As one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is a highlight of any Yucatan vacation. This ancient site is the largest and best preserved set of Maya ruins in the entire Yucatan Peninsular. The renowned UNESCO site, which once supported over …
While it wasn’t my favourite cenote in the Yucatan, I still really loved Cenote Suytun. Its a bit further off the path for day trippers headed to Chichen Itza, but is still a very popular place to cool off in this region of Mexico, seeing …
Swimming in cenotes was one of my favourite things to do when I was exploring Mexico’s Yucatan Pensinular. These water filled sinkholes are the perfect place to relax for a few hours and escape the heat of the Yucatan sun (which I know something about, having been in the region in summer!). The Yucatan is filled with cenotes, so you’re spoiled for choice. If you’re looking up cenotes in Mexico, you’ll see Cenote Ik-Kil fairly early on. Its one of the most popular in the Yucatan and has become increasingly famous thanks to Instagram. Its green-blue waters, surrounded by lush vines and vegetation hanging down its walls from the surface say it all. Being so close to the regional highlight of Chichen Itza, if you only have time to visit one cenote in Mexico, you might as well make it Cenote Ik-Kil.
If you haven’t spent much time in Mexico, you might be wondering what a cenote actually is. In the simplest way I can put it, a cenote is a water filled sinkhole. They occur quite frequently in the Yucatan, as underground limestone caves collapse on themselves, exposing the groundwater laying underneath. The water in cenotes is sourced from beneath the surface, which explains the often cool temperatures of these pools of water (making them perfect for cooling off on a hot, humid day). In Mayan times, various cenotes were regarded as sacred sites, used for ritualistic sacrifices. All kinds of relics have been uncovered in cenotes, with many being located in heritage sites (such as Chichen Itza’s sacred cenote). Others, such as Cenote Ik-Kil are open for tourists, effectively serving as natural swimming pools.
Cenotes are important ecosystems, and they often contain various fish (such as black catfish) and other forms of aquatic life. Because of this, there are important rules when swimming in cenotes to protect the ecosystem.
There are three kinds of cenotes. Open cenotes are completely exposed to the elements and form when caves have completely collapsed on themselves. Cenote Ik-Kil is an open cenote (and is warmer than other types due to the direct sunlight it receives). Other kinds of cenotes throughout the Yucatan may be semi-open (mostly underground but with some openings in the ceiling) or underground (essentially in a cave with no natural light sources).
The term ‘Ik-Kil’ means “place of the winds” in Mayan. This cenote was an extremely sacred site at the peak of the Mayan Empire, with some groups believing the cenote was the home of the Rain God, Chaac. Sacrifices were carried out here to worship Chaac, with bones, jewellery and other artefacts having been discovered in the cenote’s deep waters. They also used it for recreational purposes (just like today!).
From a natural perspective, Cenote Ik-Kil is gorgeous. About 26 metres below sea level, the cenote’s waters are pristine and deep blue-green in colour. The walls of the cenote cavern are covered in a spectacular array of foliage, which makes it seem like you’ve stepped into another world when you swim out into the middle of the waterhole and look up to the sky far above.
Cenote Ik-kil is sixty metres across in diameter, and while it is heavily touristed, I found there to be plenty of room to swim around without getting on top of other guests. The cenote is 48 metres deep (there’s no way you’ll be going to the bottom of this one!).
The cenote burst onto the pop-culture scene following cliff diving competitions held from the top in 2010, 2011 and 2012. You won’t be doing that though. While you can jump into the water from platforms down in the main swimming area, diving from the surface is strictly prohibited.
This cenote was the first one I visited during my Yucatan trip. While there are many other beautiful cenotes in the region, Cenote Ik-Kil remains my favourite. The pictures don’t do it justice. You must take a dip in this magical wonder when you’re in the Yucatan.
