Fuerte Amador/Panama City On Your Own

The 10 Top Things to do in Panama City

While the Panama Canal takes center stage for most visitors to Panama, there's lots of other things to do in Panama City and the surrounding areas. Whether you plan on eating a great meal, shopping for handicrafts, strolling the streets of Casco Viejo, hiking or trying your luck at a casino, Panama City is a fun place to visit. Enjoy tour time in the city!

1. Take a City Tour. Get acquainted with the city people call the "Capital of Latin America."


2. Visit the Miraflores Visitors Center. It's a must see for anyone who visits Panama City.


3. Exercise your Shopping Gene. Panama City rivals Miami as a shopping mecca for the people of Latin America.


4. Enjoy a Great Meal. You're not starved for choice of good regional or international restaurants in Panama City.


5. Stroll the Streets of Casco Viejo. Casco Viejo can trace its roots back to 1673. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a great place to get acquainted with Panama City's colonial past.


6. Go from Sea to Sea on the Panama Canal Railroad. You can do an early morning crossing from Panama City to Colon, or a late afternoon transit back.
   


7. Take a Hike in one of Panama City's Parks. Best done in the morning, you can walk to the top of Cerra Ancon (Ancon Hill), or enjoy the birding in Panama City's Metropolitan Natural Park.


8. Do the Canal on a Small Boat. See the monkeys on Monkey Island, and wonder at the sites of the ships passing through the Panama Canal.


9. Enjoy a Rainforest Tour. Experience a different world in Panama's untamed jungles.


10. Defy the Odds In a Casino. Panama City hosts 20 casinos that feature slots and table games.

Getting Around

Orientation

Your ship will lay anchor in the bay, and your ship's tenders will take you to shore at the Flamenco Island Marina on Flamenco Island, an island that sits adjacent to the Panama Canal. From here, it's just a 10 minute taxi ride to downtown Panama City.

Isla Flamenco (Flamenco Island). Isla Flamenco--as well as the neighboring Isla Naos and Isla Perico--are three islets that were used in the 17th century as staging grounds by pirates who were intent on attacking Panama City. During the construction of the Panama Canal, Isla Naos was connected to the mainland through the dumping of debris from the canal, creating a breakwater and a causeway.

Once connected to the mainland, the US government built Fort Grant on Isla Naos in 1912. Fort Grant, along with the nearby Fort Amador, were the defense sites used to protect the southern, or Pacific, entrance to the canal. In the subsequent years, Perico and Flamenco islands were connected to Naos, and gun batteries were emplaced on all three of the islands.

Flamenco Island provides a great vantage point to view the skyscrapers of downtown Panama City.

There are four areas of Panama City that hold most interest to tourists. These include:

Panama La Vieja. Located east of today's modern Panama City, Panama La Vieja (Old Panama City) is the site of the original settlement of Panama City. Established in 1519, the city was the starting point of Spanish Conquistador expeditions that in 1532 conquered the Inca Empire in Peru. Because Panama City was a stopover point of one of the most important trade routes in the history of South America, it was repeatedly victimized by pirate attacks. The city was destroyed by a devastating fire following the sacking of the city by pirate Henry Morgan on January 28, 1671.

Casco Viejo. Also known as Casco Antiguo, the building of Casco Viejo was begun in 1673, just two years after the sacking of Panama Viejo. It was developed by Spanish and French colonists, as well as the Catholic church, as a walled city to protect its settlers against future pirate attacks. Today, Casco Viejo is the home of many restored buildings that house some of Panama City's trendy hotels, bars, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and upscale residences. Located on a small peninsula just west of the downtown area, Casco Viejo is one of the main tourist attractions of the city, second only to the Panama Canal.

Modern Panama City. The downtown area of Panama City is studded with skyscrapers, befitting a country with a relatively high GDP, a highly developed banking sector, expat retirees and an entrepot economy. All of the major international hotel chains operate properties here. The downtown area also is home to several major shopping malls, a number of excellent restaurants, as well as many of Panama City's toniest casinos.

Former Canal Zone. With an ambience redolent of a suburban United States town, the former Canal Zone is being redeveloped for the benefit of modern day Panama. The old Albrook Air Force Base has become the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, a center for domestic aviation. And the erstwhile Fort Clayton--an Army base that once housed the Southern Command Headquarters--has since been turned into the Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge), a government-sponsored cluster of academic organizations, technology companies and non-governmental organizations. The former Canal Zone is also where you'll find the Panama City Railway Station, the historic Panama Canal Administration Building and the bustling Albrook Mall.

Transportation

Taxis. About a third of all the vehicles you'll see on Panama City's streets are taxis. They come in different colors, sizes and states of repair. Here are some rules to remember when hailing a taxi in Panama City:

• The bad news is that Panama City's taxis don't have meters. The good news is that the fare within the city is around $1.50, plus a $0.50 surcharge for each additional passenger. Thus, most rides around the modern city (but not including the former Canal Zone areas or the Amador Causeway) will cost you $2, and tips are not expected. The longest rides will cost you $5.


• The fare from the Amador Causeway to downtown will run $5 to $10.


• Trips into the former Canal Zone will cost $5 per trip.


• Cab drivers may pick up additional passengers along the way, if there's little or no deviation from the first person's route.


• If you're getting a cab at a hotel, it will cost you an additional $5 to $7 in your taxi fare; that's the kickback the hotel expects from the driver of the taxi. To avoid this extra cost, walk down the street from the hotel entrance and hail a cab.


• When hailing a cab, look for those taxis that have their windows rolled up; they've got air conditioning.


• Taxis are hard to come by during rush hour (3:00 pm to 6:00 pm). But if you look like a gringo, you'll have better luck, because the taxi drivers figure you'll pay too much.


• The vast majority of taxi drivers don't speak English. But if you can pronounce a few words on where you're going, you'll get there.


