Panama City

Nuestra Senora de La Asuncion de Panama

Founded in 1519, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion de Panama (Panama City), was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas.

The original outpost soon became the capital of Castilla de Oro–the base for Pizarro’s campaign against the Inca Empire, and a collection point for looted treasure.

The city’s concentrated wealth attracted unwanted attention, prompting Welsh pirate Henry Morgan to sack the city in a daring 1671 raid.

Casco Antiguo

Two years later, Panama City was reestablished five miles to the southwest, on a small, defensible peninsula now known as the Casco Antiguo or Casco Viejo.

Once the New World’s wealthiest city, Panama’s fortunes declined as Spain started routing vessels around Cape Horn.

Even so, Panama’s attractive geography has brought several subsequent waves of investment—including the California Gold Rush, the construction of the Panama Canal, and more recent retirement and tourism booms.

Cosmopolitan Capital of Central America

Panama City is Central America’s most cosmopolitan city.

Dense clusters of high-rise condos, offices and hotel towers line Balboa Avenue and Punta Paitilla.

Visitors are drawn by a stable dollar-denominated economy, the best shopping in the region, fine restaurants, and access to the nearby beaches, islands, and rainforests.

Ruins of Old Panama and Museums

Other Panama City attractions include:

• The Ruins of Old Panama (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• The Frank Gehry-Designed BioMuseum
• The Inter-oceanic Canal Museum
• The Reina Torrez de Arauz Anthropological Museum

Casco Antiguo

The Casco Antiguo is a favorite section of Panama City.

Emerging from decades of neglect, this Havana-esque quarter exudes history and creative energy.

Jazz Clubs, Historic Churches and Handcrafted Ice Cream

Here you’ll find storied jazz clubs, inventive restaurants, historic churches, and ice-cream crafted by Parisian expatriates.

Day trips can be arranged from Panama City to Miraflores Locks, indigenous communities, and world-class bird watching areas.

Half and full-day transits of the Panama Canal can also be arranged. Boat charters to the Pearl Islands can also be arranged.

Getting to Panama City

Panama City is served by Tocumen International Airport (PTY), located 15 miles (40 minutes) to the northeast.

Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert) Airport, located about 15 minutes’ drive from downtown, connects Panama City to more than a dozen destinations across the country. Flight times are less than one hour.