Commonly referred to as “the Miami of the South,” Panama City is a rapidly expanding metropolis boasting some of the best tourist attractions in Panama City, from towering high-rises to lush tropical environments. Despite boasting fewer beaches than Miami, Panama City stands out in Central America through its rich history and sophistication. Locals joke about the prevalent English speakers here. If the city heat or bustling traffic get overwhelming, enchanting beaches, reachable through a short boat ride, offer a perfect escape. Dive into this guide to discover the top tourist destinations in Panama City.
6. Ancon Hill
Panama Viejo and the historic district of Panamá
Atop the 654-foot-tall (200-meter-tall) Ancon Hill, you can take in breathtaking views of Panama City. The walk up the hill is used by hikers and joggers because of the fantastic vantage points it offers. For the better part of the twentieth century, the United States had control over this area since it was a part of the Panama Canal Zone. Deer, armadillos, and sloths are just a few of the animals that frequent the protected area that was formerly Ancon Hill.
Best Tourist Attractions in Panama City: Panama Viejo
Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panamá Image source: TonyCajiga/Shutterstock.com
The ruins of the first Spanish city established in the Americas can be seen at Panama Viejo (Old Panama). Inaugurated on August 15, 1519, by Pedro Arias de Avila, it served as the jumping-off point for the expeditions that ultimately overthrew the Inca Empire in Peru. The majority of the Incas’ stolen gold and silver made its way through this area before it was taken by the Spanish. Henry Morgan, a pirate, led a force of 1,400 men inland from the Caribbean coast through the forest and plundered the city in 1671; now, only relics from the raid remain.
4. Isla Taboga
Island of Taboga in the Gulf of PanamaImage source: Image source: Astronautas Tropicales/Shutterstock.com
Isla Taboga is a favored getaway for Panamanians due to its proximity to the capital city (just 20 kilometers away) and its sandy beaches, on which visitors can relax or take part in water sports like jet skiing, speed boating, or even fishing trips. Spanish colonists first arrived on Isla Taboga in 1515, and now the island is home to a quaint village with the second-oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, as well as some excellent restaurants and breathtaking views of Panama City. At certain seasons of the year, the island is covered with fragrant flowers, earning it the nickname “Island of Flowers.”
Best Tourist Attractions in Panama City: Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo was constructed as a walled city on a peninsula a few kilometers distant from Panama Viejo after the collapse of the old city in 1671. Casco Viejo was the whole city before the turn of the twentieth century, but as Panama City grew, the wealthy left Casco Viejo, and it fell into disrepair. After years of neglect, this historic quarter of Panama City is once again attracting visitors and is regarded as one of the city’s top attractions, thanks to a bold restoration effort.
2. Amador Causeway
Panama City Causeway at Sunset Image source: Jan Schneckenhaus/Shutterstock.com
To get to the mainland from any of the three islands at the Panama Canal’s entry, you can take the Amador Causeway. From the causeway, one can take in a breathtaking panorama of Panama City and the Bridge of the Americas. Weekends in Panama are popular for jogging, cycling, and rollerblading along the causeway and dining and drinking on the islands.
Best Tourist Attractions in Panama City: Miraflores Locks
Ship crossing Panama Canal at Miraflores LocksImage source: Diego Grandi/Shutterstock.com
The 77 km (48 mile) Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through a narrow strip of land in Panama, changed the way ships and people moved around the world. Completed in 1914, the canal allows ships to pass through a series of locks to go from one side to the other. The quickest and best way to explore the canal from Panama City is to travel to the Miraflores Locks, where a platform offers visitors a fantastic view of the locks in action.
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