Okay, now I can strike Panama off my list of 1,001places to go before I die. I do not know what the criteria needed to get into the Top 10 Places to Visit in 2012, but I am doubting the list after my visit to the country.
I arrived in Panama on a hot Monday night. In fact, the average temperature in Panama City was 98 degrees Fahrenheit the week I was there.
January till April is the dry season in Panama. Fortunately, the breeze from the ocean does give some relief.
Panamá Viejo is the remaining part of the old Panama City and former capital of the country. Together with Casco Viejo, the historical district of Panama - they formed a World Heritage Site. The archaeological site of Panamá Viejo is the site of the oldest European town on the American mainland, founded in 1519. When the town was moved to a new location in 1673, the site was abandoned and never rebuilt. It still retained its original streets and open spaces today. The Old Panama's cathedral and its bell tower is the best-preserved building of the ruins. Best time to visit is either early morning or evening as these times the weather is much cooler.
Balboa Avenue runs along the Bay of Panama and passes by all the new skyscrapers that is changing the skyline in Panama City. There are parks, walking and jogging lanes with an ocean view. The Avenue stretches all the way to the entrance of Casco Viejo. A commercial point in the past, it is now a major tourist attraction for its historic buildings, narrow brick streets, and wrought-iron balconies. However, there are many buildings left unoccupied. Some are in major restorations while others are just left empty. Wander off from the tourist's areas and you might end up at some dangerous areas which should be avoided at all times.
The highlight is touring the Panama Canal which stretches 50 miles from the edge of the city to the Caribbean port of Colon. A half-day tour begins at 9 in the morning. The vessel left from Flamenco Marina at Amador Causeway before heading toward the Bridge of Americas. It passes through the Miraflores Lock and the Pedro Miguel Lock, and ends at Gamboa. There the bus picks you back to the Flamenco Marina. It is an interesting experience, but with the breeze blowing wildly after a delicious meal on board, one could not help but doze off. A walk along the Amador Causeway from Flamenco Marina to the Panama Biodiversity Museum takes about an hour or so. Strategically located at the entrance of the Panama Canal, and designed by fame architect Frank Gehry, the museum will add to Panama's list of top attractions when it opens later this year.
The city reminded me so much about Kuala Lumpur - hot, and chaotic. Traffic never seemed to ease as night fell, with cars and buses on collision course on roads that swirl around new high-rises and houses. A mass transit system is in the work, and the public is hoping that this would help improve the traffic congestion in the future.
I had the opportunity to visit other towns during my week long stay in Panama.
Portobelo is about 3-hour bus ride from Panama City. It is a pretty nice town with excursions to different islands by boat. It is a sleepy town with ruins of the Spanish colonial fortifications still existed today. The well-preserved Customs House is now a museum. Unfortunately, the beauty of this town is spoilt by trash being thrown all over.
In Chitre, I met a Canadian with his Panamanian family. He runs a cafe and a restaurant there. This city has a lot of amenities and conveniences of Panama City even though it doesn't seem that way. The Union Park is in the center of town where its cathedral is located. At night the rooftop of the cathedral is illuminated in red, making the cathedral the center piece of attraction in Chitre. Most shops closed at 8 during the night, although Cafe Raquel (that runs by the Canadian) closed pretty late. And, you can always enjoy a ball game at a nearby stadium that cost only $5.
La Arena and Parita are two smaller towns which are accessible either by bus or taxi from Chitre, and both places can be done in a couple of hours. Parita is the oldest Hispanic settlement in the Azuero Peninsula and its quaint, little main square has not changed much since the days of the Spanish conquistadors. La Arena has rows of shops along the main road that sell ceramic wares to tourists looking for local handicrafts. There is even a market square selling local artists' products and designs.
Overall, I find that the trip is not as enjoyable as I hope it would be. Influence from North America has a strong presence here. Panama City and its towns seemed lacking in local streets food but fast-food joints from America are everywhere. Promoting the country as a major tourist destination is inadequate as its local artisans seemed to be struggling for tourists at the Centro Artesanal centers. I hope given time, Panama will be given a place it deserves as a top tourist destination but not now.
