Panama City for three days

Question

I will be in Panama City for three days before we go to Colombia. We wanted to go to Bocas Del Toro but it will be alot of traveling (8 hours each way by bus) for such a short time. What is closer to Panama City and almost or equally as beautiful and tropical! We have no clue where to go! or what to do!!!

Answer 1

You've got tropical rain forest right up the road.  You can probably book a day trip from your hotel.  Include the Las Cruces Trail -- the old colonial gold-and-silver route across the isthmus.  The Panama Canal is a must-see -- a short drive from downtown Panama City.  Closer than Bocas del Toro is the San Blas Island chain on the Atlantic coast.  The Cuna Indian natives there make "molas" -- layers of cloth and colorful thread -- that can be framed and make very nice, very portable gifts (get the framing done when you get back).  Again, a day trip you can book; it's a short flight plus a boat tour.  For beaches, the Pacific coast is best.  Some very nice ones west of the Canal.  Or you can visit the islands right off shore by ferry boat (passangers only, not cars) or the Perlas Islands (very beautiful, lots of reefs to snorkle) a bit further out by a short plane ride from Patilla airport in Panama City.  You also might want to visit "Panama Viejo," the old colonial city, on the eastern side of town.  Also -- Panama City has great night life, casinos, wonderful food, especially fresh-caught seafood.

Answer 2

Honey since you Only have 3 days in Panama I would suggest you stay right in the city that offers loads to do Here are some suggestions

1. Take a City Tour

The best introduction to Panama City is to take a city tour with a tour operator. These tours include a visit the "three" Panama Cities: the ruins of the 16th century original city, Casco Viejo, the colonial city and the modern skyscraper city, and also a visit to the Panama Canal. See tours info on Tour Operators.

2. The Panama Canal

Not to see the Panama Canal is like going to Egypt and not seeing the pyramids. The trip will be more interesting than you think. The Panama Canal Visitors Center at Miraflores Locks is just 30 minutes from your downtown hotel. Called the Miraflores Visitor Center, it has a museum with interactive exhibits about the Canal's history, people and ecosystem. Admission is $10. Highly recommended: combine your visit with a meal  at the visitors centers' Miraflores restaurant where as you dine you'll watch ships pass through the locks just stone throw's away. Another Panama Canal tour option is to take a "mini-cruise" in the Panama Canal as a day trip. Go to our Panama Canal page for complete info on the Panama Canal.

3. Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo & Historical Tours

Panama has one of Latin America's richest histories, with pre-Colonial Indian cultures and having been the crossroads of the Spanish empire, a target of history's most famous pirates and the home of one of man's greatest accomplishments — The Panama Canal which brought both the French and the Americans to Panama. City tours include visits to Panama City's main historical attractions.

If you are a history buff it's worthwhile to hire a tour operator to give you an extended historical tour of the Panama City's historical sites in Panama Viejo  (the original Panama City) and colonial Casco Viejo (Old City) sector. Panama Viejo was the gateway city for the Spanish conquest of Latin America, once a thriving city of 10,000. Today's extensive ruins are the result of battles with the English pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. There is a museum near the site, but go with someone who speaks Spanish, because the exhibits are mostly in Spánish.

Casco Viejo is the Spanish colonial city established in 1671 after the downfall of Panama Viejo and until the 20th century was Panama City. Perched on a piece of land that juts out into Panama Bay, the numerous historical buildings reflect Panama's history as it intertwined with Spain, France and the United States. A tour guide is helpful since there are few sign posts and almost nothing in English. Casco Viejo is experiencing a renaissance and historic buildings are being beautifully restored everywhere.

Highlights include the 17th century churches including the Church of the Golden Altar, the ruins of a 17th century convent and residences, original convict dungeons, a French monument to the 22,000 Frenchmen who died building the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal Museum in an elegant building that once housed the headquarters of the French company that first attempted to build the Panama Canal.

