{"id":15123,"date":"2017-11-03T09:00:09","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T13:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=15123"},"modified":"2020-04-01T08:57:16","modified_gmt":"2020-04-01T12:57:16","slug":"6-must-see-places-panama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/6-must-see-places-panama\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Must-See Places in Panama"},"content":{"rendered":"

Panama is a country best known as a retirement refuge <\/span><\/a>for those looking to move abroad to warmer locations later in life. It’s also a great escape for beach and city-lovers alike. Visitors can come to learn about Panama’s rich history, enjoy the pristine beaches, and\/or zip line through the forests. If you want to check everything off of your vacation list for Panama, here are the ten best places to start!<\/span><\/p>\n

Panama Canal<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The most obvious first stop you’ll have to make is, of course, the Panama Canal. There’s a visitor center here called the Miraflores Visitor Center, an interactive museum and view deck for the Miraflores Locks, and even a restaurant, where you can request to sit on the balcony for dinner and a view all in one. It would be a shame to visit Panama without stopping to see this historic accomplishment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Panama Viejo<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Easily accessible by metro bus, Panama Viejo is an archaeological site that marks the original Panama City. It was the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas and was abandoned in the 17<\/span>th<\/span> century after being destroyed by English pirate Henry Morgan (so it is believed) in 1671. Panama City was, at that time, moved to what is now Casco Viejo, which is the city’s current historic center. Panama Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you can tour the remaining ruins while abroad in Panama.<\/span><\/p>\n

Casco Viejo<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Panama’s current historic center is known for its storied look. It’s made up of restored Spanish colonial buildings that are now boutique hotels and hostels, residential buildings, and trendy bars and restaurants. It offers a different feel to the rest of modern Panama City and is full of historic sites of its own.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cerro Azul<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Only 40 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Panama City, you can find the quaint mountain town of Cerro Azul. The weather and scenery will make you feel like you’re in a different country entirely \u2013 something more like the Swiss Alps! There’s a mountain ride here that will take you to an altitude of about 3,000 feet so that you can take in the gorgeous mountain scenery. This is also a great place for admiring the vast array of fauna Panama has to offer. Orchids, rivers, and streams make for breathtaking views and stunning photography!<\/span><\/p>\n

Parque Metropolitano and Ancon Hill<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

From the hike to the top of Ancon Hill in Panama’s Metropolitan Park, you can get the best view of not only Panama City, but also of the Panama Canal. The hiking trail is paved through a rainforest, where you can also come across sloths, birds, and all types of exotic plants. The hike up the entire trail and back only takes about an hour and a half, so you can easily take a taxi to the start and have it return in a couple of hours when you finish. There are two tours to enjoy at this location:<\/span><\/p>\n