Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in a massive pirate raid. Walk or pedal along Cinta Costera, downtown's coastal green
space, to the
ceviche
(seafood) stands at the Mercado de Mariscos. Continue to the his-
toric neighborhood of Casco Viejo, with hip plaza restaurants and rooftop bars amid
crumbling ruins, galleries and 18th-century churches. Take in the scene strolling the ro-
mantic Paseo las Bóvedas.
Take a day trip to nearby
Miraflores Locks
, where observation decks put you front
and center with mammoth ships as they shimmy through the canal. Follow with a rain-
forest visit nearby. Options include checking out the wildlife-rich
Parque Nacional
Soberanía
, a favorite of avid birders. Climb a canopy tower to search for toucans,
capuchin monkeys and sloths or paddle a kayak on Lago Gatún alongside howler mon-
keys and sunbathing crocodiles.
From Panama City, fly to
Bocas del Toro
for four days of chill Caribbean vibes. Hire
a water taxi to snorkel the clear waters filled with tropical fish and colorful coral reefs.
Explore Isla Colón riding a cruiser bike out to Playa Bluff or Starfish Beach. Work up an
appetite riding the waves and spend your evening wining and dining on the waterfront in
quirky Bocas Town.
Split your time between this laid-back hub and a more remote setting such as
Isla Bas-
timentos
, with thatched resorts and jungle lodges, for a true island getaway. If you want
to really get under the skin of the culture, take a chocolate tour on the Bocas del Toro
mainland
or visit indigenous groups on other islands with a community tourism initiat-
ive.
Fly back to the capital for another shot of urban decadence in the city's many open-air
restaurants, sleek bars and salsa clubs.
