Colón is a dump, simply put. Once a model city known for its beauty and class, it’s now notorious in Panama for its high crime rate thanks to decades of economic depression.
Fort San Lorenzo (Fuerte San Lorenzo) is one of the most important sites in Panamanian history. It sits on a small promontory near the mouth of the Chagres River (Río Chagres). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the fortifications at Portobelo.
Update: The old Gatún Locks visitor center was permanently closed at the end of May 2016. The new Agua Clara visitor center has opened.
Just under two hours from Panama City is Playa Santa Clara, a stretch of beach that development seems to have forgotten. With my group of friends, we rented a car, hopped in, and took the trip to this beach on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
If you want to relax while in Panama City, there’s the Amador Causeway. This two mile causeway connects collection of four small islands, Naos, Culebra, Perico, and Flamenco, to the mainland.
Mi Pueblito is a very touristy park with replica traditional towns from Panama’s main ethnic groups. It’s located at the base of Ancón Hill. If you can’t make it out of Panama City, this is an interesting way to see how Panamanians live rural areas and the construction styles each ethnic group uses.
If you’re into history, especially Panama Canal history or American history, the Balboa area of Panama City has some interesting sites.
When I arrived in Portobelo, I was greeted by a collection of ramshackle houses and other buildings. There were very few people in the streets of this run-down town of just under 3,000 inhabitants.
If you’re looking for an escape from the city and want to get back to nature, head to Ancón Hill (Cerro Ancón)! It’s one of the best nature parks within Panama City.
On my way to visit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, my taxi driver told me how life in Panama seems to be dominated by the canal.