The way you’ll get to Cenote Ik-Kil will obviously depend on where you’re coming from. I’m a strong advocate of the idea that the best way to experience Yucatan Mexico is by renting a car. If you have a set of wheels, you won’t have any troubles getting to the cenote. Its literally down the road from Chichen Itza, which I’m sure is a place you’ll be headed to during your Yucatan trip. Get on Federal Highway 180 and you’ll find the cenote between the towns of Valladolid and Piste (its only 10 minutes east of the latter). Cenote Ik-Kil has a huge parking lot (and parking is free).
If you’re not renting a car, fear not. With so many group tours heading out to the site, you’ll find many will include a stop at a cenote as part of the day trip. Chances are that cenote will be Ik-Kil, so you’ll get to experience it either way. I always use Viator to search for day trips when I’m travelling somewhere. Just bear in mind that it can be a really long day if you’re coming all the way from Cancun or the Riviera Maya. You’ll need to factor in around 3 hours both ways.
One of the best places to base yourself when visiting the cenotes around Chichen Itza is the charming colonial town of Valladolid. Cenote Ik-Kil is only about 45 minutes drive from here. Personally, I’d stay overnight and head to the cenote after Chichen Itza (the big tourist buses tend to show up in the early afternoon).
You can also get to Cenote Ik-Kil from Valladolid by collectivo (shared van transport). They leave from Calle 39 or between Calle 44 and 46 and the ride will only set you back $35 MXN each way. The earliest collectivo leaves Valladolid for the cenote at 7.00am. Alternatively, the local bus service from Valladolid departs from the bus station on the corner of Calle 46 and 39. There’s about 20 buses a day with the first one leaving at 8.30am.
Your admission to Cenote Ik-Kil covers entrance to the site, as well as locker and life jacket rental. I was surprised to learn that you have to wear a life jacket in the cenote, but considering how deep it is, I can understand that. There’s change room facilities on site so don’t waste any time after arriving and get into your swimming gear. Make sure you bring a towel (though you can rent them for an additional fee). Some people might like to bring swim shoes as well – the trail down to the cenote can be quite slippery. I didn’t have any, and I didn’t miss them here (unlike at say Cenote Suytun).
Before you can enter the actual cenote, you will need to shower off. This is common practice at cenotes throughout Mexico, in order to protect the water quality from skin oils and sunscreen products. There’s some outdoor showers near the cenote entrance that you will need to use. Be warned, the water is quite cold!
From there, you can enter the cenote by descending the set of stairs in a tunnel that lead to the water’s surface. Along the way, there’s a few view points that jut out, offering spectacular views of the cenote from above (the perfect opportunity for photos!). Once you get to the bottom of the tunnel, you can either enter the water by a set of wooder step ladders, or you can jump in from a platform some 5 metres above the water. Cenote Ik-Kil has fully vertical walls, making jumping from these platforms perfectly safe – you’ve got no chance of hitting anything on the way down. Lifeguards also monitor the cenote.
Cenote Ik-Kil’s property also contains a buffet restaurant, as well as small shops where you can buy snacks and drinks. There’s an additional admission package that includes food at the restaurant with your admission for $350 MXN ($230 MXN for children). Not ready to leave? Consider staying at the on-site hotel, which grants you cenote access rights for your stay.
Cenote Ik-Kil is a wonderful place to cool off while spending time in the heart of the Yucatan jungle. On a quick trip to the region, make this the cenote you experience. What do you think of Cenote Ik-Kil compared to other Mexican cenotes?
