Thread: First time visitors to Panama City

Originally Posted by PanamaPat

• Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks)
• Parque Metropolitano (rainforest walk, 2-3 hours)
• Casco Viejo (Old City Center)
• Colon Free Zone (go there by train)
• Shopping or Real Estate tour (depending on your interests)
• El Valle de Anton (handicrafts market, waterfalls, hot springs)

Panama canal is one of the main attractions of panama isn't it? I'll visit panama on february and post my experiences on my blog. I seen the map on forums (this forum) and its quiet long but i think i'll enjoy the ride on the ship

Hi , guys. Do you know what the prices of the hotels are in Panama? I think I am going to come in the next couple of week but I am not sure exactly when. Any other suggestions will be in a great benefit for me. Thanks

The canal and the national park are two places that I definitely want to visit. I've heard so much about the canal, that it would be great to see it in person.

As for the national park, I like to experience the outdoors once in a while and it'd be a nice experience for me although I doubt I'd camp there or do anything extreme.

hi people!! my name is IBB and i am an African (Nigerian to be precise). i'm currently processing a university admission with West Coast University in Panama. however, i have read more good than bad about Panama, but i am yet to read anything about education in Panama. i would therefore like further info on that. all things in place, i should be in Panama by february. i'd also like to start making friends before my arrival there.

thanks alot!!

I think this is one of the most useful threads on PanamaForum.com! It seem to receive the most number of hits! :-)

Is it a must for me to rent a car when I visit Panama? Or can I just walk around to see the sites? Which one is better for a first timer like me? Thanks!!

The most important question will be which location is the best to watch the Panama Canal at it's full glory.. Miraflores locks is my favorite, other locations like the Gatun locks are also good. After the Canal, Bocas del Toro will be worth visiting.

Hey greensneakers, you don't need a car to enjoy Panama (especially in Panama City). Take the bus around the country and take taxi's at your final destination. You will save a fortune and you still won't miss anything.

Originally Posted by greensneakers

Is it a must for me to rent a car when I visit Panama? Or can I just walk around to see the sites? Which one is better for a first timer like me? Thanks!!

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Hey greensneakers, you don't need a car to enjoy Panama (especially in Panama City). Take the bus around the country and take taxi's at your final destination. You will save a fortune and you still won't miss anything.

Thanks a lot for this tip! I guess it'll be hard to take in all the sights if we're driving around.

Panama is a truly unique country, the best description I have heard is "Panama is a third world country with first world amenities." I personally found it to have a sense of freedom that I have been looking for. Panama City is truly an international city, not only is it the real link in many ways between S.America and N.America as well as connecting the east and west in regards to the canal. It's importance will only increase.



Dominican resort
Luxury real estate in Los Cabos
Panam Real Estate

Originally Posted by kavi

Panama is a truly unique country, the best description I have heard is "Panama is a third world country with first world amenities." I personally found it to have a sense of freedom that I have been looking for. Panama City is truly an international city, not only is it the real link in many ways between S.America and N.America as well as connecting the east and west in regards to the canal. It's importance will only increase.

Point well taken. However, the term "third world" has been replaced by "developing country" in today's geopolitical language.

Panama is a very beautiful contry, and is hot and rain a lot, please be careful I will go to the tourist places where is safe, but if you are going with a panamanian they will show you better lol, but be cafeful specially in Colon, Colon they have the Zona Libre de Colon, (free zone from taxes) and you can get good stuff there for good prices but again be very carefull there, I will NOT walk Colon at all sad but true.

I had been there for couple of times for a trip, nice place to visit ans stay. very good climate, couple of places that must be seen for sure are Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks),Parque Metropolitano (rainforest walk, 2-3 hours), El Valle de Anton (handicrafts market, waterfalls, hot springs. Thanks

First time visitors to Panama City might be exhilarated by this...

The drive from PTY (Tocumen Int'l Airport) to Panama City


And yet, taken-aback by this...

Gridlock!

Im holidaying in panama at the moment and trying to figure out some great places to visit,,, thanks for the tips,, this forums excellent!!!

Originally Posted by Panamax

In no particular order...

• Casco Viejo (colonial quarter)
• Amador Causeway (retreat from the incessant energy of the city)
• Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal visitors center)
• Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo's seawall promenade)
• Ancon Hill (sweeping panoramic views of city)
• Metropolitan Natural Park (where nature and urbanism collide)
• Pedestrianized shopping strip (Central Ave's people-watching mecca)
• Balboa Ave. (scenic drive that merges views of bay and city skyline)
• Panama Canal and Bay cruises
• El Cangrejo (commercial nerve center of the city)
• Calle 50 (international banking center)
• Calle Uruguay (nightlife nerve center of the city)
• Panama Canal Railway (See tropical rainforest by train)
• Barro Colorado (island home to Smithsonian Tropical Research Institue)
• Gamboa Rainforest Resort
• Shopping Malls: Albrook (at internal bus/air terminal), Multicentro (Paitilla), Multiplaza (Punta Pacifica)

Originally Posted by 666DR

Im holidaying in panama at the moment and trying to figure out some great places to visit,,, thanks for the tips,, this forums excellent!!!

See Above.

good question, i am going to visit with my wife (from Panama) for the first time in December. Is there fun stuff to do besides party? Is there any roller coasters?

There are many things to do in Panama but roller coasters isn't one of them. I would suggest getting out and about the interior. It can be done easily and cheaply by bus if you wish? This is a good country to explore and for the most part you don't need to fear the locals.

Originally Posted by panamax

in no particular order...

• casco viejo (colonial quarter)
• amador causeway (retreat from the incessant energy of the city)
• miraflores locks (panama canal visitors center)
• las bóvedas (casco viejo's seawall promenade)
• ancon hill (sweeping panoramic views of city)
• metropolitan natural park (where nature and urbanism collide)
• pedestrianized shopping strip (central ave's people-watching mecca)
• balboa ave. (scenic drive that merges views of bay and city skyline)
• panama canal and bay cruises
• el cangrejo (commercial nerve center of the city)
• calle 50 (international banking center)
• calle uruguay (nightlife nerve center of the city)
• panama canal railway (see tropical rainforest by train)
• barro colorado (island home to smithsonian tropical research institue)
• gamboa rainforest resort
• shopping malls: Albrook (at internal bus/air terminal), multicentro (paitilla), multiplaza (punta pacifica)

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