Discover the “Dubai of America”
THE PANAMA CANAL
In August this year he will be 100 years old. A century with the same technology that allows between 30 and 40 ships cross each day from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea , in both directions, through a system of locks. Surely you know how they work, but you have to see it there: you have to see a ship as big as a building move through a channel not much wider than it, see how the water levels out and crosses. It is probably one of the best experiences in Panama. It can be seen from the Miraflores lock, the first or the last (depending on how you look at it) from the Pacific or from the Gatun lock, which leads to the Caribbean. Essential.
The Channel: an essential
THE MACHETE
Almost as essential as the channel. According to Panamanians, It is the only thing that remains of the "authentic Panama" . This is the name given to Avenida Central from Parque de Santa Ana and the name comes from a supermarket of a Panamanian chain, the largest store on a street flanked by bazaars and restaurants run by Chinese , a fairly large population in a city with its own Chinatown. The first thing you see on the benches in Santa Ana park is men sitting, reading, playing chess or just watching. You continue down the avenue and the fun begins with the street market: you can still from buy you a banana until you get a manicure or a haircut , right there in the middle of the street: a stool, scissors and a tray is all they need.
The Historic Quarter, watchman of the skyscrapers
COCA-COLA COFFEE
Before Santa Ana on Central Avenue you have to make two stops: the first, at the Teatro Amador, a cinema from the beginning of the 20th century , whose entrance would drive Wes Anderson crazy and which is now a multipurpose space for parties, screenings... And just a little further up is the Café Coca-Cola, the oldest diner and café in Panama City (1875), the only one in the world that bears the name of the soft drink, a place of political debate that Che Guevara or Pablo Neruda passed through, converted today into one of those noisy bars where when you enter all the Panamanian grandparents who are eating rice or beans they turn to look at you. Cheap and traditional.
The facade of the Amador Theater
NIGHT IN THE OLD TOWN
Ask who you ask if what you want now is nightlife in Panama everything moves in this Spanish colonial-style neighborhood , a World Heritage Site since 1997, the year in which it began to recover. But little by little: next to beautiful restored houses, there are still beautiful houses falling apart. The life of craft markets by day at night it becomes a hive of young people Panamanian and tourist. They all go to Zaza, the last fancy bar in the city where they go “to have drinks, not to party”. If you prefer something more alternative, Villa Agustina: behind a hand-painted sign and some blue doors, there is a club in a courtyard with rock concerts, DJs... Another more classic one is the Tántalo rooftop or the drinks more at street level literally Mojitos without Mojitos.
The fashionable terrace of the capital
AMERICAN TRADE HOTEL
Inaugurated just over three months ago, it is the place to stay in the heart of Casco Viejo, a beautiful neoclassical building from the early 20th century that has been restored by the very hipster Ace chain together with Panamanian companies that are trying to recover the neighborhood. It is simple, but respects its original style and full of details : from the mini-dessert that they leave on the table (every night different) to the colonial furniture of the library or the small and cozy pool with views over the Casco . In addition, Danilo's Jazz Club opened in February, which is also the new base of operations for the city's International Film Festival this year.
American Trade Hotel, hipster haven in Casco
AMADOR CAUSEWAY AND THE FUTURE FRANK GEHRY MUSEUM
The Amador Causeway is the road that connects the continent with the small islands of Naos, Perico and Flamenco, a road that Panamanians call the “Coastway” or “Causeway” (they do not agree, although the former seems to make more sense, which would mean coastal path). It was an area occupied by the US Army while they controlled the Canal until 1999 and now it is a park and boardwalk where Panamanians go to spend Sunday with views of the entrance to the canal and the entire city of Panama (if you skip the forbidden passage on Flamenco Island... we have not said this). In addition, it now has cafes, restaurants, bars, a seaport and duty free shops for tourists. Right at the tip of the continent, Frank Gehry is building the new Museum of Biodiversity, the only building in Latin America by the Canadian architect, which with its colored plates will soon be a symbol of the city.
The Biomuseo, housed in a Gehry building
THE SEAFOOD MARKET
The best ceviche in Panama. Spot. And for sure at the best price, it works as a market or auction, but it also has stalls for eat impressive shrimp ceviches, corvina … in a popular environment next to the port where the fishermen arrive.
GET OUT IF YOU CAN AND THE NEW PANAMANIAN GASTRONOMY
If after stuffing yourself with ceviche you prefer to try that new elegant Panama. Several very fashionable options that do not fail: Go out if you can, at the Bristol hotel, the bluefin tuna and the four milk cake should be prohibited. Smoke's barbecue or Maito's. All traditional Panamanian cuisine with a sophisticated twist.
Maito's restaurant