• The taxis in Panama City generally hold no more than 4 passengers; if your party is 5 or more, take 2 taxis.

Bike Riding. Bicycle riding along the Amador Causeway is a popular outing for tourists and locals alike. Bike rentals can be found at the following location:

Bikes & More
Located at the entrance to the Figali Convention Center, Bikes & More will rent you a bike for around $4 per hour. Open weekdays 9:30 am to 9:00 pm, and on weekends from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Phone: (507) 6677-2221

Shopping

What to Expect

Panama City is a shopping mecca for people in Central America and beyond. The prices you'll pay for internationally-branded products at most shops in Panama City are comparable to those in the United States.

The main shopping areas in the city run along Avenida Central--a six block-long pedestrian mall lined with vendors, shops and restaurants, located in Casco Viejo; and Via Espana, a 20-block long stretch of shops, boutiques and other high- and low-end stores in downtown Panama City. There are also several malls in Panama City, ranging in size from small to mega, that let you shop in air-conditioned comfort.

Most stores and markets are open 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and department stores.

What's Special in Panama City

For gringo shoppers, there are a number of unique items than can be found in Panama City:

• Women's fashions. Many South American fashion houses have established outposts in Panama City; their shops and boutiques are often found in the higher-end shopping malls.


• Polleras. Polleras are the national costume of Panama, and every woman in the country owns one. A single pollera can cost from several hundred to several thousands of dollars, and take up to a year to create.


• Handicrafts. The seven living tribes of indigenous Panamanian Indians are renown for creating a variety of high quality handicrafts, including hand-woven baskets of the Embera people, and tagua nut carvings.


• Molas. A specialty of the Kuna Indians, molas are hand-made embroideries made using a reverse appliqué technique. To create a Mola, several layers of cotton cloth are sewn together; the design is then formed by cutting away parts of each layer. The edges of the layers are then turned under and sewn down. The best--and most expensive--Molas use seven layers, and the stitches are nearly invisible.


• Panama Hats. While not native to Panama (authentic Panama Hats are made in Ecuador and are not inexpensive), both authentic and knock-off Panama hats can be found in stores in Casco Viejo and in downtown Panama City.

See our Map of Recommended Panama City Shops for the locations of the malls and shops listed below.

Shopping Malls

Multiplaza Pacific: Panama City's high-end fashion mall, Multiplaza Pacific enjoys such tenants as Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Cacharel, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Anne Klein, Oscar de La Renta, Liz Claiborne, Zara, BCBG, Carolina Herrera and Tommy Hilfiger. And along with several souvenir stores, you can also find shops that sell Molas, wood carvings, costumes and Panama Hats. Just be forewarned, the Multiplaza Pacific is the furthest from the ship tender dock, and returning to Isla Flamenco during rush hour (3:00 pm to 6:00 pm) is a real big hassle.

Albrook Mall: An enormous mall located in the old Canal Zone, the Albrook Mall is home to a Costco, a Do-It Center and several of Panama's largest department stores. The city's bus terminal is located here as well, so there's a lot of traffic in the mall. If you're looking to stock up on some food supplies in Panama City, the Albrook Mall has a supermarket (Super 99). There's also a large food court, where you'll find a Crepes & Waffles outlet.

Multicentro: The high-end Multicentro Mall is the largest mall in Central America. Owing to the large number of foreign shops unknown to most Panamanians, this mall sees less traffic than its counterparts in the city. But that only makes it a more pleasant place to shop for gringo touristas. The Multicentro is where you'll find Panama City's Hard Rock Cafe, as well as a large casino--these guys have thought of everything!

Flamenco Shopping Plaza: While not a shopping mall per se, the Flamenco Shopping Plaza offers several stores, including a Duty Free store that sells jewelry, perfumes, accessories, handbags and more. Other stores include Tierra Linda, which sells souvenirs and crafts; men's tropical clothing store Blasser; a Harley Davidson store; and the Panama Tropic Shop, which sells souvenirs. The Flamenco Shopping Plaza is located at Fuerte Amador, adjacent to the Fuerte Amador tender dock.

Recommended Shops

Flory Saltzman Molas
Molas
If you want to buy a high quality Mola made by the Kuna Indians, or if you just want to learn about this unique Panamanian art form, look no further than the Flory Saltzman Molas shop. They have over one million Molas in their inventory, and you can buy individual Molas or items that feature Molas, including wall hangings, pillowcases, purses, cosmetic bags, coin purses, t-shirts, dresses, pot holders, placemats, bedspreads, aprons and other items. In addition to their Molas (which can be pricey, due to the quality of the pieces), this shop also sells key chains, leather wallets and purses, jewelry, chaquiras beaded necklaces, Panamanian bracelets, pottery, dolls, mugs, balsa wood parrots and Panama hats.
Via Veneto, #18, above the Don Lee Chinese Restaurante
Phone: (507) 223-6963

Reprosa
Gold Jewelry
Reprosa is a Panamanian jeweler and national institution that began by focusing on recreating gold huacas, or intricately crafted gold ornaments, that were worn by pre-Columbian natives. Since that time, Reprosa has branched out into making other gold objects, including sea shells, Spanish coin reproductions and traditional jewelry. They also specialize in crafting mosquetas, the signature piece of jewelry worn on the pollera, the Panamanian national costume. Reprosa also makes jewelry with prices made for every budget. Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Casco Viejo store: Corner of Samuel Lewis Avenue and 54th Street, next to Plaza Obarrio
Phone: (507) 269-0457

La Ronda
Handicrafts
One of the most popular souvenir shops in Casco Viejo, La Ronda offers a very large selection of authentic Panamanian handicrafts and souvenirs. In addition to a large selection of Kuna Indian Molas, La Ronda sells Embera baskets, native ceramics, hats, artworks, jewelry and dolls dressed in polleras. It's located near Plaza de Francia, across from the French Embassy. Open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Calle 1era, in Casco Viejo
Phone: (507) 211-1001

