Getting to Miraflores Visitor Center

[klam_chowder]

I'm looking for an excursion and DH would like to see the locks from land. I was thinking of going to the Miraflores Visitor Center. How far is it from the Fuerte Amador tender site?

I've read that Panama is less safe for tourists - is it safe to take a cab there by ourselves? Is there a safe & interesting place for us to stop to shop some for local things on the way back to the ship?

Our eastbound, full transit Coral Princess goes to Fuerte Amador from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the next day we go thru the locks 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; we're staying on the ship for the canal crossing.

Any info much appreciated!

cheers,

[Cruisers from WA]

You will be tendered, and there are nice shops right where you arrive on land by the tender boat. I would only go on Princess tours, even though we go independently other places

[klam_chowder]

Thx a mint for your reply.

cheers,

[BillB48]

From where you would get off the tender, Miraflores Locks and Vistor's Center is about 10-12 miles away. This area is relatively safe, there was an incident where some tourists were robbed late last year on a bus. The area was rather remote about half way between Colon and Panama City, not where you would be travelling to see Miraflores.

Although I was in the area where the tender lands, I was in a private car, I'm sure when there is a passenger ship calling at Ft. Amador there will be plenty of taxis

[klam_chowder]

BillB48, thx a mint for the details. Great to know the distance and that the MVC is in a relatively safe locale.

cheers,

[melsal]

Does anyone know how far Panama City is from the Miraflores Visitor Center? I would like to see both the Visitor Center and City but have yet to find a tour that combines both. Am thinking of taking a taxi or possibility a private tour but would like to know the distances. Any suggestions on a private tour company are welcomed.

[klam_chowder]

OP, here...just got back

Not sure of the actual distance but this will prolly give you what you're looking for...

After the MVC, we took a cab to Old Town and it ended up being closer than pier to MVC. For your reference, a cabbie at the pier said $24 for each of us (2 of us so $48) I said no thank you, it was too much and just walked past. Other cabbies were there vying for biz so he said "$20 each". I said I only expected to $15 for both of us and based on his opening price, expected to negotiate somewhere btwn $25-$30 for both of us but the cabbie just shrugged and waved us to follow him to his cab in the parking lot! You really have to have a guage of prices...or else of course, just feel good helping the local economy as you will see it is abject poverty there. Much worse, IMHO than Jamaica, etc.

Cabs are plentiful at the pier, after you get thru the people trying to sell you a tour. If you're persistant and let them know you just want a taxi, they'll let you through.

I was a bit wary about Panama as many who usually book independent tours don't for that port. However, having done it, getting a taxi is no problem anywhere.

Be safe in Panama City/Old Town.

Have a fab trip!

cheers,

[melsal]

Klam Chowder thank you for your response. It was very helpful. We will probably just get a taxi or tour guide at the port rather than pre-arranging something.

[BillB48]

Originally Posted by melsal

Does anyone know how far Panama City is from the Miraflores Visitor Center? I would like to see both the Visitor Center and City but have yet to find a tour that combines both. Am thinking of taking a taxi or possibility a private tour but would like to know the distances. Any suggestions on a private tour company are welcomed.

Distances from the Miraflores Vistor's Ctr. to Panama City are about the same distance as from Ft. Amador. The difference being they are in a slightly different direction. Panama City suffers from the same things any large city does.... it's really spread out and there can be a great deal of traffic. For example if you are considering a visit to the area where the Presidential Palace, The Church of the Golden Altar and the Plaza Frances, which are located in the "old section" and would be around the 10-12 mile estimate from the Miraflores Visitor's Center. Ft. Amador would be closer to this old section and you would not have to return all the way to the Visitor's Center to get back to the ship.

Now if you are going to include a trip to Old Panama, which is where the ruins of the original city are located, you woud have to allow a bit more time for this. While not really that far away in terms of miles, there is a lot urban area and all the traffic that goes with it to negotiate. As before, you would not have to return to the Vistor's Center to get back to Ft. Amador.

[melsal]

Originally Posted by BillB48

Distances from the Miraflores Vistor's Ctr. to Panama City are about the same distance as from Ft. Amador. The difference being they are in a slightly different direction. Panama City suffers from the same things any large city does.... it's really spread out and there can be a great deal of traffic. For example if you are considering a visit to the area where the Presidential Palace, The Church of the Golden Altar and the Plaza Frances, which are located in the "old section" and would be around the 10-12 mile estimate from the Miraflores Visitor's Center. Ft. Amador would be closer to this old section and you would not have to return all the way to the Visitor's Center to get back to the ship.

Now if you are going to include a trip to Old Panama, which is where the ruins of the original city are located, you woud have to allow a bit more time for this. While not really that far away in terms of miles, there is a lot urban area and all the traffic that goes with it to negotiate. As before, you would not have to return to the Vistor's Center to get back to Ft. Amador.

If I am understanding correctly...The distances between the Ft. Amador pier, MiraFlores Visitor Center, Panama City and Old Panama are about 10 -12 miles but in different directions. The traffic between sites could cause delays in the site-seeing.

[BillB48]

That's exactly what I was trying to say! I was a little worried that it might not come across that way. When you land at Ft. Amador you will be able to see quite easily the skyline of Panama City, so in reality Ft. Amador is closer to city than the Visitor's Center. Traffic in the city can be challenging. Hope you enjoy!

[klam_chowder]

Originally Posted by melsal

Klam Chowder thank you for your response. It was very helpful. We will probably just get a taxi or tour guide at the port rather than pre-arranging something.

no worries, I know what it was like trying to gather info before going. As you can see BillB48 is much more familiar with it.

This was only our 2nd cruise but I've done a reasonable amount of independent land travelling. I have no concerns about grabbing a cab anywhere in the Panama City area. However, if I were to do it again, I might arrange a private tour of Panama city. We did most of the other ports 'on our own'. Depends on your comfort level, language proficiency (we unfortunately had almost none). I'm not sure if it's because of all the warnings I read before I went but this was the only port where I felt a bit leary/unsafe. I've read things about Nassau too but we got off the ship on our own and I never felt uneasy or that it was unsafe.

I definitely do not like swarms of tourists but there were so few tourists about so we felt a bit isolated. Not a lot of locals around either. We didn't even find any eateries, restaurants with locals in them so we ended up eating in a restaurant on the ground floor of a hotel. Very small and casual place tho - not swanky at all. This was one of two places we saw with patrons - 2 sets of tourists. Simple burritos cost us USD$10 each...most expensive burritos we've ever had but we were hungry and they were tasty and we didn't get sick - worth it right there...LOL!

In Cabo there were tons of places and we ducked into a 'hole in the wall' and joined locals, just pointed to what we wanted. In other places like Acapulco, Cartagena, etc. we ate fruit from street vendors, no problem. There weren't any "services" like this in the old town section to create any street atmosphere.

Have a fab trip!

cheers,