Things to Do in Panama City

1. See Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal

2. Explore Casco Antiguo. 

Sometimes called Casco Viejo, it's Panama's Old Town

3. Wander around Panama Viejo

4. Go to El Valle

5. Cruise the Panama Canal

You can choose either a partial transit or a small boat with Captain Carl. He has a houseboat on the canal that you can stay on overnight, if you so choose.

6. Visit the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center

Gamboa is tucked up into the jungle where the Rio Chagres meets the Panama Canal.  Scientists from around the world flock to Gamboa to study the birds and animals along the Pipeline Road where birdwatchers have set world records for numbers and variety. For those of us who are the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center along the Road.  The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is in the Pipeline Road, on the border of the Soberania National Park.

7. See the Amador Causeway. 

This six-kilometer causeway was built to protect the Panama Canal.  You can enjoy the sunset from one of its restaurants and get good photos of the Bridge of the Americas and ships waiting to enter the canal. There's a long sidewalk perfect for runners but if you don't have the energy bicycles are available for rent.  It took us 6 months before we found Punta Culebra Nature Center; it's got a small sign but once there you and your kids can enjoy the aquariums and marine touch tanks, and use the binoculars to see  the ships waiting to enter the canal. They have a small gift shop and museum but I was more interested in watching a mother and baby moving from tree to tree while we were there.  

8. Party on Calle Uruguay

9. Hike in Parque Nacional Metropolitano

A rainforest in the middle of the urban sprawl, it's the lungs of Panama City.

10. Go to the beach

The locals enjoy day trips to Taboga Island.