Things to Do in Panama City

Learn about the plants and animals of Panama at Soberanía National Park, a tropical forest just 20 minutes outside of Panama City. Located on the east side of the Panama Canal and forming part of its water basin, this is one of the most accessible of the country’s protected parks, with almost 55,000 acres of forest to explore.

Declared a protected area in 1980, there are some 1,300 plant species, 79 reptile and 55 amphibian species in the park. Among the 105 mammal species are monkeys and tamarins, sloths and anteaters, which are often spotted by visitors.

In addition to the site’s fishing activities, eco-studies and hiking, it’s also one of the best bird-watching areas of Central America, as bird-watchers come from all over to spot some of the 525 known species. The Rainforest Discovery Center has an observation tower for visitors to look out from, but for a more active route, hike along the Pipeline Road to spot birds.

The long Las Cruces Trail (Camino de Cruces) crosses the park from east to west, uniting the Atlantic and Pacific, and was used by the Spaniards to transport merchandise and treasure from South America. The original cobblestone that was laid 600 years ago can still be seen here.

A string of 378 tiny islands dotted along Panama’s northwest coast, the San Blas Islands offer a welcome change of pace from the mainland. This region provides everything you’d expect from a Caribbean paradise: coconut palms, white sand beaches, azure waters, and a complete absence of electricity, tourist resorts, and stress.

 

Though multi-day island-hopping tours allow plenty of time to explore the islands, you can also take a day trip from Panama City. Day tours typically include round-trip transport from Panama City, a speedboat cruise to the islands, and lunch on one of the islands. It’s possible to visit up to three of the islands in one day, including popular stops such as Fragata island, Perro island, and the Natural Pool.

 

 

It’s possible to reach the San Blas Islands by boat from Panama or from Cartagena, Colombia. Another option is to fly; small planes depart from Panama City to El Porvenir, where water taxis leave for the other islands. To travel by boat, the easiest option is to join an island-hopping tour from Panama City, including round-trip transfers to the port at Puerto Cartí and a speedboat to the islands.

 

San Blas is a year-round destination. From December to March, sea winds pick up, however, making island-hopping uncomfortable for those who suffer from seasickness. From June to November, expect frequent rains, but don’t let that stop you from visiting the showers typically only last an hour before the sun comes out.

 

The San Blas Islands belong to the indigenous Kuna people. The Kuna fiercely adhere to their ancestral traditions and live off the earth, eating homegrown produce and fish, sleeping in simple huts, and creating traditional crafts such as baskets and colorful blouses (molas). The islands make up one of the few regions in Panama that have not been westernized, with no foreign-owned businesses and few tourist amenities.

When visiting Panama's Old City (Casco Antiguo), check out the Plaza de Francia on the far southeast side. This public square stands as a testimony to the people who worked on"”and gave their lives for"”the Panama Canal.

Built in 1921 by Leonardo Villanueva Meyer, the square's main attraction is a 60-foot (18-meter) obelisk. The monument outlines the history of the canal and honors those 22,000 workers and engineers who died, mainly due to disease, while building it. The statues surrounding it show prominent people who participated in the construction at the time of the French involvement, and the Gallic rooster sitting on top of the obelisk is one of the national emblems of France.

Besides the monument, near this plaza you will find the France Embassy and the Esteban Huertas Promenade. There's also an impressive view of the Panama City bay, the Bridge of the Americas and the Amador Causeway.

The plaza is also near the former Supreme Court building, which now serves as the National Institute of Culture and is home to the Anita Villalaz Theater, where theater performances, concerts and conferences take place throughout the year. In fact, you might recognize the building from some scenes in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.

On one side of the plaza, vaults known as Las Bóvedas, which were originally part of the fortified wall around the Old City, are the source of legends and urban myths. Stop in at any of the stores in the area and listen to the shopkeepers tell you about the experiences prisoners once had in these dark recesses. In recent decades, the vaults have been restored and are now home to galleries, shops and a French restaurant.

Panama's Monkey Island on Lake Gatun is home to four monkey species"”mantled howler, white-faced capuchin, Geoffroy's tamarin, and lemurine owl monkeys)"”as well as crocodiles, toucans, sloths, iguanas, and numerous exotic birds. Riverboat tours to the island offer visitors the chance to observe the monkeys and other wildlife.

 

A trip to Monkey Island represents one of the most popular excursions from Panama City. Many guided boat tours also include a chance to see transiting ships from water level in the Panama Canal, as well as visits to the Rainforest Discovery Center and Embera Village, depending on the option chosen.

 

It's also possible to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific in a single day trip via the Panama Canal, with a stop at Monkey Island and San Lorenzo National Park along the way.

 

Monkey Island is accessible via boat, typically departing from the Gamboa Marina 22 miles (35 kilometers) north of Panama City. The boat ride along the Chagres River takes about 30 minutes each way. The easiest way to get there is to join a guided day trip from the Panama capital.

 

Thanks to a year-round tropical climate due to its location near the equator, there's not really a bad time to visit Panama City and its outdoor attractions, such as Monkey Island. If possible, visit from mid-December to mid-April, the area's dry season, for the least chance of rain.

 

Monkey Island is, in fact, a series of small islands. When the expansion of the Panama Canal necessitated the relocation of monkey populations to a large island, some of the animals weren't coexisting well. They were ultimately separated into smaller populations, each on their own island. Habitat encroachment continues to be a problem for these monkey populations, as well as other indigenous species.

The tree-lined shores, tiny islets, and blue-green waters of Gatún Lake (Lago Gatún) cover what was once the fertile Chagres River Valley. When it was created in 1913, Gatún Lake was the largest man-made lake, buttressed by the biggest dam, in the world. Today, it forms an integral part of the famous Panama Canal.

Gatún Lake eco cruises explore islands and lakeside villages before continuing along the Chagres River or the Panama Canal. Zip around the lake on a motorboat, take a small-boat tour to Monkey Island, or kayak around the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. A full-day Gatún Lake tour from Panama City may also include a hike through Chagres National Park, a stop at the Miraflores Locks or the Gatún Locks Visitor Center, or a visit to the indigenous villages of Soberanía National Park. 

The main gateway to Gatún Lake is Colón on the Atlantic coast, from which regular buses and taxis make the short trip to the Gatún Locks. Most tours set out from Panama City on the Pacific coast, an hour away by road.

 

Gatún Lake cruises run all year round, but the main cruise season is October to April. For the best views of the Panama Canal, avoid visiting between midday and 2pm, when the canal changes direction and no boats pass through the locks. 

 

The Panama rainforest that surrounds Gatún Lake is renowned for its biodiversity. Common sightings include capuchin, tamarin, and howler monkeys; iguanas; and a huge variety of exotic birds. As you cruise around the islands, look out for three-toed sloths hanging in the trees, crocodiles lounging by the lakeside, colorful toucans swooping overhead, and perhaps even coati and agouti darting along the shores. 

Everyone loves a good pirate story, and Panama, a country that has received more than its share of pirate attacks, has plenty of them. Perhaps the most endearing tale to survive to this day is about a church built in the original Panama City in the late 1600s. The intricate altar inside, made of mahogany and covered in gold, had both Colonial and indigenous art influences and was appropriately called the Golden Altar.

According to the legend, English pirate Henry Morgan arrived in Panama in 1671 and then sacked and burned Panama City. He soon turned his attention to the church, which was under construction. Knowing what was to come, a priest darkened the precious golden altar to make people think it was just wood—the pirates believed the ruse and the altar was saved.

The altar was later taken from the destroyed city to the San José Church in the new city, which was protected by fortified walls, and has since been restored to its golden beauty, easy for all to visit.