Galeria de Arte Indigena
Handicrafts
Just down the street from La Ronda is Galeria de Arte Indigena, a store that specializes in high-quality indigenous Indian arts and crafts. In addition to Embera baskets, masks and tagua nut figures, the store sells decorated gourds, hammocks, jewelry and Panama hats imported from Ecuador. Overall, the prices here are very reasonable. Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.
844 Calle 1era, in Casco Viejo
Phone: (507) 6634-7064

YMCA Handicrafts Market
Located in a large yellow building behind the old YMCA complex, this smallish marketplace is home to sellers of Kuna and Embera indigenous arts and crafts objects, as well as inexpensive clothing, jewelry and other souvenirs. It's a great place to find something to bring back home and give as a gift. Open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Avenida Arnulfo Arias Madrid, in Balboa

Art Galleries

Casa Gongora
Art Gallery
One goes to Casa Gongora to see the building as much as the Panamanian art on offer in the facility. Owned by the municipal government, Casa Gongora serves as both a cultural center and an art gallery. The art on display is available for purchase. The building itself was built circa 1760 by Paul Gongora Caceres, a prominent merchant. It was restored in 1999, and remains one of the oldest Colonial houses in Panama City, having survived the numerous fires that would periodically erupt in the city. If you're fortunate, you'll visit when live music performances are taking place. Open weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Calle 4 and Avenida Central, in Casco Viejo

Recommended Pharmacies in Panama City

Pharmacies (or Farmacias) can be found throughout Panama City. Many medicines that require a prescription in the US and Canada are available over the counter in Panama.

Farmacias Arrocha
Farmacias Arrocha is a large chain pharmacy in Panama City, with 15 stores scattered about the city. Like their counterparts in the US and Canada, this pharmacy also offers photo developing and printing services, and even has a business center, where you can get black and white as well as color photocopies, and internet connections. They're open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. The closest location to the Fuerte Amador tender dock is on Avenue Canfield, near the Albrook Mall.
Phone: (507) 360-4000

Farmacia El Javillo
Known as Botica El Javillo in Panama, El Javillo operates 9 pharmacies in the city. A relatively central location is at the Centro Comercial Plaza Paitilla in downtown Panama City. Open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Phone: (507) 215-2581

FarmaPlus
FarmaPlus operates a pharmacy at the Multicentro Mall. Open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Phone: (507) 208-2645

Panamanian Cuisine

Panamanian cuisine is a unique mix of African, Spanish and Native American cooking, reflecting its diverse population. Typical foods are mildly flavored, without the pungency of some of Panama's Latin American and Caribbean neighbors. Common ingredients are maize, rice, wheat flour, plantains, yuca (cassava), beef, chicken, and seafood such as corvina, shrimp and lobster.

Traditional Dishes of Panama

• Empanadas: Flour or corn pastries stuffed with meats, potatoes and/or cheeses.


• Sancocho: The national dish of Panama, sancocho is a stew, typically made with large pieces of chicken, vegetables, corn, chopped onions, garlic and oregano. It is often served with white rice on the side.


• Tamales: One of the main national dishes of Panama, Panamanian tamales are larger than the Mexican variety, and made with maize dough stuffed with chicken, raisins, onions, tomato sauce and sometimes sweet peas, then wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled.


• Tamal de Olla: The same as the above tamale, but cooked in a pot.


• Ropa Vieja: Literally translated as "old clothes," ropa vieja is a shredded flank steak served in a tomato sauce.


• Ceviche: Uncooked fish, shrimp or other shellfish mixed with onions, tomatoes and cilantro and marinated in lime juice. In Panama, ceviche is most often made with corvina.


• Patacones: Twice-fried green plantain disks, known in other countries as tostones.


• Carimanola: A type of meat pie, made with yuca dough and stuffed with cheese, seasoned ground meat (or shredded chicken) and fried.


• Yuca frita: Fried yuca root.


• Gallo Pinto: Rice and black beans mixed together, often served with pork.


• Arroz con Pollo: White rice cooked in stock, sofrito (a mix of vegetables and fresh herbs) and annatto, served with chicken.

Typical Panamanian Desserts

• Tres Leches Cake: a cake soaked in evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and cream.


• Bocado de la reina: Translated as "morsels of the queen," a bocado de la reina is a type of bread pudding.


• Cabanga: A sweet made with green papaya and molasses.


• Cocadas: A savory dessert is made from the rind of coconut and sugarcane; similar to macaroons.

Panamanian Beer

• Atlas: A light beer, ranking number one in popularity. It's considered very similar to beers in the United States, often compared to Bud Light or Miller Light in reviews.


• Panama: Another light beer, ranking number two in popularity after Atlas.


• Soberana: Another light lager; it's made by the same brewery as Panama. It has a weak taste and no after taste.


• Balboa: Produced by the same company as Atlas, Balboa is compared both to darker North American brands and to stout European varieties.

Restaurants

Panama City offers a wide variety of restaurants that will satisfy the most sophisticated gourmet. Whether you're looking for local Panamanian specialties, seafood or international fare, Panama City won't disappoint.

See our Recommended Panama City Restaurants Map for the locations of the restaurants listed below.

