8 Adventures in Panama City, Panama
Panama City is a colorful destination full of culture, culinary diversity, and warm hospitality. This unique destination is actually the only capital city to have a rain forest within city limits, making Panama city the perfect combination of urban exploration and outdoor adventure.
Here's my list of the top adventures to be had in Panama City, Panama.
1. Visit the Embera Indigenous Village
The Embera are an indigenous tribe who originated centuries ago, still residing in areas of Panama and Colombia. They have opened their village just outside of Panama City to welcome groups of visitors for a variety of cultural experiences - and this is one experience not to be missed!
I took the day tour which started with an adventurous kayak ride that lasted about 30 minutes or so. Each kayak fit roughly 6 travelers, led by a member of the Embera tribe who dominated the river, using their ores to navigate through the rocks and sand when needed. The scenic ride was a ton of fun and it was hard to believe this experience was only a small portion of the tour ahead.
We arrived at the village where a group of Embera women and children met us at the base of the river to perform a beautiful traditional welcome dance. We then had some time to change into bathing suits and swim in the refreshing river water. It's important to listen closely to the Embera guides who warn of swimming out too far near the strong current - I watched as two other travelers got swept away and had to be rescued from a cave about 50 feet out. They had the situation under control, but it could have been a dangerous moment.
Next, we made our way up a steep hill to the main meeting area where we learned of the Embera spirit of entrepreneurship, before having the opportunity to shop their handmade crafts like beautiful woven baskets, wood carvings, and jewelry. Pro tip: if you see something you like, buy it there! I had my eye on a beautiful bowl that chose not to buy, and then similar pieces haunted me throughout the rest of the trip as I saw them being resold around Panama City at double or triple the price.
We enjoyed a traditional lunch consisting of fresh fish from the river with fried plantains and fruit, all served in a banana tree leaf. The tribe treated us to traditional song and dance, making their way into the audience, pulling many of us onto the dance floor. The experience turned into an all out dance party, and the best part was seeing the adorable Embera children joining in on the fun. This trip was great reminder that two groups of people who share nothing in common, not even a language, can bond over a warm smile and open heart.
In addition to the day trip, you can book an overnight experience, or even an immersive "unplugged" tour lasting as long as 5 days. Or, you can add river tubing or ziplining to your tour. Book here: http://www.emberavillagetours.com
2. Spend a night (or more!) in Casco Viejo
If you're looking for stunning views, delicious bites, and cultural exploration, spend some time in the historic 'Old Quarter' district of Casco Viejo. The brick paved roads, colorful buildings, and charming plazas are enough to fill a week of wandering. Pop into a souvenir shop and pick up a Panama hat or handmade craft, or spend your day bouncing between intimate coffee shops, bars, and restaurants.
Looking for a longer stay? Check out Selina - the hospitality unicorn whose mission is to make it easy for guests to "stay, travel, and work abroad indefinitely." Selina gave me ALL of the backpacker vibes I loved throughout my twenties, while grounding itself with quiet and comfortable work spaces. Rent an affordable room, book a weekend excursion from the on-site travel desk, get your work done, and finish with a cocktail on the rooftop bar, all while meeting other working nomads from around the world. Swoon.
3. Take a catamaran tour to Taboga Island
If you're looking for less of an extreme adventure, book a catamaran ride to Taboga Island for a little R&R. The large catamaran is fully equipped with an unlimited bar stocked with rum and vodka cocktails, local beers, and juice and soda. There's plenty of room to lounge on the sun deck as you cruise the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, with party music playing throughout the journey. The ride lasts about an hour or so each way, stopping once on the way there for a swim break (queue one of my favorite pastimes ever: jumping off the side of a boat into the sea!).
When you arrive on the island, it's your choice to explore the shops and restaurants in the small town, or to relax on the sun beds under umbrellas on the private beach. I loved watching the boats coming in and out of the shoreline, and seeing the locals cruise around on their jet skis.
On the return trip, the bar reopened and our buffet lunch was served. The menu consisted of: garden salad, potato salad, pasta with oil & spices, rice, and a delicious chicken dish.
Pro tip: If you're prone to sea sickness, make sure to take your motion sickness medicine well in advance. We had a number of travelers fall ill while on the catamaran. If you do experience seasickness, the best cure is often jumping into the water for a swim!
Pro tip: Be sure to remember your passport - you'll need to show it to officials when entering onto the pier.
