Best places to visit in Panama
Panama Attractions
Panama is best known for the Panama Canal but you will find much more than that. Night life, world class shopping, rainforest, beaches, islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans, culture and history can all be found in or within short distances of Panama City. Just outside the capital’s limits on the Pacific Coast you will find white sand beaches and blue water. The Caribbean side of Panama is a relatively a new destination and still very wild and enchanting.
The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is both an engineering marvel and one of the most significant waterways on earth. The Canal locks at Miraflores are on the northeastern fringe of Panama City, where a platform offers visitors a good view of the locks in operation. There is also a museum which documents the Panama Canal history and other pertinent Panama Canal facts including a model of the canal expansion.
Casco Antiguo
This historical and charming neighborhood is Panama City’s historic district. Considered a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, the district dates back to 1673, and features plazas and picturesque brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings. The area is ideal for walking, discovering history and enjoying a variety of fine cuisine. Casco Antiguo is also home to several of the city’s top museums, including the Museo del Canal (The Canal Museum), and the Museo de la Mola, featuring the traditional textile art made by the Guna indigenous group. On your walk, you’ll also get the chance to do some shopping, with opportunities to buy local crafts and visit high-end boutiques.
Metropolitan Natural Park
This 573-acre park is located in the heart of Panama City. A nature sanctuary in the midst of a metropolis, it is the city’s only wildlife preserve, and the only tropical forest to serve as a public recreational park for a metropolitan area. Despite being close to a city, the park is also home to 227 bird species, 45 mammals, 36 kinds of snakes and 14 kinds of amphibians. You will find 5 trails, each offering a little something different. The Mono Titi Road, for example, will take you to the top of Cerro Cedro for impressive views of Panama City. After your hike, consider stopping by the park’s butterfly house.
Soberania National Park
Just 45 minutes from the city, this park sits near the banks of the Panama Canal on the canal zone construction site, and spans 55,000 acres. The park contains dry rainforest, countless animal species, and the Chagres River, which runs through the middle of it. Birdwatchers enthusiasts will be excited to hike on Pipeline Road where they can spot exotic birds such as toucans, trogons, motmots, flycatchers, woodpeckers, hawks, and tanagers, along with extremely rare birds such as the red-bellied woodpecker, crested eagle, yellow-eared toucanets, sirystes, rufous-fantail, ground cuckoo, and the harpy eagle, which is an endangered species. For a hiking adventure with a bit of history, opt for the Camino de Cruces. This trail was built in 1527 to link Old Panama City to the port of Venta de Cruces on the bank of the Chagres River. Finally, El Charco Trail is a perfect trail for a bit of relaxation, just 1 mile away from the Municipal Park Summit just outside of Panama City, you’ll find natural swimming pools, beautiful trails and plenty of picnic areas.
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is located in the northwest of Panama. It is an archipelago on the Caribbean Coast with a section of mainland. On the mainland you will find lush bio diverse rainforest and beaches which are peaceful, fun, tranquil, adventurous and/or isolated. In the island’s tropical forest you will find different species of plans like oak, yellow tree, carb wood, between others. You will also find reptiles, marine turtles, and other amphibians. The main island is Colon, home of the capital Bocas del Toro or Bocas Town. Other important island is Isla Bastimentos, part of the Bastimentos National Park. The park also includes Zapatilla Cays and mangroves that surround the island.
Boquete
Boquete is a popular destination for tourist seeking cooler temperatures than the ones found in the lowland’s. Here the temperature varies from 61 to 75 F. It is a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and the Baru volcano. In Boquete you can experience nature first hand and also practice golf, rafting, hiking, zip lining, biking and other outdoor activities. The Festival of Flowers and Coffee is the main attraction and it is held in January.
Darien
Darien Province has the largest national park in Panama. Due to the diversity of species, ecosystems and genetic legacy it is one of the most important World Heritages sites in Central America. The Cana Environmental Center and Scientific Station is located in the park with borders with Colombia to the East. This province is better suited for adventurous travelers and lovers of nature. We do not recommend visiting this area without a professional guide which has experience and excellent knowledge of the area.