Recommended Restaurants in Fuerte Amador

Las Tinajas
Panamanian
Focusing on traditional Panamanian food, Tinajas' fare is good but not great, especially for the money. Try the plato tipico, which features 4 different dishes, or the corvina ceviche or the yuca pie. The real draw here is the hour-long folk dance show, which takes place at 9:00 pm from Tuesday through Saturday nights. Backed by a small combo of musicians, the show is quite colorful, with the women dancers adorned in polleras, the national costume. They have a $5 cover charge for the floor show, and there's a minimum consumption charge (for food and drinks) of $12 per person. But for what you get, it's worth it. You've got to make reservations for the dance show. Open Monday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner.
Calle 51, in the Bella Vista neighborhood
Phone: (507) 263-7890

El Trapiche
Panamanian
Smallish and relatively unassuming, El Trapiche serves delicious traditional Panamanian food at moderate prices. The wait staff doesn't speak English, but don't let that stop you. Try the ceviche, the Ropa Vieja, the sancocho (the national dish), or a grilled corvina fillet. The service is very good. El Trapiche is very popular with the locals, so expect to wait for a seat at lunchtime.
Via Argentina and Ave 2a B Norte
Phone: (507) 269-4353

La Posta
Panamanian
La Posta is one of Panama City's best restaurants. It's also a very popular place, particularly among the locals. Set in a turn of the century home, the atmosphere is sophisticated, the service is attentive, and the food is very very good. Try a steak or their seafood, and save room for a dessert. Their wine list is extensive. Open Monday through Saturday 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm.
Calle 49 at Calle Uruguay
Phone: (507) 269-1076

Niko's Cafe
Panamanian Comfort Food
With 8 cafeteria-style restaurants located throughout Panama City, Niko's is the embodiment of a Greek immigrant who's done well in his new homeland. The restaurants sell hearty portions of inexpensive food, including a wide variety of sandwiches, Greek gyros and desserts. The store nearest to the Fuerte Amador tender dock is located in the Balboa neighborhood. Open daily 24 hours.
El Prado, Balboa neighborhood
Phone: (507) 228-8888

Miraflores Restaurant
Panamanian
One of the best dining experiences to be found in Panama City, the Miraflores Restaurant, located at the Miraflores Visitors Center, provides service in both a dining room and on a terrace overlooking the Miraflores Locks. The location is hard to beat, allowing you to watch the ships enter or exit the Panama Canal as you enjoy your meal. Their shellfish is recommended; also, try their Filete de Corvina lleno hongos salsa huancaina y aji amarillo (corvina with mushrooms, huancaina sauce and yellow pepper). It's hard to get a table here, except in the mid-afternoon, so reservations are very much suggested. Open daily, from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm.
Miraflores Visitors Center
Phone: (507) 232-3120

Marbella
Seafood
Fish and seafood lovers come to Marbella for inexpensive yet delicious Panamanian and Spanish fare. The paella comes several ways, and it runs less than $15.
Avenida Balboa And Calle 39
Phone: (507) 225-9065

Cafe barKo
Seafood
Cafe barKo is a very convenient choice for cruise ship passengers, as it's adjacent to the cruise ship dock on Isla Flamenco. It's also an excellent choice for seafood lovers, and for folks who want a view of the Panama City skyline as they dine. With a bi-lingual staff, barKo serves up delicious seafood, plus paella and traditional Panamanian fare. Try a lobster or their corvina and their ceviche. They've got a full bar and a very good wine list. Open noon to midnight.
Isla Flamenco Shopping Center
Phone: (507) 314-0000

Gauchos Steakhouse
Steaks
Gauchos is an Argentine-style steakhouse with a nice variety of steaks served up in an authentic, Argentine atmosphere. This is the kind of place you go to if you're craving a really good steak. Many of the steaks are imported from the US; if you'd like something different, order the "local" steak--a grass fed tenderloin--accompanied with homemade chimichurri sauce. They serve delicious freshly-baked bread; order a baked potato or rice instead of fries. Many of the wait staff speak English, and the service is quite good.
Calle 48 at Calle Uruguay
Phone: (507) 263-4469

Machu Picchu
Peruvian
For aficionados of Peruvian Cuisine, no trip to Panama City would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. Their extensive menu runs the gamut of traditional Peruvian favorites, and their specialties include pan fried corvina with cream sauce. Enjoy your meal with a glass of their Pisco Sour, a cocktail containing pisco (a Persian lime), lemon or lime juice, egg whites, sugar and bitters.
Calle Eusebio A Morales #16
Phone: (507) 264-9308

Eurasia
Fusion Cuisine
Set in a grand Colonial style-building, Eurasia's dining room transforms you to another place, with its ambiance defined by brightly-colored walls with beautiful original artwork. The food is true fusion cuisine, mixing Asian and French flavors and techniques using local ingredients. Try the Vietnamese spring rolls for an appetizer, and the scallops or their jumbo shrimp in a tamarind sauce for an entree. The service is very good; just beware that they add a 10% tip to your bill.
Edificio La Trona, 1st floor, Calle 48, in the Bella Vista neighborhood
Phone: (507) 264-9308

Rene Cafe
Fusion Cuisine
Situated right on the corner of Plaza de la Independencia in Casco Viejo, Rene Cafe offers delicious and relatively inexpensive prix-fixe meals for both lunch and dinner. A 4-course lunch runs just $8.50 per person, and includes an appetizer, salad, main dish and dessert. The menu changes daily. The atmosphere is very pleasant, the air conditioning a nice respite from the Panamanian heat, and the service is consistently good. Bottles of wine begin at around $20. Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Calle Pedro J. Sossa, in the Casco Viejo neighborhood
Phone: (507) 262-3487

La Esquina de Van Gogh
Italian
Located near the Via Veneto Casino in downtown Panama City, the La Esquina de Van Gogh serves good international and Italian food in a pleasant, tastefully decorated room. The modernist paintings hanging on the wall are a passion of the owner, and many of the menu items are christened with names based on the Van Gogh theme. The menu is pretty extensive, with pastas and fish predominating, but they also serve burgers, sandwiches, wraps, chicken, steaks and a "Nachos Van Gogh" appetizer. Stick with the fish and pastas for a delicious meal. Excellent service.
Via Veneto, downtown
Phone: (507) 200-0011

