Small country, great city

A small country with a great city. The main entrance into Panama is by way of the capital city, a city with all the characteristics of a great metropolis. Just by observing its profile of great buildings and modern structures, visitors know they have arrived in a vibrant and dynamic city with a tradition of being a focal point for international events. In this great vital ambience, visitors find first world countries services, international class lodging and state of the art technology in all fields of activities.

Panama Shopping

Panama City is known as a "shopper's paradise". The city has large shopping districts as well as modern shopping malls, such as:

The Multicentro Mall
Multiplaza Pacific Mall
The Albrook Mall
Multicentro Mall

Enjoy the city along the coastal strip

The coastal strip of Panama City is a place to enjoy green areas without leaving the metropolis. The strip covers over 35 hectares, 16 of which are completely devoted to green areas.

Bordering the bay from Punta Paitilla to Old Town and providing an enjoyable contrast of the modern city on one end with the colonial buildings surrounding the oldest part of town on the other end.

Visit Old Panama

Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila, known as Pedrarias, as the first Spanish city on the shores of the South Sea or Pacific Ocean, and the oldest city on land that exists even today.

Its foundation replaced the former cities of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien and Acla, becoming the capital of Castilla del Oro.

On September 15, 1521, it received by royal decree the title of City and a coat of arms conferred by Carlos I of Spain.

Visit Panama's “Casco Viejo”

The Casco Viejo, or Old Town, is the name given to the place where Panama City was transferred to and reestablished in 1673. Currently, the Casco Viejo of Panama is included in the list of World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

The Casco Viejo of Panama is a pretty tourist spot where visitors can appreciate historic structures, enjoy fine dining and purchase molas and other indigenous crafts.

The city that lives the night

A city of eternal fun and entertainment. In Panama, the nights breath action and enthusiasm. With the arrival of the evening, the cheerful nature of the Panamanians is shown in full force thereby creating an intense nocturnal life. Restaurants, showrooms, theaters, nightclubs, casinos, discotheques and bars brighten the city nights offering visitors ample opportunities for enjoyment and relaxation with good food, fun, music of all types, art shows and gambling in different ambiences and levels of intensity.

The meca of shopping in Latin America

The Latin America shopping mecca. Panama is the new Miami for the Latin Americans. Great and modern commercial centers (malls) offer those who love shopping hundreds of luxury boutiques and shops with merchandise of all types and brands among them the worldwide known brands. Its geographical and transient positions have made Panama the focus of an intense commercial exchange. In Panama we have a free zone that ranks second in the Western Hemisphere where visitors may acquire duty free merchandise.

Business to the highest level

Another consequence of the privileged geographical position of Panama is its condition as ideal site for business activities. Our financial and banking system carries out thousands of high level worldwide transactions per day. High and modern business buildings and condominiums draw a great city profile giving this city a cosmopolitan atmosphere that is not found anywhere else in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Center of the Continent and a center for meetings

History has defined Panama as a center for meetings and reunions. The isthmus of Panama was even in pre-columbine times the meeting place of Indian tribes. The Portobelo Fairs, held during the colonial epoch, were events held for forty days and more and attracted thousands of merchants from the whole Caribbean coast. Today, the country’s position as a main meeting center continues unchanged and this is why we have in Panama a good number of conventions centers and multiple facilities for the organizations of massive meetings and reunions.

Cross the country in the Railroad

In 1850, at the height of the Gold Rush, a railroad was built in Panama that ran from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. In 2000, the train track was rebuilt, and cargo and passenger service was resumed between the two cities, following a pathway parallel to the shores of the Panama Canal. Riding in the comfortable passenger trains is a marvelous experience.

A permanent gastronomic fest

A permanent gastronomic feast. One of the recompenses for being a transient site is that it offers excellent food. Those who came to stay have revealed to Panama their international culinary secrets, from exotic Chinese delicacies to exquisite French cuisine. Hundreds of restaurants specialized in international food dispute the honor of offering their services to the complete satisfaction of their clients whether local or foreign who go out every day in search of new culinary sensations. The variety is ample and visitors may opt for emblematical cuisine, international cuisine and designer cuisine, regional specialties or Creole delicacies.

In search of wellness

Searching for comfort. Medicine and medical services in Panama have a long history of achievements and advances initiated at the beginning of the twentieth century. Prestigious professionals offer their services in all fields of medicine in modern and well equipped hospital institutions known for the high quality of their services, including a modern hospital affiliated to the John Hopkins Medicine of Baltimore, U.S.A. Visitors from all over the world come to Panama in search of our medical services from simple dental services to advanced surgery due to our high professional level. Visitors may also find natural medicine practices, including sophisticated techniques such as the traditional oriental acupuncture.

A city which limits with the jungle

For those who are in search of experiences related to cultural exchange or contact with nature, Panama City also offers generously. In its periphery, a few minutes from the center of the city, we have natural parks with many acres of virgin jungle offering the adventurous the opportunity to walk thru dense tropical jungle with options to visit Indian communities which are still part of their territories of origin. There visitors may contemplate their authentic ways of life and their folklore.

The Eighth Wonder of the World

The Panama Canal is the site most visited by tourists from all over the world. This great work of engineering of all times which has carried the name of Panama everywhere in the world is located approximately twenty minutes from the center of the city. One visit to the Miraflores Locks allows visitors to contemplate the ships passing through this famous waterway. Tourists are also encouraged to visit the Canal Museum and look at the old informative documents and, if desired, to dine while contemplating the functioning of this wonder. For those who have more time, a journey through the Panama Canal on board ships offering this service becomes and unforgettable experience.

Virtual tours in the city