Bastimentos

island in Panama

Taboga

island in Panama

San Blas Islands

archipelago in Guna Yala, Panama

La Amistad International Park

is Panama's second largest park, covering over 850 square miles (207,000 hectares). It is a bi-national park, as an additional 193,929 hectares stretch to the Costa Rica side. Amistad is the Spanish word for friendship and it was create to promote friendship between the two countries.

Coiba National Marine Park

frequently referred to as the Galapagos of Central America for its abundance of rare species in both the water and on land. Here you can scuba and snorkel and see some of the most rare pelagic species of marine life in the world.

Portobelo

historic Spanish Forts, boats to Colombia, and dive centers

David (Panama)

capital of the province of Chiriquí, Panama

Colon (Panama)

sea port on the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic) coast of Panama

Boquete

place in Chiriquí, Panama

Panama City

capital of Panamá

Bocas Town, Bocas del Toro

human settlement

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Volcan Barú

stratovolcano in Panama

Boquete, Chiriquí

place in Chiriquí, Panama

Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo is the historic part of town, where you will find many colonial style government buildings, cathedrals and museums including a Canal Museum or a small Panama History Museum. It is under massive renovation, with crumbling shacks next to beautifully restored colonial buildings. There are a number of accommodation options in Casco ranging from hostel pricing up to very expensive colonial suites. The area hosts a large number of eclectic events ranging from operas and musicals at the national theatre to block parties and fashion catwalks in the open plazas. Casco Viejo also offers some of the finest dining options in Panama City. Getting here from the airport by Metro bus, you can get off at 5 de Mayo stop (popular stop under a highway) then walk about 15-20 min heading south towards the water on Avenida Central, a pedestrian mall with many shops and markets, which leads directly to the old town. Together with the archaeological site of Panamá Viejo, the Casco Viejo is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Soberanía National Park

A national park in close proximity to Panama City, offers good hiking trails. See park article.

Panamá Viejo

The archaeological site of the ruins of the original city of Panama that was sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan in the 1600s. The city was later moved to Casco Viejo. Today Panama Viejo is home to one of Panama's national parks with the buildings left in unrestored states. It is well worth the visit but read the safety warnings and ask park employees about where it is safe to visit as the park is surrounded outside by one of the city's dangerous areas. Together with the old town Casco Viejo, the site of Panamá Viejo is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Panama Canal Museum

Causeway Islands

The Amador Causeway connects four little islands (Naos, Culebra, Perico and Flamenco) to the mainland. From the causeway, there is a lovely view of Panama City, the Puente de las Americas, and the numerous islands far in Panama Bay. Many Panamanians like to spend their weekends jogging, riding a bicycle or roller-blading down the causeway, or having a meal or drinks in one of the many restaurants and bars on the islands. Bikes are available to rent in many different varieties including recumbents and multi-person bicycles, starting at about $3.50 per hr. From the causeway you can also arrange day trips by ferry to one of the surrounding islands with boats leaving early in the morning.

Miraflores (Panama)

lock of the Panama Canal

Metropolitan Natural Park

This park is a nature reserve very close to the city and offers well maintained hiking paths and a small visitors center. One of the trails leads up a hill and from there you have great views over the skyline of Panama City. Register and pay first at the visitors center, where there are also toilets and drinking water fountains to refill your bottles.

Marine Exhibition Center of Punta Culebra

This nature center run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is located on Culebra Island. It has a few fish tanks with Pacific, Caribbean, and freshwater sea life, a small pool with a sea turtle and a few little sharks, and a tank where children can touch starfish and other sea creatures. There is also a little forest where a family of sloths lives.