Last day I have pills for is December 8.
El Salvador - Arkam Hotel, San Salvador. An okay hotel but only the second one I’ve stayed at that had no windows! Also there was a lot of noise from the restaurant above my room until 10:00pm. This only happens on the weekend. It did have a very good restaurant, and the breakfast buffet, that is served on Saturdays and Sundays, was exceptional. They sell no alcoholic beverages, even for evening meals. Located at the corner of 11 Ave. Norte & 3 Calle Poniente Shafik Handal. So I would come here for breakfast but not to stay.
The guide food tour was very good which included a good amount of history and cultural information. Two restaurants stand out from the tour: Kuskatán Histórico, Calle Delgado for the excellent pupusas, and Pollo Bonanza, Calle Arce for the excellent chicken cooked on a wood fired grill (asado). The latter is very popular and usually has a lineup to get in, even for takeaway. These are both located in the area around the central square.
Tigo cell service was very poor on data. Usually none available and would occasionally connect but spotty. This even though had 3 to 4 bars of signal. I would try Airalo, or the local service Claro which is rated the best.
Panama - Stay in the Casco Viejo considered to be the best area of the city to stay. Next visit Boquete by flying to David then a bus to Boquete. Try Hotel Panamonte in Boquete. The only way to visit Belize is by flying from Panama (no direct flights from El Salvador).
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| Panama City Metro map |
Geneva/Basel - One important date is October 17 in Basel for the cider festival. If inclined I could add some hiking.
Florence - See David; need to book tickets at Galleria Accademia Firenze. Book the 72h; it is the best deal for visiting David and the Medici Chapels.
Rome - Take ticket for guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistien Chapel.
Egypt - Exodus Egypt Tour from November 6-18 plus an extra day in Cairo for flight from Luxor where the tour ends. Fly back to Cairo and spend one night in Cairo at Le Meridian Hotel.
Arrive at Cairo Airport - after learning which hotel the tour has arranged, contact them to arrange for a pickup from the airport (or contact Exodus to have them arrange the pickup - cost $140).
See full details of the Egypt; Alexandria to Aswan tour. See also my Egypt page (for more information).
See timetable here.
Taking the Metro from Tocumen Airport (PTY) to the city centre.
At Tocumen Airport follow the signs for Metro / Metro Station; you are leaving from Aeropuerto station, take Line 2 toward San Miguelito / Panama City.
Ride Line 2 until San Miguelito then transfer to Line 1.
Take Line 1 in the direction of Albrook (you don't need to exit the Metro system for the transfer) and get off at Cinco(5) de Mayo. This is the Metro station for Casco Viejo.
From Cinco(5) de Mayo, Casco Viejo is roughly a 10–15 minute walk.
