Tourist Attractions & Monuments Panama

Information about excursions, contact with guides or bike rental.

The former colonial Place d'Armes was redeveloped in 1922 as a tribute to the unsuccessful French attempt to break through the isthmus. At the far end of the square, facing the sea, stands an obelisk atop which a proud Gallic cockerel looks out towards the canal and France! Its base is surrounded by busts of figures who played a major role in "el esfuerzo francés " ("the French effort", as the Panamanians refer to the French canal project): Ferdinand de Lesseps and engineers Armand Reclus, Lucien Napoléon Bonaparte-Wyse, Léon Boyer and Panamanian Pedro Sosa (when Panama still belonged to Colombia). Behind them, in a semi-circular gallery with arcades, is the story of the canal told by Octavio Méndez Pereira. A plaque also pays tribute to Cuban physician Carlos Juan Finlay, who identified the mosquito responsible for transmitting yellow fever and advocated mosquito population control as an effective way of combating the disease. Just before the staircase is the place where Victoriano Lorenzo, the indigenous hero of the Thousand Days War, was shot in 1903, and the French Embassy, which has the privilege of being housed in a handsome early ^20th-century house. Next door, the ^18th-century Las Bóvedas ("the vaults") were once used as prison cells. Sculptures depict old trades, one of them María Ossa de Amador, who made the first Panamanian flag.

The visitor center offers a bird's-eye view of the Miraflores locks, through which ships of all kinds transit, from sailing boats to gigantic container ships. If you go in the middle of the afternoon, you'll be sure to catch a glimpse from the terrace of the large ships that left in the morning from the Atlantic entrance, with the first transits through the locks starting at around 1.40pm. To avoid disappointment, you should know that if you go in the morning, you'll have no chance of seeing a ship, as they only pass through until 6:30! The Miraflores set of locks is the only one to offer a fully-fledged museographic space, with four rooms providing a better understanding of the technological innovations that made the canal possible; the role of the watershed; the operation of the waterway (documentaries, topographical model; dramatizations) and the place of the inter-oceanic shortcut in international maritime trade. Finally, an IMAX film with 3D glasses tells the story of the canal and its recent expansion. Actor Morgan Freeman was on hand to recount the epic story! A visit that complements that of the Interoceanic Canal Museum in Panama City's Casco Viejo.

To get there by public transport, the easiest way is to take a bus from the Albrook terminal along route C810, leaving you opposite the entrance to the visitors' center.

This long jetty of 6 km, which joins the islands of Naos, Perico and Flamenco to the mainland at the entrance of the canal, was built with the earth and rocks excavated from the Gaillard channel (1.25 billion cubic meters). The pier is intended to protect the entrance of the channel from sediments displaced by the currents. Originally, it also had a defensive function in case of an attack on the canal (Isla Flamenco hosted an American military base).

Long before the construction of the pier, during the colonial period, Perico Island welcomed ships from South America in its deep water port. Men, goods, gold and silver were unloaded and taken to the city in small boats. Today, it is the cruise ships that stop here.

The Causeway has been a tourist and leisure destination for Panamanian families since its retrocession to Panama in the late 1990s. There are many restaurants and shopping malls, more popular on the Brisas de Amador side than on the Flamenco marina where the local jet set meets. Panamanians love to walk around and have a drink while admiring the Bridge of the Americas, the canal or the lights of the city. It's very crowded on weekends but quieter during the week. The Biodiversity Museum by architect Franck Gehry marks the entrance to the Causeway, but also the long bicycle path that welcomes runners, rollerbladers and bicycles, which can be rented on site.

This church still retains its original Baroque façade, built in 1680 from stones salvaged from the former Panamá La Vieja church of the same name. Two massive towers crowned by a dome surround it. Declared a historic monument in 1956, the church has undergone various phases of renovation and now houses a museum with a wealth of religious objects and historical artefacts. The well at the entrance dates back 200 years and bears witness to the ancient underground water reserves that once supplied the town.

The decision, in 1984, to convert this area into a national park, not only allowed a brake on the deforestation process that ravaged it, but also finally culminated in the concession of property titles for the 85 producers who worked on the flanks of Cerro Hoya. It is by walking in this park that we really assess the extent of ecological disaster with a landscape that has become almost apocalyptic in some places; a striking contrast with the lush tropical vegetation now preserved.

Cerro Hoya Park is located on horseback on the provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos. Its area is 32 557 ha (3 814 at sea). It is from Playa Cambutal and Cobachón that its access is the least complicated. Unfortunately, as always when it comes to finding an isolated and difficult site for access, the maritime crossing that leads to it is likely to cost you a lot of money and not to be completely compliant with safety standards. There is also no infrastructure in the park that can receive tourists.

