“Top 10” Panama City

“Top 10” Panama City

The Meaning of the name Panama is commonly translated as Abundance of Fish, though other interpretations say it includes Abundance of Butterflies and Nature.  All of which are true.  Panama is a country full of life, beauty, and bustling with Energy.  One of Panama’s most unique qualities is the Contrast and Possibility that lies within its Shores.

As a Country of just 3 million inhabitants and roughly the size of South Carolina, Panama has defined itself with one of the most competitive economies in Latin America.  Some of its main activities include the Panama Canal, a Bustling Free Trade Zone, Positioning as the Travel and Business Hub of the Americas, not to mention its Award Winning Coffees, Tourism Industry, and Natural Resources including Spectacular Beaches, and Unparalleled variety of Topical Bird and Animal Species.

In Panama you can’t help to notice the Dramatic Contrast and Enormous Possibility that lies between its shores.  Situated between Central and South America, below Costa Rica and next to Colombia, Panama has huge shorelines of Pacific and Caribbean beaches.  

Everywhere you look, you will see the Contrast of History and Tradition right next to Modernity and Urban Sprawl, you can Marvel at both the Country’s Natural Beauty and Man-Made Megaprojects.  

Just one stroll around a local Shopping Center and you will likely pass by people from Many different Countries and even Continents.  With Six Indigenous Indian Tribes within the country, it is not uncommon to see Indigenous Indians in their traditional dress walking next to a newly Remodeled Luxury Hotel.

On any given weekend you can decide between visiting Islands in the Pacific, Caribbean, or simply driving to a Rainforest Resort or Mountain Getaway for the day.  The Contrast found in and around Panama City is one of a kind.

Top Ten Places to Visit in and Around Panama City:
 

1. The Panama Canal- As one of the most Impressive Engineering Feats of the 20thCentury, you don’t want to miss out on Visiting the Panama Canal.  The closest set of Locks to Panama City are the Miraflores Locks, and they have a great Museum explaining some of the History about the Construction of the Locks and the new Expansion taking Place.  There is also a great restaurant there to have lunch at, overlooking the Canal so you can dine while watching ships pass through.  If you want to Drive over to the Caribbean side and visit the Gatun Locks it only takes about an hour and there is also a new Visitors Center about the current Expansion and you can see the third set of locks taking Shape, History in the Making!
2. Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo and San Felipe, is Panama’s Historic District that was originally a walled-off City protecting its settlers from siege, after their original city in Panama Viejo was attacked by Captain Morgan and his Men in 1671. Today it is a bustling Neighborhood in full Restoration; its French Colonial Architecture is host to some of the best Dining and most Romantic ambiance in Panama.  Don’t miss the Fish Market’s ceviche, Hotel Las Clementinas for a lovely lunch or brunch, enjoy a Cocktail in Tantalo Hotel’srooftop bar, pass by Divino for a glass of wine, then stroll down the Plaza de Francia to Las Bovedas for live Jazz on Friday nights and a romantic dinner under the stars.
3. Parque Omar is the “Central Park” of Panama City featuring 3.7 Kilometers of Walking and Jogging Trails on what used to be a Golf Course in the middle of the City, now a public park.  There is a fruit stand which selling Pineapples, Papayas, and whatever is in Season, also you can get a fresh smoothie or Coconut Water from one of the Kiosks nearby.  There is also a public library on premises, an outdoor Gym, tennis courts, lots of Kids games and many Native Species plants and trees.
4. Isla Contadora in the Pearl Islands is the ideal place to spend a relaxing day (or night) out of the hustle and bustle of Panama City.  Take the Ferry from the Amador Causeway (Sea Las Perlas), or a flight with Air Panama out toContadora Island, then rent a golf cart and spend the day riding around looking at beautiful houses, and snorkeling or swimming on one of the island’s many beautiful beaches.  For lunch you don’t want to miss Villa Romantica, followed by an afternoon in a Glass Bottom Boat, a Whale-Watching tour, or visiting the nearby Deserted Islands where many “Survivor” episodes have been filmed.
5. The San Blas Islands are a Guna Indian Reserve on a Caribbean Archipelago formed of 365 Islands surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches, and calm water you can imagine.  Get there by local Flight with Air Panama (20 minutes) or find a Driver for the 3 Hour journey.   A trip here is as much of a Relaxing experience as a Cultural one, and you get an insiders view of life in the Guna Community and enjoy a cool drink from a hammock staring off into the Caribbean ocean. 
6. Panama Viejo is a World Heritage site, preserving the ruins of the Spanish Settlement founded in 1519 that survived a series of attacks then finally burned to the ground after Captain Morgan and his men sacked it in 1671.  This was an important Spanish hub for transporting Gold and Silver back to Spain via the Camino de Cruces.  Today you can visit the ruins, including a Cathedral, a Plaza and get an idea of the layout of this settlement that once was home to over 10,000 people.  There are souvenir shops nearby and you can pick up some artisan crafts to take back with you.
7. Gamboa Rainforest Resort- This Hotel located in the heart of the Rainforest is only a 45 Minute drive from Panama, and it strikes a lovely balance between Rainforest Remote and Modern Day Comforts.  You can take tours throughout the day to nearby Monkey Island, go get a Relaxing Massage at the Spa, ride on the Aerial Tram, walk to the Rainforest Discovery Center and look for Animals in the Canopy, followed by a Lunch at the Resort with spectacular views overlooking the Chagres River.  If you like to watch birds, the famous Pipeline Road bird watching trail runs right by the Resort, and if you are lucky you can see some Monkeys making their way around the trees above you.
8. Amador Causeway- The Causeway is a 3 Kilometer stretch roads connecting several Islands off of Panama City and protecting the Canal mouth from sediments and residues from the tides.  This is as close as you will get to the ocean without leaving the City, and the Nautical feel of the boats and marinas with the ocean breeze is hard to pass up.  Be sure to rent some bikes in the afternoon, followed by tasting a“Paleta de Coco” from one of the Orange Popsicle carts passing by, and have a meal at Alberto’s by the water.  There is a new Frank Gehry designed Bio-Diversity museum under construction here that should be operational by 2014.
9. Albrook Mall- People flock to Panama from all around Latin America for its Shopping Centers, arriving with empty suitcases to stock up on new Clothes and Electronics.  Albrook Mall is huge, and there are stores of all kinds to suit your taste, from El Costo, Titan and Dorians featuring $1 Flip Flops and Home Waresto stores like Gap and Banana Republic.  For lunch try out Crepes & Waffles for a wide selection of Lunch Crepes, Salads and Delicious Homemade Ice Creams.
10. Trump Tower- This landmark building takes the shape of a boat’s Sail over the Pacific Ocean, in the upscale Punta Patilla district, and is host to private Condos, Offices, a Hotel, Commercial spaces and many delicious Restaurants.  I recommend spending a clear evening out on their Ocean Deck overlooking the Bay of Panama and the City with a Cocktail to soak in the ambiance and the Mystery of this City so full of Contrast and seemingly Endless Opportunity.

Thank you to…Beth a Real Estate Sales Agent and Professional Coach for Executives and Entrepreneurs. Beth and her Husband Alejandro are based in Panama City, Panama and own Barefoot Real Estate, selling select Properties around the Republic, www.Barefootinpanama.com.  Beth coaches Executives and Entrepreneurs all around the Americas on how to find more Clarity in their Personal and Professional lives, and is fluent in English and Spanish.  www.Createyourlifeparty.com.

Alison Carmichael-Rulten

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