Panama City Attractions

The capital of the republic of the same name, a land of exotic animals and plants. A huge area is covered with impenetrable tropical forests. The reason is that they are extremely important for the functioning of the Panama Canal. Besides serving as a sort of watershed, the forest also regulates the level of underground water and prevents the development of soil erosion. Therefore, the local people are very careful about the green areas and the protected areas have preserved their original appearance.

In addition to the magnificent nature, Panama has a lot of attractions. Like most old cities, Panama is conventionally divided into Old Town and New Town. The Old City was completely destroyed in 1671 and today you can see only the ruins and foundations of ancient buildings. The most interesting for tourists is the new part of town, many buildings which, despite its name, was built several centuries ago.

Here you can see buildings of various architectural styles, in the area of Casco Antiguo presented more than eight hundred beautiful structures, each of which is unique and beautiful in its own way. In the Casco Viejo area, one of the most important architectural landmarks is Las Bovedas Castle. It is located on the coast, the area around the castle is considered the most romantic and secluded place for walks. Nearby is the French Embassy building, around which there are several restaurants and stores. On Cathedral Square, you can see the city’s main religious landmark, the Metropolitan Cathedral. Art lovers should not miss the National Theater, located in one of the oldest buildings. It was recently restored and is now ready to welcome enthusiastic guests again.

Excursions to the island of Taboga, often called “the island of flowers”, are extremely popular among nature lovers. It is located not far from the Panamanian coast and can be reached in less than an hour by ferry. The main feature of the island is considered a variety of flowering plants, and vacationers can also enjoy the incredibly beautiful beaches with golden sand. On this island, it is not difficult to find a place for a secluded vacation.

Ancona Hill is an important historical symbol of the city. This hill is 300 meters high and for many years it was in the possession of the United States. Only in the 80s of last century Panama managed to regain its rights to their land, now on top of the hill there is a flag of State. On the hill there is a beautiful park, it is considered the best observation deck in the capital, from which you can see many iconic sights.

Visitors to Panama should not miss a tour to Coiba National Park, it is protected by UNESCO and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the country. This park covers the territory of a large archipelago of 38 islands, the largest island has the same name as the park. Travelers here will find a lot of interesting activities. You can relax on the beautiful beaches, admire exotic nature, and also go scuba diving and appreciate the beauty of the underwater world.

One of the most popular places for walks in the capital is Avenue Balboa, it will surprise you with its contrasts and lively atmosphere. Walking along this avenue, you can admire the beautiful modern skyscrapers, and very close to watch shabby boats moored to the shore of the local fishermen. There are several beautiful monuments and a large fountain on the promenade, as well as some of the city’s most popular entertainment venues.

The historic Casco Viejo district remains a favorite stroll destination for most tourists, and in addition to the historic buildings, it has another interesting feature. The facades of many historic buildings are adorned with colorful graffiti drawings, finding the most incredible works of art will make a walk through the historic district even more fascinating.

Cultural attractions in Panama City

The main attraction in Panama City’s capital city is the Casco Viejo Historic District, which has been designated a Unesco site. Within the historic district there are beautiful palaces, ancient churches and homes of ordinary locals, the oldest buildings are about 500 years old. It is in this area are concentrated the most significant architectural and historical sites of the city, interesting to study the objects can be found here at every step. The San Jose Church, one of the oldest churches in the city, is located within the historic district. Since it was built it has managed to keep almost in pristine condition, the main decoration of the interior of the church is the golden altar, which was installed immediately after its opening.

A beautiful ensemble of architectural buildings is concentrated around Plaza de Francia. The buildings in this area are very close to each other, so they create the effect of a single architectural complex. Each of the historic buildings on the square is now home to an important government or cultural institution. The Anita Villalaz Theater and one of Panama City’s most interesting art galleries are located here and one of the old palaces now houses the French Embassy. Around the square there are also attractive restaurants, many of them specializing in French cuisine.

Along the shore of the Pacific Ocean is the picturesque Avenida Balboa, which remains one of the favorite places for tourists to walk. It takes at least two hours to walk it from beginning to end, and there is a bicycle path along the entire avenue. Along the promenade there are beautiful modern buildings, here you can also find interesting restaurants and stores to visit. The main decoration of the avenue are the original landscape compositions, and here are equipped with comfortable recreation areas with benches everywhere.

Visitors who would like to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city should head to the top of Ancon Hill. The trail to get to the top begins in the historic district and usually takes about an hour and a half. At the top of the hill is the best observation deck in the city, with a clear view of both the modern business district and the historic district. At the top of the hill is a small park with several symbolic sculptures and beautiful landscaping.

Entertainment in Panama City

Avenida Balboa is a great place to relax outdoors and enjoy a full day stroll along the coast and sampling local specialties in local restaurants and cafes. This avenue is notable for its many playgrounds and attractions for children, and is also a favorite place for cycling enthusiasts to spend time. The main drawback of the embankment can be considered the lack of beaches, this section of the coast has no sand. Walking along the promenade will be interesting and after dark, when the local cafes and restaurants wonderfully transformed into bars and nightclubs, and the bright signs of the casino and beckon to pass the time.

One of the main entertainment complexes in Panama’s capital is Biomuseo, housed in an incredibly beautiful and colorful futuristic building. This cultural and entertaining center occupies an area of about 4,000 square meters and its expositions are devoted to the culture of local residents and the peculiarities of Panamanian nature. It also has a botanical garden featuring some of the rarest native plants and galleries showcasing masterpieces from local artists and artisans. The center has its own movie theater that shows nature films about Panama every day. This science and entertainment complex offers tours for children of various ages as well, and would be a great place for families to visit.

Within the city limits are several amazing nature reserves, the most interesting is Metropolitan National Park. It was founded in 1985, and now the reserve covers an area of about 230 hectares. A large part of this area is occupied by tropical forests, where you can see about 300 species of trees and more than 35 species of orchids. The natural reserve is distinguished by the diversity of fauna: there are 45 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds and rare species of reptiles and amphibians on its territory. To get acquainted with the features of the nature park developed several fascinating thematic routes, each of which has its own attractive features. One route covers the most beautiful natural sites, while others allow you to visit natural vistas or find yourself in the midst of a halo of wild monkeys.

For nature lovers Panama City organizes many interesting excursions. They can take part in rare bird watching tours, admire colonies of tropical butterflies, and even fish in one of the most famous canals in the world. Beach lovers also have many pleasant surprises waiting for them, they can visit the beautiful wild beaches and located near the coast of the capital of the island. Vacationers are also offered a wide range of marine excursions, they will be able to watch dolphins, and visit the most attractive places for diving and snorkeling.