4. Amador Causeway

With its spectacular views of Panama City's skyline and of the Panama Canal, the Amador Causeway is a major attraction. The scenic one mile causeway was created by connecting four small islands using rocks excavated from the Panama Canal and served as a breakwater to the Pacific Coast entrance to the Panama Canal.

Today, these small islands, swept by pleasant sea breezes, host fine restaurants, scenic bicycle and jogging paths (bicycles for rent at $2 a hour), a small Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research aquarium, souvenir and specialty shops, a new cruise port and a yacht marina.

A good way to enjoy the Causeway is to dine at one of its many restaurants, most of which have ocean and/or Canal views. At Cafe Barko, which specializes in seafood and sushi, you'll enjoy views of Panama City's skyline and the Panama Canal. A TGIF's restaurant at the Country Inn and Suite has some of the best views of the Panama Canal complete with ships passing under the majestic Bridge of the Americas. Bennigans is another popular restaurant.

5. Nightlife

Panama City is famous for its lively nightlife. Few peoples rival the fun loving nature of Panamanians. Partying is a national pastime and reflected in a wide selection of nightclubs, discos and casinos...something for everybody. The action takes place in three sectors of the city: the business district in and around Calle Uruguay, the Amador Causeway, and Casco Viejo, a historic sector with its Spanish colonial ambience. For more Nightlife info see our page: Panama City's Top Nightlife Spots.

6. Shop for Souvenirs and Native Handicrafts

Panama is a small country but Panamanian native handicrafts rival Mexico's in their beauty and creativity. Don't leave Panama without an authentic souvenir made by one of Panama's seven living Indian tribes. The most popular handicrafts are "molas," intricate reverse appliqué embroidery sewn by the woman of the Kuna Indian tribe. Other handicrafts include the hand-woven baskets of the Embera Indians of the Darien jungle-similar to baskets woven by Navajo Indians - and tagua nut sculptures, which are tiny figures skillfully carved from the tropical tagua nut.

Where to find them: you can find a large selection of traditional souvenirs at the Balboa Artisans Market and the "Kuna Cages" in Balboa in the former American Canal Zone, both locations of which you can get to by taxi.

For a special jewelry gift, visit the Reprosa jewelry store and Rainforest Design cameo jewelry.

Reprosa has a shop in the Business District and in Casco Viejo. Its jewelry collection includes authentic reproductions of Pre-Columbian Indian art, reproductions of Spanish colonial jewelry and collections inspired by Panama's flor and fauna. There is a gift for every budget. (Tel: [phone])

Rainforest Designs are stunning cameo jewelry with rainforest motifs carved by the Woonan Indians. They can be found at the Marriott Hotel Gift Shop, Amador Duty Free Shop and Canopy Tower.

7. Metropolitan Park Ecological Tours/Summit Botanical Gardens

This is the only rainforest within the city limits of a modern metropolis. Tour operators offer guided nature tours of the park- this is recommended as a guide is needed to appreciate the tropical flor and fauna.

Conjointly, you can visit Camino de Cruces National Park right next door, where you can hike the original Camino de Cruces Historical Trail, used as a commercial route to transport gold from Portobello during colonial times. In addition to the park's great diversity of animal life and plant species, Camino de Cruces contains a rich history with several historical ruins, including the ruins of the Colonial Chapel at Cardenas, as well as a variety of trails to suit beginner and advanced trekkers. There's also Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo about 30 minutes from Panama City. Founded by the Americans in 1923, these lush gardens are home to over 15,000 tropical plants and a zoo of animals and birds native to Panama. The facilities are run down but are undergoing renovation.  If you enjoy tropical flor and fauna, this is the place. A main attraction and worth the visit by itself, is the Harpy Eagle compound where you can see a Harpy Eagle, the world's largest predator bird. This magnificent bird, which lives only in Panama and is close to extinction stands three feet tall and has a wingspan of up to 7 feet. You also won't want to miss the brand new Jaguar exhibit. Admission is $2.

