The capital of Panama
is a modern, thriving commercial center stretching 10km along the
Pacific coast from the ruins of Panamá Viejo in the east to the edge
of the Panama Canal in the west. The old district of San Felipe (also
known as Casco Viejo) juts into the sea on the southwestern side of
town. It's an area of colonial grandeur and striking architecture.
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 sea wall
built by the Spaniards four centuries ago. Via España's banking
district is the complete opposite to this yesteryear charm, with
aggressively modern buildings and sophisticated entertainment.
Attractions on the
fringes of the city include the Panama Canal (see below), the
16th-century ruins of Panamá Viejo, the Summit Botanical Gardens and
Zoo, the tropical rainforest of the Sobreranía National Park and the
265-hectare Parque Nacional Metropolitana.
Casinos:
Dining:
- Café De Asis
- Carlos’ N Charlie’s Panama
- Crepes & Waffles
- Fuji
- El Cortijo
- Gauchos Steak House
- Mangos Pub & Grill
- Mexico Lindo
- Restaurante Chalet Suizo
- Athens Pizza
- Irish American Bennigan’s Grill
& Tavern
- El Patio Mexicano
Panama City Hotels:
Beach Hotels
Shopping:
Panama has a strategic geographical
position as the heart of Latin American international business and
banking. Panama City is characterized by vast commercial areas such as
España Avenue and Central Avenue where you can find boutiques,
bazaars, gift shops, jewelry shops as well as many modern shopping
malls in El Dorado, Marbella and Obarrio. The Free Trade Zone, located
in Colon, 45 minutes from Panama City by car, is the world’s second
largest free trade zone.
