Panama is not just any destination, but an incredible adventure that will take you from the vibrant metropolis to the depths of the jungle. It is an old world that blends seamlessly with a modern world at the crossroads of the Americas.
1. The Old Town - Casco Viejo - is the historic district of the city, with charming streets, cathedrals, squares and colonial buildings, declared UNESCO heritage. Also located here are the Canal Museum and the Mola Museum, which exhibits traditional clothing made by the indigenous Guna people. The place dates back to 1673, after the original settlement was completely destroyed by pirates. It has a vibrant nightlife with top restaurants and outdoor parties.
2. Panama Viejo – is a remarkable archaeological site, unique in Latin America, the place where the city of Panama was founded on August 15, 1519, by the Spaniard Pedrarias Davila. It is declared a UNESCO monument and here you can see the ruins of the first European settlements on the Pacific-American coast, including the famous church tower, the Panamanian national symbol. Admission is $10.
3. Panama Canal – You've surely heard of the Panama Canal, the most spectacular engineering project ever built, which in 1914 connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It was dug, with difficulty, through the terrible jungle of Panama and was a challenge of those times. You can visit the canal near Panama City, at Miraflores, in the Pacific Ocean, or at Colon, in the Atlantic Ocean, 80 kilometers away from the capital. In Miraflores the entrance costs 17 dollars for an adult, and in Colon 10 dollars. And here is also the Free Zone, the place where all the goods from the Panama Canal arrive, where you can go shopping with duty-free prices.
4. San Blas Islands – Also called Guna Yala, the San Blas Archipelago is the hidden beauty of Panama, in the Atlantic Ocean, located in the territory of the Guna tribe. There are around 365 gorgeous islands, of which only 49 are inhabited by the indigenous Guna, some of them being virgin territory, untrodden by man. You have to take a trip from Ciudad de Panama, because you can't get here alone.
It costs around 130-150 euros per person, which includes transport by 4×4 cars, lunch and visiting 4 islands. You can take a trip to one island, if you want to stay in the sun all day, or you can take a package with accommodation for a few days in the area. The accommodations are rudimentary, in wooden houses, with the toilet in the yard, but it's a cool experience to stay here as a kind of modern-day Robinson Crusoe and break away from the civilized world.
5. Metropolitan National Park – in the heart of the city, there is an urban jungle, unique in the world, well preserved and not to be missed. There are three routes that you can do easily, at your pace, and you will be able to observe the fauna and flora specific to the tropical forest. There is also a belvedere point here, from where you can admire the line of skyscrapers of the city. Admission is $6.
6. Mercado de Marisco – The best food is obviously the local markets. In Panama, I discovered the Mariscos Fish Market: with octopus, with ocean fish, with cassava, with lots of garlic and seafood. I've been coming here to eat for about a week. A portion of fish costs around 12 dollars, with all sides and sauces, and a whole octopus: 15 dollars, with salads and cassava. The market is located near the old center.
7. Cinta Costera – is the seafront area of Panama City, stretching for more than 7 kilometers, along the Pacific Ocean, with gardens, recreation areas or sports fields, beautifully landscaped, a place for promenade and to admire the sunset or the skyscrapers of the city.
8. Avenida Balboa – Close to Cinta Costera, there is also the famous Avenida Balboa, the financial center of the city.
