Panama City is Central America’s most opulent, cosmopolitan metropolis. It enjoys year-round sunshine and cooling sea breezes.
The flourishing city features a skyline punctuated by high-rise buildings as well as colonial-era buildings in Casco Viejo, which is well-known for its artistic ruins, churches, restaurants, plazas, museums, and shopping.
The Panama Canal, the nation’s most famous landmark, is located just outside the city. Although you can admire this 48-mile (77-kilometre) engineering marvel from the shore, booking a full or partial canal cruise through the Miraflores Locks will provide an unforgettable experience. Book early as private canal cruises often sell out months in advance.
The city centre is dominated by gleaming skyscrapers and opulent hotels, but a history tour reveals the city’s fascinating past as a Spanish treasure port and buccaneer haven. The Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio de las Garzas and Church of St Francis are among the 17th-century colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo (Old Town), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Try some fresh local ceviche and a microbrew, perhaps with some Panamanian coffee and raw chocolate on the side. The Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador) offers stunning views of the bay and city skyline, as well as upmarket shopping. Visit the Biomuseo, Frank Gehry’s first building in Latin America. Visit Monkey Island on a day trip to Soberania National Park or take a break in the beautiful urban gardens of the Parque Natural Metropolitano. Active nature lovers can kayak down the Chagres River or take a boat ride to Taboga Island or Gatun Lake to relax in the sun.
