Whether you're into history, nature or adventure, Panama is an excellent place to visit. With plenty of national parks, accessible rainforests and mountain retreats, there's something here for everyone.
For an unforgettable adventure, visit El Valle de Anton, a town and eponymous nature reserve set within the crater of one of Panama's extinct volcanoes. It's a great base for hiking the mountains and exploring waterfalls.
1. Casco Viejo
Located in the historic district of Panama City, Casco Viejo (also known as Casa Antigua) is a World Heritage Unesco site filled with stunning colonial-style buildings and cobblestone streets. It also houses some of the city’s best restaurants and upscale real estate.
The majority of nightlife has shifted to the historical district, so this is where you’ll find some of the city’s hottest rooftop bars and vibrant nightclubs. You’ll notice that locals dress up when they go out, so it’s best to do the same.
The Mercado de Mariscos is another must-visit in Casco Viejo, with one of the most impressive displays of fresh fish and seafood you’ll ever see. From yellow fin tuna to red snapper, shrimp & prawns the size of your hand and mahi mahi, you’re sure to find something delicious to try here.
2. Cinta Costera
One of the newest leisure routes in Panama is Cinta Costera, which means “coastal tape.” It’s a decongesting road that hugs the Coastal Canal. It’s a place where you can walk, run, cycle or skate along the 25-hectare promenade.
Pedestrians and tourists alike come to this area to take in the scenery. On some weekends and holidays, you can even see street vendors selling food, drinks and souvenirs to those taking advantage of this new route in the city.
Just an hour from Panama City, Boquete is a laid-back town in the Chiriqui Highlands that’s famous for its coffee plantations and hikes around its pristine mountains. The town is also a great base for exploring Bocas del Toro, which is home to many low-lying tropical islands with crystal-clear water and icing-sugar-soft beaches.
3. Biomuseo
One of the biggest highlights to a trip to Panama City is the new Biomuseo, which is the first building designed by architect Frank Gehry in Latin America and represents a more tropical version of his signature design language. Located on the Amador Causeway, it's a striking structure sitting at the entrance to the Panama Canal.
The building sits on a riotous crash of multicolored roof panels, which mix and match into radical shapes and weave around angles and edges. It was designed in the imagination of world-renowned architect Gehry, who wanted to create an icon that would put Panama on the architectural map.
It's an awe-inspiring piece of architecture, highlighting the natural and cultural history of the isthmus of Panama. There are galleries devoted to the geological formation of the isthmus, as well as ones that explore Panama's incredible biodiversity.
4. Ancon Hill
In Panama City, there is no better place to look down on the city than Ancon Hill. It overlooks Casco Viejo (Old Town), the Bridge of the Americas and the Panama Canal, among other sights.
You can hike this hill in a half-hour, or drive almost all the way up in just a few minutes. You can also take a tour here.
You’ll see a lot of interesting history along the way, and you’ll get to enjoy some beautiful views as well. But the best part is the sweeping panorama of the entire city.
5. Pier Park
Panama is a country that has a lot to offer, from cloud-forested mountains, tropical beaches and jungle, to incredible islands and Central America's most ebullient capital city.
The Panama Canal is a major tourist attraction and one that any traveler will enjoy. Watching a massive ship pass through the canal is an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to gain a new perspective on this famous engineering feat.
There are many other attractions to see in Panama and these include Parque Metropolitano, a rainforest located right in the center of town (admission is only $4 USD). Keep an eye out for sloths, toucans, hummingbirds and monkeys as you explore this natural wonder.
Near Boquete, there's a fun local swimming hole called Los Cangilones where families can spend a hot day splashing around in cool water. You'll also find a range of other activities here, from horseback riding to hiking.