The only way to explore this park safely is to contact ANAM staff at Las Tablas or Tonosí.

From September to November-December, you will have the chance to observe sea turtles, and between July and October-November, whales come to reproduce... Dolphins are also present all year round! Playa El Toro, 3 km east of Pedasi, is accessible by foot (30-40 minutes) or by cab. Say hello to Arturo Cabeza, known as "El Mentao" or "El Chaman" if he is still around. This local figure cleans and tries to preserve the beach to avoid the same fate as La Garita, next door, where a large complex with villas has been built. La Garita offers a nice walk all the same while going away towards the south, one can see turtles there in season.

El Bajadero is a little further north. For La Arenal, from where you can take a boat to Isla Iguana, take the road that passes in front of the tourist office (CEFATI) for 3 km. There is also a small beach restaurant. Surfing and kite surfing are practiced there.

This beach, located between Red Frog and Playa Larga, is also very little frequented although it is accessible on foot and by sea in good weather. It is named after Polo, who decided more than 40 years ago to escape from civilization and settle here. Today, he is considered both a marginal and a living legend, and he contributes to the welcoming of this remote beach. He cooks very well and sells beers but it is not possible to sleep there anymore. Ask about the security conditions if you go there on foot.

Built between 1671 and 1677, the church of San José is famous for its altarpiece covered with gold leaf (Altar de Oro). Legend has it that it was saved from the sacking of Panamá La Vieja by the famous pirate Henry Morgan, thanks to the ingenuity of the monks who hid it by covering it with a mixture of lead carbonate or ceruse... In reality, specialists say that it dates from the 18th century and that the gilding work was completed in 1915. Its baroque details make it one of the most beautiful religious works of the colonial period.

The square was created after the fire of 1756. In its center, several statues pay homage to Simón Bolívar, hero of the independence of the American colonies. They were erected on the occasion of the centennial of the Pan-American Congress of 1826, organized by El Libertador in an attempt to form a confederation of peoples freed from Spain and thus consolidate independence. The square is quiet and offers beautiful views of the facade of the old brick-colored Colombia Hotel built in 1937, the neoclassical church and some houses dating from 1880.

Panama is one of the few capitals of the continent to have a real tropical forest in its heart. One goes there as much for the fauna as for the impressive sight on the city. This protected park of 232 ha is the green lung of Panama. It is the first part of a biological corridor between the south and the north of the isthmus, which guarantees the animals the possibility to pass from the forests of the Pacific to those of the Atlantic. The forest of the Metropolitan Natural Park continues through the national parks Camino de Cruces, Soberanía and the protected area of Fort San Lorenzo.

The park has two entrances 700 m apart. At the visitor center, the main entrance, you will find a description of the walks to be done, a small bookstore specialized on the fauna and flora of the country and some amenities. From here the trails Los Momótides (900 m, 45 minutes), Los Caobos (900 m, 1 hour) and El Roble (700 m, 30 minutes) start. The other entrance is at the guard's hut, from where La Cienaguita (1.1 km, 1 hour) and Mono Tití (1.1 km, 1 hour) start. All the trails are marked and connected to each other. The main loop takes less than 2 hours to complete. There are 227 species of birds, 46 of which are migratory and are present here during the North American winter. From the viewpoint at 135 meters above sea level, the view extends over the canal, the forests as far as the eye can see, the Cerro Ancón and the plantations of skyscrapers. Sloths and mono-titles are watching you from the canopy! To see them too, visit the park early in the morning!

A place of conservation and education to discover the fabulous world of snakes. Of the 154 species found in Panama, only about 15 can be dangerous. The snakes are presented in vivariums, but there are also turtles, iguanas or caimans rescued from animal traffickers. They are cared for before being released if possible. Information in Spanish or English by Mario, the founder of the center, a fascinating biologist.

The hilly path, often wet and slippery, crosses thick vegetation through the hills. After the long walk, you will be rewarded for your efforts by a generous and wild nature! Nonis, palms and coconut trees and other trees line this beautiful beach but with dangerous currents. Be careful, for security reasons, it is advised to take this road in group, without valuable stuff and without returning too late. Without being too alarming, it is best to inquire about the situation at the police station (tel. 757 5797).

