Monday, September 15, 2008
Shopping in Panama
Albrook Mall is one of several large shopping Malls in Panama City. It is situated on the West side of Panama City, near to Clayton, and easy to find from Simon Bolivar, or from Bridge of the Americas. Just follow the signs for Albrook (or the bus terminal) and look for the parade of individually colored stores. This is the biggest closed air-conditioned mall in Panama, with 8 zones identified by animals, and it makes a great escape on a particularly hot or rainy day. It is generally less ‘designer” than the Multiplaza Mall, and has a lot more shops than the “Multicentro” Mall.
The best part about Albrook is its easy accessibility. The bus station is right alongside the stores, there are taxis galore to take you around the City and within the Zone for just $1.75. If you choose to come by car, there are plenty of car parking spaces.
Inside, over 2 floors, there is every kind of shop, store, restaurant, cinema and kiosk you could possibly want. Starting with the larger stores first, Titan has a huge range of cost-conscious clothing for the girl who wants to look fashionable. Collins is more up market, but still comparatively cheap for visitors from Europe and the USA. Their cafeteria is also very chic, with tasteful table décor and an appetizing menu for lunch. Ever popular, Stevens has cut-price clothing and household goods, and Conway has even more choice of kitchenware, glasses and home accents. The Do It Center offers a good range of Home and garden equipment for which it is famed, as does Novey which is situated alone on the car park.
There are plenty of well-known brands and American chains represented such as Zara, Hilfiger, Umbro’s for sportswear, and Adams. For more unusual styles look in Lolita boutique, and how about a hat to finish the ensemble? Panama Hats has many traditional brimmed hats but with a little twist – a bright ribbon, a broad peak or a shaped back to an otherwise traditional head covering. Shoe Plaza makes everyone slow down and look – what styles, and what great prices!
There are also specialist stores such as El Mundo del Tabaco or Daniella for beautiful embroidered tablecloths. Choose your furniture here from several stores offering both outdoor and indoor furnishings. Electrical goods are also well represented, from Costo to Panafoto, and kiosks for cell phones throughout the Mall.
No girl can resist the brightly lit windows of the jewelry stores, although there is plenty of cheap glitz in Stevens including belts, bracelets and bags.
After all that walking, maybe a little pampering. There are many nicely presented Salons for hair and nails. The newest to open is Only Nails (which bizarrely also does hair!) and Christian Salon and Beauty Supply with all the known brands of retail hair supplies from Matrix to Tigi.
And so to lunch. The food court has a huge choice of food chains from the obvious – McDonalds - to the traditional, at Lenos. You can dine on pizza, salads, steaks, fish, chicken, Chinese, Italian, ice cream and more. If the plastic tables and screaming children withers your appetite there are also many individual restaurants and coffee shops situated along the mall, including my favorite – Crepes and Waffles.
Albrook Mall is a great day out for all ages, easy to find, and there are some great bargains to be had.
The best part about Albrook is its easy accessibility. The bus station is right alongside the stores, there are taxis galore to take you around the City and within the Zone for just $1.75. If you choose to come by car, there are plenty of car parking spaces.
Inside, over 2 floors, there is every kind of shop, store, restaurant, cinema and kiosk you could possibly want. Starting with the larger stores first, Titan has a huge range of cost-conscious clothing for the girl who wants to look fashionable. Collins is more up market, but still comparatively cheap for visitors from Europe and the USA. Their cafeteria is also very chic, with tasteful table décor and an appetizing menu for lunch. Ever popular, Stevens has cut-price clothing and household goods, and Conway has even more choice of kitchenware, glasses and home accents. The Do It Center offers a good range of Home and garden equipment for which it is famed, as does Novey which is situated alone on the car park.
There are plenty of well-known brands and American chains represented such as Zara, Hilfiger, Umbro’s for sportswear, and Adams. For more unusual styles look in Lolita boutique, and how about a hat to finish the ensemble? Panama Hats has many traditional brimmed hats but with a little twist – a bright ribbon, a broad peak or a shaped back to an otherwise traditional head covering. Shoe Plaza makes everyone slow down and look – what styles, and what great prices!
There are also specialist stores such as El Mundo del Tabaco or Daniella for beautiful embroidered tablecloths. Choose your furniture here from several stores offering both outdoor and indoor furnishings. Electrical goods are also well represented, from Costo to Panafoto, and kiosks for cell phones throughout the Mall.
No girl can resist the brightly lit windows of the jewelry stores, although there is plenty of cheap glitz in Stevens including belts, bracelets and bags.
After all that walking, maybe a little pampering. There are many nicely presented Salons for hair and nails. The newest to open is Only Nails (which bizarrely also does hair!) and Christian Salon and Beauty Supply with all the known brands of retail hair supplies from Matrix to Tigi.
And so to lunch. The food court has a huge choice of food chains from the obvious – McDonalds - to the traditional, at Lenos. You can dine on pizza, salads, steaks, fish, chicken, Chinese, Italian, ice cream and more. If the plastic tables and screaming children withers your appetite there are also many individual restaurants and coffee shops situated along the mall, including my favorite – Crepes and Waffles.
Albrook Mall is a great day out for all ages, easy to find, and there are some great bargains to be had.
Labels: Albrook Mall, Panama City, shopping
# posted by Your travel girl @ 8:09 PM 
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