We stopped in at five-star hotels for a cocktail and for rooftop views of the bay. Casco Viejo is a relatively safe part ofPanama City, where tourists are able to wander aimlessly. Join 10,000 others who get our weekly emails! The wildlife isnt as present as other parks and you do have to spend some time searching for them, but they are there is youre patient enough. Its about a 20-minute walk from Balboa Avenue, or you can take an Uber or taxi for a reasonable price. Panama Hats are not made in Panama. It is a quiet respite from the city with colonial architecture housing restaurants, shops and boutique shopping. 
Coming to Panama City, I really wanted to make sure I got to see some of the countrys wildlife. There is a projection room, restaurants, and a hiking trails where you can to try to spot wildlife. Its a 45 minute drive from downtown Panama City to the park. As mentioned above, I did a full-day guided tour that visited many attractions and included an in-depth walk of Casco Viejo, a visit to Ancon Hill, and a short stop at the Amador Causeway. First time to Panama City? Near the entrance to Casco Viejo you will find Mercado De Marisco Cinta Costera, a popular fish and seafood market. That said, like most big cities in Central America, you should still remain vigilant from pickpockets and scammers. If you want an even better experience then this all-inclusive half-day catamaran tour is a great option. If youd like to test your luck at fishing, theres a fishing platform just before Isla Naos. For those who dont know, Simon Bolivar is one of the most important people in South America. Spanish for Coastal Walkway, tourists and visitors alike use this greenspace for cycling, working out or simply taking relaxing away from the hustle and bustle. The most iconic thing to do in Panama City, and something everyone should do, is to visit the Panama Canal! Another very popular island to visit is Saboga Island. Plus, of course, San Blas Islandswe have been wanting to sink our toes in that sand! Thanks so much for reading and be sure to check out some of our other blogs from Central America and South America. If you go here, take the elevators up to the 65th floor to the rooftop bar overlooking the infinity pool. Alternatively, if you dont do the food tour I mentioned above but you love seafood, then head to the seafood market called Mercado De Marisco Cinta Costera to get that fresh ceviche I was talking about above! With that said, I will warn you it involves just over 6 hours of driving and the tour lasts for 14 hours! A fun day trip from Panama City is visiting Taboga Island or one of the Pearl Islands. Well, lucky for you I spent lots of time exploring the city and surrounds and have written this detailed blog on the absolute best things to do in Panama City, Panama! Your email address will not be published. However, if youre tight on time, a day trip to Contadora Island is possible. You arent allowed to leave the boat and walk on Monkey Island, but the guides on the boat use special calls to get the monkeys attention. Take a walking tour of Casco Viejo to see all the main sites and attractions. Even if you are not religious, this nativity scene in Iglesia San Felipe is impressive. The app you use in Canada or the US works fine in Panama City. You can also stay overnight at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort and spend more time in the jungle. This is one of those wildlife experiences that borders the line of being unethical. The hike ends at the top of Ancon Hill and the views of the city are incredible! Theyre not much more expensive and youll only do 3 hours of driving each day and spend way more time enjoying the stunning islands. Views of Playa Cacique on Contadora Island. In Casco Viejo, you can find many of the best hotels in the city and stay in a safe and beautiful neighborhood. This city tour is a great introduction to Panama where youll visit many of the top attractions including the Miraflores Locks visitor center where youll skip the lines arriving as soon as they open. At Plaza Bolivar, there is a really cool statue of Simon Bolivar. By using the Uber app, you avoid giving bad directions or having issues explaining where you want to go. 
You can watch the cruise ships and cargo ships go through from the viewing platforms. He created what was known as the Gran Colombia that included Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru. , Your email address will not be published. helpful and informative. If youre a wildlife lover like myself then youll enjoy a visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center. Follow your local guide to top-rated attractions such as Casco Viejo, The Causeway, and other parts of the city as you learn insider tips, such as the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around. In fact, most are much closer which makes them more convenient to visit. The canal has a lock system that raise and lower ships to Gatun Lake, a large freshwater artificial lake that sits 85 feet above sea level. ON this tour youll visit four islands in one day including snorkeling at Perro Chico, known as the best snorkeling spot in the San Blas Islands, Waily Lodge, Pelicano and the natural swimming pool on a sand bar in the middle of the ocean. From Casco Viejo, I took a short taxi ride to the park, and wow, was it beautiful! There are several outdoor basketball courts and parks on Avenida Balboa and Cinta Costera. If you like visiting cathedrals, add this one to the list. You will find indigenous Guna Yala artwork and fabrics, woven baskets, carved wooden masks, handmade jewelry and inexpensive souvenirs to bring home. Watch this short video from the rooftop bar at Hard Rock Hotel in Panama City.
