12 Ways to Make the Most of Beautiful and Exotic Panama City
Avenida Central
Just a few blocks inland from the Cinta Costera you’ll find the city’s pedestrian-only street, Avenida Central. The classic stretch of avenue can be experienced from Plaza Santa Ana to Plaza 5 de Mayo with many street vendors and open-air shops hawking everything from candy to haircuts. In contrast to the modern, upscale Multiplaza Pacific Mall, Avenida Central is a mecca for bargain hunters where you can get many items for around $1.
This is where the locals shop and is one of the best places to see how many Panamanians live. It’s also a great place to people-watch. Guna Indians come in from the Guna Yala islands on the north shore of Panama, where there aren’t very many shops. You’ll recognize the women by their photogenic and colorful skirts, headscarves and plastic bags full of goods.
Biomuseo
For a must-see museum within Panama City, visit the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, which is dedicated entirely to Panama’s natural history. The first of its kind, the museum is a tribute to biodiversity and was developed in part by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which studies wildlife in the Metropolitan Natural Park.
The multi-colored building houses eight different galleries, including a room filled with 10 screens (including one you can stand on), fully immersing you in the ecology found during your stay in Panama. One of the screens depicts a variety of stampeding native animals arranged in a crude sort of sculpture, while another features huge stained glass windows depicting various flora and fauna.
Aside from the museum, its grounds are also home to a biodiversity park, which serves as a living extension of the exhibits in the Biomuseo. Many native plants are on display in addition to a pond, gazebo and public square of sorts. Architectural and botanical tours are available and the park also has fairs and free weekend activities throughout the year.
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Panamá Viejo
As the oldest monument in Panama City, Panamá Viejo is a must-visit attraction for tourists and locals alike. Built in 1519 by a Spanish conquistador, Panamá Viejo was once the city center of old Panama. Destroyed in the late 1600s by the pirate Henry Morgan, the city was abandoned for over 200 years before conservation began. Now all that remains are rocky ruins and archaeological sites from the once great buildings, which were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
On a visit to Panamá Viejo, you can enjoy walking around, exploring the ruins and learning what was once there — including a convent, cathedral, public square and hospital. You can also climb to the top of Cathedral Tower for a panoramic view of the ruins and Panama City. There’s also an onsite museum at the southwestern end of the complex, where you can see artifacts excavated from the ruins.