The Yucatan Peninsular is one of the most popular regions for tourists in all of Mexico. Comprised primarily of the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo (and also Campeche, though I didn’t get there), this region of Mexico has attracted international acclaim since its luxury, …
Lets face it. When you hear Panama, the first thing you think of is the Panama Canal, isn’t it? Before my trip to Panama, it was actually one of the only things I knew about the country. Naturally I had to see it for myself …
If there’s only one museum you get to during your visit to Panama City, make it the BioMuseo. Situated along the Amador Causeway, there’s no missing this distinctly abstract and colourful building. The BioMuseo is an extremely modern, interactive museum that focuses on Panama’s biodiversity and unique location in the natural world. The Panama isthmus truly links North and South Americas and the BioMuseo explores the significance of this through a combination of oversized visuals, immersive experiences and awe-inducing displays. You’ll come out of the BioMuseo knowing a lot more about Panama’s rich environments and the interconnectedness of its species. In this guide, I’ll be covering exactly what you’ll see on a visit to the BioMuseo.
Before we talk about the actual BioMuseo itself, we have to talk about that building. Chances are you’ll be spending a bit of time checking it before you go inside anyway. The building was designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry (his first foray into Latin America) and to say its vibrantly coloured and eye catching is an understatement. While its open to interpretation, the colourful roof panels and columns are supposedly set out to symbolise the powerful and uncontrolled forces of nature that have given rise to the immense biodiversity found in Panama and more generally globally. Some might say that the building’s design evokes images of tree trunks and branches reaching out into a dynamic canopy of colour. One thing is for sure though – if you lined all the building’s panels up against one another, they’d cover a soccer field!
The museum is a fairly new attraction to Panama City. It only opened in 2014, and you’ll notice throughout your visit that this is a much more modern museum than other interpretative sites throughout the city.
The BioMuseo is made up of 8 permanent galleries that are designed to be experienced in a linear manner. If you haven’t pre-booked your ticket, you’ll buy it in an outdoor central area before being led through the doors into the first exhibition gallery. In addition to the museum’s galleries, there is also a gift shop and cafe on site (which I stopped by for lunch), and the museum may also host temporary exhibitions from time to time.
Most of the signage throughout the BioMuseo is in both Spanish and English, so if you’re reading this, you won’t have any problems understanding what you’re seeing throughout the museum. There is an audioguide available on the museum’s official website (download it in advance if you want to use it), but its fairly basic. There’s lots of information panels that cover all the content anyway, so I don’t think the audio guide adds that much to your experience.
You should plan on spending about 2 hours for a reasonably comprehensive tour of the BioMuseo’s permanent exhibits. I’ll now cover those exhibits in the order they’re designed to be experienced.
Your introduction to the BioMuseo is (fittingly) the Gallery of Biodiversity. Here you’ll learn what biodiversity actually is, which is an extremely important concept if you’re going to get much out of the museum. Biodiversity comprises the totality of living organisms and ecosystems on our planet and the huge variation of species and environments. Protecting biodiversity is critical, given how interlinked the components of the natural world are, as you’ll learn later in the museum. Unfortunately, we’re losing biodiversity on earth – while new species are still being discovered, others are becoming extinct in the face of human growth and expansion. That message is conveyed by the gallery’s multicoloured wall covered in silhouettes of different animal species from Panama. They’re all colour-coded, with green meaning the species is found in abundance, while red species are critically endangered. Those shown in black have already been declared extinct.
Its a sobering start to the museum. You’ll learn that habitat destruction is the main cause of extinction. Unfortunately more than 7 million hectares of forest are being cleared each year (more than the entire size of Panama). Under current trends, its made quite clear that many species alive today could also vanish over the next few centuries.
After waiting around in the first exhibit, you’ll be ushered into the Panamarama cinema. This highly immersive multi-sensory experience is a highlight of BioMuseo. As you sit or stand, you’re surrounded by 10 massive screens around, above and below you. When the presentation begins, you’ll be taken on a journey across Panama’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems, ranging from the Caribbean beaches to the mountain forests. As the film rolls along, you’ll be fully engaged as you hear the sounds of nature and even get a brief spray as a tropical storm rolls in. Since I didn’t get to venture outside of Panama City, this was an incredible overview of the country’s diverse environments. My only complaint was that its only about 5 minutes. I would have happily sat through more of it!
