Experience The Contrasts Of Panama City, Capital Of Panama
Panama City skyline [Image by Nicolas Weschta from Pixabay]Panama is rightfully famous for the Panama Canal but is also becoming a popular travel destination. Meanwhile, located on the Pacific Ocean side of the Panama Canal, its capital city was founded around five centuries ago. This is a city of contrasts, with its quaint historic old town, known as Casco Viejo, contrasting with the newer side of the city that is all 21st-century modernity. Read on to find out more about this popular city and what it offers to its visitors.
Panama City and its contrasts
Casco Viejo [Image Wikimedia Commons]The city was founded almost five centuries ago, which makes a visit to its historic old town, or Casco Viejo fascinating. The baroque, balconied façades of the buildings lining the streets are truly beautiful. Meanwhile, Panama City is a multi-cultural destination and a melting pot of varied cultures, religions and races.
Modern skyline around Punta Paitilla [Image by Ronald Kötz from Pixabay]Heading to the newer side of the city, the area around Punta Paitilla features a waterfront backed with world-class hotels and modern skyscrapers. Heading to the Balboa neighborhood, with its streets lined with tropical vegetation gives an air of 20th-century America. One must-stroll street is the Calzada de Amador, or Causeway, an area filled with busy restaurants and bars while surrounding the city’s modern marina.
Meanwhile, every area of Panama offers a great range of shops, markets and restaurants, along with a lively nightlife scene.
Green zones of the capital
Rainforest on the edge of the city [Image by Ronald Kötz from Pixabay]Wherever you go in Panama City, you will never find yourself far from the city’s green zones. Among these is the Metropolitan Park (Parque Nacional Metropolitano). Here, it is easy to spend a few relaxing hours, exploring the rainforest and spotting the local parrots and toucans.
Alternatively, heading to the water’s edge to watch the pelicans dive into the ocean is a wonderful experience. Moreover, the park offers beautiful views over the modern part of the city, while in the heart of nature.
Day trips from Panama City
Camino de Cruces National Park, Panama [Image Wikimedia Commons]Heading northwest of the city, the Soberanía and Camino de Cruces national parks, offer beautiful tropical nature at its best and are perfect for a day of hiking.
While the city has plenty of attractions, it is also the perfect base for a number of day trips to the surrounding areas. A day out at the beaches and coral reefs of Portobelo is a great adventure, with the town’s colonial fortresses standing tall.
Portobelo, Panama [Image by lapping from Pixabay]Meanwhile, boat tours are available on the Panama Canal, and other options include taking a boat ride to Isla Taboga or Isla Contadora is a great way to spend the day in the fresh sea air. Alternatively, experiencing a hike in the rainforest close to the town is a great way to experience nature, spotting colorful birds and wildlife along the way.
Is Panama City safe to visit?
Panama City at night [Image by donfalcone from Pixabay]When visiting Panama City, you will find the center of town to be reasonably safe, especially around the busy restaurants and bars. However, travelers are warned to take care when exploring the city alone, especially at night. Like any major city, there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and other minor crimes.
Take in Panama City this year, exploring its contrasts, and experiencing nature and everything this city has to offer.
Anne Sewell: Anne is a freelance writer and travel writer who has spent much of her life in southern Africa (Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and is now living on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain.