Panama City & Canal

A hub between two oceans, where you can watch giant ships pass through the Miraflores Locks, plus a World Heritage old town and rainforest at the city's edge.

Panama City is the capital of the Republic of Panama, on the Pacific side of the Isthmus of Panama at the southern entrance to the canal. On one side stand glass skyscrapers, on the other the old Spanish colonial quarter, and just a few kilometers west of the city lies the Panama Canal, a wonder of engineering. The canal opened in 1914 and is about 80 km long. Ships are raised 26 m through locks into Gatún Lake and then lowered again, and the expanded Agua Clara and Cocolí locks opened in 2016. Sightseeing falls into four areas: the Canal Zone (Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, Bridge of the Americas, Ancón Hill, the Panama Canal Railway); the Old Town (a World Heritage Site, with the Cathedral, the Golden Altar church, Plaza de Francia, the Canal Museum and rooftop bars); the waterfront (the Cinta Costera promenade, the seafood market, the Amador Causeway and the Biomuseo); and the Panamá Viejo ruins in the eastern suburbs. North of the city along the canal are Soberanía National Park, Gamboa and Gatún Lake, good for birdwatching and boat trips to see monkeys. On the Atlantic side, the Agua Clara Locks and the forts of San Lorenzo and Portobelo are 1.5–2 hours away by car and can be done as a day trip, and ferries from the south go to Taboga Island. The climate is hot and humid: December to April is the dry season and the best time to visit, while May to November brings afternoon showers but a greener rainforest. Getting there: Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is Central America's largest air hub, and travelers from China usually connect via the U.S., Europe or the Middle East. The city has Metro Lines 1 and 2, taxis and ride-hailing are cheap and convenient, and for sights outside the city we recommend hiring a car or joining a tour. We suggest 3–4 days. The San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) on the Caribbean side are listed separately as their own destination. Notes: the currency is the U.S. dollar; for visa policy, check the latest rules from the Panamanian embassy; some neighborhoods around the Old Town are unsafe at night, so do not walk alone into deserted streets.

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