Matt and I had visited the “Free Zone” called Zona Libre de Colon  before and it was not a pleasant experience.  We had been dropped off without a map and no knowledge of how to get around to find what we needed.  With almost 2,000 store fronts, warehouses, dozens of districts, and limited street signage it is incredibly difficult to get around or find anything.

Yet, some how, Matt and I managed to find a liquor store, that sold in bulk, but would not deliver to Linton Bay marina where our boat was located.  So, we left without buying anything. On our second visit we were better prepared.  I had the name and address of a wholesale liquor store that delivered and our taxi driver had a map of the Zona Libre area – it does not show all the details or the entire area.  There are blocks and blocks of stores in each district.  This is the area that has “guides” on street corners to help you get around, but the most efficient way to shop this area is by car.

Zona Libre map

Our friends on “Uno Mas” decided to accompany us to share expenses and get their own stash as well.  The second time around, we hired a taxi driver named Victor (WhatsApp +507 6767 9617) who spoke English, picked us up at the marina, provided funny conversation, and drove us directly inside Zona Libre.  The other great thing was that the Shelter Bay Marina office had given me the name of a liquor distributor called Riamiar Int. but they were not sure they could deliver.  A few days prior to our adventure, our friends on “Element” had ventured to the free zone and purchased a large quantity of alcohol from Riamiar as well which was a complete coincidence.

Zona Libre entrance.

We easily found Riamiar with the address (Calle 15 and Calle F) and a handy map and wouldn’t you know it – it’s the same place that Matt and I found the first time we came here.  We are so good and we don’t even know it!  The store front is really this small!

Rimiar Int. liquor distributor.

The “store front” is very small, maybe 20×20 with one bottle of almost everything they have.  Matt is one side of the store and note the stanchions just in front of him.

Matt on one side of the small store.

Here is the other side of the store, which happens to be the other side of the stanchions.  As you can tell, the store is jammed packed floor to ceiling, wall to wall liquor.

The other side, of Rimiar Int.

We asked for the manager and Humberto Terrado C the ejecutivo de ventas (sales manager) came out to bring us back to his office.  Humberto can be reached at +507 441 4971 or recardof@cwpanama.net.  We told him what we wanted and he told us what types or brands he had, the quantity, and the cost per case or bottle.  It was a dance.  This is Matt and I with Angie and Mark (“Uno Mas”) and Humberto behind the desk.

Inside Humberto’s office placing our order.

We are purchasing a mass amount of liquor because it is very hard to find any liquor in the Pacific.  And when you do find it, the costs are exorbitant.  So, we decided to stock up for the next year.

Seco Herrerano is an alcoholic drink made from sugar cane.   Humberto let us taste the mandarin and I bought 4 cases.  The bottom is a different flavor, cranberry.  Both are super tasty and refreshing drink – will be good over ice on a hot day.

Herrerano alcoholic Drink – 5 cases

Then the real purchase started.  Don’t judge, we hope that this will last us throughout the year with all of our guests (and longer if possible).

The liquor stash.

The only disappointing thing was that Rimiar did not sell local beer.  They sold American beer and we just did not want to go there.   So, Victor took us to Lang’s but they did not have the type of beer we wanted, so we went to Super 99 which only had what was on the shelf.  Low on stock as we are close to Carnival.  We purchased everything on the shelf – 13 cases.

The beer stash – or at least the start of it.

Damage done (most are in liter bottles) at Zona Libre:

• (7) Cases of Abuelo Rum ($5.83/bottle)
• (1) Case of Sperone Prosecco ($5.85/bottle)
• (1) Case of Barefoot Rose (not up to the Barker standard, but refreshing on the lido deck) ($3/bottle)
• (1/2) case of Tito’s Vodka ($11/bottle)
• (3) Bottles of Veuve Cliquiot ($36/bottle)
• (3) Bottles of Freixinet ($4/bottle)
• (1) Case of JP Chenet ($7/botttle)
• (4) cases of Seco Herrerano Mandarin ($0.58/can)
• (1) case Seco Herrerano Passion Fruit ($0.58/can)
• Delivery and customs $100
• Taxi driver $60 + $20 tip as he was fantastic driving us all over the place
• Beer bought at the store ($0.49/can)

As you can see, the prices were amazing and probably the lowest we’ve seen yet.  I am sure we will need more beer as that goes down like water, but everything else should last us for awhile – if not, then we just go without as finding it in the Pacific will be rare.