Leaving the theatre, you’re free to explore the rest of the museum at your own pace, beginning with the Building the Bridge exhibit. Here, you’ll learn about the geological processes that led to the creation of the Panama isthmus over millions of years. 70 million years ago, Panama was under the sea and the American continents were divided by ocean.
In this exhibit, you follow the process step by step, starting with the formation of basalt rocks on the sea floor through plate tectonic movements. Over time, volcanoes emerged and by 45 million years ago, Panama was a chain of volcanic islands. With volcanos come ash and lava, which in turn gradually connected the islands. As the plates of the earth continued to collide, more eruptions followed and the mountainous backbone of Panama continued to emerge. Some three million years ago, Panama formed a land bridge between the two Americas, quite literally changing the world.
The formation of Panama transformed weather patterns and oceanic circulation (after all, there was now a mass of land separating that previously vast ocean!). Its even thought that these changes may have played a role in the start of the Ice Age which ultimately led to hominid ancestors developing in Africa. Panama didn’t just change the world, it quite literally could have led to our very existence!
How do we know all this? Geological research. This exhibit contains a number of rock formations and fossils that provide valuable clues to the phenomena of plate tectonics. You’ll also come across a seismograph – an instrument used to measure the constantly moving plates on the earth’s surface.
One of the most memorable halls in the BioMuseo is the Worlds Collide gallery. Following on from the story of Panama’s formation, this exhibit is all about the impact it had on the evolution of life. The gallery is filled by a massive sculpture depicting 72 different species coming together from both north and south. This Great Biotic Interchange took place when the American continents connected, with Panama providing access to new lands for numerous animals and birds. This continues to the present day, with millions of species either passing through on seasonal migrations, or just spreading into new territory (often as a result of human caused changes to their existing environments).
You’ll want to take some time here to read about the various animals depicted in the sculpture. I was extremely surprised to learn that the llama, an animal we often associate with South America, actually first originated in North America some 45 million years ago, only to cross through the Panama isthmus. Similarly, various horses originated in North America but were hunted to extinction by Native American tribes. It wasn’t until the Spanish conquistadors came to the New World with domesticated horses from Europe, that the horse was reintroduced across the American continents.
Next, you’ll exit into an outdoor space. The Human Path exhibit is actually housed underneath the BioMuseo’s main atrium. The focus here is on the impact humans have had on Panama’s biodiversity across 150,000 years of history. This information is laid out on 16 columns, broken down across 4 main periods. If you start at the beginning of the timeline, you’ll learn how the first inhabitants of Panama lived off the land and eventually hunted large prehistoric animals such as mastodons to extinction. The development of agriculture by Pre-Hispanic groups many years later led to complex societies and communal structures being established. Forests were transformed for crop growth, though the significance of nature was recognised, with ceramics and other works being decorated by animal depictions.
From there, the story shifts to the impact of humans in Colonial times. The arrival of Europeans to the New World in 1501 significantly changed the relationship between humans and nature in the Americas. Changes to the way people lived occurred as new colonial settlements were established, while diseases and battles shaped both the human and natural spheres. Those changes continued to take place through to contemporary times, which is what the last couple of columns focus on, with events such as the opening of the Panama Canal, and the scientific discoveries and urban development of human life today.
Heading back inside into a second building, you’ll reach the BioMuseo’s aquarium. Panama’s formation also led to distinct aquatic ecosystems forming on either side of the isthmus, and that’s exactly what’s explored here, with two giant tanks depicting the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea side by side one another. There’s a similar concept at the Punta Culebra Nature Center’s aquarium up the road, but this is definitely superior as the tanks are much larger and filled with more corals, fish and other aquatic life. With Panama forming a physical barrier between the two water bodies, the two oceans couldn’t be more different.
