Panama City tourist information
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 always comment that they had no idea that Central American country had such a capital. A prosperous business district with a first-world infrastructure hosts more than 100 banks. The historic Casco Viejo sector with Spanish colonial buildings dating from the 17th century is a major tourist attraction with numerous historic sites, restaurants, museums and nightlife spots. There are actually three Panama Citys: the historical ruins of the 16th century city called Panama Viejo, the 17th century Spanish colonial Casco Viejo section of the city and the modern skyscraper city with its prosperous business district and Manhattan-like skyline.
Because Panama has long been an international crossroads, Panamanians are friendly and skilled in relating to peoples from around the world. A lively nightlife, great restaurants, the only rainforest within city limits in the world- the Metropolitan Natural Park and countless beautiful residential neighborhoods add to the city’s charm.
City and Panama Canal tours, historical sites, eco-tours, cross Isthmus train ride on the Panama Canal Railway, Amador Causeway for biking and walking, Monkey Island and Barro Colorado Island. For details see our article
As an introduction, a city tour is a must. It will take you to the "three" Panama Cities: the ruins of the 16th century original city, Casco Viejo the colonial city, and the modern skyscaper city.In addition most tours include a trip to the Panama Canal at Miraflores locks where you will see ships passing through the Panama Canal. See Tour Operators
Historical Tours - If you enjoy historical tours, it's a must to hire a tour operator to give you an extended tour of the ruins of Panama Vieja and colonial Casco Viejo sector. Casco Viejo has numerous fascinating sites with a history intertwined with Spain, France and the United States that never fails to delight history buffs. Highlights include the 17th churchs including the Church of the Golden Altar, the ruins of 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.
The Amador Causeway is unique indeed and another must see because of its spectacular views of Panama City's skyline and of the Panama Canal. The one mile causeway was created by connecting four small islands with rocks excavated from the Panama Canal. Today, these small islands, always swept by pleasant sea breezes host fine restaurants, great bicycling and walking paths (bicycles for rent at $2 a hour), a Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research aquarium, a new cruise port, a yacht club and a new hotel. Highly recommended is a meal at TGIF's at the new Country Inn and Suites- while you dine you will be treated to a one-of a-kind view of the Panama Canal complete with ships passing under the Bridge of the Americas.
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.
Also at the foot of Ancon Hill are three miniature villages recently built to represent Panama's three cultures- the Spanish, the West Indian and the native Indian San Blas. Have a meal and enjoy the view.
Everyone that visits Panama City remarks that it has great cuisine at affordable prices. As an international crossroads, Panama offers a surprising variety of the worlds cuisines. The restaurants are in the business district and the historic Casco Viejo sector. Check out some of the finest: Restaurants
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 woman 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 at a Gran Morrison variety store near your hotel or you can take a taxi to the Balboa Artisans Market, in the former American Canal Zone.
Few peoples can rival fun loving nature of Panamanians! Their party loving nature is reflected in a wide selection of nightclubs, discos and casinos...something for everybody. See Panama City's Top Nightlife Spots
In Panama City there are casinos in the Caesar Park, Continental and El Panama Hotels. The city of Colon on the Atlantic side has a casino in the Sol Melia Hotel and in David the gateway city in West Panama there is a casino in the Gran Nacional Hotel.
In 2001 Kansas City Railroad reopened the historic Panama Canal Railway. Originally inaugurated by an American company in 1849 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 an 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.
Panama City rivals Miami in its popularity as a shoppers paradise. Latin Americans especially love Los Pueblos Shopping Center for the clothes and household bargains and the Via Espana area in the business district for electronics, appliances and computers. Americans appreciate the fabulous duty free shopping at Tocumen International Airport and in the Colon Free Zone.
by Promociones y Desarrollo Hanama, S.A.
Panama City aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Panama City aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Panama City.
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