Biomuseo
Frank Gehry's only work in Latin America. Beneath its colorful, folded roofs, it tells how the Isthmus of Panama reshaped the planet's ecology and the migration of species.
Biomuseo was designed by star architect Frank Gehry, whose wife is Panamanian, and opened in 2014. Its staggered metal roofs in red, yellow, blue and green make it the most eye-catching landmark at the entrance to the Amador Causeway. Its eight galleries tell how the Isthmus of Panama rose from the seabed some 3 million years ago, linking North and South America. This triggered the Great American Biotic Interchange, separated two oceans, and changed ocean currents and the global climate. The most spectacular feature is the three-story 'Panamarama' panoramic theater. Aquariums on either side display the Pacific and the Caribbean, two strikingly different marine ecosystems. Outside is a botanical-garden-style biopark. Adult tickets for foreigners cost about US$18 (check the official website), and a visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. A taxi from the old town takes about 10 minutes, and the museum pairs well with a bike ride along the Amador Causeway.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–16:00; closed Mondays (check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Cinta Costera
- Church of San José (Golden Altar)
- Mi Pueblito
- Museo de la Mola (MUMO)
- Plaza de Francia & Las Bóvedas
- Panama Canal Museum
- Metropolitan Cathedral, Panama City
- Casco Viejo