In the wider destination of Panamá, travel ideas range from humid tropical rainforest and historic sites to island nature and the history of the canal. The following examples showcase different interests within this destination.
Tropical rainforest and wildlife watching
The Sendero Espíritu del Bosque is in Parque Nacional Soberanía in the province of Panamá. The trail is about 1.7 kilometers long and takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to walk. In the humid tropical rainforest, you can hear birdsong and spot animals such as ñeques. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Trail conditions and access options may change; check them before your visit.
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center in the same national park offers a different perspective on the forest: a spiral staircase leads to a 32-meter-high platform above the treetops. The Sendero focuses on trail length and approximate walking time, while the Discovery Center offers views from above.
Historic sites and walks
Panamá Viejo dates back to 1519 and was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can explore the archaeological site of the Catedral Primada Basílica Santa María la Antigua de Panamá and other historic ruins. From the bell tower, the view stretches to the skyline of Panama City.
The cobblestone streets and historic buildings of Casco Antiguo are ideal for walks. Paseo Esteban Huertas was built on the former city wall and offers views of the skyline and the bay. The archaeological ruins of Panamá Viejo and the walking routes through the historic cityscape therefore offer different ways to experience history. Another historic connection can be found at Parque Nacional Camino de Cruces, which protects the remains of the first section of a trade route built in 1527.
The Panama Canal and natural history
The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914. Tours and activities at the canal explain its economic, cultural, and ecological impacts. The drive from downtown Panama City to the Miraflores Visitor Center takes 15 minutes, though travel time may vary depending on traffic.
The Biomuseo also focuses on the natural history of Panamá. Its eight galleries explore different subjects:
- “Vitrina de la biodiversidad”: biological diversity
- “Panamarama”: a three-story projection of Panamá’s ecosystems
- “El puente surge”: the formation of Panamá
- “El gran intercambio”: animals that traveled through the region
- “La huella humana”: the human history of the region
- “Océanos divididos”: an aquarium
- “La red viviente”: a 15-meter-high sculpture
- “Panamá es el Museo”: the relationship between Panamá’s cultural and ecological diversity
A connecting theme is the formation of the land bridge of Panamá: it changed ocean currents and the climate and enabled an unprecedented exchange of flora and fauna.
Island nature on Isla Taboga
Isla Taboga has dry tropical forests and beaches with sandbanks that shift with the tides. In the village of San Pedro, narrow lanes, houses with murals, and colorful gardens contribute to the local character. Compared with the humid tropical rainforest at Sendero Espíritu del Bosque, the island offers a different landscape in the wider destination of Panamá.
Discover more destinations: San Miguel, Chilibre, Pueblo Nuevo, Buena Vista, Caimitillo, Copecito, San Miguelito, Chepo.
Back to the wider travel overview: Panamá.
