Panama City

Introduction

Panama City

© All Rights Reserved Luis M

Panama City is the capital of Panama and is the largest city in the country with about 1.1 million inhabitants. It is the economic heart of the country and located at the Pacific coast near the Panama Canal. People have been living here since almost 500 years ago.

Nowadays the skyline is comparable to some of the cities in the United States with high-rise office buildings and apartments. There is however an old quarter (Casco Viejo) which is the main focus point for travellers wanting to see the historical buildings in this part of town. Old Panama is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as well. The city has a wide range of places to stay and excellent nightlife if that is what you are looking for. From the capital, you can easily explore the rest of the country with good connections by plane and bus to most of Panama.

Neighbourhoods

• El cangrejo/Area Bancaria (banking district) - Probably the best and safest neighbourhood in the whole of Central America. Packed with Bars and Restaurants (Via Argentina, Calle Uruguay, Via Veneto) and hotels like Continental and Marriott, this neighbourhood is forming the rich centre of Panama City. This is the area to stay if you want to be close to everything and if you enjoy walking around 24 hours without being scared of being mugged!
• Calidonia and avenida central (shopping street) - This area could be considered as the poorer center of the city. It is a typical central american neighborhood packed with ridiculously cheap department stores. Also home of some low key and middle class hotels. Be aware of pickpockets during the day. It is not recommendable to walk around at night as it tends to get dangerous after 9:00pm.
• Casco Viejo (old town) - UNESCO World Heritage Listed (see below).
• El Chorillo, Curundu, San Miguelito - Stay out of these areas as violence is very common there and these neighbourhoods are the home of more than 50 different Pandillas (gangs) who are fighting their territory and are not afraid of mugging anyone!

Sights and Activities

Casco Viejo

Located on a peninsula, the Casco Viejo area is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is an area packed with nice colonial (in part recently restored) buildings dating back to the time when the Spanish had to set up Panama in a new place after Panama Viejo was destroyed by Pirates lead by bad guy Henry Morgan. There are beautiful views from here (Las Bovedas) over the Causeway, the bridge of the Americas, the boats which are waiting for their pasage through the Panama Canal and the skyline of the city. Be aware that it is located next to El Chorillo, probably the most dangerous neighbourhood in Panama City and therefore make sure that you do not walk in the wrong direction. Nevertheless during daytime there are usually no problems due to heavy police presence. Not recommended at nighttime.

• Nearby Panama Canal
• Plaza de la Cathedral

Events and Festivals

Weather

Panama City has a tropical climate with the temperature varying between 27 °C and 33 °C. Typical to tropical climates, Panama City has two seasons, a dry one and a wet one. The dry season, considered summertime, lasts from January to March and the wet season is from April through December, with the wettest months being October and November where average rainfall is above 230 mm. Typically the other wet months see an average rainfall of between 80 and 150 mm with April and December falling on the low end. During the wet season there is not necessarily non-stop rain for days on end, but it usually rains at least once a day, usually a heavy shower or two.

Getting There

By Plane

International
Copa Airlines is the national carrier of Panama with its base at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), about 25 kilometres from the city. It operates flights to most major cities in Central and South America, including a few in the United States. Other destinations include Toronto, Montreal, Madrid.

KLM operates direct flights from Amsterdam while Air Caraibes flies to Guadeloupe and Martinique. Aero Perlas offers flights to about 15 domestic destinations, including Bocas del Toro and David. Air Panama offers about the same, but focuses on the San Blas Islands as well.

Domestic
Aero Perlas offers flights to about 15 domestic destinations, including Bocas del Toro and David. Air Panama offers about the same, but focuses on the San Blas Islands as well.

To/from the airport

• Bus: several public bus routes link the airport and downtown Panama.
• Taxi: taxis are available with pre-purchased fare.
• Shuttle: some hotels offer shuttle service.
• Car: rental cars are available at the airport.

By Train

Panamá Canal Railway Company has a scenic train route between Panama City and Colon.

By Car

By Bus

There are several bus companies providing a daily bus service from San José, Costa Rica, to Panama City such as Tica Bus or Panaline (US$25, 16 hours). There is also several companies serving either the route Paso Canoas (Costa Rican border) - Panama or David - Panama (US$13, 7 hours)! Other destinations include Colon, Boquette and the western edge of the Darien Gap. Other routes are travelled less frequent and some buses are slow and unrelibable.

By Boat

There is no official ferry service between Panama and Colombia. Nevertheless there are several private yachts offering that service frequently. But be careful there is some really bad, drunk and crazy guys out there. To make sure that you get a reliable skipper it is best to inquire in one of the backpacker hostels in Panama City, where you can find sailings to Cartagena via the San Blas Islands. There are connections between Panama City and the Pearl Islands, south of the city.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Being a relatively cosmopolitan city, Panama is home to a wide variety of cuisine - both native and imported. There are many blogs and websites that review eateries, some catering to upscale and others to more bargain-priced fare. Dine Out Panama has some well written reviews and a wide range of restaurants covered.

Visit "Calle 50" to encounter a multitude of great local restaurants, as well as some American favorites such as Hooters. On Calle 50, be sure to stop at Athen's Pizzeria. The pizza is made in a unique way compared to American pizzerias, and the food is fantastic. It's also very affordable, and the service staff is friendly.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

By far the best value for your money in Panama City you get at Zulys Backpackers. They offer dorm rooms from US$10 and private rooms from US$13 per person (double occupancy). They are located in the El Cangrajo/banking district, the safest neighborhood in Panama City and close to bars (calle Uruguay area), restaurants, a 24 hour supermarket, a student travel agency (STA travel), shops, banks and cinemas. The hostel itself has become famous for its friendly and helpful staff which is always happy to give you heaps of information about Panama City, Panama, Central America and even Colombia. Another plus is their connection to reliable captains who offer the boat trip from Panama to Cartagena, Colombia. Zulys is also a good place to book a tour to the San Blas Islands.

More options including travelling ratings in Panama City.

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

• Universidad Interamericana de Panamá
• Universidad de Panama
• Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá
• UDELAS

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

External Links

• Official Governmental Website