Madame Chang
Chinese
Featuring a large menu of authentically-prepared Chinese food, Madame Chang is one of the better Chinese restaurant in Panama. Try the clams in black bean sauce for an appetizer, and order the delicious Peking Duck or the whole corvina fish for an entree. They also have an excellent choice of desserts, so make sure you save some room. The ambiance is stylish, and the service efficient and professional. This is not an inexpensive dining choice, however.
Calle 48, in the Bella Vista neighborhood
Phone: (507) 269-1313

Crepes & Waffles
Snacks/Ice Cream
If you're looking for a refreshing treat, and to get out of the heat and humidity of the city, just head to one of the three branches of Crepes & Waffles in Panama City. This Colombian chain restaurant serves up great ice cream, crepes (both sweet and savory), pizza, salads and waffles. Inexpensive and filling. Open daily, from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Crepes & Waffles has 3 locations in Panama City:
At the Multiplaza Pacific Mall in downtown; Phone: (507) 302-7630
At the Albrook Mall, on the 2nd floor, next to the Do-It Center; Phone: (507) 303-6536 (this is the closest shop to the Fuerte Amador tender dock); and
On Calle 47, Bellavista #22, in the Financial District; Phone: (507) 269-1574

Watering Hole

El Pavo Real
British Pub
John le Carré hung out at this pub-restaurant while writing The Tailor of Panama. It's owned by Sarah Simpson, who, like le Carré, is a former British Foreign Service officer. The clientele is a mix of locals and expats. The food served here is typical pub grub, including French onion soup, burgers and fish and chips. Come here if you're a le Carré fan, and if you're not, come here anyway!
Via Argentina & Jose Marti
Phone: (507) 394-6853

Activities & Attractions

Panama City Tours

Ancon Expeditions of Panama
Ancon Expeditions offers both half-day and full-day tours of Panama City. The 4-hour guided morning half-day tour begins with a visit to the ruins of Old Panama. Here you'll climb up the Cathedral tower, visit the Old Panama Museum and then continue to Casco Viejo. A bilingual guide will describe the events in history leading up to the eventual movement of the capital city to its present location. The tour ends with a visit to the Panama Canal Museum. This tour runs $80 per person (for 2 to 3 guests), or $50 per person (for 4 or more guests).

The 7½-hour guided full day tour continues with lunch at a Panamanian restaurant and a tour of the Panama Canal area, including the town of Balboa, formerly part of the Panama Canal Zone. You will stop at the folk art market at the old YMCA building, and then visit the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center, where large ships can be seen transiting the canal. This tour runs $150 per person (for 2 to 3 guests), lunch inclusive, or $99 per person (for 4 or more guests).
Calle Elvira Mendez, Edificio Dorado, #3
Phone: (507) 269-9415

Panama Star Tours
Panama Star Tours offers a 4-hour Discover the three cities tour of Panama City. The tour begins with a tour of Panama La Vieja, founded in 1519, and the first city and first settlement on the Pacific Coast. Then you'll visit Casco Viejo for a walking tour through the most interesting and important areas of the Colonial-era neighborhood. The tour ends with a visit to the modern area of Panama City. Minimum 2 people; the cost is $39 per person. Reserve on-line or call them directly.
Via Espana 120, Edificio PH Beta, Oficina 102
Phone: (507) 265-7970

Embera Village Tours

Embera Village Tours
Embera Village Tours offers an 8-hour tour of the Embera Puru village for an encounter with this unique community. Following an hour-long drive from Panama City, you will reach the village in a motorized dug-out canoe, and be received by an Embera chief. At the village, you'll experience Embera dances, sample their foods, get a (temporary) vegetable dye tattoo and have the opportunity to buy some of their exquisite hand-made crafts. Following your visit to the village, you will have the option to walk through the rainforest to a waterfall, where you can enjoy a swim. A typical lunch of fried fish and plantains will be served at the village.

What's unique about this tour is that it is operated and led by Anne Gordon de Barrigon, an American woman who is married to an Embera man from the village. She provides a unique perspective as an American who is a full fledged tribe member. You will likely meet many of her in laws on your tour. Prices vary depending on the size of the group, starting at $125 per person, based on 2 participants.
Phone: (507) 6758-7600

Panama Star Tours
Panama Star Tours offers an 8-hour Embera Native Culture tour that will take you to the Chagres National Park for an encounter with the "Embera Tucípono" Indian community. You will reach the village in a motorized dug-out canoe, and be received by an Embera chief. At the village, you'll experience Embera dances, sample their foods and have the opportunity to buy some of their hand-made crafts. Following your visit to the village, you will have an opportunity to walk through the rainforest to a waterfall, where you can enjoy a swim. A typical lunch of fried fish and plantains will be served at the village. Minimum 2 people; the cost is $120 per person. Reserve on-line or call them directly.
Via Espana 120, Edificio PH Beta, Oficina 102
Phone: (507) 265-7970

Panama Canal Tours

Panama Star Tours
Panama Star Tours offers a 4- to 5-hour Panama Canal Partial Transit tour (Saturdays only). You'll board a boat near the Centennial Bridge and travel southbound through the Pedro Miguel and the Miraflores Locks to the Pacific Ocean; the tour ends at the Amador Causeway. The cost is $110 per person. Reserve on-line or call them directly.
Via Espana 120, Edificio PH Beta, Oficina 102
Phone: (507) 265-7970

Ancon Expeditions of Panama
Ancon Expeditions offers a partial transit of the Panama Canal on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The 6- to 7 hour guided southbound tour (Fridays and Saturdays) begins with a 40-minute drive to to the town of Gamboa, where you'll board a comfortable passenger ferry. Then you'll proceed through the canal to the Pedro Miguel locks, where the ship is lowered 27. While enjoying your lunch on board, you will pass through Miraflores Locks. In two steps, the boat will be lowered from 55 feet above sea level to sea level in the almost 1.2-mile long lock set. Then you'll sail under the bridge of the Americas, and disembark the ferry at the Port of Balboa at the Amador Causeway. This tour runs $150 per person, lunch inclusive.

