Tree-lined, busy, historic and contemporary, Panama City has been emerging as a tourist destination and gaining more and more fans around the world. If your knowledge of the place is limited to the typical hat or the famous Canal (a masterpiece of engineering), it's time to learn more about this capital full of surprises.
Landing at Tocumen Airport, Copa Airlines hub, the intense heat makes an impact right away. The capital records averages of 30ºC throughout the year and the only taste of cold there is from the air conditioners, which are always vigorous. Just travel a few kilometers towards the central area to come across a lively city, full of wide avenues and glass skyscrapers. Prepare your camera as you pass through Cinta Costeira, a modern road with a spacious promenade and great views of the coast.
The city, which has been going through many transformations and giving life to bold projects, knows how to live well with the past. Even far from the reality of its foundation, it is possible to visit the remains of the "first" Panama City, where mansions built in stone are preserved, in Panamá Viejo, or visit the charming area of Casco Antiguo, with buildings modeled after Spanish colonial architecture and small alleys great for spending the day walking, taking photos or seeing tourist attractions.
The attractive prices in hotels, restaurants and, mainly, in stores is another reason to include the city among your next destinations. Panama has a wide variety of restaurants, of the most different nationalities - Greek, Japanese, Peruvian, Italian, Arabic and Panamanian food itself -; There are so many options that it is difficult to choose. If the purpose of your trip is shopping, prepare your credit card! The capital is called "New Miami", with many shopping malls, stores of all types and the best: good prices!
Panama Canal, an unmissable attraction
Talking about Panama is also talking about history. In short, we can say that Panama achieved its independence from Colombia with the help of the United States, but, on the other hand, its sovereignty was compromised by the presence of the Americans in its territory, having to share the administration of the Canal for many years. from Panama. Only in 1999 did the country regain its sovereignty; Only then did Panama have absolute control over its Canal and its revenue. The Panama Canal, which connects the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, is one of humanity's greatest works. Opened in 1914, it has become a very important route for transporting cargo, allowing ships that pass through its waters to save time and money, by preventing them from going around the southern tip of the continent.
A modern city, with friendly people and reasonable prices. Panama surprises and grows more and more, gaining new fans all over the world.