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Panama City

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Panama

Things to see in Panama City

Tourist information: 

IPAT
Vía Israel
Tel: (507) 226 7000.
www.panamainfo.com or www.visitpanama.com

Casco Viejo (Old Compound)

Following the destruction of Panamá, the Spanish moved their city a few kilometres east to a more fortified location. Today, much of this colonial city remains standing, and thanks to rapidly increasing urban renewal, is becoming the centre of a reinvigorated arts, dining and nightlife scene. This is a great area of town to stay, because there is a range of hotels from the very cheap to the very plush, and you can see the city being brought back to life, a bit at a time. There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants, too.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: Yes
Address: Avenida Central, San Felipe, Panama City, Panama
Website: www.cascoviejo.com
Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill)

Cerro Ancon is a great place to visit if you’re feeling like a bit of exercise and would like to step out of the city for a while. As Cerro Ancon was under the ownership of the USA as part of the Panama Canal Zone, it never became as urbanised and developed as the rest of the city, and now it is still quite jungle-like. Sloths, coati, armadillos and deer all hang out here, so keep your eyes peeled. It’s about an hour and a half’s walk from Avenida Central in the Casco Viejo, and provides wonderful views of the city and bay. Wear good shoes and remember your sunscreen and water.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 0600-1800.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Panama City, Panama
Isla Taboga (Taboga Island)

Known as the Island of Flowers, this offshore gem lies just 20km (12 miles) from Panama City, though beachcombers and sun worshippers will find themselves in a different world. Grab a boat from the causeway, look for pods of whales en route and prepare yourself for a day of lounging about on sun-kissed sands. It’s a lovely break from the urban craziness of Panama City, helped by the fact that it’s a pedestrian island. It has been inhabited by many – conquistadors and pirates, artists and soldiers, and is the birthplace of Santa Rosa de Lima. Definitely worth a day trip.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Isla Taboga, Panama
Website: www.taboga.panamanow.com
Museo Antropológico Reina Torres de Araúz (Reina Torres de Araúz Anthropology Museum)

Founded by Panama's most famous and accomplished anthropologist, this museum aims to educate visitors about the country's pre-Colombian populations. Exhibits focus on the anthropology and archaeology of each of Panama's regions, and are highlighted by rare artefacts from around the country. The exhibition includes pre-Columbian gold and jewellery, thousands of ceramics and stone figures. There is also a reconstruction of a tomb excavation with skeletal remains. It’s a good museum to visit if you are visiting the Parque Natural Metropolitano.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 0900-1600.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Av Ascanio Villalez, Metropolitan Park, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 262 8338.
Museo de la Biodiversidad (Museum of Biodiversity)

This Frank Gehry-led project has been under construction for years now, but what with one hold up and another it still hasn’t had its grand opening. When it does, though, it promises to be something very special. The museum focuses on the incredible biodiversity found within Panama's ecosystems, and is housed in a unique building designed by the much acclaimed architect himself. In the meantime, it is open for visitors on Fridays for scheduled talks and viewings, which you must register for online to book a place, and which are only in Spanish. The tours hold a maximum of 25 people, so book as soon as possible. Ladies, don’t wear high heels – long trousers and closed shoes only.

Opening Times: Fridays, by appointment only.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Edificio 136, Calzada de Amador, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 314 0097.
Website: www.biomuseopanama.org
Museo del Canal Interoceánico (Intero-Oceanic Canal Museum)

Commonly known as the Panama Canal Museum, this is a great place to stop by before visiting the canal itself. Housed in the original headquarters of the French canal expedition, it's easy to get a sense here of the trials and tribulations that were overcome in order to complete this engineering marvel. The information provided is only in Spanish, so if you want to understand what is going on you will need to book a guide the day before. People with great interest in the history of the canal will find this place fascinating; for everywhere else, the Miraflores Locks Musuem will suffice.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 0900-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Avenida Central, Plaza de la Independencia, San Felipe, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 211 1649.
Website: www.museodelcanal.com
Panama Canal

This modern engineering marvel is famous the world over, though nothing can prepare you for the awesome sight of watching hulking vessels traverse any of the canal's three sets of locks. Most visitors choose to visit the Miraflores Locks, which are located next to a shiny new visitors' centre, an open-air restaurant, a museum and a viewing platform.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 0900-1630.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Miraflores, Canalside, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 276 8325.
Website: www.pancanal.com
Panamá Viejo (Old Panama)

Founded in 1519 by the Spanish, Panamá was the first European city on the Pacific coastline of the Americas. Although it was plundered and burnt to the ground by Captain Henry Morgan in 1617, the ruins of this once great city make for wonderful independent exploration. You can meander amid the ruins and climb up the still-standing Torre de la Catedral to get a view over what remains of the city, and the visitors’ museum is modern, air-conditioned and very informative (though some grasp of Spanish would help).

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 0900-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: Yes
Address: Avenida Cincuentenario, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 226 8915.
Website: www.panamaviejo.org
Parque Natural Metropolitano (Metropolitan Natural Park)

Perched on the northern edge of the city, this natural retreat for urban dwellers is an expansive stretch of primary and secondary rainforest. The park is home to an enormous diversity of wildlife including rare tití monkeys, sloths, deer and more than 200 species of tropical birds. You can head up to the mirador at 150m (492ft) above sea level and get a good view over the city and a look at the canal. There are recommended and easy guided tours of the park, which will give you a better chance of seeing and understanding the wildlife.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 1030-1630 (visitors centre); Mon-Sun 0600-1700 (park).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Parque Natural Metropolitano, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 232 5552.
Website: www.parquemetropolitano.org
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