Capital of Panama and the most populous city in the country, it is located on the Pacific coast, near the entrance of the Panama Canal.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Panama City serves as the administrative and economic hub of the Republic of Panama and is among the busiest urban centers in Central America. It combines areas of recent buildings and tall skyscrapers with well-preserved historic neighborhoods, reflecting the urban evolution since its founding in 1519. Spanish is the official language and the most widely used in everyday life, although English is frequently used in tourism and business. Commercial offerings range from major international brands to popular markets and small local shops, such as those clustered along Avenida Central.
A Metro opened in 2014, and is by far the preferred method to get to the places it serves. However, there are still many places of interest not served by it. Line 1 is roughly equal parts elevated and underground with the part from Albrook to El Ingenio being the underground section. Line 2 , serving the northern suburbs, opened in 2019. There is a grand plan for many further lines which are hopefully going to enter service as the 2020s and 2030s progress. A single ride is 35 cents regular price in Line 1 with discounts for the elderly and students. The last train leaves at 22:00 all week, with the first train leaving M-Sa at 05:00 and Su at 07:00.
Panama Canal. Not only one of the world's most important shipping connections, but also the very reason for which the modern country of Panama was created, the canal is probably the single most iconic thing to visit in Panama. There are different ways to explore the canal: the easiest but pricey way from Panama City is to visit the Miraflores Visitor Center/Miraflores Locks. In addition, it is also possible to book a luxury train ride along the canal, or a boat ride on the canal.
Help a sailboat to cross the canal. All sailboats that want to cross the Panama Canal needs by law 5 crew members when crossing the locks due to the complexity of handling these boats in these narrow locks and tieing and untieing it to the walls, other boats etc. The job called "linehandler". The owners of the boats can either hire local help or look for volunteers in exchange for the experience, food and drinks. The process takes 2 days due to long waiting times and the slow movement. You sleep on the boat during this time.
Check out Panama Restaurant Week, which doesn't happen every year, but when it does it is a fantastic option to try great restaurants at good prices. Despite its name, it lasts 15 days, with dozens of participating restaurants offering special participating menus at fixed, lower than normal prices. There's several cafes along Via Argentina. The Spanish sandwich shops offer excellent sandwiches, coffee, and churros. Try Manolo's Churreria (don't miss the churros rellenos, pastries filled with dulce de leche and rolled in sugar) or Del Prado. Sandwiches should cost from $3-5. Also on Via Argentina is El Trapiche, serving traditional Panamanian food for under $12/person.
Buy and try some Panamanian and Cuban coffee while you're here. It will be some of the best you've ever had. Calle Uruguay is a neighborhood filled with bars and discos for wealthy Panamanians and foreigners. Taberna 21 is a local hangout serving great cheap beer and Spanish tapas.
Be careful in Casco Viejo and the Panama Viejo ruins area. There are tourist police aplenty in these neighborhoods but do not wander too far in these areas alone (even in the day) and certainly not in the evening (as of 2010 these areas are very safe, lots of activity and tourist traffic) Stay out of El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, Curundu and San Miguel. It is very dangerous right now due to infighting between drug gangs. Tourists have been kidnapped right off the street. El Chorrillo borders San Felipe so it is very easy to accidentally walk into it.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Panama City typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 30 rainy days.
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