The Ten Top Things to Do and See in Panama City
1.City Tours
Visit the "three" Panama Cities: the ruins of the 16th century original city, Casco Viejo, the colonial city and the modern skyscraper city. The best introduction to Panama City is to take a city tour with a tour operator. See tours info on Tour Operators
2.The Panama Canal
A mega attraction--one of the Seven wonders of the world. You can get to the Canal in just 30 minutes from your downtown hotel. The place to go see it is called Miraflores Locks where there is a viewing deck and the Miraflores Visitor Center, a state-of-the-art museum with interactive exhibits of the Canal's history, people and ecosystem. Admission is $10 which gives you access to a terrace view of the locks several stories above. For a special Canal experience combine your visit with a meal at the Miraflores restaurant with its extraordinary views of ships pass through the locks as you dine. Another option is to take a "mini-cruise" in the Panama Canal as a day trip. Go to our Panama Canal Locations page for complete info on this awesome attraction.
3.Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo & Historical Tours
Panama 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. Most city tours include quick visits to the Panama City's main historical attractions. If you are a history buff or just enjoy historical tours it is worthwhile to hire a tour operator to give you an extended historical 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 a excellent new museum near the site, but go with someone who speaks Spanish, because the exhibits are mostly in Spánish.
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 churchs 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.
4. Amador Causeway
With its spectacular views of Panama City's skyline and of the Panama Canal, the Amador Causeway is a major attraction.The one mile causeway was created by the Americans by connecting four small islands by using 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 jogging paths(bicycles for rent at $2 a hour), a small Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research aquarium, souvenir and specialty shops, a new 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 and/or Canal views. At Cafe Barko, which specializes in seafood and sushi, you'll enjoy views of Panama City's skyline and the Panama Canal. At TGIF's restaurant at the Country Inn and Suites, you have the best view of the Panama Canal complete with ships passing under the majestic Bridge of the Americas. For a taste of home, stop at the brand new Bennigans restaurant.
5. Nightlife
Panama City is famous for its lively 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 takes place in three sectors of the city: the business district in and around Calle Uruguay, the Amador Causeway, and Casco Viejo, a historic sector characterized by amience of its Spanish colonial buildings.
For more Nightlife info see our page: Panama City's Top Nightlife Spots.
6. Shop for Souvenirs and Native Handicrafts
Panama is a small country but 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. The most popular handicrafts are "molas," intricate reverse appliqué embroidery sewn by the woman of the Kuna Indian tribe. Other handicrafts include the hand-woven baskets of the Embera Indians of the Darien jungle-similar to baskets woven by Navajo Indians- and tagua nut sculptures, which are tiny figures skillfully carved from the tropical 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, also referred to as the "Kuna Cages" in the former American Canal Zone which you can get to easily by taxi. Las Tinajas restaurant with folkloric dance 3 nights a week, also has an artisans shop.
For a special jewelry gift: Visit the famous 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) The Marriott Hotel Gift Shop and Amador Duty Free Shop have lovely cameo jewelry carved by the Woonan Indians called Rainforest Designs.
7. Metropolitan Park Ecological Tours
Panama City's Metropolitan Park is the only rainforest within the city limits of a modern metropolis. Treat yourself to a rainforest trek just minutes from your hotel. Conjointly, you can visit Camino de Cruces National Park right next door, where you can hike the original Camino de Cruces Historical Trail, used as a commercial route to transport gold from Portobello during colonial times. In addition to the park's great diversity of animal life and plant species, Camino de Cruces contains a rich history with several historical ruins, including the ruins of the Colonial Chapel at Cardenas, as well as a variety of trails to suit beginner and advanced trekers. Tour operators offer guided nature tours of the park. Also of interest is Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo - Founded by the Americans in 1923, these gardens are home to over 15,000 tropical plants and a zoo of animals and birds native to the tropics. A main attraction and worth the visit by itself, is the Harpy Eagle compound where you can see a Harpy Eagle, the world's largest predator bird. This magnificent bird, which lives only in Panama and is close to extinction stands about three feet tall and has a wingspan of up to 7 feet!
8.Dine Out
As an international crossroads, Panama offers a surprising variety of fine cuisine at very affordable prices. Most restaurants are located in the business district, historic Casco Viejo sector or the Amador Causeway. If you are interested in trying Panamanian food, you can find gourmet Panamanian cuisine at Barandas at the Bristol Hotel and typical Panamanian food at Tinajas and Trapiche restaurants. Tinajas has folkloric dance shows in the evenings.
Check out some of the finest on our Restaurants page Restaurants
9.Take an Historic Ocean to Ocean Trans-Ithsmus Train Ride
Ride the historic Panama Canal Railway, the original and world's first transcontinental railway. Inagurated in 1855, it was built for the California 49ers for their quest for fortune during the Gold Rush. The trip takes you in special luxury observation cars across the scenic Isthmus from Panama City on the Pacific, to Colon on the Atlantic Ocean in about 90 minutes. Along the way, enjoy views of the Panama Canal and lush rainforest surroundings.Tel: 317.6070
10. Panama Canal Museum
Located in the Casco Viejo region of Panama City, the Panama Canal Museum is in the elegantly restored headquarters building of the French company which tried and failed to build the Panama Canal in the late 1800's. Not only is it free admission, it holds an exceptional collection of historical artifacts. It is also conveniently right next door to the Museum of Panama History. Make sure to bring a guide as most of the exhibits are in Spanish.
ALSO:
Canopy Crane Tour: The Canopy Crane tour by Ancon Expeditions. Go up in a crane used by the scientists of the Smithsonian Institute to research the rainforest canopy and experience nature as close-up as it gets. A world-class eco-experience plus spectacular views of the city, bay and Panama Canal.(Tel: 507.269.9415)
Try Your Luck- Casinos
In Panama City there are casinos in the Caesar Park, Marriot Continental, and the El Panama Hotel. 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.
Learn Spanish
Classes and Homestay Programs Panama City has two excellent Spanish language schools which offer group classes, private lessons and homestay at reasonable prices. Check them out:
ILERI located in Dorado and
The Spanish Learning Center in El Cangrejo.
Other interesting places to visit include Mi Pueblito Tourist Center, the Panama Canal Administration Building, China Town, and Sumit Gardens.
Things to Do Right Near Panama City: There are many fun and interesting things to do just outside Panama City including a golf course 30 minutes away, and day trips to Indian villages and the Caribbean. Check them out in our article What To Do and See Nearby Panama City.
