Front view of Multicentro Mall, on Avenida Balboa

If you want a peaceful and relaxing shopping day, the best place in town is Multicentro Mall.

It will be peaceful mainly because Multicentro Mall, the multi-million dollar complex at the beginning of Avenida Balboa opposite Paitilla, has fallen short of the original expectations of its developers in terms of shopper volume. The bonus is that the spacious halls of this classy facility can be particularly appealing to foreign visitors wishing to avoid the crowds of other malls of the downtown area.

Shopping is Panama's great national sport, (rivalled only by partying) even during seasons considered low, such as January/February. This means that, especially on weekends, shopping venues are always packed, sometimes forcing drivers to a long search for a parking space. Shoppers at Multicentro have it easy in this regard, with more time to search for the best brands and prices in a stress-free environment.

The mall has everything it takes for a successful, up-scale shopping mecca: ample underground parking, large food courts, modern multi-cinemas, luxury boutiques and a very trendy ambiance. Yet, a number of factors, including the presence of many foreign stores, unknown to most Panamanians made Multicentro a bit too "exclusive" for local tastes.

Exclusive boutiques line the mall's ample halls

Aware of the situation, the management modified the main entrance of the facility, making the ground-floor food court more visible to passers-by on Avenida Balboa. Multicentro's management is also transforming the mall into a multi-purpose center, offering financial, legal and real-estate services to the area's growing expat population. One particular company enjoying Multicentro's benefits as a business center is Century 21, which, according to its manager, Frank Morrice, "gives visitors the chance to think about business in a comfortable manner, "as he or she shops or goes to the movie at the mall".

More good news. Conway, a popular department store, will soon open a branch at Multicentro, making the mall more appealing to the middle-class market. Opened in 2003, Multicentro is located on the entrance of the Corredor Sur expressway, which connects downtown with Tocumen International Airport in 20 minutes.