Your Guide To a 24 Hour Panama City Layover
From the earliest days of Nomadness, Panama has been a frequently visited location. As a destination it has created many memories within the Tribe. In this post, Tribe member France Francois opens up a view of Panama City from the perspective of managing a 1 day layover. The art of maximizing that extended time between flights can be the difference in experiencing a great mini trip within your main trip or just hanging around the airport all day. Take a look at some of France's Panama City pointers then visit her site for the full list of suggestions.
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Panama City is the hub of the Americas and, because of this, I often get messages from people who have long layovers in Panama City and have no idea how to kill time between their flights. Most people know that Panama has a canal...and that's about it. However, if you immerse yourself in the city for even just one day, I guarantee that you'll fall in love. To help you plan your layover in PTY, here are my tips on how to spend 24 hours in Panama City (don't worry about getting around, just hail an Uber):
1. Hike up Ancon Hill in the morning
If you can catch the breathtaking sunrise atop Ancon Hill, it is well worth the leisurely thirty minute hike to the summit. You can see both the colonial architecture of the old city and the high-rises encompassing the metropolis from atop, creating a distinct contrast between Panama’s past and its future. If you're there early in the morning, you can also catch a glimpse of exotic birds and animals out foraging for food before the noonday heat.
France Francois September 1, 2016
Panama City is the hub of the Americas and, because of this, I often get messages from people who have long layovers in Panama City and have no idea how to kill time between their flights. Most people know that Panama has a canal...and that's about it. However, if you immerse yourself in the city for even just one day, I guarantee that you'll fall in love. To help you plan your layover in PTY, here are my tips on how to spend 24 hours in Panama City (don't worry about getting around, just hail an Uber):
2. Try Geisha Coffee
The geisha coffee bean was cultivated and rose to fame in the mountains of Boquete here in Panama. However, if you’re pressed for time and can’t make it to Boquete, the only place in the city to try the premium coffee is at the Bajareque Coffee House in Casco Viejo. This family owned coffee shop, in which the same family that sells the coffee owns the coffee farm where it grows in Boquete, is a cozy place to savor your cup of coffee and learn more about the geisha bean from the friendly owners.
3. Go see the Miraflores Locks- Panama Canal
I’d be the first to admit that a canal in itself doesn’t sound interesting, but the Panama Canal has a rich history and is truly a wondrous feat of modern engineering to witness. An untold number of laborers from the West Indies died during the building of the Canal and it was both the catalyst to finding a cure for yellow fever and the end of the U.S. occupation of Panama, only adding to the sacrifices made to connect the East to the West. Watching a boat navigate the deceptively simple locks is actually fascinating! The museum also boasts a simulator to see the canal from the captain’s perspective and artifacts from the era when it was being built.