Things to do in  Panama

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel that has connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans since 1914. Between the locks is the artificial Gatun Lake and the Culebra Cut, the narrowest section of the canal, hewn out of the mountains. Whether you’re visiting Panama on a cruise or staying in Panama City, there are various ways of experiencing and learning about this important waterway.

Panama City's oldest and hippest neighborhood comprises a Tejas-tiled cluster of pastel colonial buildings at the tip of a heavily fortified peninsula. These ramparts successfully protected the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific Coast; today they make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with plazas, churches, and narrow streets.

A string of 378 tiny islands dotted along Panama’s northwest coast, the autonomous territory of Guna Yala (often referred to as the San Blas Islands) offers 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. The Indigenous Guna people have protected the islands for generations, and ensure that overtourism doesn’t cause harm to the environment.

The palm-lined Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador) follows Panama Bay and then heads onto the Bridge of the Americas, which runs parallel to the entrance to the Panama Canal and leads to three small coastal islands. The 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) road includes popular paths for runners and cyclists and passes a number of sights.

The world-famous Panama Canal is a must-see for visitors to Panama City, but to fully appreciate it, head to the Miraflores Locks. The engineering marvel in action is a mesmerizing scene, with some 700 tons (635 tonnes) of machinery, reinforced against the mighty Pacific, and cargo-laden ships squeezing through with just inches to spare.

Spanning the Panama Canal that links two oceans, the Bridge of the Americas (Puente de las Américas) is a proud symbol of Panamanian history. Its prime location on the Pacific Ocean outlet of the 51-mile (82-kilometer) Panama Canal also makes the bridge a key point of interest on many tours of Panama City, the canal, and Miraflores Locks.

Despite its tree-lined shores, tiny islets, and blue-green waters, Gatún Lake (Lago Gatún),, is actually a man-made lake, integral to the functioning of the famous Panama Canal. And yet, despite its artificial status, the lake now serves as an important protected space for wildlife (thanks to primate sanctuaries on several islands), as well as a prime spot for freshwater fishing.

On the east side of the Panama Canal, Soberanía National Park—one of the most accessible of the country’s protected parks—is a paradise for hikers, fishers, and bird-watchers. Some 1,300 plant species, 55 amphibian species, and hundreds of mammals, birds, and reptiles call the park home.

“Garzas” is Spanish for herons, and you’ll see the birds roaming freely in the Andalucian-style courtyard of the Presidential Palace (Palacio de las Garzas) in Panama City. The African herons were a gift celebrating the completion of palace renovations in 1922. The President of Panama lives in the upper floors of the building.

Built to honor the French workers who lost their lives building the Panama Canal, Plaza de Francia (France Square) sits along the waterfront of Panama City’s UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo (Old Quarter). As well as being an important meeting place, the plaza is home to a striking 60-foot (18-meter) obelisk, a tribute to the workers.

This world-class museum celebrates Panamanian biodiversity and natural history with engaging exhibits that blend science and art. Since its 2014 opening, the multicolor, Frank Gehry-designed building has also become an important symbol of Panama City. The museum’s exterior features a lush botanical garden of native plants.

Spanish conquistadors laid claim to the land now known as Panamá Viejo (Old Panama Ruins) on August 15, 1519, making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the Pacific. A stark juxtaposition to modern Panama City across the bay, the ruins of Old Panama include a cathedral and several stone buildings and walls.

The eponymous canal is one of Panama’s major claims to fame, and many travelers either venture through it on a cruise or visit it from Panama City. But the Panama Canal Museum (Museo del Canal), located in the heart of the capital, provides another way to learn about this feat of engineering and its impact on Panama.

Panoramic views from Panama City’s highest point make Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancón) a must-see stop for many visitors who come to watch passing ship traffic in the Panama Canal far below. There’s more than vistas to this urban park: it’s also home to sloths, anteaters, and monkeys and makes a great escape from the capital's buzzing activity.

Encounter Panama’s traditions, folklore, and architecture at this replica village by Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) in Panama City. With its colonial-era designs and model homes, Mi Pueblito is a cultural buffet: You can sample a little bit of everything in one easy stop, and then shop for handicrafts and souvenirs from around the country.