Panama City, Panamá. Jan 21-Mar 16, 2022

We took a private shuttle from La Fortuna to Alajuela, just outside of San José. We stayed at the lovely Alice and Juancito boutique hotel and caught our flight from Costa Rica to Panama the next day. Felix and his wife Mani, picked us up at the Tocumen airport in PC and drove us to Casco Viejo to our Airbnb. Our neighborhood appeared to be a war zone, with destroyed buildings around. Our taxi driver advised us not to walk in the area at night. Although the building and our unit were new and nice, the surrounding area was rough with lots of poverty. We were just 4 blocks from Casco Viejo, a stylish, gentrified area. Our first day out walking, the police pulled us over and told us that the area was very dangerous, but we were 100 feet from our front door. Fortunately, our Airbnb host allowed us to cancel as we did not feel safe.

We scrambled to find a new home for the remaining 7 weeks and settled on the Tucán Country Club in Rousseau, northwest of downtown Panama City. Very safe and quiet here, we have pools and gyms and a restaurant on the premises.

Caiman cruising river on the golf course

Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo, or the old quarter, is Panama City’s historic district. It is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site and dates back to 1673.

Strolling the streets of Casco looking for Salsa music

Our dance instructors, Martha and Nelson

Souvenir shops along the street in Casco Viejo

Veracruz

We took a day trip to Playa Veracruz, a beach approximately 6 miles from us. A unique beach in an impoverished area with several nice restaurants along the strip. The tide was way out when we walked the Beach, but when we finished lunch it was all the way up.

Metropolitan Park

Biking Amador Causeway

Amador Causeway links 4 small islands by the entrance to the Panama Canal. It serves as a breakwater. The first time we rented a Surrey type bike which was pretty slow peddling, but great for looking around.

The next time we biked Amador was with Matthew and Miki, a couple we met through Senior Nomads. Great fun! Our surrey had a low tire, so we went back and traded in for a nicer one that was easier to pedal. We rode to the Biomuseo, which looks worthwhile to visit and we plan to. We ate lunch at La Fabrica, a marvelous spot with great food and craft beer. The owner, Hai, gave us a tour of the brewery.

Bridge of Americas crosses the entrance to the canal

The Biomuseo looks worth visiting and we went back another day

Brewery owner, Hai showing off his beers

Biomuseo has 2 saltwater aquariums, Pacific and Caribbean

Taboga Island

Also known as the “Island of Flowers”, is a volcanic island about 12 miles from Panama City. Minimally populated, with about 1600 residents, Taboga relies heavily on tourism. With one of the better beaches in the Panama City region it attracts locals and tourists alike. We took a walking tour with a local young man named Brian.

Morning ferry from Amador Causeway takes 30 minutes

San Pedro church is the 2nd oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, founded in 1524.

Panama Viejo

The remaining part of the original Panama City, Panama Viejo was destroyed in 1671 by pirate Captain Henry Morgan. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. We toured with our fellow Senior Nomads members, Matthew and Miki. We had an enjoyable, relaxing walk while reading the information signs alongside the ruins.