October 15, 2008

LATIN AMERICA | PANAMA | PANAMA CITY

New Dawn on Panama

By Mark Jolly

How Central America’s It City lured James Bond — and a new group of boutique cruise liners.

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Released next month, The Quantum of Solace may be the silliest name to date for a James Bond movie. But travel to one of its more exotic set locations is becoming serious business: last year, Panama posted the fastest spike in international visitors in the western hemisphere (up 30 percent to 1.1. million), and, with a furious flow of hotel investments, Panama City has already been dubbed the new Miami.

Following the opening of InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa (Panama’s first large upscale beach resort, just outside the capital), Nikki Beach and Donald Trump are now moving in: the former unveils its latest “sexiest party on earth” brand of resorts in March 2009, while the Donald is set to open his 65-story waterfront tower and casino in 2010. But it’s the capital’s small-scale charms — concentrated in the Casco Viejo neighborhood — that have caught our attention lately (think restored colonial mansions and cobblestone streets that are invariably compared to Havana). You can even stay there in 007 style: Converted mansion Canal House is the boutique hotel where Daniel Craig lodged while filming.

The renaissance of both city and country has also lured an increasing number of upscale liners specializing in small-boat cruises. Azamara Cruises, the one-year-old luxe liner from Celebrity, starts its winter season there on December 18, targeting the Panama Canal’s multi-billion-dollar expansion aboard the 694-passenger Azamara Journey. Americas specialists Cruise West, meanwhile, is about to extend its Panama-Costa Rica sailings, adding new land tour options and photography cruises (starting December 2) aboard the 100-guest Pacific Explorer. But for the ultimate up-close-and-personal experience, you’ll be hard pressed to beat Overseas Adventure Travel. The company inaugurates its first canal transit in January — during daylight hours for best viewing, and aboard a 24-passenger catamaran.