Panama Zona Libre (Free Zone)

nine inch nails says on Sep 17, 2008, 07:47:

The area around it is pretty dicey you know that don't you? Once inside I don't know. I also have heard that even with the tax discount you may not save all that much but maybe I heard wrong. If it is safe it would be fun to check out. I toured Colon but only with a Tour operator who happened to grow up there and only during the day (standard safety stuff). Looked bad enough to me at 10:30AM to not want to go back on my own even at daytime.

If you go will you let us know about it? Thanks.

I love that sweet pretty house music, house music....

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Montrealer says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:09:

NiN,
I plan on taking the train from Panama City and the a taxi straight to the place and getting inside. Apparently inside is very safe as you need to show a passport upon entering and with each purchase as the merchandise is only available for exportation. From the pics I've seen on the web it's pretty much a tourist trap and commerce. As for not saving much, it's probably true because the Panama airport duty free isn't all that special, but at least it's a full day of shopping with what I imagine every kind of store.

I'm more interested in how the "in bond" to the airport works.

I will let people know if I end up going and how it went, but if anybody can give me any details it would be much appreciated.

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nine inch nails says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:14:

Sounds fun. I hope you get some good deals.

I love that sweet pretty house music, house music....

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bufalo says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:30:

The thing that always bugged me about those places in, depending what you buy, what if it doesn't work?

In San Andres, I see no major bargains and once out the door, it's your problem. People talk the place up and I thinnk years ago it was good, but not now

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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sloopskipper says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:30:

Be careful. There have been recent stories, in La Prensa, of people carrying cash to shop in Colón being identified by customs agents at Tocumen, and then hijacked by thugs on the road (and sometimes left nude on the roadside).

Colón is a bit of a dangerous place. I have lived in Panama City for more than two years and have never been tempted to drive the highway to get there.

There was a guy murdered on a bus on that highway a few months ago, in a failed robbery attempt.

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CanadaMan says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:58:

Monty is a fellow Canadian who lives in Barranquilla with his wife and he bringing these goods back to Colombia. Is there much tax on goods that he would be bring back to Colombia ?

Thanks to everyone for giving him advice as I told him this would be the place to get the answers.

Monty I would listen to sloopskipper advice as he is a respected and level headed poster and lives in Panama.

Jeff aka singlefather ( PL ) aka Canadaman

.

Formerly WidowerfromCanada...I am engaged to a wonderful Peruviana.

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rhydewithdis says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:59:

I spent close to a month in Colon for business. We stayed at the Melia Panama Canal, a resort about 5 minutes outside of town on the peninsula. Colon is definitely a dicey city... I would say it rivals any lower estrata hood in a major Colombian city at night. I never got to venture out there during the day time since I would be at work in the Zona Libre.

Believe it or not, I never went shopping there. Our warehouse was removed by several blocks from the shopping area. We drove by a few nights and it looked like any wholesale area selling stuff in bulk. Not that looked appealing to me by any means.

The train ride from Panama City to Colon is awesome! I highly recommend that you experience that and sit in the tourist cabin with the windowed roof.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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LORE says on Sep 17, 2008, 10:09:

I've heard is only good for large purchases. Otherwise stick to the malls like Albrook in Panamá City or hire someone to show u around. I've heard aboput taxi drivers that can take stukk out of Colon without the rest of the hassle.

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Cartagena Hooker says on Sep 17, 2008, 11:26:

Hi Shamoo

I went to Colon last Sept for a day trip. The place is a total waste of time It is very simular to the outlet malls in the US. The prices are marked high and then reduced. I spent three hours shopping and returned to Pan City without buying anything. I would recommend the Albury mall. I bought linen slacks for ten dollars each, polo shirts for two dollars. The sizes run small so try things on. I bought Trapiche Malbec in the mall supermarket for four dollars a bottle. It is 24,000 cop here. Good to see you are still hanging in here . Hooker

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nine inch nails says on Sep 17, 2008, 11:29:

I asked my tour operator who lived there in the 70s when it was nice how Colon got so bad. He told me that since there is a lot of sea cargo shipped in, broken down and redistributed from the free trade zone this creates an environment for not just drugs smuggling but all kinds of black market goods and associated shady dealings.

I love that sweet pretty house music, house music....

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august says on Sep 17, 2008, 11:46:

This does not sound like a venture taken on by the Poor But Happy. A 3-4K shopping spree? I assume that's US dollars? I hope this involves some form of hustle.

