As the Extremadura explorer Vasco Nunez Balboa who discovered the Isthmus of Panama in the sixteenth century, LookOut Magazine surprises this year, with a dense but complete schedule, that allows you to visit the city that separates the Caribbean from the Pacific and joins the two Americas.
08:00 FIRST MORNING: The early bird …
Located just 19 kilometers from Tocumen airport, the hotel BlueBay City Panama**** is located in the center of the business and shopping districts. Strategically located, it offers an easy access to start our Panamanian adventure. The hotel offers elegance, exceptional service and amenities you expect from a first class hotel, so nothing better than relaxing to prepare for a long day and gather strength with a good breakfast in its facilities.
10:00 PLAZA DE FRANCIA: The best views of Panama City.
This Old Town square has the best views of the city. From there you can see, on one side, the houses of the Old Town, with its chipped buildings and colonial charm. On the other, the towering skyscrapers of the new part of the city; a modern city that has nothing to do with their colonial past. At a glance, all the contrasts of Panama. We could not choose better place to begin our cultural tour!
11:00 OLD TOWN: A morning stroll.
A morning stroll through the Old Town and its historic buildings takes us back to the colonial era and the historical moment of the construction of the Canal, Panama’s history shared with Spain, France and the United States. Today, the Old Town is experiencing a renaissance.
13:30 SEAFOOD MARKET: Lunch with pure local style.
The best place to eat in Panama City in pure local style. There is a good restaurant on the top floor which attracts tourists, but much richer and infinitely more memorable are the crowded stalls on the first floor, where you can sample recently prepared fresh ceviche.
15:00 AN AFTERNOON OF SHOPPING: You will want to return!
One can not leave Panama without spending an afternoon shopping. Due to the country’s role as an international port, manufactured goods worldwide are cheaper than anywhere else in the hemisphere. The city offers an endless variety of options and shopping centers, among which are: Multiplaza Pacific Mall, in the financial center of the city, has all varieties of brands; or Albrook Mall, one of the largest shopping mall in Panama, impossible to go through in one day, but worth a brief visit, although if you love shopping, you will want to return.
19:00 DGRISS ART GALLERY: Emerging Latin American art.
And to finish off the afternoon of shopping, we suggest a stop at this excellent gallery of Latin American art. It is located on the ground floor of one of the best office buildings in the city, and features exhibitions by emerging Latino artists. Totally recommended, you will not regret the visit!
21:00 DONDE JOSÉ: A dinner with pure Panamanian style.
Don José manages to reinvent the typical Panamanian food in a culinary tale beyond our imagination. A specially prepared menu of seven courses, each filled with surprises. The best dining experience in Panama so far.
8:00 SECOND MORNING: The canal.
Waking up in the room of BlueBay City Panama**** hotel, looking around and smiling after browsing through the multitude of shopping bags from yesterday. It’s a good feeling, but we must get going to enjoy another busy day. Today we have a morning visit to the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center of the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center.
13:00 AMADOR CAUSEWAY: Lunch and relax.
Offering spectacular views of the skyline of Panama City and the Panama Canal, the Amador Causeway was created to connect four small islands using rocks extracted from the Panama Canal. Today, these small islands have many good restaurants, bike paths, the aquarium of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, craft shops, a port for cruise ships and a yacht marina.
15:00 BIODIVERSITY MUSEUM: An afternoon with art, technology and science.
Biodiversity Museum, opened in late 2014 and designed by Frank Gehry, is a discordant, bold building, resembling a macaw. Inside you’ll find one of the best natural history exhibits you’re probably bound to see. A new landmark of the city, both due to its architectural design and its ability to unite technology, science and art, in order to encourage the continuous learning and awareness of the wonderful biodiversity of this planet.
20:30 A DINNER AND A DRINK WITH A VIEW: Say goodbye to the city in the best atmosphere.
Panama City is famous for its exciting nightlife. It takes place in three main areas of the city where you can choose between the Commercial District (Bella Vista, El Cangrejo, Calle 50), the Old Town or the spectacular Amador Causeway. Prepare to bid farewell to the city in the best atmosphere!
