quiet, well-kept and neat hotel that's maintained with a classic German efficiency. Rooms have fans ......

Alton's

Dorm accommodations, though not remarkable, are not particularly awful. Some rooms open onto a wonderful seaside view. Their showcase “balcony ......

Cooper's Inn

Cooper's is run by the same friendly women as neighboring Delany's Island Kitchen. The Inn offers impeccably clean, furnished apartments ......

Gran Hotal Sula

The Gran Hotel towers grandly over the main square, offering luxury and unmatched convenience. Given the opulence of the place, ......

Crowne Plaza Hotel

The Crowne Plaza is the most expensive of San Pedro's central hotels, and offers all the amenities that you'd expect ......

Los Jicaros Hotel

Tucked away in a small side street near San Pedro's main plaza, Los Jicaros is a pleasant, friendly and well-kept ......

Gran Hotel Conquistador

The Gran Hotel Conquistador would be best described as a budget hotel posing as a midrange. While rooms are reasonably ......

Hotel Palma Comfort

The hotel's bright, pleasant reception area gives way to rooms that are dull and somewhat disappointing. While we wouldn't call ......

Hotel San Jose

Just down the street from Hotel San Juan is another, somewhat scuzzier budget option. Rooms are basic: a fan, a ......

Hotel San Juan

Although this hotel doesn't rate very highly on the charm scale, it's probably the best option for the pure budget ......

Hostal Tamarindo

The Hostal Tamarindo features comfortable beds, clean bathrooms and a friendly atmosphere. Unfortunately, since dorm beds costing 200L a night ......

Plaza Copan Hotel

Plaza Copan is far and away the nicest midrange option in the city. Rooms are big and well-lit, and each ......

Hotel Yaragua

Although not quite as clean as the other hotels in the area, Hotel Yaragua's towering greenery gives it a far ......

Hotel Popol-Noh

This hotel offers basic, somewhat spartan rooms. Location is central, and staff are friendly and accommodating, but visitors may feel ......

Hotel Acropolis “Maya”

Hotel Acropolis is an upscale place offering purified water, air conditioning and centrally heated water. Second floor rooms are much ......

Don Moises Guesthouse

Don Moises is a small, neat, family-run hostel with a friendly atmosphere. Beds are comfortable, and all dorm rooms come ......

Hostal en la Manzana Verde

Probably the most popular hostel in town, The Green Apple offers friendly staff and comfortable beds, though not much else. ......

Hotel Central

Located 5-10 minutes walk down the street from the bus station, on the right-hand side. It is by far the ......

El San Carlos

Those with a little more cash in their pocket will prefer this quiet, clean and conservative hotel across the street ......

Hotel Marina Copan

From its artificial streams to its impeccably dressed staff, Marina Copan absolutely drips luxury. Rooms are situated on pleasant private ......

Pasada Macanudo

A tidy, if slightly drab alternative a few blocks off of the main square. Rooms are $15 flat rate, but ......

Hotel Maya Copan

The Hotel Maya Copan is an excellent place to stay. Spotlessly clean and richly decorated, the hotel features a bar, ......

Hostal Sunrise

Bright, clean, and friendly, Hostal Sunrise presents an extremely welcoming face. However, this place is not for everyone. A large ......

Hostal Calama

Although it’s far cleaner than Residencial Calama, its sister hotel, Hostel Calama is still far from your best choice for ......

Blacksheep Hostel

With cheerful, outgoing staff and a party-hard atmosphere, it's no wonder that Blacksheep has become Medellin's most popular backpacker hangout. ......

Princesa Maria Hotel

With big clean rooms and piping hot showers, Princesa Maria is your best budget option in Baños. It's a bit ......

The American Cafe

Connected with The American Hotel, this charming little eatery offers a range of tasty breakfast and lunch specials. The western ......

Restaurante Bahia

Connected to the Hotel Bahía, this restaurant offers a range of soups, pastas and sandwiches, along with comida típica. A ......

Del Timbo al Tambo

Mostly a bar, this place also serves comida típica. Food entrees are typical Nicaraguan fare. It's quite a popular place ......

Chido's Pizza

Pizza here is delicious, well-priced and portions are big. A great place to eat in Moyogalpa. They don't skimp on ......

Los Ranchitos

A popular restaurant serving the standard variety of local dishes for at reasonable prices. Fish filets are heartily recommended, freshly ......

Yogi's Cafe and Bar

Named after the lovable black dog that greets arrivals, Yogi's is a friendly ex-pat run bar that serves breakfast and ......

Madame Chang

Just off of Calle Uruguay, Madame Chang is said to offer Panama's best Chinese food. Definitely not your typical Chifa, ......

Taj Mahal

Taj Majal boasts excellent Indian food. Samosas are delicious and their vindaloo is a true test of courage. Expensive, but ......

Ali Baba

Some hummus with your paella? An interesting blend of Middle Eastern and Spanish cuisines makes Ali Baba a worthwhile visit. ......

Restaurante Marbella

Panama City's best seafood restaurant. Marbella's view overlooks the Pacific ocean and offers a wonderful ambiance. Expect a very expensive ......

Pio Pio

Greasy, cheap and tasty, this is Panama's answer to KFC. Don't come expecting a gourmet menu, but the food is ......

Crepes and Waffles

As you might infer from the name, this restaurant specializes in crepes and waffles. Everything from asparagus and cheese to ......

The Wine Bar

The name pretty much says it all. This is a good Italian-style bar with more than 300 wines to choose from. ......

Istmo Beer Pub

This is Panama City's only microbrew bar. It's a good place to chill, chat and converse. They have a wide selection ......

The Londoner

This is in English-style pub, complete with darts, fish n' chips and rugby on the telly. It's a popular place ......

People

A stylish club that's popular with Panama City's young and beautiful. Expect to pay about $8 to get in. Drinks ......

Bar Bamboleo

This is one of the few places in Calle Uruguay with no cover charge. Drinks are still expensive though, so ......

Moods

This dance club features salsa, reggaeton and electronica. Recently renovated, it's become a very popular spot, though it can get ......

La Casona de las Brujas

Open Wednesday through Saturday, this is the best bar in Casco Viejo. With lively music, cheap drinks, and a festive ......

El Hombre de la Mancha

Although the books in this cafe are mostly in Spanish, they nonetheless contribute to a healthy, cultured atmosphere. El Hombre ......

Restaurante Jenny

Probably the best Chinese in the area, Jenny's offers typically heaping portions at a very cheap price. One plate will ......

Cafe