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| Parque Nacional Metropolitan -- a gorgeous forested park on the northern edge of the city. You can spot turtles, Jesus lizards, monkeys, sloths, and loads of bird species among the thick trees. From the edges of the park, you can hear (but not see) the highway traffic zooming by -- it's a bit surreal. Climb to the very top of the huge hill for incredible 360-degree views of the city, the bay, and the canal below.
Casco Viejo -- The old colonial section of Panama City. The rest of the city grew out of this area. There are some very old churches and lovely plazas that feel very European. The area is in the middle of a massive gentrification trend, so you'll see gorgeously restored apartment buildings next door to dilapidated buildings with several dirty-faced kids running around outside. From the edge of the water, you can look back across the bay onto a great view of downtown.
Miraflores Locks -- the part of the canal that is most visitor-friendly. You'll be awed by the MASSIVE ships that just barely fit inside the chambers of the locks. The exhibits inside explaining the history and ecology of the canal are a little cheesy, but worth the small entrance fee.
Panama Viejo -- The site of the original Panama City, it was raided by pirates and abandoned in the 1700s (the city was rebuilt behind thick walls at Casco Viejo). Now all that's left are ruins -- the bottom few layers of bricks and a few walls of an entire village. |
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