Discover Panama: Culture and City Life

Panama City, the capital of Panama, brings together vegetation, Indigenous communities, and vibrant urban life. Casco Antiguo, museums, and recreational activities offer different ways to explore: you can take in the colonial cityscape, learn more about the history of the Panama Canal, or include culture and active exploration in your stay. When looking for a vacation rental in Panama, it is worth first considering which of these facets you want to shape your days in the city.

Culture through the cityscape, the canal, and art

Casco Antiguo is a walled colonial city within Panama City. Its colonial character and fortifications give the place a clear historical focus. At the Museo del Canal de Panamá, you can learn more about the history of the Panama Canal; the Museo de La Mola (MuMo) showcases Indigenous art from the Guna people. At the Mercado de Artesanías in Panama City, you can buy handcrafted goods.

When choosing among these cultural offerings, you can decide based on what interests you most: the cityscape of Casco Antiguo, canal history at the Museo del Canal, Guna art at MuMo, or handcrafted goods at the Mercado de Artesanías. Historical sites, museum topics, and crafts thus offer distinct starting points for your explorations.

Architecture and exhibitions at Amador

Architecture is another distinctive feature: the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway was designed by Frank Gehry. One of its eight galleries is Panamarama, a three-story projection of Panama’s ecosystems. The galleries also include Vitrina de la biodiversidad, El puente surge, El gran intercambio, and La huella humana. At the Biomuseo, you can take in both the building’s design and the different gallery titles; Panamarama offers a specific example of an exhibition about Panama’s ecosystems.

History and activity along different routes

The Amador Causeway connects four islands using rock excavated during the construction of the Panama Canal. This material creates a direct link to the history of the canal’s construction. Along the causeway, you can walk, inline skate, and cycle.

You can also explore the Cinta Costera on foot or by bicycle; inline skating is another option at the Amador Causeway. The Recreovía runs from the Paitilla neighborhood to the end of the Amador Causeway. This means you can plan not only which activity to try, but also follow a specific route.

Experiences as a starting point for your search

These differences can help narrow down your search for a vacation rental in Panama. First, consider whether historic cityscapes and museums or getting active along the paths will play a greater role in your days in the city. If you are traveling with people who have different interests, this comparison offers an objective starting point for planning together: it sets out specific topics and activities side by side. This makes it easier to describe the kind of days you want and connect that with what you are looking for in your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: San Cristobal, San Miguel, Lagarterita, Saboga, Nuevo Arraijan, Las Cumbres, Santa Clara, El Cacao.

Go to the main travel overview: Panama.