Attractions of Panama

To help inspire or plan your trip to Panama, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Panama which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Historical attractions in Panama

Panama City
The settlement at Panama City was founded in 1519 by the conquistador Pedrarías Dávila, the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It served as a conduit for the gold and silver plundered by the Spanish in Peru to be transferred by land across the isthmus before being shipped to Europe. The oldest part of town is Panama Viejo, destroyed by fire in 1672, and now a public park with impressive ruins of the cathedral, town hall and various churches and houses. Its replacement, the Historic District of Panama, is an impressive and atmospheric Spanish colonial city with pastel coloured houses, mansions, the plaza and the ramparts which afford views of the 'Bridge of the Americas' and the skyscrapers of the modern town. A site of note is the Salón Bolívar, the venue for the unsuccessful attempt made by Simon Bolivar in 1826 to establish a multinational continental congress. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá

Panama City

The settlement at Panama City was founded in 1519 by the conquistador Pedrarías Dávila, the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It served as a conduit for the gold and silver plundered by the Spanish in Peru to be transferred by land across the isthmus before being shipped to Europe. The oldest part of town is Panama Viejo, destroyed by fire in 1672, and now a public park with impressive ruins of the cathedral, town hall and various churches and houses. Its replacement, the Historic District of Panama, is an impressive and atmospheric Spanish colonial city with pastel coloured houses, mansions, the plaza and the ramparts which afford views of the 'Bridge of the Americas' and the skyscrapers of the modern town. A site of note is the Salón Bolívar, the venue for the unsuccessful attempt made by Simon Bolivar in 1826 to establish a multinational continental congress.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá

Forts of Portobelo and San Lorenzo
The forts of Portobelo and San Lorenzo are located on Panama's Caribbean coast and were built in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Spanish colonial military to guard access to the Isthmus of Panama and protect its trade routes between Europe and its American colonies. The forts were regularly attacked and captured and subsequently rebuilt three times, after raids by the privateer Henry Morgan in 1668 and the British Admiral Vernon in 1739 and 1761. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo

Forts of Portobelo and San Lorenzo

The forts of Portobelo and San Lorenzo are located on Panama's Caribbean coast and were built in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Spanish colonial military to guard access to the Isthmus of Panama and protect its trade routes between Europe and its American colonies. The forts were regularly attacked and captured and subsequently rebuilt three times, after raids by the privateer Henry Morgan in 1668 and the British Admiral Vernon in 1739 and 1761.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo

Panama Canal
Panama is famous worldwide for the canal which traverses the country and connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Completed in 1914 after 34 years construction, the canal is 55km long and takes 30-40 ships a day. There are three locks from where you can view the vessels passing through the canal and being lifted and raised/lowered- Miraflores Lock on the Pacific side close to Panama , Pedro Miguel Lock near Gamboa and Gatun Lock near the Caribbean coast. There is also the chance to cross the 'Bridge of the Americas' which crosses over the canal.

Panama Canal

Panama is famous worldwide for the canal which traverses the country and connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Completed in 1914 after 34 years construction, the canal is 55km long and takes 30-40 ships a day. There are three locks from where you can view the vessels passing through the canal and being lifted and raised/lowered- Miraflores Lock on the Pacific side close to Panama , Pedro Miguel Lock near Gamboa and Gatun Lock near the Caribbean coast. There is also the chance to cross the 'Bridge of the Americas' which crosses over the canal.