In the 290,000 litre Caribbean tank, you’ll see the colourful fish that live in its calm and warm waters. The Caribbean is the perfect water body for large reefs to form owing to its year round transparent waters. By contrast, the Pacific Ocean is huge, wide and deep (therefore its fitting that it has the larger tank as well, holding 410,00 litres of sea water). Its nutrient rich waters have led to a complex array of food webs for large schools of fish, some of which you can see in their tank. The species in the Pacific tank were actually collected further off the coast from Panama City as the waters near the museum are heavily polluted.
You’ll want to spend some time comparing the two oceanic displays in this hall (and you’ll get another view from above before leaving the museum), but you can also check out a few smaller displays such as those depicting the difference between living and dead corals.
Up next, the Living Web goes big picture, looking at the interactions between microorganisms, insects, animals and plants, with the take home message being the importance of one species’ reliance on a myriad of others to survival. The actual exhibit consists of another set of giant sculptures, this one of the flora and fauna rich rainforest of Islo Barro Colorado, a small island in the middle of the Panama Canal. The various organisms are depicted in ways that represent the complex interactions they utilise to care for others, and there is also information on the role of humans in this great web of life.
An example of the significant relationships between species on display in this gallery can be seen through the fig tree and wasp example. An enlarged fig is split in half to show that the wasp uses it to lay its eggs and reproduce. In return, the wasp brings pollen to the fig, allowing it to continue to germinate. Neither species could survive without the other, and nature is full of relationships just like this.
The final part of the BioMuseo’s permanent galleries is entitled ‘Panama is the Museum’. Its basically a summary that ties everything you’ve learnt about biodiversity and nature throughout your time in the museum. Further emphasis is placed on Panama’s natural uniqueness, and many of its natural and cultural wonders are shown through interactive touch screens that provide further information.
On my visit, there was a space set up for a temporary exhibit after this section. The Extinction travelling exhibit highlighted species that have already become extinct throughout history. There were fossils of creatures ranging from megalodons to dodos in this relatively simple display. It also brought everything full circle, as the final message of my tour of BioMuseo was the fact that an estimated 150 species go extinct each day, with more than 35,000 more in danger of extinction on current trends.
When you’re finished with the museum itself, its worth spending a bit of time wandering through the BioMuseo’s Park of Biodiversity. The views from the Amador Causeway are stunning enough, but this free outdoor space adds to that with a series of outdoor displays amongst nature. The range of educational exhibits among the beautiful gardens is quite varied, ranging from the Garden of Evolution‘s focus on the history of plant life to the Garden of Life, which focuses on crops and other vegetables. The centrepiece is the great fig tree, under which the interconnected web of life is explored in the Garden of Interdependence.
I didn’t spend a huge amount of time in the Park of Biodiversity, but while getting to my next destination, I strolled along the Promenade of the Canal. This meant that in addition to taking in the views of forested shores on the other side of the Bridge of the Americas, I also was able to learn about the volcanic mountains on the horizon and their role in the surrounding ecosystems. All in, its a clever way to attract curious passers by to learn more in the detailed exhibits inside the BioMuseo.
I was really impressed by the BioMuseo. Having just come from the Punta Culebra Nature Center nearby, I had actually considered skipping this museum, thinking that it would be more of the same content. While there was definitely some overlap, I’m very glad that I visited the BioMuseo. It actually blew me away compared to what I had been expecting in terms of its scope and interactivity. Definitely put the BioMuseo on your itinerary if you’re planning a trip to Panama City.
Have you been to the BioMuseo yet? Which part of the museum is most interesting to you?
