Panama City - Central America's Most Attractive Capital City
Panama City is a city of easy cosmopolitan living, a delightful combination of the historic and the ultra-modern. Upon seeing the Manhattan-like skyline, visitors comment that they had no idea that there was such a modern, beautiful capital city in Central America. There are actually "three" Panama Cities the visitor should become acquainted with: the modern skyscraper city, the Colonial-era Casco Viajo and the ruins of the original Panama City in Panama Viejo.
Modern Panama City set on beautiful Panama Bay, has a prosperous business district, a first-world infrastructure including 100 banks, a lively nightlife, a fantastic restaurant scene and the only rainforest within city limits in the world- the Metropolitan Natural Park. Countless beautiful residential neighborhoods add to the citiy's charm. It is also one of the safest cities anywhere.
Because Panama City is historically an international crossroads, its people are accustomed to visitors and are some of the most friendly and helpful in the world.
The "second" Panama City- Casco Viejo sector of the city dates from the 17th century Spanish era. Numerous noteworthy historical buildings dot the area including 17th century churches and convents and handsome 18th and 19th buildings which reflect Panama City's long history as the crossroads of the Americas and the world. Visitors to the area enjoy fine restaurants in historical ambiences (one restaurant-Las Barandas- is housed in former Spanish dungeons), historical museums like the Panama Canal Museum in a elegantly restored headquarters building of the French company which tried and failed to build the Panama Canal in the late 1800's and a great nightlife.
The "third" Panama City is a picturesque ruin: Panama Viejo ( Old Panama) a site with the ruins of the original 16th century Panama City. Founded in 1517,Panama City was the first city built on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. It was founded to facilitate the transfer of riches the Spanish plundered from the Incan Empire to Spain via the Ithmus of Panama. In 1671, it was destroyed and burnt down as a result of an attack by the English pirate Henry Morgan. Make sure and visit the Panama Vieja Museum with exhibits on history and daily life including artifacts archaelologists are finding in the ongoing excavations. With the exception of an impressive scale model of the city, the exhibits are all in Spanish, so unless you speak Spanish, this is one trip best taken with a tour operator.
Panama City Highlights: Tours of the "Three Panama Cities", visits to the Panama Canal including the new Panama Canal Visitors Center at Miraflores Locks (opened January 2004), historical sites, eco-tours of the Metropolitan Park,Monkey Island and Barro Colorado Island, the Panama Canal Railway train ride across the Ithmus, Amador Causeway for ocean and Canal views, biking,walking, dining and nightlife and the great restaurant and nightlife scene in the Business District and Casco Viejo.
1.City Tours The best introduction to Panama City is to take a city tour with a tour operator. City tours usually include the "three Panama Cities" and a visit to Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal where you will see ships passing through the locks of Panama Canal. Miraflores Locks has a handsome new visitor's center with interpretive exhibits and a restaurant with stunning Canal-side views. For more info see Tour Operators
2. Historical Tours - History buffs love Panama- it has one of Latin America's richest histories, with impressive pre-Colonial Indian cultures, as the crossroads of the Spanish empire, the prime target of history's most famous pirates and the site of one of man's greatest accomplishments- The Panama Canal. If you are a history buff or just enjoy historical tours
it is worthwhile to hire a tour operator to give you an extended tour of the Panama City's historical sites in Panama Vieja (the original Panama City) and colonial Casco Viejo ( Old City) sector. Panama Viejo was the gateway city for the Spanish conquest of Latin America, once a thriving city of 10,000. Today's extensive ruins are the result of battles with the English pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. There is an excellent new museum near the site, but go with someone who speaks Spanish, because the exhibits are mostly in Spanish.
Casco Viejo is the Spanish colonial city established in 1671 after the downfall of Panama Vieja and until the 20th century was Panama City. Perched on a piece of land that juts out into Panama Bay, the numerous fascinating sites reflect Panama's history as it intertwined with Spain, France and the United States. A proper tour never fails to delight history buffs. But again, it is worthwhile to hire a tour guide to regale you with the fascinating stories, not to mention take you around since there are few sign posts and nothing in English. Highlights include the 17th century churches including the Church of the Golden Altar, the ruins of 17th century convents and residences, original dungeons, a French monument to the 22,000 who died building the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal Museum in an elegant, restored building that once housed the headquarters of the French company that attempted to build a sea level canal.
