To see and do in the Republic of Panama

There are a lot of things to do in the Republic of Panama, so we can only cover a few, but at least we might give you an idea.


Rental car is always a good way to travel in Panama City. There are a variety of car rental companies that offer 24 hour service in the Tocumen International Airport. In the cities of Panama and Colon the majority of companies are open Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and some offer service Sundays and holidays.


VISIT THE MIRAFLORES LOCKS OF THE PANAMA CANAL
Includes 4 exhibits and an observation deck from which to see ships traverse the canal. Most visits last approximately 2.5 hours.
Website: http://www.pancanal.com/

THE PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM
Located in Cathedral Plaza, in Casco Viejo. www.museodelcanal.com

MI PUEBLITO
A small, recreated, turn of the century town including replicas of government offices, shops, a school and a tiny church surrounding a cobblestone plaza, complete with fountain. A museum is devoted to the “pollera”, Panama’s national dress and folklore shows are offered Friday and Saturday evening. There are also replicas of villages of some of Panama’s minority ethnic groups: Afro-Antillians and the Kuna, Chocoe, and Ngabe indigenous peoples. Located at the base of Cerro Ancon on the Avenida de los Martires.

THE CAUSEWAY
The Amador Causeway is a strip of man made land connecting islands to the mainland. On these islands there are lots of restaurants for fine dining and a marina for you to dock or repair your boat. At night you get a spectacular view of Panama City. The tides are said to fluctuate 18 feet so the docks are designed to compensate for this. Lots of pelicans patrol the area for fish close to the surface. Some people do shore fishing from anywhere along the rocky edge. A ferry departs from here to go to islands such as Taboga Island and others. Figali Convention Center is along the way. Events such as Miss. Universe and music concerts are held here. The road to the Causeway starts at the base of Ancon hill. This is also where you get a closer view of the ships in the Pacific Ocean waiting to enter the Panama Canal. The ships pass down the side of this strip when entering/ leaving the canal.

TOUR CASCO VIEJO
The charming colonial district of San Felipe (also known as Casco Antiguo or Casco Viejo) extends out into the sea on the southwestern side of the city. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997 and remains the oldest European settlement on the entire Pacific coast of South, Central, and North America. Its cobblestone streets are lined with historic Spanish colonial architecture and its quaint plazas with their parks and sidewalk cafes, are unmistakably European. Hundred year-old buildings sit side-by-side to bistros and open onto courtyards and green plazas. Throughout this area one finds historic sites, museums, restaurants, and bars. Sites to see include the 17th century Cathedral in addition to many other historic churches, the Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama, the Presidential Palace, and the sea wall promenade built by the Spaniards four centuries ago.

VISIT PANAMA LA VIEJA (Old Panama)

Panama "La Vieja" is home to the ruins of 16th century Panama City, the original Spanish settlement preceeding Casco Viejo. Founded in 1517 the city was an important Spanish port and played a key role in the transport of silver to Spain. The original city was sacked by English pirates led by Sir Henry Morgan.

After the attack the City was moved to Casco Viejo, but in "Panama Viejo" one can still see the stone foundations and some walls of the original city. In addition to the ruins you can visit the museum.


PANAMA ECOTOURISM
Panama has several natural parks and reserves:
Altos de Campana Natural Park, La Amistad Nacional Park, Marino Isla Bastimentos Nacional Park, Cerro Hoya Nacional Park, Isla Coiba Nacional Park, Chagres National Park, Darién National Park, El Copé National Park, Camino De Cruces National Park, Metropolitano National Park, Portobelo National Park, Sarigua National Park, Soberanía National Park, Volcán Barú National Park.

Barro Colorado Island Nature Monument in Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal maintained by The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Reservations for visits should be made in advance.http://www.stri.org/


Panamanians welcome visitors into their territory with so much enthusiasm that it is difficult to leave.

RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE
A variety of great restaurants and clubs are found in three main areas of Panama City:
1. Calle Uruguay area, located in Marbella, the financial district
A very hip, and booming area with many clubs and restaurant options, with big crowds Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
2. Via Argentina area, located in El Cangrejo
Numerous restaurants and some bars, along a tree-lined boulevard with a European feel; laid-back, in contrast to the intensity of the Calle Uruguay area.
3. The Causeway
Many restaurants and clubs, also extremely popular on weekends.

SHOPPING
Some key malls:
1. MultiPlaza Mall
Located near Punta Pacifica and Paitilla residential area.

2. MultiCentro Mall
Located on Avenida Balboa facing the Paitilla neighborhood.

3. Albrook Mall
Located next to the Albrook National Bus Terminal. Albrook is one of the biggest malls.

4. El Dorado Mall
The ever popular El Dorado Mall is already an icon in the Panamanian culture.

5. Los Pueblos
A wide variety of popular stores.

CASINOS
If you like gambling, or just to try your luck, a large number of casinos can be found in the Panama city (and some other areas). Casinos and other forms of gambling are operated both by the government and private enterprises.   The "Presidente Jose A. Remon" horse race track in Juan Diaz is open from thursday to sunday.  Earnings from the national lottery are used to support several hospitals and charities.  In Panama, gambling profits do not pay any taxes whatsoever. 

MOVIE THEATERS
Most malls have movie theaters, in addition to some independently located theaters in Panama City and the interior of the country. Visit www.cinespanama.com for theater and movie listings in English and Spanish.

GOLF
Panama offers several Golf courses to consider through out the country.

ART AND THEATERS
Contemporary Art Museum (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo - MAC)
Located on Avenida de los Martires
Visiting Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Website: Macpanama.org

There are several theaters in Panama, the largest the National Theater (Teatro Nacional) in Casco Viejo. For information about other theater locations and current productions visit: www.teatrodepanama.com



SPORT FISHING
There has been many record setting fish caught of the shores of Panama, either in the deep Bay of Panama, in the "tuna coast" off the Azuero Peninsula of Panama's Pacific coast or in the Caribbean Sea.
Some of the fish caught in these waters include : Wahoo, Dorado, Roosterfish, Cero Mackerel, Snook, Cubera, Colorado and Crimson Snapper, Corbina, Broomtail and Rockhind Grouper, Peruvian Amberjack, Almaco Jack, Jack Crevalle, Blue-Fin Trevally, Yellow fin and Big Eye Tuna, African Pompano, Pacific Sailfish and more.

KITEBOARDING, WINDSURFING AND SURFING
There are many great spots for surfing in Panama. The surf in Panama is non-stop with swells hitting the Pacific and Atlantic (Caribbean) Coasts year round. The peninsula area of the Pacific coast (Cambutal, Venado, and Santa Catalina) receives south, and west swells making this a very good option year round. Near Catalina you can find islands like Cebaco, Coiba, Jicaron, and Montuosa where you will enjoy clear blue waters to swim, fish and relax.

You can also windsurf and kitesurf in Punta Chame with very strong and continuous north winds from December until April.