Gay bars in panama city
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Hike to the highest natural point in the city, spotting wildlife like sloths and toucans, and take in breathtaking 360° views of the skyline, ocean, and Panama Canal—while learning the powerful history of this once-restricted land. BOOK HERE.
I’m Joey—originally from Louisville, Kentucky, but I’ve called Latin America home for over 15 years.
However, I would actually recommend staying in Casco Viejo over Via Argentina as there is more to do and most of the gay-friendly bars are over there.
Casco Viejo is the hip & trendy area of Panama City and is a mix of restored Spanish colonial buildings that are now boutique hotels, apartments, rooftop bars, and restaurants.
Our go-to for inspiration and booking is Booking.com because they have an extensive selection and the best prices. It's a turquoise-waters-white-sandy-beach paradise right in the middle of the Caribbean around 240km (150 miles) from the mainland.
Similar to the Panama Marriott, the Waldorf is also located in the El Cangrejo neighborhood, making it a convenient base to be close to the main gay scene, especially El Apartamento bar which is just a block away.
The other reason we loved the Waldorf is that its located just by the Avenida Balboa beachfront, which was one of our favorite hangouts in the city at sunset and also perfect for morning runs.
We stayed in one of the lavish suites.
We stumbled on it by accident one afternoon and stopped for lunch. That's right here as well! Start in trendy Via Argentina with breakfast and Panamanian coffee before hopping on the metro to begin an urban jungle adventure. Nick was raised in Brooklyn and started making pizza at the age of 15, before eventually moving to Panama and continuing to bring delicious old-school pizzas to Panama.
Sunset's also when all the local sexy guys come to work out at the outdoor gyms, allowing certain tourists (ahem!) to analyse their techniques! Also, that big PANAMA sign on the cover pic of this article? We advise checking out the gay bars and clubs listed above which will also host parties Carnival-inspired parties during this period.
Panama City Pride – June
The LGBTQ community of Panama City may have a slight uphill struggle when it comes to getting the government to pass progressive laws to protect them, but the city's week-long Pride festival grows stronger each year since its inception back in 2005 – 3 years before the country legalized homosexuality.
This session can accommodate 1-2 people and you’ll receive 40-50 edited high-resolution images. BOOK HERE.
Spend the day on an island
The Sonny Island Resort on Isla Bolaños is one of the best islands in the Pearl Island Archipelago to open its beautiful beachfront to visitors.
OUT in Panama is more than a tour — it’s your passport into Panama City’s real queer life.
Join a hosted small group for cocktails, drag shows, club hopping, and after-hours adventures with other travelers and locals. To find out what's happening when you touch down in Panama City, we recommend using Grindr to connect with local guys and also messaging the Gay Pride PTY Facebook page who are very responsive.
However, the big Carnival in February has also become an “unofficial” LGBTQ event to look out for:
Panama City Carnival – February/March
During the big Carnival in late February that takes over the entire country, an “unofficial” gay presence is growing stronger here each year with more and more queer parties taking place over the big four days.
It is in fact the rooftop lounge of the “Gato Blanco Party Hotel” located at Avenida B 8, a few blocks from the Panama Canal Museum.