When Holly and I arrived in Panama City, we had some extra time and went to Albrook Mall which is conveniently located next to the Albrook Bus Terminal. I heard it was a big mall but my goodness, it was HUGE! We walked and walked but never seemed to run out of new sections to explore. There are hundreds of stores, very attractive common areas with interesting and variable decor, and lots of food and entertainment options. I would have to spend a few days there with a map to do a decent report on this mall. But, I did manage to get some photos to give you just a taste of what it’s like there.
If you need to shop, I can certainly see the advantages of living in Panama City. And, this is only one mall. There are a number of others and tons of individual stores, and everything else that one finds in a big, busy, international city. Parts of Panama have very third world aspects but other parts of Panama are definitely modern and first world and we pretty much lack for nothing.
I have quite a few photos of other things – the zoo, historical parts of the city, and general city photos so I’d better get busy before we take off on our next excursion and amass even more photos and stories!
The Panama Adventure 
Albrook is the closest shopping mall to Veracruz, the pueblo where I live. It is an amazing mall with high-end shops and several budget-friendly places where you will find me shopping. Don’t forget the Terminal shops, either – lots to see and do there, plus, the brand new Metro subway stops there!
LikeLike
It definitely is quite the mall! I have seen the terminal shops, though I’ve never taken the time to explore them much. Usually I’m just catching a bus. I did take the metro to Albrook to catch my bus home and it was great, very easy.
Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 I definitely need to spend more time in your side of Panama to get to know it better.
LikeLike
You can say that again, about the range of prosperity in Panama (third world, ranging to frank opulence!). I refer to yet MORE malls in the city of Panama that make the Albrook Mall seem like a commoner’s mall. And, there is the new MegaMall soon to open just next to Tocumen (Panama Airport), which will be just as big as Albrook Mall. MegaMall will solve the traffic on the East side trying to come into the city to shop. It is also serviced by a brand new hospital.
I was recently at the MetroPlaza (not the MultiPlaza or MetroMall where most of the other “commoners” go). MetroPlaza is located near the Convention Hall. MetroPlaza is smaller, but has seven restaurants and the only ice cream you can buy is over $4 for a small cup. I was screened by security to see if I was “worthy” to shop in the mall. Given my typical casual appearance that our culture is accustomed, I stood out against the designer outfits all the Panamanians were wearing in the mall. MetroPlaza is home to Panama’s wealthiest of shoppers with price points in the nauseating range. They have some USA-connected stores, but the prices are nothing like I would recognize! So, for those who think Panama is just for poor hicks who don’t have any cash flow… think again.
LikeLike
I’ve heard about MetroPlaza but I don’t think I’d be worthy to shop there wither. There is definitely money in Panama. I know it isn’t cheap to live in the city, and there are some very nice cars out and about. And, you know all those expensive stores can’t exist if people don’t have money to shop there. I had a discussion with a local friend about this not long ago. In the country people don’t care so much about appearance, but in the cities there is more and more keeping up appearances and looking as good as your neighbors, and that costs money. Some even overextend themselves in this effort.
LikeLike
I Hate to admit this, But I do like to shop, Bargains are my Specialty.
LikeLike
Ahh good, you can do my shopping then. This was very interesting to see and i enjoyed it but shopping in general, no thanks. I want to walk in, immediately see what I need, buy it, and get out.
LikeLike
Now, you sound like My wife. LOL
LikeLike
There are advantages to this 😉
LikeLike
I need to Clarify, shopping is fun if Needed Bargains are found at reasonable prices .
LikeLike
I’m still leaving the shopping to you, even with bargains
LikeLike
I like Allbrook because it has an easy to find Sushi Express and the Do It and Novey are all in one place. And don’t you just love how you just need to find the door with the same animal that you saw when you came in? Great pics once again amiga!
LikeLike
Sushi Express?? Oh my, maybe i need to go back there and explore further. I did find the mall website and they name the halls and sections after the animals too. It’s such a fun place that even I could do better with shopping 😉
LikeLike
And the Darian store is muy excellente for all sorts of bargains. Just the kind of store I like!
LikeLike
Hmm, I’ll have to add that to my list of things to find. I’m sure we’re going back to explore a number of things in the city and the mall, so I’ll have quite an agenda by then 😀
LikeLike
They have Premier in Albrook Mall, which is a discount appliance store. The Panamanians may consider products from Premier to be their equivalent to Radio Shack, but it is more like Best Buy. The products are just as good as the “name” brand items like Samsung and they have a network of service people throughout the country. Each of the larger items, such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, and ranges come with their own service contracts in the discounted price! I have used the service contractors and they are responsive. They get all the “bugs” (to use another recent blog topic entry) out before the service contract expires. So, it pays to find someone with a pick-up or van and have them haul your booty to your place the one time when you have settled (or put it underneath in the bus). I have to admit their split-section air conditioners are half the price of all the competitors and quite efficient! The smallest one can operate at practically the same electricity output as a dehumidifier.
LikeLike
Thanks for the tip! I don’t think we have a Premier here but I’ll keep my eye out in case we ever need to buy anything. Who cares about brand if the thing does what it is supposed to and the price is right?
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Let The Adventure Begin! and commented:
Kris & I did indeed have fun exploring the mall when we went to Panama City to get Mariah. It was a first for both Kris and I and we were very surprised by how huge the place was. Unfortunately we were both tired from our travel day and we were both wieghted down with our backpacks so we didnt get to do much shopping. Although Kris did manage to find a really cute pair of yoga pants to purchase , oh, I found a great pair of earrings too! Well, we couldnt very well leave empty handed! Kris got some really great photos…
LikeLike
I wore those pants yesterday when I was out much of the day and though they are black, they are very comfortable, light, and breathable. There were definitely a good find and will get a lot of use!
LikeLike
When my husband and I were at Albrook last week, it took us a while to figure out (duh) that the animals marked the different wings of the mall. Then we asked where a certain store was and were told to “go to the dolphins” and it sure helped us find our way. We hade a great day exploring though, like you, I am not a shopper. Used to be years ago but living a “stuff free” life style has really made a big change in habits. Great photos Holly. Love your blog.
LikeLike
I just realized that too about the animals. What an interesting way to find your way around the mall. Thanks, glad you enjoyed the photos. It’s a fun place to photograph.
LikeLike
Great pictures. It kind of reminds me of Mall of America in Minneapolis with the amusement rides. I could care less about malls either. But I do want to visit just to see it in person. But I do hear sushi calling my name 🙂
LikeLike
It’s definitely something to see at least once. I didn’t see sushi but I know it’s there somewhere!
LikeLike