Culture in Panama

The Panama Canal is one of the world’s most impressive engineering feats. The canal extends 80 kilometers (50 mi) from Panama City on the Pacific Ocean to Colón on the Caribbean Sea. It’s built at one of the lowest and narrowest points in Panama, and runs right through the Continental Divide. More than 14,000 ships pass through the canal annually, carrying some 300 million tons of cargo. As such, the Panama Canal is one of the largest generators of income for Panama—in 2011, the canal generated $800 million, some two percent of the country’s GDP.

The Gatún Locks are set along the Caribbean side of Panama to the west of Colón. These massive locks are the largest in the Panama Canal. As you watch ships pass through the locks’ chambers, it’s easy to understand why the Panama Canal is one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.

La Villa de Los Santos is a small town south of Chitré. Known simply as La Villa, this town has an important role in Panamanian history—it was here that the first rumblings of Panamanian independence began. These days, the town is quiet and unassuming, but it does host a few festivals every year.

The San Lorenzo Fort is set along Panama’s central Caribbean coast, just west of Colón and the Gatún Locks. The fort lies within one of Panama’s most recent protected areas. The San Lorenzo Protected Area spreads across 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) and includes the San Lorenzo Fort and the former U.S. military base of Fort Sherman. It also includes countless mangroves, wetlands, and forests.

Old Bank is the second-largest town in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Set along the western tip of Bastimentos Island, Old Bank is a poor but colorful town. It will mainly appear to backpacker types or travelers who are interested in getting an authentic look at life in Bocas. The town has a few hotels, restaurants, and bars.

Set within Panama’s western highlands near the town of Volcán, Sitio Barriles is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Panama—the items recovered here date back to 60 B.C. They came from an ancient agrarian people known as the Barriles, who are thought to have lived here as early as 734 B.C.

The Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo is a worthy side trip while visiting the Panama Canal or Soberanía National Park. Created in 1923, the gardens and zoo (which is actually more of a wildlife rescue center) host a fine selection of plants and animals.

Quebrada de Sal (Salt Creek) is a small Ngöbe-Buglé village on Bastimentos Island in Bocas del Toro. The village isn’t terribly scenic, but it will give you a good idea of what indigenous villages in Panama are like.

La Arena is a small town located 1.2 miles (2 km) west of Chitré. The town is known throughout Panama for its pottery—vendors line the streets showcasing colorful and classic designs. It’s a fun place to stroll and examine the local artistry.

San Francisco is a small town in central Panama. The town itself is unremarkable, but it is home to one of Panama’s best churches. If you’re heading to Santa Fé, you’ll pass San Francisco. It’s worth stopping in for a quick look at the church.

Bahía Honda is a bay along the southern side of Bastimentos Island in Bocas del Toro. There is a long cave that can be explored near the shore, and a small Ngöbe community that welcomes visitors.

Natá is the oldest surviving town in Panama. It was founded by the Spanish in 1522, but has indigenous roots that go back even further. Today the town is slow and sleepy, but has one of the oldest churches in the Americas.