Panama City is the capital and major population center of the Central American country of Panama. It is located at the western entrance of the Panama Canal which is one of the most impressive of the Panama attractions. The combination of history, geographical location and infrastructure in the city makes it one of the most popular retirement areas in the world at present. It is particularly important as a retirement community for U.S. citizens because of the high level of English speaking businesses and individuals who live there.
People of Panama
Panama City boasts a population of nearly one million people, most of whom live in modern apartments in the mostly vertical skyline. As an center for international banking and finance, the communications network is excellent. Office complexes and business centers share the core of the city with cultural and entertainment complexes that attract millions of visitors. If there is a difficulty with living in or near the City, it is that the growth of population in some of the older neighborhoods has far outstripped the ability of the infrastructure to handle the needs for power, water and transportation. New projects do not suffer from the same lack of planning.
Panama City History
Many of the Panama attractions are related to the history of Panama and of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal itself is a major attraction and is designated as a World Heritage Site. The oldest part of the city is known as Casco Viejo and dates back to the late 1600s. The mix of architectural styles, including Colonial, French, Art Deco, Republican and Caribbean within a landscape of fewer than 800 buildings makes the Old Quarter the second most visited tourist attraction in Panama, just behind the Canal itself. Other historical attractions in the City include churches, government buildings, museums and the Presidential Palace--Palacio de las Garza
Culture
The Panama City cultural diversity makes it a fascinating location to visit. In addition to sites that are interesting from an historical standpoint, there are several cultural sites that attract many of the region's visitors each year. For example, the National Institute of Culture Building and the renovated performance center, Teatro Nacional that provides intimate seating for around 800 persons. In the other sense of the word 'culture' the country of Panama refers to the rather unique mixture of Native American, European and African people groups. The City attracts a large number of immigrants as well as a individuals at each end of the economic spectrum.
Points of Interest
There are many other Panama attractions that offer a view into the life and culture of this Central American nation. You can look at the Embera Indian Village located at Parara Puru for an eyewitness sight of how the daily life for the Embera Indians in a jungle setting operated. For a different type of tour, spend a day wandering along the Amador Causeway where there are restaurants, hotels, tourist shops and jogging and biking trails. Another popular place for visitors is the parks and green areas located throughout the city, such as the Canopy Tower Ecology and Nature Observatory.
Food and Drink
Part of the attraction of visiting Panama City is the wide variety of food and drink options that can be found in the City. The variety is due to the rich mix of peoples and cultural groups that form the City. The cuisine is a wonderful and creative mixture of Caribbean, French, African, European and Native American dishes and specialties. Favorite dishes range from simply prepared mainstays such as rice and beans to elaborately seasoned specialties that make good use of regional spices.
Lodging in Panama City
No matter which Panama attractions interest you, you can find good travel deals when you go to the City. You can look online to locate everything from five-star luxury hotels to bed and breakfast facilities. Decide where in the City you want to visit and pick your lodging accordingly. You can find lodging that emphasizes the view of the Pacific or the Canal. You can select lodging to take advantage of cultural events, business trips or other typical holiday activities. The best hotels provide complete amenities to make every aspect of your visit to the City perfect.