As the bridge that brought Peruvian gold and silver to Europe in the 16th Century, Panama City was discovered by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Ávila in 1519 and gets its name from the term, “abundance of fish.” It was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast and today, Panama offers travelers a vast landscape of natural wonders to explore — both on land and at sea. Additionally, the proximity to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean make Panama a prime destination in 2018. 

You can find nearly every type of cuisine in Panama. In addition to serving its own style of culinary delight, the country also has several restaurants from around the globe. Panama’s most famous dish is Sancocho de Patio (Yard Stew), made with chicken broth, yams, cilantro, vegetables, spices and a side of white rice. Panamanians swear by the healing powers of sancocho, which is said to cure even the worst of hangovers. Panamanian dishes that are bright and bold include an array of fresh ceviche, the famous Ropa Vieja y Arroz con Coco (shredded beef and coconut rice) and plantain dishes like Caldo De Bolas De Verde (green plantain dumpling soup with corn, yucca, and cabbage). For a sweeter treat, try the Platanos Maduros made with plantains cooked in a mixture of butter, vanilla, and cinnamon.

The unique spices, fruits and vegetables that make Panamanian dishes so special are often found deep within its magical rainforests. Next to the Amazon, Panama boasts the largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and it’s many exotic plants and animals make it a “hub of biodiversity.” Panama’s prime geographical position divides the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea as well as serving as the prime corridor between North and Central America, giving visitors endless possibilities to explore the sea and land that surround it. Tours allow guests the opportunity to see three-toed sloths, green iguanas, and social capuchin monkeys. If the sea is calling, go snorkeling or scuba diving in the coral reef or kayak around the archipelago, taking in its many surrounding islands, mangrove forests, and heavenly white beaches.

If antiquity and architecture call, find traces of the 16th Century Spanish colonial presence in Panama City around the UNESCO Heritage Site of Panama Viejo and the neighboring Casco Antiguo, Panama’s historic district. Visitors can spend afternoons admiring the area’s rich landmark colonial architecture including the Town Hall, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama and the Museum of the Canal. Plaza de Francia, which was built in 1922 to honor the French pioneers of the Panama Canal, is now home to upscale art galleries and shops, but visitors can still see the original stonework and enjoy Teatro Anita Villalaz and the Instituto Nacional de Cultura.

For those desirous of a more metropolitan and familiar experience, the first W Hotel in Central America opens in Panama City in February 2018. Their food truck-style restaurant on the 15th floor, La Cajita, offers healthy, fresh grab-and-go options during the day and transition to offer ceviche, snacks, rum, and bottled craft beers at night. The hotel is a perfect spot to stay for those visiting in January for the annual Panama Jazz Festival. Small venue performances give intimacy with the artists and guests can enjoy spectacular shows by students from the Panama City jazz school.

GETTING THERE

Copa Airlines offers two daily nonstop flights to Tocumen International Airport (PTY).