Overview
Take a trip to Panama City on your Panama Vacation
Panama City is the political and administrative centre of the country and is also its capital and largest city. Located in the Pacific entrance of the world-famous Panama Canal, Panama City hosts many high-rise buildings yet is surrounded by tropical rainforests to be enjoyed on Panama vacation.
The city was founded in August 1519 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila. It became a stopover point on the trade route from which all the gold and silver that Spain took from the Americas passed through. It was also the starting point for the expeditions that eventually conquered Peru’s Inca Empire. Pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the city by setting fire to it in 1671 and the inhabitants were forced to resettle 8 km (4.9 mi) away. This new city was re-established on 28 January 1673 and the old city’s ruins are a popular tourist destination. Panama City became the capital of the country upon independence from Colombia in 1903.
Languages
SpanishCurrency
Panamanian Balboa (PAB)What do the experts say?
U.S. dollars are used interchangeably with Panamanian balboas (at a 1:1 rate). There’s no need to exchange currency if you’re carrying U.S. cash.
Many assume Panama is just about the canal. In reality, it’s also a paradise for beaches, highlands, and indigenous culture — from Caribbean islands like the San Blas to the coffee region of Boquete.
Panama has more bird species than the United States and Canada combined — over 1,000. For birdwatchers, it’s one of the richest destinations in the world.
A visit to an Emberá indigenous village along the Chagres River is a cultural highlight — arriving by dugout canoe, sharing traditional food, and learning about their way of life in the rainforest.
Globetrotters should ensure they visit Isla Coiba, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, today it’s one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Americas, often compared to the Galápagos for its marine biodiversity.
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