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Panama City is a city of easy cosmopolitan living, a delightful combination of the historic and the ultra-modern. Upon seeing the Manhattan-like skyline, visitors comment that they had no idea that there was such a modern, beautiful capital city in Central America. There are actually "three" Panama Cities the visitor should become acquainted with: the modern skyscraper city, the Colonial-era Casco Viajo and the ruins of the original Panama City in Panama Viejo. Modern Panama City set on beautiful Panama Bay, has a prosperous business district, a first-world infrastructure including 100 banks, a lively nightlife, a fantastic restaurant scene and the only rainforest within city limits in the world- the Metropolitan Natural Park. Countless beautiful residential neighborhoods add to the cities charm. It is also one of the safest cities anywhere. Because Panama City is historically an international crossroads, its people are accustomed to visitors and are some of the most friendly and helpful in the the world. he "second" Panama City- Casco Viejo sector of the city dates from the 17th century Spanish era. Numerous noteworthy historical buildings dot the area including 17th century churches and convents and handsome 18th and 19th buildings which reflect Panama City's long history as the crossroads of the Americas and the world. Visitors to the area enjoy fine restaurants in historical ambiences.(one restaurant is housed in former Spanish dungeons), historical museums like the Panama Canal Museum in a elegantly restored headquarters building of the French company which tried and failed to build the Panama Canal in the late 1800's and a great nightlife. The "third" Panama City is a picturesque ruin: Panama Viejo ( Old Panama) a site with the ruins of the original 16th century Panama City. Founded in 1517,Panama City was the first city built on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. It was founded to facilitate the transfer of riches the Spanish plundered from the Incan Empire to Spain via the Ithmus of Panama. In 1671, it was destroyed and burnt down as a result of an attack by the English pirate Henry Morgan. Make sure and visit the Panama Vieja Museum with exhibits on history and daily life including artifacts archaelologists are finding in the ongoing excavations. With the exception of an impressive scale model of the city, the exhibits are all in Spanish, so unless you speak Spanish, this is one trip best taken with a tour operator. |