4. Visit the Panama Canal
Quite obviously - you can't miss this! Seeing the Panama Canal first-hand is really an incredible experience. Watching the MASSIVE cargo ships making their way to the canal was insanely eye opening, especially given all of the supply chain buzz that we can't seem to hear enough of in the past year or two. First, you'll walk through the Miraflores Visitor Center taking you through the history of the canal, considered one of the Man-Made Wonders of the World. The museum lets out to a large observation deck overlooking the Panama Canal locks where you can take plenty of photos, and quite literally watch the world go by.
5. Experience the Gamboa Monkey Trek with Ziplining
If feeding monkeys and ziplining through the jungle sounds like your idea of a perfect day (as it does for me) then this is one you can't miss. I love finding adventure tours wherever I go - I'm not really a sit on the beach for a week type of traveler. The Gamboa Zipline Adventure and boat ride to Monkey Island was the perfect combination of scenery and adventure.
We started the day loading onto a small boat to Monkey Island. Pro tip: If you visit during rainy season - don't forget your rain coat! It was a pretty rough a windy ride at first, but it was all worth it as we made our way to the islands. We were given small fruits to share with the monkeys as we welcomed them aboard to climb across our laps, and in some occasions even sitting on our heads! The tour guides told great jokes along the way and really seemed to love the monkeys, having a nickname for each and every one of them.
Next, it was time to head out on our 1.4km long ziplining adventure made up of 10 cables and 13 platforms. After a brief stop at the giftshop for local crafts and snacks, we made our way to the first platform to gear up. We spent a couple of hours souring across the canopy top, spotting more wildlife along the way (who knew sloths were so cute!). I've been ziplining many times throughout my travels, and this combination trip was one of the best I've experienced.
Finally, we ended with a delicious buffet lunch outside at a nearby resort. The spread was a fabulous mix of local and American cuisine, and we enjoyed the time to relax on the upper level patio overlooking the beautiful views.
Did you know Panama City is the only capital city with a rainforest within city limits? This quick daytrip is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Panama City all while scratching your adventurous itch.
6. Go to a local sporting event
Like much of the world, Panamanians go wild for football (soccer)! As luck would have it, I was in Panama City the night of the World Cup Qualifier match between Panama and the United States. I of course entered the stadium with the intention of rooting for my own country, but it quickly became obvious that watching the crowd's reaction to each goal Panama scored was the real show. Water was thrown in triumph, horns were blown, songs were sung, and the atmosphere was electrifying. I've never been so entertained watching my own team lose!
7. Eat and Drink til you drop
Panama City is a great place to enjoy both local cuisine and menus from all around the world. With no shortage of places to eat and drink, there's something for everyone.
Eat local: Local Panamanian food means rich flavors, spices, and colors. Popular dishes include rice and beans, flavorful chicken and beef, and plenty of seafood including Panama's renowned ceviche. Visit the seafood market - Mercado de Mariscos, located at the base of Casco Viejo to sample arguably the best ceviche in town from a number of local vendors. Browse the fresh catch of the day and enjoy a bite to eat in the (very) casual outdoor dining atmosphere.
Eat international: Trust me when I say you have to visit Makoto for Japanese cuisine when in Panama City. I dined there at least three times during my 10 day stay in Panama, enjoying the best Japanese food I've had in my life amongst a beautiful setting with fabulous wait staff. If you like Greek food, also be sure to try Meze. The flavors are amazing, and the Greek inspired blue, white, and tile décor is an experience all on its own.
Rooftop dining: The highlight of Panama City dining is hands down all of the el fresco and rooftop options, and look no further than Casco Viejo to find a number of them at your footsteps. Lazotea combines amazing eats with plenty of entertainment. We enjoyed the sounds of a live violinist during our rooftop dining experience overlooking the stunning Panama City skyline. Even more unique - Lazotea also had a magician performing magic tricks for guests right at their dinner tables, adding to the all around incredible dining experience. After dinner, continue your night wandering around Casco Viejo for a number of other outdoor bar options including Selina's rooftop bar. Sip a cocktail, enjoy the view, and don't be surprised if you make a friend or two from around the world.
8. Watch the sun rise and set
Because of it's unique S curve, Panama is the only country in the world where you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean, and set over the Atlantic Ocean from the highest point in the country, Volcan Baru. I'm always in search of one-of-a-kind experiences on my travels, and this is one I'm adding to my list for my text time in Panama. If you'd prefer not to rent a car and make the journey solo, try booking a tour instead.
Panama City is a great destination for adult-only or family travel. With plenty of activities available at your footsteps, you can enjoy amazing experiences on any budget. Be as adventurous or as laid back as you'd like!
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