The city of Panama is actually three cities: Panamá Viejo (the ruins of the city founded by the Spanish), Casco Viejo (the old colonial centre), and the new Panama, the modern metropolis. For centuries, travellers have passed through the city on the way to and from South America, and the Panamanians have become one of the most hospitable and helpful people in the world!




The old colonial centre of Panama City is not to be missed. After the old city was destroyed, the new city was built on a rocky promontory and completely enclosed by a wall. Not all the buildings have been renovated, and the city’s past glory can still be seen in the streets with monumental plazas and large churches. Stroll through the streets along Plaza de Francia, the many iglesias and the Palacio de las Garzas, the first floor of which is still the residence of the president of Panama. To experience local colour, walk through the lively mercado. There is plenty to keep you occupied for a few hours in the Casco Viejo.
Make sure you pay a visit to the Museo del Canal Interoceánico, where you can learn about the history of the Panama Canal and the arrival of the railway.

www.avenidapaulista.com.br




Panamá La Vieja is located east of all the modern development. It was the original Panama City, founded by the Spanish in 1519 and destroyed by pirates in 1671. The city was an important transit point en route to Spain. Treasures stolen from Peru arrived here by sea. They were unloaded and carried overland (the canal had not yet been built), then loaded onto ships again in the north. In the midst of the ruins stands the Museo de Sitio Panamá Viejo, which has a scale model of the old city that is certainly worth seeing.

www.panamaviejo.org




Panama City’s business life is centred in the new city, with its modern buildings and tall skyscrapers rising up around Panama Bay. Here you will find more than a hundred banks.





When the banks and office buildings close their doors at the end of the working day, the fun begins in modern Panama. Start the evening with a quiet meal in one of the fantastic restaurants in the business district, then sample the vibrant nightlife.

There is plenty to choose from: live jazz, merengue, rock, salsa... In Bella Vista and around Calle Uruguay there is something to suit everyone. Most clubs open at around 11.00 p.m. Remember to carry proof of identity with you.

For information on live acts, see www.prensa.com or www.delante.com.




Where else would you find 265 hectares of rainforest within the boundaries of a city? Walk out of Panama towards Ancon Hill, and after half an hour you will find yourself in the middle of the jungle, among the birds, iguanas, tortoises and other exotic species. The view from the Mirador is, in a word, fantastic: on one side you can see old and new Panama, and on the other side the impressive canal.




The two-kilometre Amador Causeway, located to the south of the city near the entrance to the Panama Canal, links the islands of Naos, Culebra, Perico and Flamenco. Away from the hustle and bustle, you can join the local population who come here to relax and spend time walking, jogging, roller-blading or cycling (bikes are available for hire). The many restaurants and bars along the Causeway make it an atmospheric setting in the evenings too.




Follow the canal 12 kilometres north, and you arrive at the impressive Miraflores Locks at the entrance to the Panama canal. It is a beautiful sight to watch the many ships passing and manoeuvring though the locks. There is a museum with multimedia presentations and a restaurant with a view over the locks.




The metropolis of Panama is a paradise for those who love shopping. Obviously, there are plenty of markets and shops selling local products, but the city also has several impressive shopping centres. The shopping centre closest to the business district is Multicentro, where the most exclusive shops are to be found. You can recover from your shopping expedition in one of the restaurants, or watch a film at the cinema. Multiplaza in Bella Vista also has several quality outlets and brand stores.




The choice of restaurants is precisely what you would expect from a cosmopolitan city such as Panama. You can choose from almost any international cuisine and there are several top restaurants. To name but a few: the world-famous chef Cuquita Arias presides over the kitchen at the Barandas restaurant. El Trapiche, in the centre of the El Cangrejo district, serves authentic Panamanian cuisine (recommended by The New York Times). In Bella Vista, one of the best addresses is Euresia (fusion cuisine).

For more information, visit: www.panamainfo.com/en/restaurants




Choose a hotel with a casino, and your evening entertainment is taken care of. Panama has several top hotels with a casino, including the Panama Canal Melia Hotel, the Gran Nacional Hotel, Caeser Park Hotel, Miramar InterContinental and the Veneto Hotels. The hotels are located throughout the city, so you can choose a handy location close to airport or nearer to the historic centre. Obviously, the business district also has hotels with a casino, which is useful for entertaining your business clients.




Time to recharge your batteries? Leave the bustling city for a short stay on Isla Taboga, a beautiful, peaceful island in the Bay of Panama with fine beaches and fantastic views over the sea. It is the ideal place to de-stress. Hire a canoe at one of the hotels and allow the surf to rock you to sleep. The ferry departs from the Balboa district in Panama City.

www.taboga.panamanow.com

More reasons to visit Panama? Visit:
www.panamainfo.com (tourist office)
www.panamainfo.com/en/destinations/panama-city