Prior to spending time in Panama City, I didn’t fully comprehend the significance of Panama’s natural diversity. I certainly didn’t expect to get the chance to get into the wild a short distance from the heart of the city. If you’re spending more time in …
I spent a fair bit of time wandering about the Casco Viejo during my stay in Panama City, especially during the evenings. This restored historic old town is a far cry from the modern, business oriented Downtown of Panama’s capital. The Casco Viejo is the …
I only spent a short amount of time in Panama City on my recent trip. As the most developed city in Central America, its a popular transit point for flights in the area, so if you’re travelling anywhere around the region, chances are you’ll at least pass through here. As the capital city of Panama however, I was keen to get a feel for the country, so I jumped at the chance to stay for a few days. While the city isn’t filled with tourist attractions like some destinations, there’s still enough to keep you busy as a first time visitor. In this post, I’m going to provide you with the basics before diving into my recommended Panama City itinerary if you’ve only got 24 hours for sightseeing.
One thing I got a lot of during my stay in Panama was rainfall. I was in Panama City in August, which happens to coincide with the wet season. Spanning from June to mid December, afternoon showers are quite frequent. I did get good weather during the mornings and early afternoons though, which seems to be common, and by evening the wet had cleared up as well. If you’re after blue skies and sunshine all the time though, you should aim to visit Panama between January and May.
Regardless of when you visit Panama, you’ll experience a hot and humid tropical climate. Panama is just north of the equator, so you can expect daytime temperatures to consistently average in the early 30s (Celsius). At night, the temperature will only drop into the 20s.
The most popular time for tourists to flock to Panama is during the Carnaval season (February), but in saying that, its not a place that tends to be too overcrowded. Just pick your time based on when you can get to Panama and you’ll have an enjoyable trip.
The main airport servicing Panama City is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which is about 35 kilometres northeast of the city centre. Its a major hub for Copa Airlines, which connects the city to destinations throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. Other airlines also operate out of Tocumen, offering connections to the same regions, as well as further afield to Europe and China. Domestic flights via Air Panama run from Tocumen, as well as Albrook Airport (PAC), a smaller terminal near the Panama Canal.
Once you land in Panama, you’ll need to clear customs (which was fairly quick in my experience) before heading into the city. You can get to your accommodation by taxi, which will cost you roughly $30.00 USD. Uber also operates in Panama City and will set you back about $25.00 USD. Depending on the time of day, your journey can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours (rush hour traffic from the airport can be rough) Whatever you do, don’t be solicited by one of the many unofficial ‘drivers’ that will offer to take you to your hotel when you exit the terminal – they’re well known for charging exorbitant amounts.
As always with international travel, check Panama’s entry requirements. Visitors from most western nations won’t need a visa to enter Panama. Make sure you have a valid passport and you should be granted entry for 90 days on arrival (which can be extended if you’re planning a lengthier stay).
Panama City is filled with affordable accommodation options. With that said, the city does have some rather seedy neighbourhoods. I would recommend staying in the Casco Viejo. This is the historic old town, filled with colonial buildings, and is where most tourists will be based. Its a relatively safe area, but steer clear of the surrounding poorer slums such as El Chorillo (I was told this by several people, and having passed through the area in an Uber, I can understand why).
I actually stayed further out at the Radisson Hotel Panama Canal. Considering the luxurious stay, it was extremely affordable. I picked the hotel based on its location near the famous canal, but its actually a fair distance from the main visitor’s center. Geographically, the hotel is closer to the Amador Causeway, which contains a few tourist sights, but even so, I had to Uber to them because its so sprawling. Having known what I know now, I would have stayed in the old town if I was planning it over again.
As a general guide, you can expect to pay the following prices for a double room in high season in Panama City: (per night)
Overall, I found Panama to be a very affordable destination.
Panama City’s main sights are fairly spread out, so you’ll need to get around if you plan on seeing the best it has to offer in 24 hours. While the Casco Viejo district itself is compact, you’ll need to rely on some form of transport to get further afield (and as I mentioned, you don’t want to be walking through the ghettos surrounding the old town). I mainly used Uber to get around the city. Its extremely cheap in Panama, although I did find that you sometimes had to wait a while for a driver to connect with you (probably owing to there being less Uber drivers than in other major cities).
