The Touring Panama City include a visit to the three Panamanian cities: the ruins of the original city of the XVI century, the Casco Viejo, the Spanish colonial city, and the modern city of skyscrapers. You want to see the Panama Canal, which is included in some of the tours. Panama is one of Latin American countries that have a rich history with pre-colonial indigenous cultures, as
a main junction of the Spanish empire, as a target for famous pirates and finally home to one of the most astonishing human achievement-The Panama Canal . For tours, see our Tour Operators in the Business section.2. Visit the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Visitors CenterCentennial Bridge Panama
Coming to Panama without visiting the Panama Canal is like going to Egypt and not see the Pyramids. His visit to the Canal will be more interesting than you expect. The best place to visit is the Canal Visitor Center Miraflores Locks Miraflores. Just 20 minutes from downtown Panama City. The center includes a museum with interactive exhibits about the history of the Canal, heroes, the ecosystem, as well as excellent film about the construction of the Canal. Outside is a terrace for close-up views of the ships passing through the Miraflores Locks. There you can have lunch at the snack bar, or even better, eat at the restaurant of Miraflores with an excellent view of the Canal. Ask for a table on the terrace. Admission to the Miraflores Visitor Center is $ 10.
Another great way to explore the Panama Canal is to take a "mini-cruise" tour day. You can do a partial transit through a full day or a full day transit. We recommend partial transit. Visit our Panama Canal for more information and links to tour operators.3. Casco Viejo-El Historical Sector Panama CityCasco Viejo and Amador Panama
A walk in the morning or noon in the Casco Viejo, a territory protruding into the Bay of Panama, historic buildings from the colonial era and the construction of the Canal, Panama demonstrate the shared history with Spain, France and the United States . Today, the Old Town is experiencing a renaissance. Its buildings are being restored, new restaurants are opening, and many people are choosing to Casco Viejo as a residence. According to an article written by global tourism expert Arthur Frommer of Frommer's Guide, The Casco Viejo is on its way to become one of the most beautiful restored Spanish colonial cities of the New World. You can go and take a walk using as Lonely Planet or Frommer's Guide, or you can use a smeared tour operators for most professional introduction.
Highlights include historic buildings, churches of the seventeenth century as the Church of the Golden Altar, the ruins of the convent of the seventeenth century dungeon of the XVI century, a monument to the 22,000 Frenchmen who died with the construction of the canal and a museum Panama Canal in an elegant building that was formerly the headquarters of the French who tried to build the Canal. Casco Viejo is an elevation, so you can enjoy the ocean breezes and views of the ocean and the bay. Near the French monument there are excellent craft stores. If you're hungry, you can find many fun and fine dining. We recommend a visit to the ice cream Granclement a traditional-style ice cream test their tropical passion fruit ice cream. Casco Viejo also has good places for nightlife. For more information visit our pages Casco Viejo.4. Panama Viejo ruins of the original Panama CityHistoric Old Panama Panama
Panama old could be on his tour of the city. Panama Viejo was founded in 1519 by the Spaniards. It was the first city in the west coast of the Americas, serving as the main town for the conquest of Latin America. All the treasure taken from the Inca empire crossed here. It was once a vibrant city of 10,000, the extensive ruins that exist today is the product of the attack by the English pirate Henry Morgan in 1671 by a fire that destroyed the city. There is a good museum, but it is better to go with a guide.5. Amador Causeway
Offering spectacular views of the skyscrapers of Panama City and the Panama Canal, Amador Causeway is a main attraction. The Causeway was created to connect four small islands using rocks extracted Panama Canal and serves as a breakwater for the entrance to the Pacific coast of the Channel.
Today, these small islands, bathed by gentle breezes, have many good restaurants at prices to suit different budgets, bicycle paths or running (you can rent bikes for $ 2 per hour), an aquarium of the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research, shops crafts, a port for cruise ships and a yacht marina. Many restaurants have great views of the canal and the ocean during the day and night. TGIF's restaurant at the Country Inn and Suites has the best views of the Causeway and the Panama Canal, with boats passing beneath the majestic Bridge of the Americas.6. Enjoy the NightlifeRadisson Decapolis Nightlife
Panama City is famous for its exciting nightlife. Few countries can compete with funny Panamanian culture. Celebrating is a national activity, a point reflected by the wide selection of clubs, discos and casinos ... something for everyone. The action takes place in three sectors of the city: the business district in and around the Uruguay Street, the Causeway and the Casco Viejo, the historic sector with Spanish colonial atmosphere. Panama City has several casinos-the best in the Veneto Hotel, the Marriott Hotel and Panama. For more information visit our pages: Best of Nightlife Panama City.7. Ecological Tours in the Metropolitan Park
The only tropical forest in the modern metropolis of a city. The park is just 15 minutes from your hotel in the city. The tour operators offer guided nature tours of the park-you need a professional guide to explain the tropical flora and fauna. There are beautiful views of the jungle and the city from the top of the park.
Cable car tour Selva Metropolitan Park: La Tour de la Selva by cable car Ancon Expeditions. Go up in a cable car used by scientists at the Smithsonian Institute for research of rainforests and experience the intimate nature. An ecological experience, most spectacular views of the city, the Bay and the Canal. (Tel: 507-269-9415)8. Shop of Crafts and ceramicsIndigenous Molas Panama
Panamanian Molas
Panama handicrafts are among the most beautiful and creative in the region. Do not go without a real memory, made by one of the seven tribes of Indians in Panama today. The most popular handicrafts are "molas", a form of traditional textile art panels sewn into intricate designs and multiple layers using a reverse appliqué technique, made by Kuna Indian women. Other crafts include hand-woven baskets of the Embera Indians of the Darien jungle-like baskets made by the Navajo-Indians and sculptures Tagua nut, which are small figures.
For a special gift jewelry store visit and Rainforest Reprosa Jewelry Design jewelry cameo. Reprosa has shops in the commercial district of El Casco Viejo. Its collection includes authentic reproductions of pre-Columbian indigenous art, reproductions of Spanish colonial jewelry and collections inspired by the flora and fauna of Panama.Rainforest Designs offer amazing jewelry Cameo with inspirations from the Wounaan Indians. It can be found at crafts shop Marriot and Canopy Tower.Where else find crafts: In Casco Viejo recommend Indian Art Gallery, next to the French Plaza, and jewelry, beautiful Reprosa store. You can also find a large selection in the Artisan Market Balboa and "Kuna Cages" in Balboa in the former Canal Zone and variety stores Gran Morrison.9. Dining OutSushi Restaurants Panama
As an international crossroads, restaurants Panama City offer an amazing variety of fine cuisine at reasonable prices. Most restaurants are located in the commercial district, the historic Casco Viejo or the Amador Causeway. If you are interested in trying Panamanian food, you can find gourmet Panamanian cuisine in Tinajas and Trapiche. Tinajas has folk performances in the evenings. For information on Sea restaurants Visit our Restaurants.10. Walk from ocean to ocean in a historic train Trans-IsthmianTranscontinental Railroad History
Climb the famous Panama Canal Railway, the original and first trans-continental railway. Opened in 1855, it was built by travelers to California in search of gold. The tour takes you into watching cars on scenic isthmus from Panama City on the Pacific, to Colon on the Atlantic in just 90 minutes. Along the way, enjoy the views of the canal and the surrounding rainforest. Better to go with a guide to have activities during the day because the train leaves in the morning and returns in the afternoon. Shopping in the Free Zone is very popular. If you are alone, you better go on Friday or Saturday when there are more vacant. You can not make reservations. You can use taxis to get to the station. Colón has some dangerous areas, so it is best not explore much without a guide.
