You don't have to experience 5 days of Carnaval to know that Panamanians are party-loving people. When the sun goes down, Panama City lights up with a vibrant scene that caters to all ages, interests, and levels of stamina.
Nightspots are concentrated in four neighborhoods: Bella Vista also called Calle Uruguay , the Amador Causeway, Marbella Calle 53 Este , and Casco Viejo, but underground dance clubs pop up across town like mushrooms, and can be best found by asking your concierge or checking out the Weekend supplement in Thursday's La Prensa newspaper.
Also try the Calendar at www. Visitors should be aware that Panamanians are more open-minded about sex than Americans. Prostitution is legal in Panama, and therefore it is common to see prostitutes not just on seedier streets and in brothels but in the nicer parts of town such as El Cangrejo. They're also often at hotel-lobby bars, or employed by one of the many "anything-goes" massage parlors across town.
Government authorities demand a weekly health check for all prostitutes, among other regulations, but cases of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are swiftly multiplying in Panama. Theater tickets can be purchased by calling the theater directly, or you can buy tickets at Blockbuster locations and at the bookstore El Hombre de la Mancha or Exedra Books.
The guild normally produces contemporary dramas and comedy with a mix of native English speakers and Panamanian actors trained in English-language schools. Classical music productions, plays, and ballet take place at Panama City's turn-of-theth-century National Theater, on Avenida B in Casco Viejo, but shows are infrequent.