If you’re trying to save money further, I understand that Panama City has a fairly decent public transport system. Buses are modern and air conditioned, with rides costing up to $1.50 USD. To use them however, you’ll need to buy a Rapi-Pass ($2 USD) as cash isn’t accepted. The pass can be purchased at the Albrook Terminal or at supermarkets and some bus stops). Alternatively, the El Metro train network passes through the city centre, but to my knowledge doesn’t really get to the main tourist destinations.
Overall, I think Uber is best suited if you plan on following this Panama City itinerary.
Panama actually has two official currencies – the Panamian Balboa (PAB) and the US Dollar (USD). They are pegged directly against one another (1:1 exchange rate), so you’ll be fine using US Dollars throughout the country. ATMs are reasonably well available (though I was surprised that my hotel didn’t have one in the lobby). Most tourist areas will also accept credit cards.
Spanish is the official language of Panama. Its definitely helpful to know some basic phrases. Some key phrases that will help you get by are:
This isn’t a sponsored post at all, but if you’re interested in learning Spanish, I highly recommend the language podcast course offered by Coffee Break Languages.
For the most part, Panama City is a reasonably safe metropolis, but you do need to have your wits about you. Always be aware of your surroundings, don’t flash valuable items and watch out for pick pockets. Bag snatching can also be a problem, so don’t set your belongings down unattended. The main thing to remember is to stay away from the more troubled neighbourhoods. Most are well away from the parts of the city that you’ll be visiting, but be mindful that you don’t wander into El Chorillo with its proximity to the Casco Viejo.
Spending 24 hours in Panama City gives you enough time to see the best it has to offer. Ideally you’d spend a few more days, but if you’re short on time, this Panama City itinerary has you covered. I actually followed this Panama City itinerary to the tee on one of my days in the metropolis, so I’m confident in saying it works out well. Note that Panama City’s tourist attractions currently have strange opening hours. This Panama City itinerary works best on a weekend. Many of the city’s attractions close in the early part of the week. Depending when you’re coming, you might need to shuffle things around.
You’ll want to start your morning with breakfast before taking an Uber out onto the Amador Causeway. It is a rather picturesque spot. Lined with palm trees, it connects a series of small islands to the mainland at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. While you’re on the Causeway, you can’t miss the incredible panoramic views of Panama’s modern downtown skyline – something many locals will attest to as they come here for their morning jog. Take it all in en route to your first destination.
Punta Culebra actually seems to be overlooked on most Panama City itinerary posts that I’ve read. Personally I really enjoyed this nature park filled with trails, aquariums, and other animal exhibits. Its operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and is a great way to learn about the diversity of life that exists in Panama. Its location on one of the islands linked by the Causeway also guarantee spectacular surroundings as you wander through the reserve. The aquariums are nothing special (there’s better ones at our next stop), but if you’re not venturing further throughout the country, this is your chance to see Panama’s natural beauty – including the sloths that Central America is famous for. The reserve houses over 30 sloths which hang out in the tree tops. They can be tricky to spot, but the staff will help you.
Throughout the reserve there are a series of nature trails that take you through a tropical dry forest, as well as touch pools and other educational experiences. The very end of the park juts out into an overlook, where you can see the Panama Canal link up with the vast Pacific Ocean. You’ll only spend an hour or two at the most here, but its a beautiful destination.
Your next stop is a brief half hour walk along the Amador Causeway back towards the mainland. There’s no way you’ll miss the BioMuseo on your approach. Arguably Panama’s most famous museum, the building is multicoloured and abstract in design, created by Frank Gehry himself. The Museum, hence its name, is all about the vast biodiversity found throughout Panama, owing to its position as the land bridge between North and South America. Throughout the BioMuseo, you’ll see a series of exhibits that showcase the way in which different species evolved after meeting in this region. One of the most impressive halls contains the Worlds Collide display – a massive series of sculptures depicting the great migration of 97 species intermixing in Panama.