In other news, Colon is supposedly home to some very underexposed dance music production.

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hongo_joe says on Sep 17, 2008, 11:59:

I've been to Colon a few times but never the free zone, but I have been told that perfume and gold can be good buys there.

Many stores in Panama City will rebate a tax (5%) if you ask and show your passport.

I haven't stayed at Playa Blanca, but I've been there and it looks nice.

Have fun!

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sanandressi says on Sep 17, 2008, 14:31:

Panama and Colombia are the same country kind of.......since the US told some Colombians to seperate from the main Colombia so the canal should be built. Around 100 years ago. COPA has good service from Panama City to most of Colombia's major cities because Colombians are buying goods in those Panamanian canal zones. Buying in bulk however is probably a lot cheaper than just when the individual tourist goes to the canal zone.

"FDR in 1929 as president went on televison..." Joe Biden DEMOCRAT VP candidate who just keeps on giving! FDR elected 1932 and television appeared in the 1950''s LOL

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Lowell says on Sep 18, 2008, 08:05:

We bought our gold and watches there. We used a guide named Carlos. He's a very big Jamacian and speaks English. He had to be certified as a guide. The best gold we found was at "Opal". Don't rememeber where we bought the other stuff. Carlos then escorted us back to the train station. We walked in and out with no problems. Bigger items can be taken out by cab through an expediter. Guides can be found at the enterance to the Zone.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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Montrealer says on Sep 18, 2008, 20:11:

Thanks for the help everyone. It looks like I'll stick to the major malls in Panama city. What would be the best mall to go to that would have the biggest selection of stores?

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Lowell says on Sep 19, 2008, 09:07:

You can try Albrook Mall. The walking only area/petonal (sp?) in Caldonia. Via Espana (sp?)

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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hongo_joe says on Sep 19, 2008, 09:15:

Albrook is the biggest mall. For more upscale stores - Multi Plaza in Punta Pacifica.

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quantum says on Sep 19, 2008, 17:30:

Thats the call, Allbrook Mall. dont bother wasting time going to Colon unless maybe its to buy gold. In virtually every case, you can do as well In panama city without the extra hassle. Panama is still the best shopping center south of Miami or L.A. If Uribe was really as smart as most everybody seems to think he is, he might convert Cartagena into a duty free zone. Colombia, the land of impuestos definately could use one.......

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sloopskipper says on Sep 20, 2008, 14:37:

MultiCentro also has a lot of nice stores, including Conway Store, which is affiliated with Target. But I usually got to MultiPlaza as is only 5 minutes away. I get a discount from the manager at PanaFoto on appliances, electronics, and cameras. But in some other stores you can get a discount simply by asking.

Be wary of duty free at Tocumen (like most duty frees). Some things are cheaper in Panama City.

What are you looking to buy?

Try to avoid driving from the airport after dark. It's very easy to lose your way because is dark with very poor signage for the autopista, and there are other risks on the road.

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Montrealer says on Sep 20, 2008, 18:47:

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm mostly going shopping with the wife for clothes as well as some toys for my daughter that we can't find here in BAQ (play house for patio, etc.). And I'm going to pick up an outboard motor for a small boat that I'm going to buy and maybe some electronics for me.

Any suggestions where I can buy a new outboard motor of about 15 HP dirt cheap? Also fishing gear? I found some places on the net, but if anyone can suggest a place for great savings would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monty

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Buongone says on Sep 20, 2008, 22:08:

Sloop, Is that the mall across the street from the Radisson? That is a huge mall. About 4 stories tall. Got some excellent buys after X-mas. Don't know about now tho. A Outboard motor might be a hard one to get. You could probably find one. But getting it back is another story. Shipping as cargo on an Airline, you need a shippers certification. Without one you are kind of screwed. You would have to pay a very large sum to have a shipping forwarder to do it for you. As for the clothes. Just either take some empty suitcases, or buy them. Fill them up and bring them back as luggage. Watch out for black-outs. That is they will not let you bring more than 2 apiece. Mexicana got me last X-mas going to Cali, via Panama City. Frigging Goat Rope. Expensive too. The cheapest forwarder is UPS. Maybe Servienga. Don't know. But it's spendy. lol

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Lowell says on Sep 21, 2008, 09:34:

Used outboard motor in Panama? Better get it checked out very well. Fishing gear = Nautipesca and other shops out on the Causway. Also in Caldonia is the El Machetazo (sp way off) and they sell everthing from diapers to shotguns.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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