Forest parks, historic places and unique places you will only find here
Our Capital City was founded on August 15, 1519 by Pedrarias Davila, it is the main cultural and economic center of the country, with intense financial activity and an international banking center. It has a tropical climate, along with natural parks and other attractive places of interest.
Famous for being a multicultural city full of contrasts, offers more than just a mandatory visit to the Panama Canal. Casco Antiguo (the old town of the city) is a picturesque labyrinth of colonial churches and squares where the Presidential Palace, boutique hotels, and multiple national and international gastronomic options are located. And at only 25 kilometers away you find the Soberania National Park, a perfect place for ecotourism and bird watching.
Coastal Belt (Cinta Costera):
With a spectacular view of the Bay of Panama, you can find the Coastal Belt of Panama City, which connects the historic colonial city of Casco Antiguo with modern Panama and skyscrapers. It is a place where you can contemplate from dawn, the brightness of the sea like a mirror, the beating of the sea against the rocks and the warmth of the breeze from the bay.
It is a quiet route with pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, where you can find people practicing yoga daily, and outdoors relaxing activities.
The Causeway:
Built in 1913, with rocks excavated from Culebra Cut during the Panama Canal construction, the Amador Causeway links Panama City with four islands: Naos, Perico, Culebra and Flamenco. This attractive sector of the city was part of a US military compound called “Fort Amador”, established to protect the entrance to the Panama Canal. Currently some of the remains of the military installations on these islands can be seen.
Today the “causeway” is a walk by the sea that has become one of the most popular and visited places in Panama. A site with an impressive view of the city where you can spot a great numbers of huge vessels waiting to enter the canal. It is the perfect place to walk and enjoy with family or friends in its restaurants with local and International cuisine.
Forest Parks
- Omar Park
This green lung is located on Via Porras Avenue in the downtown area. This park is ideal for jogging, picknic, sports, or taking the kids to play. Here you enjoy nature and outdoor activities throughout the year. They offer Zumba and aerobics classes Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. And during the summer it is the scene of multiple free musical and cultural events in its open-air amphitheater. For those who like to read and investigate among its nature is the National Library, the largest in the country.
- Metropolitan Park
In the heart of Panama City this 230-hectare park is known as Parque Natural Metropolitano (Natural Metropolitan Park). This nature’s sanctuary in the middle of the metropolis is the city’s only wildlife reserve and the only tropical forest in the world to serve as a public recreation park for a metropolitan area. Despite being close to the city, the park is home to 227 species of birds, 45 mammals, 36 types of snakes, and 14 types of amphibians. In addition, there are about 284 species of plants, including trees that reach 30 to 35 meters in height.
The park has 5 trails to choose from, each offering something different. The Mono Titi path, for example, will take you to the top of Cerro Cedro where you can enjoy impressive views of Panama City. After your walk, consider visiting the park’s butterfly garden.
- RACH Park
Located on the outskirts of the city, has 2.7 hectares of land destined 100% for public recreation, integrating a recreational and family concept that promotes community life within the Paseo del Norte project. The park has areas to exercise, areas to eat, open spaces for children, an amphitheater where cultural presentations, open-air cinema, concerts and more are held.
Panama Subway and Metro System
The Panama Metro is the first railway system of its kind in Central America, with the first line inaugurated in 2014.
The system runs through a large part of Panama City metropolitan area and its master plan projects the extension of the system until at least 2040.
Line 1
Its layout runs in a north-south direction, connecting the National Bus Station in Albrook with the San Isidro station, in the north of Panama City. It has 14 stations: 6 elevated and 8 underground with a total of 16 kilometers in length.
line 2
The route of this second metro line runs from east to west through the outskirts of Panama City. It also connects with line 1 at the San Miguelito station. It has 16 elevated stations and runs 21 kilometers. Very soon they will complete the subway station at the Tocumen international airport that will allow all Visitors to arrive in Panama, grab their bags and travel safely and economically to downtown or almost any place.
Line 3 is currently being built, which crosses the Panama Canal to the cities of Arraijan and La Chorrera in West Panama.
Timetable and Metro Card
The Metro system operates Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 pm. and Sundays -holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
As in most of the world’s subways, this system uses a card, it costs $2.00 (no balance, you have to add money to use it) and it can be purchased in more than 1,000 stores in the country. Each trip on a one-way subway line has a cost of 0.35 cents and is recharged at the recharge machines found in all subway stations.
Night Life
Panama City is famous for its exciting nightlife, which takes place in three main sectors of the city: in the commercial district (Bella Vista, El Cangrejo, Calle 50 etc.); Casco Viejo, the historic Spanish colonial sector of the city; and the beautiful Amador Causeway, which connects three islands in the Bay of Panama with views of the ocean and skyscrapers day and night.
The vibrant nightlife of the Casco Antiguo wakes up after an intense day. In its 12 main streets there are many options: bars, nightclubs, the popular “rooftops”, tapas and wine restaurants, jazz venues, live bands with tropical, electronic music, reggae, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, hip-hop, rock and much more.
Things to Do
Go to the “Recreovia de Panama” on Sundays from 6:00 am to noon, a space opened for walking, running, skating or cycling, from the Paitilla vehicular bridge and the Cinta Costera to the Causeway. This area is closed to vehicular traffic to allow those who wish to practice sports on this avenue and marine section. Information: IG@recreoviapanama
Take a trip around the entire Causeway, either riding on two or more wheels on its wide sidewalks. This tourist section has availability of bicycle rental for one person, two or a small group. There are also scooters, karting bikes and electric scooters for rent at stalls along the causeway, operating from early evening until 10 pm. Prices range from $5.00 to $15.00 per hour depending on their size.
Learn all the things you can do at Parque Recreativo Omar, even celebrate a special day at one of its gazebos, with a fun area for children, a fenced pool, tennis courts, basketball, soccer, and a mini baseball field, among others. www.parqueomar.gob.pa
Visit Casco Antiguo to enjoy its nightlife. There is a variety of restaurants with international menus, themed decoration and a variety of proposals ranging from entrees to signature gourmet dishes. It also has bars with live music, hotel lobbies with contemporary or jazz music waiting for you.
Relax watching the Pacific Ocean while enjoying the best of Caribbean cuisine, seafood, international dishes from Central and South America in the gastronomic sector “Sabores del Chorrillo” in the Cinta Costera 3 near the Old Town. You can taste from ceviches, fried fish with accompaniment, seafood guacho, lobsters, among others.
