The Top Ten Things to Do and See in Panama City
1. Take a City Tour
To get to know Panama City, a City Tour is a must. City tours usually include a visit the "three" Panama Cities: the ruins of the 16th century original city, Casco Viejo- the colonial city and the modern skyscraper city. You will also want to see the Panama Canal. Panama has one of Latin America's richest histories beginning with pre-Colonial Indian cultures, its place as a major crossroads of the Spanish empire, as a target of history's most famous pirates and finally as home of one of man's greatest accomplishments — The Panama Canal. For tours, see our Tour Operator page in the Business Section.
2. Visit the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Visitor Center
To come to Panama and not to see the Panama Canal is like going to Egypt and not seeing the pyramids. The visit will be more interesting than you think. The place to see the Canal is at the Miraflores Visitors Center at the Miraflores Locks 30 minutes from downtown Panama City. The center features a museum with interactive exhibits about the Canal's history, people and ecosystem, an excellent film on the building of the Canal and terrace close-up views of ships transiting the Canal through Miraflores Locks. You can have lunch at the snack bar or better yet dine at the full service Miraflores Restaurantwith birds eye views of the locks. For best views ask for a table on the terrace when you make your reservation. Visitor Center admission is $10.
Another way great way experience the Panama Canal is to take a "mini-cruise" day trip. You can do a partial transit for a half day or a full transit for a full day. We recommend the partial transit. Go to our Panama Canal page for complete info on the Panama Canal and links to tour operators.
3. Casco Viejo-Panama City's Historical Sector
We highly recommend spending a morning or afternoon strolling through Casco Viejo, the 333 year old Spanish colonial city built in 1671. Perched on a piece of land that juts out into Panama Bay, the colonial and Canal Era historical buildings showcase Panama's history with Spain, France and the United States. Casco Viejo is experiencing a renaissance. According to Arthur Frommer of Frommers Guides, it is on the way to becoming one of beautifully restored Spanish colonial cities in the New World. We agree. You can make your own walking tour of the area using one of the Casco Viejo walking tours in Lonely Planet or Frommers Guide or hire a Tour Operator for a more professional intro.
Highlights include beautifully restored historic buildings, 17th century churches including the Church of the Golden Altar, the ruins of a 17th century convent and residences, 16th century convict dungeons, a French monument to the 22,000 Frenchmen who died building the Panama Canal and a Panama Canal Museum in an elegant building that once housed the headquarters of the French company that first attempted to build the Panama Canal. Since Casco Viejo is a small promontory, you will also enjoy sea breezes and ocean and bay views. Near the French monument there are some excellent souvenir shops. When you get hungry, you'll find numerous fun and fine eateries, street-side cafes. We especially recommend a trip to Granclement Ice Cream, a authentic, old fashioned French Creamery- try their tropical maracuya (passion fruit) ice cream. For more complete info see our Casco Viejo Destination Page.
4. Panama Viejo- The Ruins of the Original Panama City
You will see Panama Viejo on a city tour, but if you are a history buff it's worthwhile to hire a tour operator to give you an extended tour of Panama Viejo, the original Panama City) and colonial Casco Viejo(Old City) sector. Panama Viejo, founded by the Spanish in 1519, was the first city on the West coast of the Americas. It served as the gateway city for the Spanish conquest of Latin America- all the loot from the Inca empire went through here. Once a thriving city of 10,000, today's extensive ruins are the result of an attack by English pirate Henry Morgan in 1671 which along with a fire leveled the city. There is a good museum, but go with someone who speaks Spanish, because the exhibits are mostly in Spanish. The site also has a good artisans market for souvenirs.
5. Amador Causeway
With its spectacular views of Panama City's skyline and of the Panama Canal, the Amador Causeway is a major attraction. The Causeway was created by connecting four small islands using rocks excavated from the Panama Canal and serves 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 for just $2 a hour), a small Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research aquarium, souvenir and specialty shops, a new cruise port and a yacht marina. You can also enjoy the Causeway dining at one of its many restaurants, many of which have ocean and/or Canal views. At Cafe Barko, which specializes in seafood, you'll enjoy views of Panama City's skyline and the Panama Canal. The TGIF's restaurant at the Country Inn and Suite has the best Causeway views of the Panama Canal complete with ships passing under the majestic Bridge of the Americas. Bennigans is another popular 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, a fact 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 with its Spanish colonial ambience. For more Nightlife info see our page: Panama City's Top Nightlife Spots.
6. Metropolitan Park Ecological Tours
This is the only Rainforest within city limits of a modern metropolis in the world- just minutes from your city hotel you can experience a tropical rainforest. Tour Operators offer guided nature tours of the park- you will need a professional guide is needed to appreciate the tropical flor and fauna. There are beautiful rainforest and city views from the summit of the park.
7. 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.
For a special jewelry gift, visit the Reprosa jewelry store and Rainforest Design cameo jewelry.
Reprosa has shops in the Business District and in Casco Viejo. Its jewelry collection includes authentic reproductions of Pre-Columbian Indian art, reproductions of Spanish colonial jewelry and collections inspired by Panama's flor and fauna. There is a gift for every budget. (Tel: +57-269-0457)
Rainforest Designs are stunning cameo jewelry with rainforest motifs carved by the Woonan Indians. They can be found at the Marriott Hotel Gift Shop and Canopy Tower.
Where to find souvenirs: In Casco Viejo we especially recommend the Galeria de Arte Indigena, just off the French Plaza and for jewelry the beautiful Reprosa store. You can find alsoa large selection souvenirs at the Balboa Artisans Market and the "Kuna Cages" in Balboa in the former American Canal Zone. You can get to both locations by taxi.
8. Dine Out
As an international crossroads, Panama City Restaurants offer a surprising variety of fine cuisine at affordable prices. Most restaurants are located in the business district, historic Casco Viejo or on 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.
For more restaurants we recommend, visit our Restaurants page , and our Panama City Restaurant Picks.
9. Take an Historic Ocean to Ocean Trans-Ithsmus Train Ride
Ride the historic Panama Canal Railway, the original and world's first trans-continental railway. Inaugurated 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. It is best to go on Fridays or Saturdays because there are more seats available and you can't reserve ahead of time. A taxi can take you to the station. The next train does not leave until the late afternoon. (Tel: +507-317-6070)
10. Some More Things
- Try Your Luck - Casinos: In Panama City there are casinos in the Sheraton, The Marriot Continental, The Venetto Wyndham Grand Hotel, 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 home-stay at reasonable prices. Check out: The Spanish Learning Center in El Cangrejo.
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Things to Do Right Near Panama City: There are many fun and interesting things to do just outside Panama City including a world-class 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.