8. Dine Out

As an international crossroads, Panama offers a surprising variety of fine cuisine at affordable prices. Most restaurants are located in the business district, historic Casco Viejo or on Amador Causeway. If you are interested in trying Panamanian food, you can find gourmet Panamanian cuisine at Barandas at the Bristol Hotel and typical Panamanian food at Tinajas and Trapiche restaurants. Tinajas has folkloric dance shows in the evenings.

For more restaurants we recommend, visit our Restaurants page

9. Take an Historic Ocean to Ocean Trans-Ithsmus Train Ride

Ride the historic Panama Canal Railway, the original and world's first trans-continental railway. Inaugurated in 1855, it was built for the California 49ers for their quest for fortune during the Gold Rush. The trip takes you in special luxury observation cars across the scenic Isthmus from Panama City on the Pacific, to Colon on the Atlantic Ocean in about 90 minutes. Along the way, enjoy views of the Panama Canal and lush rainforest surroundings. (Tel: [phone])

10. Panama Canal Museum in Casco Viejo

Located in the Casco Viejo sector of Panama City, the Panama Canal Museum is in the elegantly restored headquarters building of the French company which tried and failed to build the Panama Canal in the late 1800's. Not only is it free admission, it holds an exceptional collection of historical artifacts. It is also conveniently right next door to the Museum of Panama History. Best to tour with a guide as most exhibits are in Spanish.

If you insist in Going out of the city..Here are some things to do near by

1. Embera Indian Village Tour

This is the real thing- an authentic, unforgettable encounter with a living Indian culture. Incredibly, you can have this experience just 1.5 hours from Panama City, where you'll take a motorized canoe, the only means of transportation in the jungle, up a scenic rainforest river to an authentic Embera Indian village on river bank- right out of the pages of National Geographic. The village Indians will perform a tribal dance, and offer authentic body paintings and handicrafts, share a typical meal and explain their way of life, traditions and beliefs.

2. Monkey Island

Tour by boat in the Panama Canal waterway through pristine rainforest to an island where you'll see four types of monkeys cavorting in the jungle and ready to greet you. In fact they often jump onto your boat to the excitement of all. This trip is a thrilling and fun encounter with nature and will delight virtually everyone. Go with Jungle Land Explorer or Ancon Expeditions.

3. Gamboa Rainforest Resort at the Panama Canal

Considered to be one of finest and most complete eco-resorts in the Americas, it combines the luxuries of a 5 star resort with a variety of ecotourism experiences. Developed in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research, it offers ecotourism tours, a jungle aerial tram, recreational activities and nature exhibits. If you can't stay overnight, Call 314.5000 and ask about a day trip package which includes a ride on the aerial tram through the rainforest canopy and dining at a restaurant with views of the Chagres River. Just an hour from Panama City in the the Panama Canal Rainforest. Check out Gamboa Rainforest Resort

Los Lagartos Restaurant at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort:

Dining at Los Lagartos Restaurant at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort is both a dining and an eco-event. Located along the historic and scenic Chagres River at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort and specializing in excellent tropical and international dishes, with an excellent international buffet on Sundays. The restaurant has another attraction: Panama Canal views and a natural show of tropical wildlife. From your table as you dine there is a view of the Panama Canal with huge ships floating silently by. Secondly, from the terrace you can observe a flurry of tropical wildlife activity. Ask a waiter to give you some bread to throw to the river below. Alligators, colorful tropical birds, dozens of large turtles and fish will all flock to gobble up the bread pieces. Guess who wins this tropical animal food fight?

Hours: 11am to 6pm. Sunday Brunch is recommended. Tel: [phone]

Los Lagartos Restaurant

4. Canopy Tower

Called by Travel and Leisure magazine (July 2003) one of the top 25 ecolodges in the world and praised by more travel publications than any other Panama hotel, Canopy Tower offers a close-to-nature experience, world class birding and nature observation. Even if you are not a birder your experience here will be one of your tourism high points. From this tower in the tree tops which is like a giant tree house, you'll have a panoramic view of the jungle and see florescent colored birds, hear howler monkeys roar, see monkeys and sloths in the trees and tropical mammals on the ground. The accommodations are very comfortable and the food excellent. Minimum 2 night stay. Located just 30 minutes from Panama City in Soberania National Park, part of the Panama Canal rainforest.

