Panama City

New Town: Dominated by imposing skyscrapers that reflect its importance as a business and commercial centre, Panama City has become one of the most valued destinations in Latin America. Panama City’s museums, bars and restaurants attract business people and tourists alike.

Over the years, and as a result of its privileged geographical situation, this city has seen how people from numerous different cultures settled here. In its streets, the descendents of Spaniards, mestizos and indigenous peoples co-exist alongside Indian, Chinese and Arab communities, amongst others.

Beyond the buildings of steel and glass, one of the most agreeable places is Calzada de Amador. This tree-lined avenue stretching for 2 km connects the continent to the four islands opposite the city. Panamanians love walking along it or sitting down to have a refreshing drink as they admire the urban décor with its skyscrapersand the picturesque Old Town.

Old Town: After the expansion of the city, the splendour of the historic centre gradually dwindled and the area went into decline. But for a few years now, investors have regained interested in the district. The colonial buildings are being renovated and the streets, which were formerly squalid, beckon one to stroll in them once more.

The renovation work and investment have brought in bars, restaurants and art galleries, all of which have found the ideal home here.

The nerve centre is the Plaza de la Independencia. It was here that the declaration of independence was read out in 1903. The best option is to go down any of the small streets that lead off it, losing oneself and soaking up the atmosphere of this district that combines colonial elegance with Latin flare.

In the church of San José you will find one of the country’s treasures – the magnificent Altar de Oro, or Golden Altar. In 1671, when the pirate Henry Morgan wrecked havoc in the city, the priest managed to save this Baroque masterpiece from the pillaging.

At the southern end is Plaza de Francia, dedicated to the role of the French in the construction of the Panama Canal. It is surrounded by the Paseo de las Bóvedas, which was conceived to protect the old town. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of part of the Old Town and the enormous ships waiting to enter the canal.

The Presidential Palace is one of the most beautiful, best-preserved buildings in this area. Its magnificent state of conservation is no coincidence as it currently houses the Panamanian heads of state.

If you wish to make a cultural stop, don’t miss the Interoceanic Canal Museum, which explains the construction of the canal through its exhibitions.

Old Panama: This is the original site of the town, founded in 1519 by the Spanish conquistador, Pedro Arias de Ávila. The town was totally demolished by the corsair Morgan. Nowadays only the ruins remain, but they are worth a visit for their historical value.

A stroll here will take you back to bygone times, when the Spanish controlled the town and the continent. The best-preserved buildings are the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and Casa Alarcón, the most impressive civil construction.

The Panama Canal

Many consider the Panama Canal to be the most important feat of engineering in history. In any case, the idea is fantastic – to join the Atlantic to the Pacific by means of a gigantic cut that literally slices the country in two. The building of the canal allowed distances to be shortened and above all, enabled new, faster commerce routes to be opened up.

Since completion in 1914, a host of boats have travelled the 80 km that run from Panama City to Colón. To understand its functioning better, go to the Miraflores locks. These gigantic compartments are located between the canal and the sea. They act as water elevators, raising the boats around 26 m. from sea level to the level of the Gatún Lake, enabling navigation.

As well as admiring it, you can also use the canal to practise a wide range of activities. One of the most impressive ones consists of sailing from Miraflores lock to the lake of the same name. You can also go hiking, fishing or birdwatching.

Taboga island

Taboga Island, which is a place of rest for many Panamanians, lies 20 km from the coast of Panama City. People go to enjoy the warm beaches and the peace and quiet.

The narrow village streets, decorated with colourful flowers, have lost none of the appeal that once astonished Paul Gaugin. Also, you will find the second-oldest church in the New World, founded in 1550. The inside stands out with its picturesque altar and delicate ornamentations.

The island lies on the migratory route of humpback whales. If you are lucky, between August and October you will be able to see whales raising their huge bodies out of the water as they pass by the coast.

Taboga is also the habitat of half of the world’s population of brown pelicans. Nearly a third of its surface is protected to ensure the conservation of this species.

Excursions in the Soberanía National Park

Just 20 minutes from the centre of Panama City the sounds of the jungle replace those of the city. Roughly about half of the known species of Panama inhabit its forests.

Amongst the many paths that run through this immense park, the Oil Pipeline road has one of the highest densities of birds in the world. Toucans, numerous birds of prey and colourful endemic species hide amongst dense vegetation.

The Isla Barro Colorado Natural Monument is in the middle of Gatún Lake, and has an impressive variety of fauna: 72 species of bats, 5 species of monkey, neques, tapirs, coaties, sloths and collared peccaries. Its botanic wealth is equally extraordinary, with over 1200 species of plants. Numerous paths leave from the visitors’ centre, enabling you to discover this area.

At the top of the Canopy Tower, a former American military construction, you can enjoy a complete panoramic view including the tropical jungle and part of the canal, with the enormous ships passing by.

Fishing

Shopping in Panama City

Panama is a shopping destination par excellence. The many American-style malls in the city are stocked with a wide variety of fashion brands, technology and luxury goods, nearly always at reasonable prices. When the heat and tropical humidity become too much for you, one of these air-conditioned shopping centres is an ideal place in which to cool off and above all, spend some money.

Although the official currency is the Balboa, US citizens will not need to change any money, because the dollar is legal tender all over the country.

Crafts: Panama City has a host of shops selling craft products from every corner of the country. In El Pueblito or the National Craft Market you will be able to find baskets made by the Emberá and Wounaan tribes or typical embroidery by the Kuna.

You will also find jewellery, a large part of which comes from Colombia and Brazil, big producers of precious stones. If you are not an expert watch out – imitations abound.

Nightlife in Panama City

Panama City can probably boast the liveliest nights of all Central America. The districts of Buenavista and Cangrejo have plenty of bars and nightclubs that can easily rival those of Miami. People come here for a good time, and also to see and be seen. Competition between the establishments is fierce, and the ones that are fashionable one day can lose their splendour and disappear on the next day.

There is a variety of establishments to suit all tastes: dance music, rock, jazz and even delightful traditional music shows.

An original way of enjoying the night is on board the Chivitas Parranderas: nightclubs in a bus in which you can travel around the city to the beat of Latin rhythms.

Specialities

The country’s more than 2000 kilometres of coast mean fish and seafood have the starring role in many of its dishes. There is an abundance of spider crabs, lobsters, shrimps, octopi and indigenous species such as Pacific sleeper or maigre, all of them excellent quality.

But sea products are not the only stars of Panamanian tables. Soups are also extremely popular. The most famous one is ‘sancocho’, a meat broth accompanied by yam, yucca or corn and seasoned with onion, sweet pepper, garlic, salt and pepper. We should also mention ‘fu-fu’, made of coconut, banana and fish, to which the typical hot pepper, ‘ají chombo’, is added.

For dessert what could be better than delicious tropical fruit such as pineapple, coconut, guava or papaya. There are other delights, too, such as “sopa de borracha”, a vanilla sweet with raisins and liqueur.