History, Nature and Unique Places in the World
The capital city of Panama is one of the most cosmopolitan, modern and socio-economically developing cities in Central America. Today, this city has witnessed how a small country connects an entire continent, through its geography, culture, openness to new customs and gift of people, who welcome everyone on their way through Panama.
Historical Tour of Santa Ana and El Chorrillo
Walking through the most popular neighborhoods of Panama City is possible by reserving a guided tour to visit the streets and monuments in the Santa Ana and El Chorrillo area.
Activities:
The tour passes through more than 15 sites that tell historical moments such as the 1964 Student Movement and the invasion (1989) among others. This tour begins in Plaza Santa Ana and reaches the border with the popular neighborhood of El Chorrillo, where you visit places such as the Park and the Church of Santa Ana, the Variedades Theater and the “Coca Cola” Cafe, the only one in the world that can bear the name of the famous soft drink, visited by great personalities. Another point of interest is the Amador Cemetery, the Huerta Sandoval and the Chinese Cemetery among other places. For more information, you can follow their social networks at @movimiento_identidad.
Where to stay:
This densely populated area with a lot of history is surrounded by hotels for all tastes such as, La Concordia, Las Clementinas, American Trade Hotel, Hotel Central and the Casa Franco Hotel in the Santa Ana neighborhood.
Where to eat:
In this place the list of places to eat is endless, since along Central Avenue there are all kinds of restaurants with local and international food, including the world famous Cafe “Coca Cola”. However, right next to it is Casco Antiguo where it is also possible to eat in restaurants such as Tantalo, Inkas (Peruvian food), American Trade Hotel or even the popular Athens Pizza with delicious Greek food.
How to get:
The easiest and cheapest way during daylight hours is to take the Panama Metro, get off at Estacion 5 de Mayo and walk down Avenida Central (a pedestrian street) that connects to Santa Ana. Going by taxi or Uber is another option, specially at night
City of Knowledge
This innovative community was part of the old Canal Zone, which became a private, non-profit Panamanian entity. NGOs, foundations, government entities, schools, among others, operate in its territory. In front is the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center and it is a few kilometers from Casco Antiguo.
Activities:
In this site they carry out many activities in their Convention Center. However, to learn more about the history of this place when it was a military base, you should visit the “City of Knowledge Interpretaton Center”. Here the different stages of its planning, architectural evolution, lifestyle of its first inhabitants, as well as the US military presence are exposed.
It is an ideal place to walk through the parks and wide spaces for sports, recreational and cultural activities. However, there is an event that is mandatory to attend in the main square of the City of Knowledge every January: The Panama Jazz Festival, an event where the best talents and promises of the musical genre of Jazz at an international level are concentrated. This meeting closes with a massive and free concert for those who want to listen to good jazz.
Where to eat:
This historical and academic place has “La Plaza”, a foodcourt with restaurants and shops where all kinds of dishes are offered, including a Cafe Duran coffee store, where you can enjoy the best Panamanian coffee. Also, in the surroundings there are breweries such as the Canal Tavern.
How to get:
From Albrook Mall you go by car along Omar Torrijos Avenue, which leads directly to the City of Knowledge. There is also a bus route that leaves from the Albrook bus terminal.
Causeway
This seaway goes into the Pacific Ocean for about six kilometers, connecting the mainland with three islands: Naos, Perico and Flamenco. This singular site was built with material extracted from the excavations of the Panama Canal and in the past, it was the military base that guarded the entrance to the canal.
Activities:
This section is conducive to walking, renting bicycles, motorcycles or “scooter”, to move from one island to another. Another relaxing activity is to sit on the benches and watch the huge ships that are going to cross into the Atlantic Ocean. Also, from this site you can take boats to Isla Taboga and the Las Perlas archipelago. You can also visit the aquarium that is located in the Punta Culebra Natural Center operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Biomuseo, whose design is by the architect Frank Ghery, which tells the story of the geological upwelling of Panama and how this event changed the world forever.
Where to eat:
This is one of the main activities to do here, since there are plenty of options to eat like Sabroso Panama where Panamanian meals and shows are very popular with visitors. Other places like Kayucos, Praia, and Segundo Muelle offer you great meals. But there are way more options to discover.
How to get:
To get there by public transport, take Metro line 1, get off at the Albrook station, walk towards the bus terminal, and take route C850 towards Amador.