The thermal waters, of volcanic origin (remember that El Valle is located in a crater), are one of the most popular attractions in the area. The site is a 20-minute walk from the market, set in a lush garden. But don't expect a modern spa with natural facilities. The pools are basic concrete, the toilets and changing rooms rustic. But we're under the trees and the entrance fee won't break the bank. After a few explanations on how the water comes from the volcano, you will be invited first to coat your face with clay, with two kinds of mud (normal or sensitive skin), with exfoliating, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. You will then relax in one of the natural hot water pools at 38°C. These waters are rich in trace elements and are excellent for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism or asthma, but it is recommended not to stay longer than 45 minutes. The water has a rusty colour, so avoid light coloured bathing suits! Bring a towel (not provided) and flip-flops (slippery floor). The site is ideal for relaxing after a hike, but it is advisable to arrive before 3pm to have time to enjoy it. Depending on the time of day or the day, it can get crowded (especially on weekends), the experience will be very different if you are 2 or 30 in the pools! On the other hand, the rain is not really a problem, considering the ambient heat and the temperature of the water.

Parrots, monkeys, tapirs, pumas... you can observe 94 species of animals, in beautiful surroundings, but... in cages, and that's a bit sad, I must admit. As for the endemic frog rana dorada(Atelopus zeteki), a national symbol, you can see it in a small conservation center dedicated to it. This critically endangered species is almost impossible to see in its natural habitat. In pre-Columbian times, the Indians believed that once dead, it turned to gold, hence the name "golden frog".

To cope with the saturation of Balboa Avenue, which ran along the Bay of Panama, it was decided to build a new road complex by gaining land on the sea. The Cinta Costera was inaugurated in 2009 and has transformed the coastal landscape, with an advance on the sea of more than 26 hectares. If you want to see the sea, look for the twin towers of the Miramar Hotel: they used to be right on the beach. The Cinta Costera is a set of traffic lanes (4 lanes in one direction and 6 in the other, including the old Balboa Avenue), fortunately bordered by a wide coastal promenade. The Cinta Cotera has made traffic flow more smoothly, but above all, pedestrians and sportsmen have finally been taken into account in a city that had totally ignored them until then! Large green spaces, sports fields and pedestrian and bicycle paths have allowed the inhabitants to make the seafront their own. You will see the monument dedicated to Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the discoverer of the "Southern Sea" (the Pacific Ocean) in 1513. The Cinta Costera is invaded early in the morning by joggers and cyclists, and in the late afternoon and evening by families and groups of friends who come to play soccer or basketball, and to rollerblade. During the day, there is little life and it is easy to understand why: it is really too hot! The view on the Casco Viejo on one side and on the skyscrapers of Paitilla on the other is superb. There are no bars, but there are a few vendors selling sodas and raspa'o.

In 2014, the Cinta Costera was expanded with the much maligned construction of a viaduct around Casco Viejo, the Cinta Costera III.Most Casco Viejo residents, as well as UNESCO, were against the project, but President Martinelli ignored the protests. He did the irreparable with this road bypassing the old city, to connect the modern center and the Chorrillo. The colonial district has lost its beautiful skyline. On the other hand, coming from the fish market, you can walk there, for a nice view on the Casco Viejo. On the other side of the Casco, the promenade goes along the not very frequented neighborhood of Chorrillo until the entrance of the Causeway (the promenade is well secured). You can eat right on the beach, at the small restaurant complex "Sabores del Chorrillo", located next to the Maracaná stadium; very pleasant for a ceviche or grilled fish break! From there, it is possible to go to the Biodiversity Museum and to continue the walk until the end of Calzada de Amador.

Set up since October 2006, Parliamentary and Kees propose to share with them their taste for nature: bird observation, à la carte, or reception of volunteers on their reforestation project in the vicinity.

Accommodation: if you have your own tent, count $ 6 per person. If not tent rental with veranda costs $ 12

for one person, $ 20 for two. Breakfast included. $ 125 per week, the three meals for volunteer volunteers.

Also known as Balneario Las Mendozas, the river is a popular spot for locals on weekends and during the water carnival, when floats are paraded on the water. This carnival attracts huge crowds, music and the famous culecos, the tanks topped by a platform from which the carnival queen or her acolytes, armed with a huge hose, spray the crowd to the rhythm of the travelling discos. A blessing under the scorching summer heat, acclaimed by the crowd. Agua! Agua! Agua!

This site, discovered in 1924, confirms the presence of an indigenous population on these lands between 700 and 1000 A.D. Mounds of earth revealing the presence of tombs and an alignment of large stones (funerary?) brought back somehow from the mountains more than 20 km away from the site... Several teams of archaeologists follow one another according to funding. A part of the excavations is in two museums of New York. The Panamanians hope one day to recover them! To be continued..