Panama City Attractions

The capital of Panama is a modern, thriving commercial center stretching 8km (5mi) along the Pacific coast from the ruins of Panamá Viejo to the edge of the Panama Canal. Casco Antiguo is an area of decaying colonial grandeur, striking architecture, peeling paint and decrepit balconies.

Attractions include the 17th-century Metropolitan Church, the Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama, the Plaza de Bolívar, the presidential palace, the History Museum of Panama and the Spanish 16th-century sea wall. Vía España's banking district is the complete opposite to this yesteryear charm.

The city has numerous tourist attractions including world-class hotels and restaurants. Of particular interest to tourists are various sites located in the Casco Viejo, including

  • Las Bóvedas, literally The Vaults, a waterfront promenade jutting out into the Pacific;
  • The Supreme Court Building and across from it, the French Embassy;
  • The Cathedral on Plaza de la Catedral;
  • Teatro Nacional, a recently renovated performance center, with outstanding natural acoustics; It provides an intimate performance environment, seating about 800 guests.
  • Museo del Canal Interoceánico;
  • Numerous restaurants located near the French embassy.
  • Palacio de las Garzas, the official name of the presidential palace. There actually are Herons in the compound.

Visitors are advised against walking around the Casco Viejo in unlit areas at night. Heron (disambiguation) Genera Ardea Zebrilus Philherodias Tigrisoma Ardeola Bubulcus Egretta Agamia Butorides Tigriornis Tigrisoma Gorsachius Syrigma Zonerodius Nycticorax see also: Bittern Herons are medium to large long-legged, long-necked wading birds of the family Ardeidae, which also includes the egrets and bitterns. ...

Located just outside the Casco Viejo, on the Plaza Cinco de Mayo is the Museo Antropológico Reina Torres de Araúz, with precious metal artifacts from pre-columbian Panama. This is a must-see for any visitor to Panama City. The museum is located on what was the Pacific terminus of the Panama Railroad which itself is an architecturally significant building. As of midsummer 2003, the material circumstances of the museum were precarious; in fact, in early 2003, most of the gold and silver collection of the museum was stolen. Fortunately the majority of the pieces, which date from 400 to 1500 AD, were recovered a few months later. Some of the artifacts however, are still missing. It has been reported that the museum staff is eager to assist visitors. Cinco de Mayo is increasingly celebrated in California and the U.S. Southwest El cinco de mayo (Fifth of May in Spanish) is a national holiday in Mexico. ... The Panama Railway or Panama Railroad was the worlds first transcontinental railroad. ...