3 Days in Taboga
Discover Taboga Island, full of history, vegetation, and just a 30-minute ferry ride from Panama...
10 Days in Panama City
A modern metropolis located between the lushness of the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. Panama City offers tourist experiences for all tastes with options very close to each other, ranging from bird watching, adventures at sea and in the jungle, world-class gastronomy to a vibrant culture that is felt in every corner.
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Historical Tour of Casco Antiguo
There is no better way to start an epic visit to Panama City than by getting to know its Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa María La Antigua, Plaza de Francia, Plaza Herrera, Plaza Bolívar,Santa Ana Park, Esteban Huertas Walkway, the Church of San Jose with its impressive gold altar, the Arco Chato of the Church of Santo Domingo and much more. Admire the colonial architecture and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of cafes and artisan shops.
Salsa Lesson on a Rooftop
Panama City is known for its rooftop restaurants and bars, and we are sure you will visit them more than once. There are many options! In addition to enjoying their incredible cocktails, participate in activities such as salsa lessons with an unparalleled view of the city's skyline. Of course, you are invited to enjoy the rumba once you finish your lessons. It is a fun experience that will allow you to meet locals and enjoy Latin music and rhythm.
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Hike in Cerro Ancon
Panama City has a 199-meter elevation very close to its center, which is perfect for an easy-to-complete morning hike. Its rainforest, with sloths, butterflies, toucans and various types of frogs await you along with impressive views. On one side you will see the city and its skyscrapers in all their splendor and on the other the Pacific Ocean entrance of the Panama Canal.
Panoramic City Tour
Rent a bike on the Cinta Costera, the bike path that frames Balboa Avenue, and take a fun ride that starts with a visit to the Mercado del Marisco (Seafood Market), where you must try a ceviche or fried fish with patacones (fried plantains) .Continue along the impressive Cinta Costera 3 towards the Amador Causeway. Finally, take a break from physical activity by exploring the Biomuseo, designed by Frank Gehry, to learn about Panama's biodiversity.
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Dim Sum Breakfast
Start your day at a traditional Chinese restaurant with a delicious dim sum, a gastronomic ritual that has become a favorite among Panamanians. The Chinese community arrived in Panamá in 1854 for the construction of the Interoceanic Railway and their customs have permeated the locals. Try a variety of steamed, fried and baked small dishes (siu mai, jakao, kao choy pao and hampao, to name a few).
Gamboa: Zip Line and Nature
The adventure at Gamboa Rainforest Resort begins with its zip line or a ride on the cable car that takes you flying through the treetops of this dense rainforest. Gamboa is also the starting point for the boat tour to Isla de los Monos (Monkey Island) on Gatun Lake, where you can observe white-faced monkeys and howler monkeys in their natural habitat.
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Visit an Embera Community
The Embera, one of the seven indigenous groups that inhabit Panamá, offer a tourist experience that combines culture and nature. A boat trip departs from Gatun Lake, in Gamboa, towards the community, located in the Chagres National Park.The people will welcome you with open arms and a day full of cultural activities to share with you. Get ready to dance,paint yourself, dress up, and learn about their traditions and typical food. The visit also includes a walk through the rainforest.
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Visit the Panama Canal
Dedicate a morning to exploring the Panama Canal, a great marvel of modern engineering. From the Miraflores Visitor Center, admire how large ships filled with containers pass through the locks, where they rise or fall to level off to the water level they need to continue moving forward. Don't miss the IMAX movie narrated by Morgan Freeman that tells the story of the Canal's construction. Check the ship passage schedule on the official Panama Canal website, and if you book in advance, you could even take a partial transit.
Taste the Famous Geisha Coffee
Enjoy a Geisha coffee tasting at one of the cafes in El Cangrejo, a bohemian neighborhood in the city center founded in the 1950s. Geisha coffee, grown in Boquete and Tierras Altas at 1,700 meters above sea level, has become an ambassador of Panamá, as it is recognized as the best valued in the world. This coffee is special for its unique and subtle flavor, full of floral or fruity notes and nuances.
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Day on Taboga and Las Perlas
The Pearl Islands Archipelago is a paradise of crystalline beaches located about 50 km from the coast of Panama City. If you want an even closer option, Taboga Island is just a half-hour ferry ride away. This island has a picturesque town where you can enjoy good food and boutique hotels. Contadora, Mogo Mogo, Isla Pacheca, and Saboga are some of the islands and islets in Las Perlas with a high tourist offer: fishing, catamaran rental, bird watching, snorkeling, and when in season, whale watching, which arrive in the warm waters of the Panamanian Pacific from July to October to mate and breed.
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Historical Day between Panama Viejo and Museums
Explore the ruins of Panama Viejo, the first European settlement on the American Pacific coast. With your curious spark activated, return to Casco Antiguo to visit the Canal Museum and the Mola Museum. In the halls of the first, you will learn about the events that surrounded the formation of Panamá as a republic and the construction of the Canal. The Mola Museum is an interactive place that uses technology to showcase this wonderful indigenous art of the Guna people.
Rum Tasting
End your day learning about one of Panama's favorite liquors with a rum tasting at a specialized bar. You will learn about the different types of rum and their distillation processes, some being sweetened with the traditional Panamanian raspadura. Enjoy the tasting and discover why Panamá is known for producing some of the best rums in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to try the delicious cocktail offerings that come from these rums.
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Discover the Bayano Caves
Exploring the impressive Bayano Caves is a unique experience in Panamá. To reach this set of three caves located on the south side of Lake Bayano, you start with a boat trip on the Río Seco. Then you can go kayaking into the Río Tigre canyon while discovering rock formations and local fauna such as bats, caimans, and birds. It is an exciting activity for nature and exploration lovers.
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Hiking and Birdwatching
Metropolitan National Park, Camino de Cruces National Park, and Soberania National Park are three large expanses of virgin rainforest waiting for you to hike. The latter is the capital's most extensive rainforest and home to two very popular trails: Camino del Oleoducto and Camino de Plantación. Complete this activity with a visit to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, where you can climb the observation tower and see birds and other animals in their natural habitat.
Dinner at one of the 50 Best
Panama City was declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017, so you will eat well anywhere here. We recommend enjoying the creative proposals of one of the restaurants included in the list of the 50 Best of Latin America: Maito, Fonda Lo Que Hay, and Cantina del Tigre. If there is one thing the three have in common, it is that their menus reinvent and reinterpret traditional flavors, while remaining true to the Panamanian flavor.
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Paddleboarding in Amador
Start your day with a paddleboarding session on the Amador Causeway. Enjoy the views of the city, the entrance to the Panama Canal, and the imposing Bridge of the Americas. Take a guided tour of 5.5 km in total to the Peñón San José leaving from Playita de Amador, designed for paddlers with intermediate to advanced experience. For beginners, they offer individual or group classes. The views of the city from your board will amaze you.
Craft Beer Afternoon
You've already tried rum, now it's the turn of craft beer. The author beer movement is big in Panamá and it's getting stronger all the time. Choose one of the tap rooms and ask for a tour of the factory with tasting of the local offering. Try different styles and discover the innovations of the Panamanian beer scene. It is the perfect way to end your trip with a good taste in your mouth.
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