Interesting Things to do in Panama City

[Panama News]

You haven’t seen Panama if you haven’t been to Casco Viejo, the “original” Panama City (think early 1900s), nowadays a historic neighborhood partially filled with gorgeous restored buildings, plenty of shops, delicious restaurants and museums. Don’t wander too far off the beaten track though, and exercise caution while exploring this fascinating neighborhood.

Feel like a walk in the park? Panama’s Parque Omar is a huge park filled with trails for jogging or strolling, a playground, a small gym, several sports fields and courts, a swimming pool, and fresh smoothie and fruit stalls. Be sure to check out the park’s weekly schedule to find out about the many public events that are held there.

And then there is the Parque Metropolitano which is a haven of fresh air offering rainforest trees and fauna, but also wild animals such as monkeys and sloths. The occasional snake has been spotted too, so do bring your camera but leave the shorts and flip flops at home.

To learn more about things to do in Panama, check out the Panama Travel board at PanamaForum.



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[HKT]

>>but leave the shorts and flip flops at home

I live on an island in SE Asia and shorts and flip flogs are worn on a daily basis. Does wearing a collared shirt with a nice pair of shorts and flip flops get looked down upon?

[janl]

wow this sounds great! my appartment is a few minute walk away from parque omar, and am planning on going there with my dog daily. i was told u can bring yr dog in there, so hope this information is correct. if not i'll go by myself

[janl]

>>but leave the shorts and flip flops at home

I live on an island in SE Asia and shorts and flip flogs are worn on a daily basis. Does wearing a collared shirt with a nice pair of shorts and flip flops get looked down upon?

nah no worries! i just been to panama city, and u can wear whatever you feel like. i keep reading this, but havent had any strange looks whatsoever, regardless of what i was wearing (also flipflops and sneakers).

[Thegreatoggy]

For the flip-flops and shorts, I think he was referring to a walk in Parque Metropolitano because of the snakes...

[HKT]

Can't be any worse than the cobras around here could it ?

[davidp]

I wear shorts and a t-shirt all the time. Panama is hot, I don't care what others think! To be honest, I read that too before moving here that people dress up - now that I live here, I see that that isn't true. The only time its an issue is when you walk in government buildings or banks, there you must wear pants.

[PanamaForum.com]

For the flip-flops and shorts, I think he was referring to a walk in Parque Metropolitano because of the snakes...

Right... I often see tourists on that trail in shorts and flip flops and it's pretty dangerous! Based on my own and other people's experience I'd say there's at least a 5% chance of encountering a snake if you take the forest trails. The road is much safer as you can walk in the middle of it, but to get from the visitor center to the road you either have to walk through the forest or drive to the checkpoint where the road starts.

It's still an amazingly beautiful park and well worth the risk if you are dressed accordingly and watch your step.

[HKT]

I wear shorts and a t-shirt all the time. Panama is hot, I don't care what others think! To be honest, I read that too before moving here that people dress up - now that I live here, I see that that isn't true. The only time its an issue is when you walk in government buildings or banks, there you must wear pants.

Perfect, sounds just like here in Thailand.

[janl]

Perfect, sounds just like here in Thailand.

No its not as cool as thailand. I think u can walk around in a pink dress there and people wont even look twice lol but its just like most places in the world. You can pretty much wear what you want!

[Liont]

I was told by an American who heard that I am moving to Panama that Panama is like Thailand but people carry guns.
I have not been to Panama (am going soon), but I was about to roll my eyes at him.

[janl]

I was told by an American who heard that I am moving to Panama that Panama is like Thailand but people carry guns.
I have not been to Panama (am going soon), but I was about to roll my eyes at him.

lol yes roll yr eyes. except the fact that its warm and that they have bad traffic and tall buildings i think the comparisson stops. I would choose thailand over panama any day! One of the nicest places i ever been! not that panama is bad, but just cant compare!