Santiago and David, Panama

Both cities were stopping off points for this Turtle. I only spent a night or two in each on the way to someplace else in Panama. Both cities are located on the Panamerican Highway.

I have to say that the Hotel in Santiago, or just outside of town was the nicest and most modern of all the Hotels / Motels that I stayed in while visiting Panama, outside of Hotels within Panama City. The Hotel just before arriving in Santiago from Panama City is called the Hotel Mykonos. As you can see from the pictures, it is very new and modern. This was such an island of relief from the long driving within Panama, that I ended up staying here both headed west into Panama and also on my return back to Panama City for my flight to Bocas del Toro (see future blog).

Santiago itself is an old city, dating back to around 1621. There are many fine old churches, buildings, and parks located throughout the city.  The city also has many restaurants, mostly outdoor seating with good food and beverages. There is also a very new and large shopping center called “Santiago Mall”, located just west of the Hotel Mykonos, along the Panamerican Highway. You will find many American Brand stores alongside some larger Panamanian store chains. The mall just opened in 2014, so it is not yet full of shops.

As I have blogged before (Panamerican Highway), the road from Panama City to just past Santiago is completed, paved, and well maintained. Once past Santiago, this highway is under construction with lots of detours and delays, all the way to just before David at Chiriqui, in Western Panama.

The city of David (pronounced (“Da-Vid”) is named after King David from the Bible, and has a population of about 145,000. David was founded in about 1602 and has many old historical churches, buildings, and parks. It also has a regional airport that most people use to fly to / from Panama City.

Conveniently located along the Panamerican Highway, David is the largest major city in Western Panama and the third major urban area in Panama, with major roads leading to Boquete, Volcan, and the Pacific coastal town of Puerto Pedregal. Volcán Barú, a dormant volcano and also the tallest mountain in Panama, is visible from northern parts of the city. The Costa Rican border is located about a 45-minute drive (50 km or 31 miles) west on the Panamerican Highway.

An excellent hotel to stay at within the downtown area of the city is the “Gran Nacional Hotel”. It offers dining a casino, and comfortable rooms.

Boquete will be the next blog in this series.