I touched on the aquariums at Punta Culebra being underwhelming, and the BioMuseo definitely puts them to shame. A memorable hall of this Museum contains side by side tanks depicting the differences between the Pacific and Caribbean water bodies, again emphasising the spectrum of life present in Panama. There’s also exhibits that provide information on extinct species, as well as the way in which human life has impacted on the world’s biodiversity. Its worth spending at least an hour or two in the Museum to get the most out of it.
Alright, you’ve spent your morning learning about Panama’s natural beauty, its time to visit the manmade landmark that the country is best known for. The Panama Canal needs no introduction. An engineering Wonder of the World, the opening of this channel really put Panama on the map. Extending some 80 kilometres from the Pacific to the Atlantic (spanning the entire width of the country in the process), the Panama Canal grants passage to nearly 15,000 every year. Modern ships have traditionally been built to meet the Canal’s specifications, as passing through the Canal is much quicker than having to travel all the way around South America!
The Miraflores Visitors Center gives you the opportunity to see the Canal in action. Overlooking the Miraflores Locks (one of three sets of locks throughout the Canal), the site contains a museum dedicated to the Canal’s history and workings, before taking you onto a terrace overlooking the water channel itself. Make sure you time your visit to coincide with one of the times of day that the boats actually pass through. Ships go west to east between 9.00am to 11.00am, while the westbound traffic comes about mid-afternoon (I witnessed it at about 2.30pm). On-site guides will give a talk at peak passage times, explaining everything you need to know about the Canal. Expect to spend a good hour or so watching the locks in action. The process of changing water levels throughout the Canal is surprisingly fascinating.
Note that the Visitor’s Center is about 20 minutes from the BioMuseo by Uber.
After a fun filled day exploring Panama City, the historic old town is the best place to relax during the late afternoon and evening. This historic district is filled with Spanish plazas and architecture, making strolling about a pleasant experience. Its a charming place to wander, and has actually been recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site since its restoration. I enjoyed wandering about the streets, checking out the historic buildings such as the National Theatre and the various cathedrals.
There’s numerous maps that will help you find all the notable buildings and monuments throughout the neighbourhood. Spend a bit of time checking out the stores for authentic souvenirs before enjoying some incredible Panamanian cuisine to top off your 24 hour Panama City itinerary. Speaking of food, I can certainly vouch for both Lo Que Hay and Restaurante Casablanca in the area – both were DELICIOUS. Afterwards you might want to enjoy the general ambience in one of the main squares. You’ll no doubt find a street performer putting on a show, which makes for an entertaining end to a day in Panama City.
Spending more than 24 hours in Panama? Luckily for you, there’s lots more in the city that I would have liked to have seen. Panama Viejo (not to be confused with Casco Viejo) is the UNESCO protected ruins of the original Panama settlement, which was attacked and plundered by Sir Henry Morgan in the late 17th century. I didn’t realise this at the time of my visit, but it was actually the first European city on the Pacific Ocean!
Meanwhile, those wanting to delve deeper into Panama’s cultures will enjoy a trip to Mi Pueblito, an open-air museum village filled with replica buildings indicative of various colonial and indigenous styles. Those craving more nature might consider a tour out to Monkey Island in the Panama Canal itself, for monkey and sloth spotting adventures. If you’re more about beaches, Taboga Island is an easy 30 minute ferry ride out of the city .There’s also a number of other museums and galleries scattered throughout the old town and other parts of the city worth checking out, if you’d rather stay closer to the city’s heart.
24 hours means you won’t see everything that this vibrant and energetic city has to offer, but it will give you enough time to take in the highlights, as contained in this Panama City itinerary. With an extra day, you can see a lot more, so I highly recommend extending your stay if possible. For a destination so often overlooked, Panama City is a great place to spend some time, particularly if you’re venturing further throughout Central America.
Are there any places you’d recommend spending time at that I’ve missed in this Panama City itinerary?
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