The 6- to 7 hour guided northbound tour (Thursdays) is the same as the southbound tour, but runs in reverse. This tour runs $150 per person, lunch inclusive.
Calle Elvira Mendez, Edificio Dorado, #3
Phone: (507) 269-9415

Panama Rainforest Tours

The Gamboa Rainforest Resort (Phone: (507) 206-8888) offers a number of tours in the Soberania National Park. The Resort is located on the Panama Canal, at the mouth of the Chagres River, a 30- to 40-minute drive from Panama City. The tours include:

A 3-hour Aerial Tram Tour. This tour begins with an exploration of the resort's many exhibits devoted to the Panamanian rainforest ecosystem, including the orchid garden, butterfly display, frog exhibit and serpentarium. Then you'll board the aerial tram for the approximately 20-minute ascent through the forest canopy. You'll be be eye-to-eye with the birds and animals of the rainforest while sitting comfortably in a car on the Swiss-engineered aerial tram system. The tram traverses a three quarter mile long tract of humid forest that lies within the resort's boundaries, and ascends 280 feet to a hilltop observation tower.

A nature guide will accompany you on the ride through the treetops, and will relate information on the flora and fauna of the area as you take in the beauty of the forest and witness the abundance of wildlife in this rainforest. As you ascend through the trees, you'll hear the tropical forest birdsong, and possibly even the call of the Howler Monkeys. At the top of the hill, an optional short walk will take you to the observation tower. From here, you'll have a panoramic view of the Canal, the Chagres River, the town of Gamboa and the surrounding 55,000 acres of the forested Soberania National Park. Make sure to bring your camera!

The tour is available Tuesday through Sunday, and costs $50 per person. There are five start times during the day.

A 1-hour Monkey Island Tour. This tour takes you on a small boat through the Panama Canal into secret waterways to find hidden islands where Capuchin and Howler monkeys can be seen leaping in the trees. Occasionally, they become curious and venture onto the boat to take a closer look. This tour provides a unique opportunity for viewing wild monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and indigenous turtles in their natural habitat. The boat ride in the Panama Canal gives you a chance to spot the huge container ships making their transit.

The tour is available daily, and costs $35 per person. There are seven start times during the day.

A 40-minute Private Chagres River Boat Tour. This tour will take you gliding smoothly through the water of the Chagres River, allowing you observe the lush surrounding rainforest. You might get the chance to see one of the huge container ships as they pass through the Canal, or maybe even spot a sleepy sloth in a tree, or colorful birds peacefully living in the jungle.

The tour is available daily, and costs $15 per person. Departure times are at your convenience.

Panama Canal Facilities

Miraflores Visitors Center The Miraflores Locks are comprised of two chambers that raise ships to Gatun Lake, and lower ships to the Pacific Ocean. The system is slightly over a mile long, and the gates are the taller of the two lock systems, due to the significant variation in the Pacific Ocean tides.

Upon arrival at the Visitor's Center, you can watch a brief film that provides helpful information pertaining to the canal's history and operations. The Visitor's Center offers interactive modules on the history and operations of the canal, as well as a scale model of the Panama Canal. It's made up of four exhibition halls, organized by theme.

Hall One portrays the background, technological innovations and sanitary initiatives that went hand in hand with the construction of the Canal. Hall Two emphasizes the importance of water, conservation of the environment, protection of the Canal watershed, the diversity of fauna and flora and sustainable management. Hall Three depicts how the Canal operates and offers a navigation simulator through one of the lock culverts. Hall Four provides information on the importance of the Canal to world trade and identifies the main commodities and types of vessels that transit the waterway.

The center also has a number of viewing balconies that make ideal vantage points for taking photos of the passing ships. You'll also find a snack bar and well-stocked souvenir shop in the building. The best time to come to the Visitors Center is in mid-afternoon, when the large container ships pass through the locks. Ticket office, exhibition halls, snack bars and gift shop are open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Phone: (507) 276-8325

Museo del Canal Interoceanico (Panama Canal Museum) The Panama Canal Museum is one of the most popular museums in Panama because it tells the story of the Panama Canal in its variety of exhibits. It is housed in a building that was originally built in 1875 as a hotel. The hotel was subsequently purchased by the French Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama, and used as their Panama headquarters. After the purchase of the French canal company by the United States in 1904, the building served as the offices of the Second US Isthmian Canal Commission. In 1912, the building became the Main Post Office for Panama City.

This museum contains artifacts and photographs of creation of the canal, and provides information on its present-day operations. It also contains historical documents, including the Carter/Torrijos Treaty that transferred control of the Panama Canal from the US to Panama. While all exhibits are in Spanish, non-Spanish speakers can rent an audio guide to the museum for a small fee. The entrance fee is $2.00 for adults, and $0.75 for students and kids 4 to 12. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed Mondays and national holidays.
Plaza Catedral, between Calle 5 & Calle 6, in Casco Viejo
Phone: (507) 211-1649

Panama Canal Administration Building Built in 1914, the Administration Building serves as the headquarters of the Panama Canal Authority and houses several administrative offices. The real attraction here is the murals in the ceiling of the building's rotunda. They were painted by New Yorker William B. Van Ingen, who is also known for his murals in the Library of Congress and the Philadelphia Mint. They depict the monumental labor involved in building the Canal.
Located in Balboa

Gatun Locks Visitors Center The Gatun Locks Visitors Center enables visitors to observe the transit of ships through the Panama Canal's largest set of locks from only a few yards away, and to learn about the Canal's different operations. The observation pavillion offers a panoramic view of Gatun Lake, the San Lorenzo Protected Area and Limon Bay. The Visitors Center also offers informative talks about the history and construction of the Panama Canal, its participation in world commerce and the importance of its watershed. Open daily, from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm. The entrance fee is $5, and kids under 12 are free.
Phone: (507) 443-8878

Panama Railway

Panama Canal Railway
The Panama Canal Railway is one of the great train rides of the world. Along with its colorful history, the railroad follows a picturesque path across the Isthmus of Panama. The line flanks the Panama Canal, passing through lush rainforests, cruising alongside the Canal's locks, through the historic Gaillard Cut and gliding over slender causeways in Gatun Lake.