5. Portobello Day Trip

This is a day trip. A picturesque bayside town with the ruins of four Spanish forts and a restored customs house. About a two hour trip from Panama City on the Atlantic Ocean ,Portobello is set on a scenic Caribbean bay. During the Spanish Colonial era it was the trans-shipment point for all the treasure Spain looted from Inca Empire. Treasure was stored, displayed in fairs and then shipped to Spain. The fabulous treasures stacked high in the customs house made Portobello the favorite target of English pirates like Sir Francis Drake who attacked the cities forts repeatedly. Sir Francis met his demise in waters nearby.

6. Barro Colorado Island

Barro Colorado Island is a living tropical laboratory run by the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research unique in its class. Located in a man-made lake forming part of the Panama Canal, it hosts an amazing 381 bird species, 102 mammal species and 1316 plant species. Previously only research scientists were allowed on the island, but now tour operators can take tourists on day trips along its nature trails.

7. Summit Gardens and Tropical Zoo in the Former Canal Zone

A tropical zoo with exotic animals and birds unique to Panama's jungles set in a lush 80 year old botanical garden. Located 30 minutes from downtown Panama City, the zoo also has Harpy Eagle compound with a film presentation and huge birdcage that provides a close up look at this magnificent, almost extinct bird-the world's largest and most powerful bird of prey and Panama's national bird. The zoo is run-down by US standards, but if you enjoy intense tropical vegetation and a close look lots of tropical critters, this is the place.

8. Pipeline Road

Experts consider Pipeline Road to be one of the top places in the world for nature observation and bird watching. It is also the most accessible- just an hour from Panama City. For this day trip, it is essential to hire one of Panama's fine nature guides through a tour operator to take full advantage of this extraordinary nature opportunity. .

9. Taboga Island

A trip to the "Island of Flowers" is a pleasant day trip from Panama City. Like most small Panamanian towns, Taboga is quite run-down so if you don't care for anythingbut the upscale, this is not the trip for you. The ocean ferry trip from Panama City ispart of the attraction-you'll enjoy ocean breezes, views of Panama Citys' striking skyline and ship activity at the entrance to the Panama Canal. On Toboga, you can sun-bathe on the pretty beach in front of the Taboga Hotel and stroll around town (the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere -1550- is here). Boats leave to and from Taboga everyday. Call Argo Tours at 232-5395 for schedule and price info.

10.Golf at Summit Golf Club

Just thirty minutes from downtown Panama City, Summit Golf Club offers extraordinary tropical scenery, a championship course designed by Jeffrey Myers with a par 72, 18 hole, 6,626 yards and sand based Bermuda Tidway grass. The course is host to several international tournaments and has the only computerized GPS system in Central America, 100 golf carts, outstanding practice facilities and a beautiful club house with a restaurant.

Have a wonderful trip Panama is just lovely.

Answer 3

I like Portobella it is on the carribean  you can take a bus from panama city ,there is a old fort there it is increadible .from there i like to go south to small city called puertolinda you can get a boat to bring you out to a island called isla mamey for 4 dollars it doesn`t get any more tropical .the island has a few grass huts on it you can rent them for a few dollars ,I camp there alot .no power or water ,but lots of coconuts and some of the best coral reefs in panama. Lots of Piece and quiet .I just bring a machete to open coconuts and a bottle of rum to add to the coconuts .if you get lucky you may snag a lobster snorkeling,There are a couple of bed and breakfasts in the area . I`ve been to bocas del toro ,i didn`t like it ,its turned into a big tourist trap .You wind up spending a fortune on water taxis ,and there are so many tourist it just isn`t relaxing.