Travel & Tourism in Panama

By Joebert Opulencia

DAY 01 – 23MAR – JFK/PANAMA CITY

Aboard Delta’s 737-800 (uffff) was lucky to be upgraded to First. After a five (5) hour flight, safely arrived in Panama City.

Immigration and Customs were smooth and the ride to the hotel Sheraton Grand was cheap, $12.

One of the most cosmopolitan capitals in Central America, Panama City is both vibrant metropolis and gateway to tropical escapes. Many worlds coexist here. Welcoming all, Panama is a regional hub of trade and immigration. The resulting cultural cocktail mix leads to a diverse melange of lifestyles and customs.

It’s bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Panama City boasts a skyline of skyscrapers, modern office buildings, condo complexes and hotels of shining glass and steel, with world-class views of the Bay of Panama. Its a major international commerce and banking hub, home to nearly 80 of the world’s largest banks, scores of international non-profits, and giant multi-nationals such as Federal Express, Dell, 3M, and many more.

Panama doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being the most exciting destination in Central America. However, after taking some time to explore this Central American city I began to realize the city has a lot to offer. Panama City was our first stop in Panama and we were excited to explore our first destination in Central America.

Follow me as I attend the 2022 Expo Turismo Internacional Panama, and as I travel around the “city that will never leave you”.

DAY 02 – 24MARCH

Let’s start with the flower decor … it was all over the place. Some of the most exotic and prized flowering plants in Panama are the Hotlips, Heliconia and the Poor Man’s Umbrella. Over 10,000 species of native plants and flowers.

WELCOME RECEPTION

Wine, food, good friends, and the beautiful people.

We were privileged to meet the Minister of Tourism and General Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, Hon Ivan Eskildsenas, well as the General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Panama, Demetrio Maduro.

Wine kept on coming and no shortage of food … they even had lechon (roasted pig), sirloin steak, and broiled fish. The cheese table was a hit, and the fish ceviche was to die for (kilawin – have been craving for it).

BRAVO PANAMA!

DAY 03 – 25MARCH

Panama is the home of COPA Airlines, a Star Alliance Airline that has been connecting North America, the Caribbean, Central, South America, and also Europe and the rest of the world. COPA made Panama an aviation hub and made Panama easily accessible to the Amerikas for business and tourism.

The strategic geographical location of this city State, home of the strategic and formerly US-controlled Panama Canal, is the ideal place not only for international meetings, but also position Panama as the central destination for the Americas and beyond. There is not only a lot of history, specifically with the United States, but there is culture, nature, food and of course beaches.

The Panama Tourism Board summarizes this potential perfectly by saying: Where Northern and Southern worlds connect, old and new worlds coexist, and cosmopolitan landscapes live in harmony with wild, untamed rainforests.

A country for those who seek beyond expectations, that dares you to see more. Taste more. Connect more. Feel more. A place for those who long more stimulation, connection, and transformation. Panama is not the destination, but the journey to discover more of what truly matters.

Make more lasting memories through an explosion of inspiration and purpose. And let the spirit of Panama unlock a sense of belonging.

Buyers were treated to a four night stay for them to explore the city.

DAY 4 – 26MARCH

We disembarked at the Gamboa Dredging Division where we boarded the bus for a hour and a half ride back to our hotel

DAY 05 – 27MARCH

Bordering the plaza to the south is Museo del Canal Interoceánico. This neoclassical building was originally built as the Gran Hotel in 1875. The French converted it into the Canal Headquarters in 1881 and later it was used as offices for the US Canal Commission. In 1997, it was refurbished and reopened as the Canal Museum, which is considered to be one of the best museums in Panama City.

Hotel Central on the east side of the plaza was built in 1874 used to be among the most luxurious hotels in the Americas. The hotel is has historic French architecture and a beautiful lobby. On the main level is a stunning wooden winding staircase with a lovely atrium.

PALACIO DE LAS GARZAS (PRESIDENTIAL PALACE)

Built in 1673, Palacio de Las Garzas became the “White House” of Panama, where Panama’s president officially resides, in 1885. Unlike the White House in Washington, DC, some Panamanian presidents have chosen to live elsewhere in the city. Back in the 17th century, the building served as a residence of the Spanish governor. The most significant renovation took place in 1922, when a courtyard, a “Moorish” room, and two new towers were added. In 1934 an elevator was added so that US President Franklin D. Roosevelt could get to his bed chambers during his stay.

