Best Things to Do in Panama City
You know how people say travel can change your perspective? Well, I didn't think much of that until I stepped foot into Panama City. Honestly, I was just looking for a quick getaway. I read a few reviews on the best things to do in Panama City, but after landing, it felt like reading the back cover of a book without flipping any pages. Little did I know that the pages would turn into something I wasn't expecting at all.
This Spot? Total Surprise.
I was wandering around Casco Viejo, the old quarter of the city, and let me tell you, I was fully prepared to be underwhelmed. The guide online compared it to a mix of Colombia's Cartagena and New Orleans. Still, I held my reservations. Yeah, I'd seen some pictures and thought they looked pretty, but they always do, right?
Anyway, I stumbled into this little café called “La Feria.” I don't even know how I found it—my friend and I were just looking for a place to escape the heat and sip something cold. The inside was ridiculously cute, like a Pinterest board come to life. One wall had these vines draping down, probably designed to make you feel all artsy and hip. I ordered what turned out to be the best passion fruit smoothie of my life. I know that sounds exaggerated, but there's just something about sipping a drink that tastes like sunshine.
Then, as I turned to grab some napkins, I spotted an old man strumming a guitar and singing an old folk tune with so much heart that my heart nearly skipped a beat. The whole vibe hit me like a wave. I wasn't just looking at a charming café; I was experiencing something real. It felt like I had walked into a moment that I was meant to experience, and I'd almost missed it.
The Afternoon That Changed My Whole Mood
Let me tell you about the Panama Canal, a massive, overwhelming human feat. I was kind of dragging my feet about visiting because everyone said it's one of the best things to do in Panama City. I mean, do I really want to stare at a big ditch filled with water? But my friend insisted, and I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer, so off we went.
As we approached the Miraflores Locks, I was still skeptical. I mean, how exciting can watching boats navigate through a canal be? It felt like we were going to watch paint dry or something. But the moment we got there, I was hit with this surprising rush of excitement. The place was alive! The visitor center had an interactive display, and people were genuinely in awe. As we crowded around the balcony, I watched massive container ships glide into the locks—there was an elegance to it that I wasn't expecting.
Then it happened—the whole mood of that day shifted. Suddenly, the engineers' hard work and vision came to life for me. I sat there, sipping another ridiculously good smoothie (why are they so good in Panama?), watching the ships and realizing just how much I didn't know about this amazing place. It struck me that this canal wasn't just a ditch; it was a bridge between two oceans and a lifetime of stories. Who knew I'd end up in a philosophical deep dive just by seeing… well, a big ditch?
I Almost Missed This, No Thanks to My Bad Sense of Direction
The next day, I did the classic “let's see where the day takes me” thing. Spoiler alert: this is generally how I get lost. So there I am, wandering through a non-touristy street somewhere in the city, which felt both exciting and nerve-wracking. I must have circled the same block three times. At one point, I just stopped and took a second to breathe. It's so easy to get caught up in "what's next?" when you're traveling.
And then, just as I was thinking of giving up and grabbing lunch at some cookie-cutter chain place, I saw a little food cart. I don't even remember what it was called, but it had this woman behind the counter who looked like she had just stepped out of my abuela's kitchen. I ordered a plate of sancocho, which is this chicken soup that tastes like comfort in a bowl. I'll never forget the first sip; it warmed me from the inside out.
Eating that soup while sitting on a rickety plastic chair and chatting with locals who had no clue about my lack of Spanish was magical. I realized that the best moments don't always happen at known spots or in elegant settings. Sometimes they just happen when you let go of plans, embrace the mess, and allow yourself to get a little lost, literally and metaphorically.
The View That Stopped Me in My Tracks
I'd be remiss not to mention the view from Ancon Hill. After that food cart detour, I felt renewed, like I was ready for anything. So, I figured, why not sweat a little and climb to the top of Ancon Hill? The hike was a sweaty mess, and I briefly considered turning back when my legs started to rebel.
But the moment I reached the top, and I mean the exact moment I crested that hill, my heart did a little dance. The skyline of Panama City sprawled before me; the juxtaposition of the modern skyscrapers against the lush greenery of the surrounding areas just took my breath away. I took a deep breath, and honestly? I felt a slice of peace I hadn't realized I needed.
For a split second, I forgot my worries. Just me, a beautiful view, and the world below, sprawling and chaotic.
I didn't know what it was about that moment, but it left a mark. It felt human. I would close my eyes, just soaking it all in, and it was everything—a reminder that adventure often comes in waves of spontaneity and that sometimes, stepping off the path can lead you to something truly meaningful.
As I finish recounting my trip, a thought dances through my mind: how could I sum up all of these moments? The laughter, the culinary surprises, the unexpected detours. I guess the best things to do in Panama City turned out not to be on any list; they were stitched together through unplanned encounters and little moments of magic that made me feel fully alive.
Sipping my coffee, I'm already dreaming of my next adventure and the inevitable surprises that come with it.
