Shopping in Panama

The less trafficked Multicentro Mall

If you want a peaceful and relaxing shopping day, the best place is the Multicentro Mall in Panama City.

This shopping experience will be peaceful since the Multicentro Mall, the multi-million dollar complex at the beginning of Avenida Balboa opposite Paitilla, has fallen short of the original expectations of its developers in terms of shopper volume. The bonus is that the spacious halls of this classy facility can be particularly appealing to foreign visitors wishing to avoid the crowds of other malls of the downtown area.

Shopping in Panama is a great national sport, rivaled only by partying, even during seasons considered low, such as January/February. This means that especially on weekends, shopping venues are always packed, sometimes forcing drivers to a long search for a parking space. Shoppers at Multicentro Mall have it easy in this regard, with more time to search for the best brands and prices in a stress-free environment.

Multicentro Mall has everything it takes for a successful, up-scale shopping mecca: ample underground parking, large food courts, modern multi-cinemas, luxury boutiques and a very trendy ambiance. Yet, a number of factors, including the presence of many foreign stores, unknown to most Panamanians made Multicentro Mall a bit too "exclusive" for local tastes.

Aware of the situation, the management modified the main entrance of the facility, making the ground-floor food court more visible to passers-by on Avenida Balboa. Multicentro Mall´s management is also transforming the mall into a multi-purpose center, offering financial, legal, real-estate and property rentals in Panama services to the area's growing expat population. One particular company enjoying Multicentro Mall's benefits as a business center is Century 21, which, according to its manager, Frank Morrice, "gives visitors the chance to think about business in a comfortable manner, as he or she shops or goes to the movie at the mall".

More good news, Conway, a popular department store, will soon open a branch at Multicentro Mall, making the development more appealing to the middle-class market. Opened in 2003, Multicentro Mall is located on the entrance of the Corredor Sur expressway, which connects downtown with Tocumen International Airport in 20 minutes.

Colon Free Trade Zone

Nearly all world routes pass the Colon Free Zone, located as it is at the Atlantic gateway to the Panama Canal, with access to both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Wholesalers and retailers travel to Colon Free Zone because here they are able to buy all consumer products either by the container load or in smaller quantities, because Free Zone importers specialize in bringing in container loads of goods, and breaking them down for resale.

Historically the Colon Free Zone has staked its ground on importing goods duty-free from around the world and selling them to tariff-bound Latin America. With that business basis no longer relevant, as Latin tariff barriers have fallen, the Zone has had to reshape and expand its business according to the ground rules now prevalent worldwide: globalization of trade, speed and efficiency of transit, and competitive prices.

Visiting the Colon Free Zone
The Colon Free Zone is located on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus. It is possible to travel there from Panama City, located on the Pacific side, by automobile, train or bus. Cars may easily be rented upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport and their rates range from $45 dollars per day. Colon is located about two hours by road from the airport or one and a half hours from Panama City. Taxis are available from Tocumen Airport or city hotels and charge approximately $60 for one to four persons for a one-way trip.

Traveling by bus is cheaper. Air conditioned express buses leave for Colon from the national bus terminal in Albrook every half hour until 11 a.m. and thereafter, every hour on the hour.

They charge $2.50 for a one-way trip. The non-stop journey takes one hour and fifteen minutes.

Regular, non air-conditioned buses are also available. They charge $1.80 each way and take longer due to constant stopping along the route.

Another option is the railroad.  The train leaves the terminal in Corozal at 7:15 a.m. and returns from Colon at 5:15 p.m., arriving in Panama City at 6:15 p.m. A return ticket costs $44, a one way ticket costs $22.

What to bring to the Colon Free Zone

Carry your valid passport at all times. You must present  it on your arrival to obtain your pass. Taxis and rental cars are not allowed into the area, so be prepared to do a lot of walking.

As a result of Panama's tropical weather, the dress code for the Colon Free Zone is casual.  Temperatures range between 25º - 30º Celsius and humidity is always very high. There are no restaurants in the Colon Free Zone.  The laws governing the zone do not allow them.  But from street vendors you can buy a variety of quick meals, ranging from hamburgers to Middle-eastern delicacies.

Colon Free Zone grows but more security sought
The Colon Free Zone recorded a growth of 12.1% for operations in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period of 2007, According to information provided by the manager Nilda Quijano, during the Budget hearing in the Budget Committee of the National Assembly. Deputies asked her to intensify security, because foreigners and investors are daily victims of burglaries and thefts in that area. The deputy of the Revolutionary Democratic Paty, Freidi Torres, urged Quijano, to put together a plan that ensures peace of mind to people who visit this area.

Information provided by www.panamabusinessandtravel.com.  A Focus Publications company.  The USA REALTY GROUP  recommends www.panamabusinessandtravel.com to our readers to find information regarding the country of Panama.  The site offers information on Panama in both business and tourism.