PLAZA BOLÍVAR – After a devastating fire, this block was converted into Plaza de San Francisco in 1756. In 1883, the plaza was renamed Plaza Bolivar after Simon Bolívar, the hero of independence from Spain

BOLIVAR PALACE (Palacio Bolivar)

Built on the grounds of a former Franciscan monastery that was destroyed by fire, Bolivar Palace is home to Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations. Panama’s first constitution was approved here. There is a statue of Simon Bolívar in the center of the plaza.

Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco de Asís (Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi) is located right next to the Palacio. Even though it is one of the original buildings in Casco Viejo, it was almost completely destroyed by fires in 1737 and 1756. It was rebuilt only to be abandoned in the 19th century. It was completely remodeled in 1918 and underwent some additional renovations over the years. The most recent restoration was in 2016.

Iglesia San Felipe de Neri, which lies south west of the plaza, was built from 1684 to 1688 and that makes it one of the first churches in Casco Viejo. It has sustained fire damage multiple times but was always rebuilt. This church is known for its simplicity and, a little hidden in the back, its large nativity scene. It is said that, when the church was last restored in 2014, it was donated by a local who had built this amazing piece of art.

TEATRO NACIONAL (NATIONAL THEATER)

In 1904, it was ordered that a National Theater of Panama was to be built. Construction started in 1905 on the land of the old Concepción Monastery (which were converted to military barracks in 1862) and finished in 1908. The grand opening was in the same year with a presentation of Verdi’s Aida. The theater was designed by Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri.

CASA GÓNGORA

Built in 1756 by wealthy merchant Capt. Pablo Gongora, this is the best preserved Spanish colonial home in Casco Viejo. The building belongs to Panama City since 1995 and was renovated in 1999 preserving much of the original building and woodwork. The Casa is home to the Casa de la Cultura y del Artista Panameño, which is a cultural center for local artists.

PLAZA DE FRANCIA

The Plaza de Francia (French Plaza) and the elevated walkway on top of las bóvedas (the vaults, originally a Spanish dungeon and later a jail, storehouse, and offices) are one of the highlights of Casco Viejo. With statues and stone tablets, it celebrates the story of approx. 22,000 French construction workers from France, Martinique and Guadeloupe who passed away during construction of the Panama Canal. On the elevated walkway, you will see street vendors selling local art and you can see the Clinta Costera, the highway that encircles Casco Viejo and, in the distance, the Bridge of the Americas and the ships that are waiting for their turn to enter the canal.

IGLESIA DE SANTO DOMINGO

Built in 1678, the church was damaged by several fires. After the 1781 fire, it was abandoned and has survived as a ruin. The unusual supporting brick arch (Arco Chato), which is almost flat and therefore almost not an arch is what attracts tourists these days. Its claim to fame, however, is that when US debated if Panama or Nicaragua would be the better place to build the canal, the gravity-defying arch may have tipped the scale in favor to Panama, as it was seen as proof that very little seismic activity was present in Panama. Arco Chato is 35 ft high and spanning 49 ft. Unfortunately, it fell in 2003, but was rebuilt.

IGLESIA DE SAN JOSÉ

Iglesia de San José with its gorgeous baroque golden altar (Altar de Oro) is probably the most famous church in Casco Viejo. The story that you may hear that a priest painted the altar black to hide from pirate Henry Morgan when he and his gang raided Panama Viejo is not true, because the altar was dated to the 18th century. The altar was carved from mahogany and covered in golden leaf.

PLAZA HERRERA

This plaza is dedicated to General Tomás Herrera, who was able to achieve independence from Colombia. Originally, this was a residential area which was abandoned after a fire in 1781. It was then used for celebrations and bullfights until bullfighting was outlawed in 1928. Afterwards, this place became Plaza Herrera.

For the walk we did, we treated ourselves with Chinese Food at Panama’s Chinatown (Kwang Chow Restaurant).

DAY 06 – 28MARCH – HOMEWARD BOUNG