The Panama Canal Railway offers weekday service between Panama and Colon. Walk-up passengers do not need to make reservations in advance, but cruise ship pasengers take over the train when cruise ships are in port. Tickets are sold at the passenger station before departure. The railway offers 2 trips daily: leaving Panama City at 7:15 am, and leaving Colon at 5:15 pm. The trip takes about an hour. The Panama City terminal is known as the Corozal Passenger Station, located at the refurbished commissary building previously used by the US armed forces. The Atlantic Passenger Station is located at Mount Hope in the city of Colon, near the Port of Cristobal. Tickets (each way) run $22 for adults, and $11 for kids aged 2 to 12.
Phone: (507) 317-6070

Museums

If your idea of an exotic vacation leans heavily on the culture of the area you'll be visiting, Panama City's museums are a good option. Here's a listing of a few of the more prominent museums in Panama City:

Museo de Panama La Vieja (Old Panama Museum) Located a short distance from the Panama La Vieja ruins, this small museum houses several interesting artifacts, paintings and photos of the area that will enhance your appreciation of Old Panama. The museum offers multimedia exhibits and features a recreational plaza that overlooks the bay of Panama. The entrance fee is $1.00. It's open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to noon, and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Mi Pueblito Mi Pueblito is a recreation of three Panamanian villages that provides insight into Panama's culture and history. Here you'll see a typical Panamanian, an Antillian (Afro-Caribbean) and an Indian (Embera or Kuna) village. From the main entrance, the Panamanian village is to the right. It's a Spanish colonial complex similar to a hacienda, and contains several buildings containing a variety of household items that would have been used by the typical Panamanian family living in the interior at the turn of the 20th century. You'll also find a church, gift shops, restaurants, a small pollera museum and a number of seating places in an open courtyard with a fountain. To the left you'll find the Antillian village, which features living quarters complete with Victorian-style exterior woodwork, additional souvenir shops, a restaurant, a church and a courtyard. To the rear of the Antillian village is the Indian village, which consists of a number of traditional huts that depict how the indigenous Kuna and Embera people live. Here you can buy authentic handicrafts of the Kuna and Embera people. The entrance fee is $2.00. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Avenida de los Martires, at Cerra Ancon
Phone: (507) 228-9785

Museo de Historia Panameña (Panama History Museum). Located in the Municipal Palace in Casco Viejo, the Panama History Museum tells the story of the history of Panama through its three historical epochs: the period of Colonial Spanish administration (1501 to 1821), the period under Colombian administration (1821 to 1903) and the Republican period (from 1903 to the present). The entrance fee is $1 for adults, and $0.25 for students and kids. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Avenida Central between Calles 7 and 8, in Casco Viejo
Phone: (507) 228-6231

Casinos in Panama City

Casino gambling is a popular respite for tourists and locals in Panama City. Slot machines are the most popular games, along with table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, Caribbean poker and three card poker). Casino taxes are an important source of tax revenues for the national government. There are 23 casinos to be found in Panama City; several are clustered in the downtown area, conveniently close to each other. Some of the better casinos include:

Casino Majestic
Located in the Multicentro Mall in downtown Panama City, the Majestic Casino offers 440 modern slot machines and 26 gaming tables. The casino is affiliated with the Radisson Hotel.
Multicentro Mall
Phone: (507) 215-5151

Continental Hotel & Casino
The casino features 150 slot machines and 20 table games.
Via Espana and Ricardo Arias Street
Phone: (507) 366-7700

Casino Via Veneto
One of the largest casinos in Panama City, the Casino Via Veneto is located in the Wyndham Grand Hotel, and features 625 slot machines and 56 table and poker games.
Via Veneto and Avenida Eusebio Morales
Phone: (507) 340-8686

Royal Casino
Located in the Marriott Hotel Panama, the Royal Casino features over 400 slot machines and 25 table and poker games.
52nd Street, Bella Vista and Ricardo Arias
Phone: (507) 210-9100

Fiesta Casino
Located in the Hotel El Panama, the Fiesta Casino features 320 slot machines and 21 table and poker games.
Via Espana 111
Phone: (507) 215-9441

Attractions in Casco Viejo

Beginning in 1673, Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo, was developed by Spanish and French colonists, as well as the Catholic church, as a walled city to protect its settlers against pirate attacks. Today, Casco Viejo is the home of leafy plazas and many restored buildings that house some of Panama City's trendiest hotels, bars, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and upscale residences. Located on a small peninsula just west of the downtown area, Casco Viejo is one of the main tourist attractions of the city, second only to the Panama Canal.

The following is a list of some of the more interesting attractions in Casco Viejo. For a more complete list, check out the Casco Viejo website.

Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) Consecrated in 1796, Panama City's Metropolitan Catedral took 108 years to build. Located on Plaza de la Independencia, the building is one of the largest cathedrals in Central America. The building's exterior is unique, due to the two mother of pearl-encrusted bell towers that bookend the stone entrance wall. The cathedral is noted for its impressive marble altar. The cathedral serves as the see of the Archdiocese of Panama.
Plaza Catedral (Plaza de la Independencia)

Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) Plaza de la Independencia, also known as Plaza Mayor and Plaza Catedral, is the main square in Casco Viejo. Once the site of a bull ring, by 1890 the plaza was transformed into a park. Independence Square was where, in 1821, the proclamation of independence from Spain took place, and in November 1903, where Panama declared its independence from Columbia. The Plaza fronts on many of Casco Viejo's most historic buildings, including the Catedral Metropolitana, the Panama Canal Museum, the Palacio Municipal and the historic Hotel Central. In the center of the plaza is a gazebo that is occasionally used for musical performances.
Calle 5 & Avenida Central

Museo del Canal Interoceanico (Panama Canal Museum) The Panama Canal Museum is one of the most popular museums in Panama because it tells the story of the Panama Canal in its variety of exhibits. It is housed in a building that was originally built in 1875 as a hotel. The hotel was subsequently purchased by the French Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama, and used as their Panama headquarters. After the purchase of the French canal company by the United States in 1904, the building served as the offices of the Second US Isthmian Canal Commission. In 1912, the building became the Main Post Office for Panama City.

This museum contains artifacts and photographs covering the building of the canal, and provides information on its present-day operations. It also contains historical documents, including the Carter/Torrijos Treaty that transferred control of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone from the US to Panama. While all exhibits are in Spanish, non-Spanish speakers can rent an English audio guide to the museum for a small fee. The entrance fee is $2.00 for adults, and $0.75 for students and kids 4 to 12. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed Mondays and national holidays.
Plaza Catedral, between Calle 5 & Calle 6, in Casco Viejo
Phone: (507) 211-1649

Iglesia de San Jose (Saint Joseph Church) Located just two blocks from the Plaza de la Independencia, the Iglesia de San Jose is most famous for its Altar de Oro (Golden Altar). Legend has it that the altar was painted black by a priest when word came of pirate Henry Morgan's impending attack on Panama Viejo in 1671. Believing it was constructed of wood, Morgan let it be, and the altar survived the attack and was subsequently moved to its present location. However, scholars who have examined the altar stipulate that it is of 18th century design, thus proving that the legend to be just that. Nonetheless, it is quite beautiful and worth a look.
Avenida A & Calle 8

Palacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace) The Colonial-style "White House of Panama" was originally built in 1673. Initially, it was used as a home for the Spanish governor, then as a royal winery, as a warehouse, and in the 19th century it was used as both a customs house and the headquarters of the National Bank. On January 19, 1885, the space being used as customs offices became the official residence of the provincial governor. The current Palacio de las Garzas was officially inaugurated on August 3, 1923. In 1938, the National Bank moved its headquarters to Central Avenue, and the presidential residence expanded into the bank's former space. The palace's name derives from the resident African herons that were given to President Belisario Porras in 1922; they walk freely through the facility's grounds. Since the building is not open to the public, there's not much to see. However, you may catch a glimpse of the interior Andalusian-style courtyard. To gain access to the street where the palace is located, you have to show your passport.
Avenida Alfaro

Teatro Nacional (National Theater) The neoclassical National Theater, designed by Italian architect Genaro Ruggeri, opened on October 1, 1908 to celebrate the inauguration of Jose de Obaldia, Panama's second president. Built on the site of an 18th century monastery, the theater features frescoes created by Roberto Lewis, the most renowned Panamanian painter of the first half of the 20th century. After falling into disrepair in the 1950s and 1960s, the theater was renovated in the 1970s, and a further renovation in 2004 restored the frescoes, located on the main ceiling and the foyer, to their original beauty. It costs $1 to explore the building and view its architectural details. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Avenida B, between Calle 3 & Calle 4

Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Jesuit Church) Built in 1741 on the site of what was once the Royal Pontifical University of San Javier, the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus and its convent were destroyed by a fire in 1781. An earthquake in 1882 further damaged the facility. The convent was restored in 1983, and the church is currently undergoing restoration. It remains one of the more interesting ruins to be found in Casco Viejo.
Avenida A & Calle 7

Panama City Parks

Parque Natural Metropolitano (Metropolitan Natural Park)
Very few cities can boast a rainforest within the city limits, as Panama City does with its Parque Natural Metropolitano. If you're not heading to the interior of Panama, are a birder or just want to take a hike in a beautiful place, this park fits the bill nicely.

Once part of the Canal Zone, the Park covers 600 unspoiled acres of verdant land. Here you'll find 4 easy to moderate walking trails and a road that will take you to a variety of scenic points, including the "Los Trinos" Vista--an ideal spot for spotting birds--and the Mirador Lookout Point on the Mono Tiki Road and the La Cienaguita trail. The Cedar Hill lookout point is the park's highest point, 450 feet above sea level. From here you can see the islands of Naos, Flamenco, Taboguilla and Taboga, as well as the Panama Canal entrance, the Bridge of the Americas and Ancon Hill.

There's no need to go with a guide, as a map of the different trails is available at the visitor center. This is a safe park in which to walk. Make sure to bring sunscreen, bug repellant and a bottle of water.

The park is open from 6:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The administration office opens at 8:00 am. There is an entry fee for the Park. Rest room facilities can be found at the Visitor Center and at "El Castillo."

Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill)
Once an integral part of the Canal Zone, Ancon Hill towers over Panama City from a height of 654 feet. The lower slopes contained residences and the Gorgas Hospital (originally built by the French, and known as L'Hospital Notre Dame de Canal). Higher up were the residence of the Governor of the Canal Zone and Quarry Heights, the headquarters of the United States Southern Command. Quarry Heights was named for being adjacent to a large rock quarry on one side of the hill.

Because it was part of the Canal Zone, Ancon Hill was never developed like most of the surrounding urbanized parts of the city. As a result, it became an island of jungle in the Panama City urban area, where wildlife still survives cut off from other jungle areas. It is not uncommon to see sloths, coatis, armadillos or deer on Ancon Hill, which now has protected status.

A hike up the hill is a good and healthy way to begin a day in Panama City, especially if you want to enjoy the views of the city from the top. If hiking up is not your thing, you can take a taxi to the top and enjoy a walk down, and still enjoy the views.