Panama’s Red Light Tendencies

If you’ve been to this country, then you obviously know that in Panama City, sex sells. The city is brimming with a plethora of massage parlors, strip clubs, brothels as well as casinos. Literally thousands of women of varying nationalities ply in the flesh trade business in Panama City. A lot of these sex workers come from Latin American nations such as Colombia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

It is widely believed that the sex trade business was boosted by the presence of US military forces stationed in Panama. As popularity of the sex industry arose and as sex for hire is not a taboo in the country, both local and foreign tourists, seeking out the sex trade, began flocking towards Panama City. Foreign businessmen preferred to do their dealings in such an environment, and local Panamanians are no strangers this as well. Realizing its potential, the Panamanian government even corroborated to limit the number of visas for foreign sex trade workers wanting to legally work in the country.

There are literally multitudes of places one can go to in order to satisfy one’s sensual appetites, whether during the night or even during broad daylight.

Gentleman’s Clubs
Dozens of these strip clubs can be seen in Panama City and then some in the inner part of the country. Steep cover charges usually include consumable drinks and cleanliness is evident in the high class ones. Patrons are assured that touching of the naked women on stage is accepted (unlike in other countries such as the United States). Prices for lap dances range from $10 to $35, the higher amount usually offered by the classier strip clubs. These clubs also have their own private rooms where a full service is offered to its patrons. Full service prices vary though, as negotiation needs to be done with the girl or girls in question. Some clubs even allow you to “take out” the girl from their club. A corresponding bar fine is to be paid before being allowed to do so. By then, the customer can negotiate with the girl or girls concerned on how much the evening or excursions will cost as well as the services required and corresponding expense.

Pickup Bars
For the untrained eye, a lot of these bars appear like your ordinary watering hole. Popularly known as “hooker bars”, you’ll find that the bar is packed with women inside. Whether alone or in groups, the ratio for ladies to men is about 10 to 1. All the guys have to do is strike up a conversation and then it is a matter of coming to terms on an agreed price.

Street Corners
A lot of prostitutes in Panama City ply their trade on the streets. Here the price ranges are quite lower than what one eventually has to shell out in a strip club. However, the quality of these sex workers is also definitely lower than those in a high class strip clubs. A word of warning is to be careful of transvestites parading as female sex workers.

Brothels
The quality of the brothels in Panama City varies from very decent and upper class to downright seedy. Here, the prostitutes will literally lineup, and you simply opt for your choice. The typical rate for full service is $100. The locations of these brothels are usually in the shadier sections of the city; so the seedier the location, the lower the going rate is for services rendered.

Casinos
Another well known venue to check out for “working” girls are the casinos in Panama City. These girls usually hang out at the bar areas or near the gambling areas. Prices vary, so negotiation is a must in this instance.

Classified Ads
Most newspapers in Panama often have advertisements of escort services. The disadvantage is there aren’t any photos attached to the corresponding ads, so you can’t be choosy on whom to pick. Online ads are also prevalent, such that you can have your escort(s) readily available by the time you arrive in Panama.

It appears that a common denominator for all the abovementioned establishments is that the costs for services rendered are higher for foreigners than for locals. That’s simply the way it is in Panama. A caveat though: most reputable hotels in Panama do not allow their guests to bring someone back to their hotel room unless they checked in with that person previously. Ergo, the tourist should either book their lodgings in a Casino hotel, or check-in at one of the many short-time hotels. Also known as Push button hotels, they offer reasonably priced clean rooms for a few hours of fun.

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