3. Amador Causeway: With its spectacular views of Panama City's skyline and of the Panama Canal, the Amador Causeway is a must-see. The one mile causeway was created by the Americans by connecting four small islands with rocks excavated from the Panama Canal and served as a breakwater to the Pacific Coast entrance to the Panama Canal. Today, these small islands, swept by pleasant sea breezes host fine restaurants, scenic bicycle and walking paths (bicycles for rent at $2 a hour), a Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research aquarium, souvenir and specialty shops, a cruise port and a yacht marina.
A good way to enjoy the Causeway is to dine at one of its many restaurants, most of which have ocean or Canal views. There is a restaurant for every budget from exquisite seafood to simple hamburger fare. At Cafe Barko, which specializes in seafood, you'll enjoy views of Panama City's skyline and the Panama Canal. At TGIF's restaurant at the Country Inn and Suites, you view have the best view of the Panama Canal complete with ships passing under the majestic Bridge of the Americas.
4. Panama Canal Railway Trans-Isthmus Ride - In 2001 Kansas City Railroad re-opened the historic Panama Canal Railway. Originally inaugurated by an American company in 1851 as a route for the 49ers (gold seekers on their way to California) who wanted to get across the continent without getting killed by Indians on the American Plains. Today, you can take the same ocean-to-ocean train ride on the scenic 50 mile stretch from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean. The ride includes tracks along the Panama Canal and rainforest scenery.
5. Nightlife: Few peoples rival the fun loving nature of Panamanians! Partying is a national pastime and reflected in a wide selection of nightclubs, discos and casinos...something for everybody.The action all takes place in three sectors of the city: the business district, Casco Viejo and the Amador Causeway.
For more Nightlife info see Panama City's Top Nightlife Spots.
6. Souvenir and Native Handicrafts Shopping: Although a small country, Panamanian native handicrafts rival Mexico's in their beauty and creativity. Don't leave Panama without an authentic souvenir made by one of Panama's seven living Indian tribes. Panama's most famous handicraft are "molas," intricate reverse appliqué embroidery made by the women of the Kuna Indian tribe. Other items include the hand-woven baskets of the Embera Indians of the Darien jungle,similar to baskets woven by Navajo Indians and tagua nut sculptures- tiny figures skillfully carved from a tagua nut.
Where to find them:: You can find a large selection of traditional souvenirs at a Gran Morrison variety store near your hotel. Another popular place is the big Balboa Artisans Market, in the former American Canal Zone to which you can take a taxi. Las Tinajas restaurant with folkloric dance 3 nights a week, also has a artisans shop.
For a special jewelry gift: Visit the popular Reprosa jewelry store in the Business District. Reprosa has jewelry collections that include authentic reproductions of Pre-Columbian Indian art, reproductions of Spanish colonial jewerly and collections inspired by Panama's flor and fauna. There is a gift for every budget. (Tel:269-0457)
7.Ancon Hill and Los Pueblitos A prominent hill in Panama City overlooking the mouth of the Canal and the city. A stairway on the bottom of the hill leads up to a road to the top. About half an hour walk in a rain forest with birds and animals along the way, leads to a stunning double view at the summit: on one side, the entire city of Panama old and new and on the other side, a bird's eye view of the Canal and all its workings.
At the foot of Ancon Hill are three miniature villages built to represent Panama's three cultures- the Spanish, the West Indian and the native Indian. Have a meal and enjoy the view.
8. Shopping Malls, Electronics and Duty Free Shopping: For Latin Americans, Panama City rivals Miami in its popularity as a shoppers paradise. Panama City has 4 principal shopping centers: Multicentro near the business district- beautiful and the most expensive shopping mall. Albrook Mall at the Albrouok BusTerminal with many discount stores and great bargains and similar bargains at Los Pueblos Shopping Center, near the international airport. The fourth shopping center is the upscale Multiplaza in beautiful Bella Vista. The Via Estronga area in the business district is good for electronics, appliances and computers. Americans appreciate the fabulous duty free shopping at Tocumen International Airport and in the Colon Free Zone.
9.Great Restaurant Scene: As an international crossroads, Panama City has a great variety of cuisines at affordable prices. It's one of the best restaurant scenes anywhere. Most restaurants are located in the business district, historic Casco Viejo sector and the Amador Causeway. Check out some of the finest on our Restaurants page .
10.Try Your Luck-Casinos: In Panama City there are casinos in the Caesar Park, Continental and El Panama, and Veneto Hotels and on Via Estronga. Outside Panama City, the city of Colon on the Atlantic side has a casino in the Panama Canal Melia Hotel and in David the gateway city of West Panama, there's one in the Gran Nacional Hotel.
One of the great things about Panama City are the variety of attractions nearby that can be see in a day trip from the city. For info check out our page: What To Do and See Nearby Panama City.
