A City Tour- Travel agencies offer tours which take about two and a half hours. A typical city tour will take in the ruins of Old Panama, Colonial Panama (El Casco Viejo) and the modern sections. For greater flexibility you can hire a tourist taxi outside all the main hotels. Their drivers speak English.
Visit The Canal- Tour agencies offer a tour of the Canal area which takes about two and a half hours. Miraflores Locks has a Visitor Center with a lookout where visitors can watch ships being raised or lowered through the locks. For information as to when there will be ships in the locks each day call the Orientation Service, at Miraflores, 276-8617. A partial transit is an other excellent way to experience the Canal.
The Panama Canal Museum is situated in Cathedral Plaza, Las Bovedas, the old colonial section of the city.
The Reprosa Factory - Creators of beautiful reproductions of pre-Colombian jewelry offers tours of their facilities. See how the gold and silver Treasures of Panama are made by virtually the same technique as the ancient goldsmiths. Scheduled tours are at 9.30a.m. and 12.30p.m. and cost $10 per person. Includes beverage, snack and "goodie bag". For more information call Monica at 6747-3214.
The Island of Taboga - Situated at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal , makes an interesting day tour. A ferry leaves each day from the Amador Causeway. Call: 314-1730.
The President Remon Race Track - holds meets in the evening on Thursday from 5, p.m. and from 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Watch a folklore show with colorful typical costume and traditional dances. These are offered by the Tinajas restaurant.
Eco tours can be arranged through a tour agency. There a number of options:
- Gamboa Rainforest Resort
- Metropolitan Park a rainforest reserve situated surprisingly within the city's limits.
- Barro Colorado Nature Monument which is situated on an island in Gatun Lake . The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is the custodian and visits can be arranged through them or with a tour company.
- Summit Botanical Gardens and small zoo.
Ride the Train: Along the banks of the Canal to Colon for a day trip Departs from Corozal 7:15 a.m. Returns 5:15 p.m. from Colon .
The Causeway - is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the picturesque view of the city from the bay. Stroll, jog, bike or enjoy one of the many restaurants. Events: For news of events and activities, get a copy of the news paper "The Visitor" at any hotel.
The ruins of the original Spanish fortress in Old Panama make an interesting outing.
Casco Viejo - The old colonial part of the city has a number of interesting sites: the old cathedral in Cathedral Plaza , Las Bovedas, the dungeons of the ancient Spanish fort, French Plaza , the Church of the Golden Altar,the Panama Canal Museum .
