Panama City's charm transcends merely its famous waterway, the Panama Canal.
Discovering Panama City: A Cultural Melting Pot
Panama City, the vibrant capital of Panama, is a hidden gem that boasts a rich history and diverse culture, shaped by its colonial past, Afro-Caribbean heritage, and unique geographical position.
Nestled in the heart of Central and South America, Panama City is a borderland that has seen centuries of external influences but refuses to be defined by them. The city's architecture is a unique blend of neo-classical French, colonial Spanish, and art deco styles, most notably seen in the historic district of Casco Viejo. This charming area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to colourful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, plazas, and iconic landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral and San José Church.
Panama City's food culture is a testament to its diverse history. The arrival of migrant workers who built the country's railroad and canal introduced new flavours and culinary traditions. Visitors can savour these influences at Mercado de Mariscos, a popular fish market in Casco Viejo, where sea bass ceviche and traditional Panamanian dishes await.
Panama City's Afro-Caribbean heritage is another essential part of its identity. The city has a vibrant Black cultural heritage rooted in the Afro-Colonial experience, which has deeply influenced its music, dance, cuisine, and traditions. Exploring Black cultural sites reveals the essential role of Afro-descendants in the city’s social fabric and history.
Modern art and culture also play a significant role in Panama City. The Panama City Mural Trail showcases colourful murals by local and national artists that narrate stories about Panama’s past and present. This outdoor art gallery highlights the city’s vibrant creative energy and cultural dynamism, linking history with modern identity.
The Biomuseo, designed by Frank Gehry, is another cultural highlight. This renowned museum focuses on Panama’s unique biodiversity and geological history, particularly the formation of the Panamanian isthmus that shaped global ecosystems. The museum offers an interactive cultural experience connecting natural history with Panama’s identity.
Panama City's history and cultural aspects are not confined to the past. The city's present and future are intertwined, with the Panama Canal serving as a testament to this. Built in the early 1900s, the 51-mile waterway connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, playing a crucial role in Panama's economy and global trade.
Visitors can also explore Panama Viejo, an archaeological site containing the remains of a European settlement founded in 1519. From the cathedral's bell tower, one can enjoy views of modern Panama City's skyscrapers, offering a stark contrast to the site's 16th-century origins.
Panama City's rich cultural tapestry extends beyond its historic sites. The city's 17th-century Casco Viejo has undergone restoration, now featuring chic rooftop bars, ocean-front hotels, and characterful boutiques. Every Sunday morning, Recreovía transforms the Cinta Costera 3 highway into a 4.3-mile route for pedestrians and joggers. Cerro Ancon, a hilltop park containing the city's second-highest peak, offers views of Casco Viejo and opportunities to spot various bird species.
Umami Bodega, a bar in Panama City, hosts weekly jazz nights, paying homage to the city's tambo jazz style. I Love Panama Chocolatier handmakes chocolate bars using cacao from the Bocas del Toro archipelago, while Mia Mia sells locally made crafts, including molas hand-stitched by Guna artisans.
Kindly Shop, a Casco Viejo boutique, stocks 45 mostly Panamanian- and women-owned brands with a focus on ethical gifting. Jose Aparicio, a top Chef Panama alumnus, operates Kaandela, a restaurant inside the Amarla hotel in Panama City. Maito, a restaurant in San Francisco, was ranked 14th in Latin America in 2024's The World's 50 Best Restaurants list.
Panama City's name, an Indigenous term, means 'an abundance of fish, trees, and butterflies', a fitting description for this vibrant and culturally rich city. Whether exploring its historic sites, modern museums, or vibrant street art, visitors will find a city where history, nature, and contemporary identity converge.
- The Biomuseo, designed by Frank Gehry, focuses on Panama’s unique biodiversity, connecting natural history with the city’s identity.
- The city's rich culture also extends to modern art, as seen in the Panama City Mural Trail, showcasing local and national artists' murals that narrate stories about Panama’s past and present.
- Panama City's Afro-Caribbean heritage is essential to its identity, influencing the city’s music, dance, cuisine, and traditions, with Black cultural sites revealing the role of Afro-descendants in Panama's social fabric and history.
- The city's geographical position has seen centuries of external influences but has refused to be defined by them, as evidenced in its unique blend of neo-classical French, colonial Spanish, and art deco styles seen in the historic district of Casco Viejo.
- Panama City's biodiversity is not limited to its museums; various bird species can be spotted at Cerro Ancon, a hilltop park containing the city's second-highest peak.
- I Love Panama Chocolatier creates chocolate bars using cacao from the Bocas del Toro archipelago, while Mia Mia sells locally made crafts, including molas hand-stitched by Guna artisans.
- Panama City's past and present are intertwined, with the Panama Canal serving as a testament to this, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, influencing the city's economy and global trade.
