Panama City — Travelrags

National GeographicAug 15, 2026

Walk the Streets of Panama City Like a Local—Here's How

For centuries, Panama has been a crossroads between worlds. The canal may have put it on the global map, but its greatest stories are found beyond the waterway — in neighbourhoods being reclaimed, ...

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American Trade HotelHotelPalatial 1917 building, formerly a gang base.
Casco ViejoNeighborhoodEvolved from neglected district to fashionable address.
Santa AnaNeighborhoodNeighbouring area with a raw and timeworn landscape.
El ChorrilloNeighborhoodNeighbouring area, fighting centred here in 1989.
Movimiento Cultural IdentidadPlaceNonprofit organizing community development programmes.
Café Coca-ColaCaféPanama's oldest cafe, licensed to use Coca-Cola name.
El Gato NegroRestaurantServes bowls of lentil soup.
Cementerio AmadorSightResting place of notable figures, including first president.
Museo Afro-AntillanoMuseumTraces history of Afro-Antillean culture in Panama.
Museo de la MolaMuseumDisplays 200 colourful molas reflecting Guna connection.
Museo del Canal Interoceánico de PanamáMuseumExplores Panama's role as a global trading hub.
Plaza de FranciaSightMemorialises French workers who died constructing canal.
Panama ViejoParkRuins of the city's original Spanish settlement.
Panadería La VenezolanaRestaurant

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Lonely PlanetAug 12

7 of the best national parks in Panama

Explore the ecological wonders of Panama in the nation

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Parque Nacional Omar TorrijosSightTranquil rainforest with waterfalls and viewpoints.
Sendero de Las RanasTrailEasy 2km path through humid valley with colorful frogs.
Mirador El CalvarioSightViewpoint offering views of both Pacific and Caribbean waters.
El Tiffe waterfallSightStunning waterfall accessible via multiday treks.
Cerro MartaSightArduous 26km round-trip trail to the summit.
Parque Nacional SoberaníaSightAccessible tropical rainforest near Panama City.
Elsewhere
Parque Nacional CoibaSightCoiba, PanamaUNESCO World Heritage Site, excellent for snorkeling and diving.
Parque Nacional Marino Isla BastimentosSightIsla Bastimentos, PanamaPanama's oldest marine park, safeguards Caribbean mangroves.
Volcán BarúSightChiriquí Province, PanamaHighest peak in Panama, dormant volcano with hiking trails.
Sendero Los QuetzalesTrailChiriquí Province, PanamaOne of the best places to spot the rare resplendent quetzal.
Parque Nacional Santa FéNature reserveSanta Fe, PanamaVast wilderness with waterfalls and diverse species.
Isthmian AdventuresPlaceSanta Fe, PanamaRuns a 4-hour adventure to multiple waterfalls.
Parque Nacional PortobeloSightPortobelo, PanamaWild Caribbean beaches, ideal for snorkeling.
Playa HuertaSightPortobelo, PanamaSmall bay with crystalline waters, ideal for snorkeling.
Reef2Reef FoundationPlacePortobelo, PanamaRuns a coral reforestation project at Playa Huerta.
Puerto FrancesSightPortobelo, PanamaBeach with open-sea views and consistent breezes.
Playa BlancaSightPortobelo, PanamaFamous beach with white sands in a protected cove.
Venas AzulesSightPortobelo, PanamaNatural canal of mangroves around Isla del Padre.
Isla del PadreSightPortobelo, PanamaIsland around which Venas Azules is located.
Alto de PiedraSightSanta Fe, Panama

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Condé Nast TravelerAug 11

Ever Heard of a Repositioning Cruise? Why Some Travelers Love These Lesser-Known Sailings

Writer Heather Greenwood Davis hops aboard Windstar's Star Seeker in Costa Rica as the ship makes its way from the Caribbean to Alaska.

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Panama CanalSightJourney through the canal.
Elsewhere
Curú Wildlife RefugeSightPaquera, Costa RicaExcursion to see scarlet macaws and howler monkeys.
Windstar's Star SeekerPlaceSeattle, United StatesShip making its way to Alaska by way of Seattle.
The Yacht ClubRestaurantAlaska, United StatesBright observatory with large, comfortable couches.

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AfarJul 28

The Best Country for Living Abroad Is Closer to the U.S. Than You Might Think

Foreigners living in to Panama appreciate the country’s pleasant climate and how easy it is to travel to places like the San Blas Islands, pictured here. This article was originally published in 2023 ...

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PanamaPlaceVoted best country to live and work abroad for third year
Elsewhere
MexicoPlaceMexico City, MexicoRanked No. 1 for ease of settling in since 2014
BrazilPlaceBrasilia, BrazilJumped to No. 5 thanks to ease of settling and leisure options
SpainPlaceMadrid, SpainRanked No. 1 for quality of life for fifth year
PortugalPlaceLisbon, PortugalRanks No. 8 thanks to moderate cost of living and good weather
LuxembourgRestaurantLuxembourg City, LuxembourgRanks No. 1 for job security and overall job satisfaction
ThailandPlaceBangkok, Thailand86 percent of expats are happy there; cites friendly locals
MalaysiaPlaceKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSits at No. 9 thanks to affordability and ease of finding housing
United Arab EmiratesPlaceAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRanked No. 4 due to impressive ratings on quality of life
Singapore Has 123 Hawker CentersPlaceSingaporeDishes worth queuing for

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Atlas ObscuraJul 24

The Afro-Antillean Museum in Panama City, Panama

During the construction of the Panama Canal hundreds of thousands of workers were imported from Jamaica and other Caribbean islands and were settled in tenement housing on the outskirts of Panama City. Each house was constructed as small as possible, often no more than a wooden shack raised on posts to keep the insects out, with communal bathrooms and a zinc roof. It was in one of these tenemen…

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Afro-Antillean MuseumMuseumThe museum was founded on December 23, 1980, by Reina Torres de Araúz in the building of the Former Christian Mission…
Cristian Mission ChapelSightConstructed by canal workers from 1909-1910.
El MarañónNeighborhoodIts population as of 1990 was 2,126; its population as of 2000 was 2,275.

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Atlas ObscuraJan 26

From Bay to Bar: Exploring Panama City’s Legendary Oyster Scene

Nothing tastes more definitively of the sea than oysters. Whether they’re served raw, steamed, baked, grilled, stewed, roasted, sautéd, or deep-fried, oysters offer diners a pure connection to the ocean. And every variety is distinct, with flavors and texture that speaks to the exact location and conditions where they grow. And no place celebrates this meaty, briny bivalve more thoroughly than…

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Hunt’s Oyster BarRestaurantCelebrates National Oyster Day with events and keepsakes
Panama City Oyster TrailTrailCollection of local businesses serving oysters
Gene’s Oyster BarRestaurantOldest oyster bar, known for freshly shucked oysters
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and GrillRestaurantWaterfront dining with sunset views and sautéed oysters
Bayou Joe’sRestaurantWaterfront destination leaning into Cajun cooking
Harrison’s Kitchen and BarRestaurantWaterfront destination with refined atmosphere
Hunt’s Oyster Bar and SeafoodRestaurant
U.S. National Oyster Shucking ChampionshipFestival
Tarpon Dock Seafood MarketMarket

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →