Things to Do in Panama City

As a historical center, San Felipe is so important that it’s included on the list of UNESCO-protected World Heritage Sites. A stunning quarter full of charmingly dilapidated and grander renovated houses, San Felipe is the heart and soul of Panama City.

A fantastic boat trip from Panama City takes you to the idyllic Isla Taboga. Here, there are stunning beaches (and great snorkeling), beautiful forests, a sleepy fishing village and incredible views of the city across the bay.

Few engineering feats can compare with the Panama Canal. 27,000 workers are believed to have died carving out the 77 kilometer passage, before they finally broke through in 1914. The Miraflores Locks, a short distance from Panama City, are the place to watch the ships as they come out of the Canal and head off into the Pacific. Unmissable.

Panama City’s seafood is, quite frankly, world-beating. And you can follow the whole process; from the fishermen unloading their catches down at the docks to the restaurants buying it up in the market and – the most satisfying step – it ending up on your plate.

Just a few kilometers from Panama City, the Parque Nacional Metropolitano is the only real stretch of tropical rainforest actually on the edge of a Latin American city. Once in the forest, trails lead through the undergrowth and there are countless species of wild animals to watch out for. Just don’t forget the insect repellent!