Panama City is three cities in one; Old Panama, Colonial Panama, and Modern Panama.
In Old Panama, lie the ruins of the city and the sea wall built by the Spaniards four centuries ago. which was sacked and destroyed by the famous Pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. Go to Old Panama.
Colonial Panama, in the old district of San Felipe (also known as Casco Viejo), juts into the sea on the southwestern side of town. Built in a new site after destruction, it has narrow streets, wrought iron balconies, San Jose Church with its Golden Altar, Flat Arch, Museums, National Theater, the Cathedral, France's, Bolivar and Herrera squares, and Las Boveclas promenade. Formerly an area of decaying colonial grandeur, striking architecture, peeling paint and decrepit balconies, parts of Casco Viejo is going through a stunning restoration process.
Modern Panama is fascinating thriving commercial center with its tall buildings, fabulous department stores, beautiful residences, hotels, casinos. When the sun goes down, Panama City lights up with energy and excitement. It can be anything you want it to be; cultured, sexy, cool, hot, international, cosmopolitan and exotic with nightclubs, bistros, discos, trendy jazz, traditional dances and strip tease.
The Teatro Nacional regularly presents symphonies, operas and plays. Panamanian Folkloric ballet presentation, include dances and rituals of the Kuna. Ngobe and Bugle Indians.
Other attractions include the 17th-century Metropolitan Church, the Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama, the Plaza de Bolívar, the presidential palace, the History Museum of Panama

Attractions on the fringes of the city include the Panama Canal, the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo, the tropical rainforest of the Sobreranía National Park and the 265-hectare (655-acre) Parque Nacional Metropolitana.

Lodging in Panama City
Things to do and see in Panama City
Special events in Panama City

LODGING in Panama City

HOTELS
Residential Primavera, Ave. Cuba near Calle 38 Este.
tel: 225-0811
Hotel Villa Del Mar, Calle 33 Este and Ave. 3 Sur
Tel.: 225-8111
Hotel Acapulco, Ave. Cyuba and Calle 30 Este
Te.: 225-3832, Fax: 227-2033

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THINGS TO DO and see in Panama City
Panama Canal, the 8th wonder of the world...
Casco Viejo, the historic center of Panama City, is well worth a visit.
Old Panama, The ruins of the city built in 1519.
The Amador Causeway: Built to provide a calm harbor for ships entering the Panama Canal, the Amador Causeway extends from the mainland to connect four small islands offshore. A palm- lined road runs the length of the causeway, with benches and a path for bicycling and jogging alongside The offices of the Smithsonian Tropical Research institute are found here, as well as the Marine Exhibition Center, open in the afternoons from Tuesday to Friday and from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. At the center, there are educational films and exhibits of coral, seashells, starfish and sea urchins where, unlike other museums, touching is encouraged! Six aquariums arranged at child's height feature marine life from the Caribbean and Pacific and one tank is filled with gigantic lobsters. A telescope has been set up for viewing ships anchored offshore, and types of boats can be identified with useful charts.
Metropolitan Natural Park: A tropical forest within the boundaries of Panama City where the Smithsonian Institution does research on the ecology of rain forest canopies; Metropolitan is home to some 200 kinds of birds, monkeys, deer, reptiles, and other animals.
Mi Pueblito: This charming spot is a living museum built by the city to celebrate small town traditions. Visitors can see a telegrapg office, school exhibits, and a kitchen witha traditional clay oven. Mi Pueblito has a restaurant where one can sample the typical dishes of Panama. Mi Pueblito is located on Ancon Hill, near the Causeway.
Panama City Museums
CLUBS - Jazz
Las Bovedas, Plaza de Francia in Casco Viejo
Millenium, Ave. 5B Sur
Mi Rancon, Lounge of Hotel Caesar Park
CLUBS - Salsa and Merengue
Restaurante Casco Viejo, Calle 53 Este and Calle 50

SPECIAL EVENTS in Panama City
Carnival