Panama City
Panama City - The capital of Panama is a modern, thriving commercial centre stretching 10 km along the Pacific coast from the ruins of Panamá Viejo in the east to the edge of the Panama Canal in the west. The old district of San Felipe (also known as Casco Viejo) juts into the sea on the south-western side of town. It's an area of decaying colonial grandeur, striking architecture, peeling paint and decrepit balconies. Attractions include the 17th-century Metropolitan Church, Plaza de Bolivar, the presidential palace, Museo de Historia de Panamá and a sea wall built by the Spaniards 300 years ago.
Via España's banking district is the complete opposite to this yesteryear charm, with aggressively modern buildings and sophisticated entertainments financed by the somewhat shady activities of Panama's international banking sector.
Attractions on the fringes of the city include the Panama Canal, the 16th-century ruins of Panama Viejo, the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo, the tropical rainforest of the Sobreranía National Park and the 265-hectare Parque Nacional Metropolitana.
Budget accommodation and eateries are located in the picturesque San Felipe district, though visitors should be careful about walking here at night.
Via España's banking district is the complete opposite to this yesteryear charm, with aggressively modern buildings and sophisticated entertainments financed by the somewhat shady activities of Panama's international banking sector.
Attractions on the fringes of the city include the Panama Canal, the 16th-century ruins of Panama Viejo, the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo, the tropical rainforest of the Sobreranía National Park and the 265-hectare Parque Nacional Metropolitana.
Budget accommodation and eateries are located in the picturesque San Felipe district, though visitors should be careful about walking here at night.