Where's the best sightseeing in and around Panama?
Col Davis Stevenson RET
Naturally the Panama Canal is one of the major attractions in Panama and there are many places that one can go to enjoy this seventh wonder of the world.
Miraflores Locks has a viewing pavilion and a great museum which has as an added attraction-- the roof top area where you can watch an actual transit.
But the greatest attraction today in Panama is the construction of the second set of locks, a 5 billion dollar project which comes along just once in a century. (See picture...
Naturally the Panama Canal is one of the major attractions in Panama and there are many places that one can go to enjoy this seventh wonder of the world.
Miraflores Locks has a viewing pavilion and a great museum which has as an added attraction-- the roof top area where you can watch an actual transit.
But the greatest attraction today in Panama is the construction of the second set of locks, a 5 billion dollar project which comes along just once in a century. (See picture to the right.)
Travel to the Atlantic Side of the Isthmus and go to the brand new pavilion overlooking the construction of the Gatun Locks. This is a once in lifetime opportunity to see history in the making. I just came from seeing the pavilion and the view of the construction and I was taken back 100 years to the original construction as I viewed this massive undertaking.
Posted March 15, 2013
Captain Carl Davis - Jungle Land Panama
Depending on how the length of your vacation and your resources, you can do some of the best sightseeing in Panama just near Panama City, around the Panama Canal area. A day trip to Gamboa and Lake Gatun (just outside of Panama City) will allow you to combine the best of what Panama has to offer in terms of sightseeing: incredible wildlife, the jungle life and the famous Panama Canal. Some might not know this but Lake Gatun is a very important part of the Canal and, thus,...
Depending on how the length of your vacation and your resources, you can do some of the best sightseeing in Panama just near Panama City, around the Panama Canal area. A day trip to Gamboa and Lake Gatun (just outside of Panama City) will allow you to combine the best of what Panama has to offer in terms of sightseeing: incredible wildlife, the jungle life and the famous Panama Canal. Some might not know this but Lake Gatun is a very important part of the Canal and, thus, one of the best places to take in the magnitude of the Canal operations.
Imagine navigating through the jungle, with monkeys and other exotic animals surrounding you. As the boat glides through the lake, a huge container ship passes you by... All around, the jungle and its magnificent flora surrounds you... Truly, Lake Gatun is a sight to behold.
If you want to know more about Lake Gatun & sightseeing in Panama, you should check out the video I posted of Panamax ships gliding through Lake Gatun! After watching this video, I am sure you will agree that the Panama Canal area is one of the best places to go sightseeing in Panama.
Posted August 6, 2013
Lourdes Townshend
SIGHTSEEING is different as you drive in the city and in the country. But a great view surrounds virtually everything in Panama, as the whole country is between 2 oceans. In addition to views, there are several interesting places to visit.
Specifically in the District of San Francisco, one of the better known neighborhoods in town, almost every building offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the Cerro Azul...
SIGHTSEEING is different as you drive in the city and in the country. But a great view surrounds virtually everything in Panama, as the whole country is between 2 oceans. In addition to views, there are several interesting places to visit.
Specifically in the District of San Francisco, one of the better known neighborhoods in town, almost every building offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the Cerro Azul mountains (Blue Mountains), as well as nice and peaceful view of the park.
But the way, I understand that sightseeing is not only a view of the ocean; therefore, in addition to the beautiful view on every building of different neighborhoods, you will also enjoy sightseeing:
- At the Causeway, where you can walk on a path with the ocean to each side.
- Visit the Cerro Ancón (Ancon Hill) and have a fantastic view of the entrance of the canal.
- The Canal itself, being one of the Wonders of the World, you can say is one of the most attractive sightseeing venues worldwide.
- The malls are also very interesting, due to different cultural mixes.
- The ruins of Panamá Viejo (Old Panama) by which you´ll be transported to the 17th century and the pirate era, and buy real Panamanian art and crafts; beautiful creations by the native Indians.
- Casco Viejo, with all the history it has.
- Different islands like Taboga, Isla Grande, (Colón) Contadora, Isla Colón (Bocas del Toro), Isla Margarita (Veraguas), Isla Iguana, Barro Colorado, Archipiélago de las Perlas, San Blas (Darién).
- What about mountains? Gorgeous Boquete, Cerro Punta, among many others in different provinces.
All those sites offers absolutely breathtaking sightseeing (even though I went over Panamá City borders).
But the best is reserved for last.... the magnificent sunrises are the best sightseeing a person can have, and it´s free, with the singing of thousands of different birds around each property. That´s what I call positive and relaxing sightseeing.
Posted November 19, 2013
Zach Smith - Anywhere
There are a couple of areas that are quite interesting for sightseeing in Panama. One, is the San Blas Islands, which is home to the Guna Yala Indians and very, very small islands on the Caribbean that are quite interesting to see and explore. Isla Contadora and around the Pearl Islands are also some of the best areas for sight-seeing, on the Pacific side. They are just a ferry ride away from Panama City.
Casco Antiguo is an area that has totally been revitalized in the last...
Casco Antiguo is an area that has totally been revitalized in the last...
There are a couple of areas that are quite interesting for sightseeing in Panama. One, is the San Blas Islands, which is home to the Guna Yala Indians and very, very small islands on the Caribbean that are quite interesting to see and explore. Isla Contadora and around the Pearl Islands are also some of the best areas for sight-seeing, on the Pacific side. They are just a ferry ride away from Panama City.
Casco Antiguo is an area that has totally been revitalized in the last decade. It used to be a hotbed for gangs. It was more or less a no man’s zone for a long time but it has since been completely restored. Casco Antiguo has historical buildings that have been restored and it is a UNESCO Heritage Site, which really transformed the region. Now a lot of embassies are located there. You will also find fancy restaurants. It’s quite a scene.
There is also a series of islands in Bocas del Toro, which is a north-eastern zone of the country, that is best for sight-seeing. Bocas has a lot of beautiful islands that are forested. It is a great place for snorkeling and they have really good food, too. Bocas has been a tourism hotspot for quite some time and there is a sizable expat community there.
Boquete is a premiere place to be. It has fresh air, lots of good coffee, you’re not going to be sweating as soon as you walk outside, so a lot of people prefer that climate, and it has attracted retirees for quite some time.
Casco Antiguo is an area that has totally been revitalized in the last decade. It used to be a hotbed for gangs. It was more or less a no man’s zone for a long time but it has since been completely restored. Casco Antiguo has historical buildings that have been restored and it is a UNESCO Heritage Site, which really transformed the region. Now a lot of embassies are located there. You will also find fancy restaurants. It’s quite a scene.
There is also a series of islands in Bocas del Toro, which is a north-eastern zone of the country, that is best for sight-seeing. Bocas has a lot of beautiful islands that are forested. It is a great place for snorkeling and they have really good food, too. Bocas has been a tourism hotspot for quite some time and there is a sizable expat community there.
Boquete is a premiere place to be. It has fresh air, lots of good coffee, you’re not going to be sweating as soon as you walk outside, so a lot of people prefer that climate, and it has attracted retirees for quite some time.
Posted January 30, 2018