4 Ways to get Ripped Off in Panama within your first 4 hours


4 Ways to get Ripped Off in Panama within your first 4 hours

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Written by Administrator

Tuesday, April 03 2007

Arriving to the isthmus of Panama, whether it's for business or pleasure, warm weather and wavy palm trees will greet you. The city skyline and immaculate beaches will embrace you with open arms. What will not welcome you warmly will be the onslaught of people trying to take advantage of the fact that you're new to the country, and trying to rip you off.

These are things that I did just a few weeks ago and wanted to leave them for other visitors to save some cash and headache.

1. The first will inevitably be your taxi from the airport. Taxis in Panama are extremely cheap, usually around one to two dollars per ride. However, the airport authority finds it reasonabl to charge incoming visitors $30 or more just to get into the city from Tocumen. This is the official rate and that which everyone pays. To avoid this rip off, simply walk up stairs to the drop off lane and hail down a taxi who's just departing after having dropped someone off. He'll invariably offer you a ride for much much less. Or, it can be smart to share a taxi with a fellow traveler, thus cutting your fee in half. $30 for a taxi to the city? Where do they think we are? NYC?

2. The second will be after you've reached your hotel and you're looking to get something to eat. You'll be starving from the flight and want the closest thing by which, inevitably will be the most expensive touristy restaurant around—catering to people like you who want anything and they want it fast. Try curbing your appetite for several minutes and either walk or catch a cab to a less touristy area where you can nosh on fried fish, roasted meats, or fresh tropical veggies for less than the price of a pet Chinese fighting fish.

3. The third will be after your meal, when you'll be walking around full with delight. You'll be amazed at the modernity of Panama City and the culture the country has to offer, and in the midst, become mesmerized by the trinkets sold by Kuna Indians and various other cultural people on the street corner. They'll overcharge you for your molas and Panama hats, so try to venture somewhere authentic or at least less touristy, to pick up the same pieces for half the price.

4. Before going to bed, you and your traveling companion decide to get a drink at the bar. In some languages, hotel bar is synonymous with theft, being that the prices will most probably be far too expensive and pricey. Try hitting up a local joint instead, where beers can cost as little as $0.75. You'll get a real Panama experience and not be surrounded by other fanny pack-toting lunatics, which is a good thing.

In general, try to keep an eye out for tourist traps in Panama, they're everywhere. If you're a smart traveler, you know how to negotiate and you know how to meander—safely albeit—off the beaten tourist path. Don't dress overly foreign or the ripper-offers will be drawn to you, offering you expensive cab rides and poor quality establishments where almost always, they're getting a cut of your expense. Be smart, look for the alternative means, and have fun!