Panama City & Soberanía National Park

Panama City is a city of contrasts – from the Miami style skyscrapers along the coast, to the beautiful colonial Casco Viejo (old town), and on to the Panama Viejo site, where the original city was built in the 1500s. It’s also backed by thick rainforest, which makes wildlife spotting activities very accessible. It is most famous for its incredible 77km Panama Canal, and rightly so. The Canal is a major 20th century engineering feat that has shaped how international shipping now works worldwide. Besides being crucial to trade, for visitors it’s fascinating to experience how it works and learn about the history behind it. 

Just outside the city, fringing the Panama Canal, you’ll find the tropical oasis of Soberanía National Park. A nature walk here will have you searching for sloths, monkeys, coatis, snakes, and many different types of colourful birds! The Canal area also hosts the Panama Railway (used to transport silver and gold) as well as a number of fantastic hiking routes.