The French began construction of the Panama Canal in 1881 but had to stop construction dues to workers losing their lives and construction problems. Exploring Casco Viejo is definitely one of the best things to do in Panama City and I would highly suggest staying in the area. Here youll be able to see the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (National Institute of Culture) that houses a theater and cultural events.
One of the best in Panama, and a super authentic dish loved by almost the entire population, is Ropa Vieja. You will see a lot of Panama City by walking, running or cycling this waterfront path. You can reach the church by taxi or even public transport as the church sits across the road from the metro station Estacin Iglesia del Carmen. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Panama, this former Spanish military fort was a strategic location for the gold trade. It was a short but sweet visit and a great thing to do in Panama City! Not sure how to spend your time in Panama City? Cheers for joining us on our adventures! However, if youre not doing a guided tour then you must visit Plaza Bolivar on your own anyways. As you can see in these photos, it has a wide range of interesting architecture. Located in Casco Viejo, this is the place to visit if youre looking for small souvenirs and local crafts. Contadora Island is the most popular of the Pearl Islands for tourists. When people think of Panama City they think of tall skyscrapers and large casinos. In fact, Id say its the most beautiful one I have seen of the famous leader during my travels. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo explores the biodiversity of Panama. If shopping is your thing, pay a visit to Albrook Mall. The climate in Panama is typically hot and sunny, so its important to slow down and take advantage of this tropical environment. Contadora Island is located right next to Saboga Island and is home to many great hotels and restaurants (which makes it more popular for overnight trips.) The statues and tablets depict the role that the French played in the construction of the Panama Canal. 
You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. The star attraction at Amador Causeway is Biomuseo, a museum focused on the natural history of Panama. While there, plan to visit the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center and climb 174 steps to the top of the Observation Tower. Great information on how to get out to the islands. You can buy high quality or cheaper imitations ranging from $25 $200. The first is called the Rainforest Discovery Center and here there are lots of marked trails as well as an observation tower to climb. But I do also believe in progress, and turning this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a maze of walking streets filled with boutiques, cafs, and restaurants, will help everyone in the long run. This is a much cheaper option and also more authentic. Next on my list is a place youll visit on any guided tour on Casco Viejo. Should you visit the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish? From your hotel, the Amador Causeway is easy to visit. Our readers thank you! The only problem is getting a taxi back. Its considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, a claim that is hard to dispute after you learn about its remarkable engineering accomplishments. You also must negotiate a price before. There are many hotels in Panama City, so you have plenty of options at each price point. In Casca Viejo, you can find many Panama Hats on sale at shops. Here you can find that stunning colonial architecture, beautiful churches, quaint restaurants, and much of Panamas history. Above it the ornate Catholic church Our Lady of Carmen, also known as Iglesia Nuestra Senora del Carmen. The market is walking distance from the area of Casco Viejo or you can get a taxi for a few dollars. Checking out the San Lorenzo Fort was a part of our UnCruise itinerary and I am so glad we had the chance to see this! We decided to take a tour to Monkey Island for $70 USD.
Share your Panama City travel tips below. Taboga Island is only 20 km from Panama City. Popular Amador Causeway restaurants are Mi Ranchito, Beirut Calzada de Amador, Hapai Tiki Bar and/orRestaurante Bucaneros. Above is our room at the Residence Inn by Marriott Panama City. Although we didnt feed the monkeys, other people on our boat did and I wasnt sure how I felt about that. Instead, it is a good luxury choice for a couple of days of sightseeing. After youve seen the famous Panama Canal, youll make your way to Casco Viejo, the Amador Causeway, the viewpoint of Panama City, and the boardwalk and waterfront with your local expert guide. Its a tropical paradise. The hostel is located in the Marbella neighborhood which is a trendy area with lots of cafes and bars. The partial cruise just takes you through on section of the narrow canal whereas the full tour takes you through all 3 canals and the man-made lake from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. I had no idea that the Panama Canal was intertwined with wide and vast waterways. Check availability on Booking.com and Hostelworld. The main international airport of Panama City is Tocumen Airport.
The ferry to the island leaves from the Trump Tower and costs $98 USD return for adults. Panama City is huge! For another great shopping experience check out the pedestrian mall at the end of Avenida Central. Nor will you find mega cruise ships or mass tourism infrastructure. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Rooms here cost around $250 USD per night but are very luxurious! When taking taxis be sure to negotiate prices first. These tours have you literally one a boat going through the canal. For me personally, visiting this nature center was one of the most unique things to do in Panama City, Panama! 