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Panama City: A Contrast of Old and New

March 21, 2016

Click here for the Panama City Trip Report.

The new Gehry designed Biomuseo in Panama City sits on Panama's busiest international "highway"- the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, and it is a very colorful announcement to the world that Panama is changing!  The museum tells you all you need to know about Panama since it had control of the Panama Canal returned in 1999 by President Jimmy Carter.  Modern, growing, willing to attract the world’s attention that they are ready to be a world class city (again!)

Panama Viejo- ruins of the original Spanish settlement, a UNESCO heritage site, with "new" Panama in the background.

Panama Viejo- ruins of the original Spanish settlement, a UNESCO heritage site, with "new" Panama in the background.

Panama City is known to be one of the "world class cities" on the Pacific Coast during the Colonial era, when it served as one of the earliest European settlements. Europeans arrived to transport gold out of the new world, and built a thriving city (with slave labor) to serve as trade point and gateway to South America.  After the collapse of the Spanish empire, the French attempted and then the United States succeeded in building a canal to shorten trade routes from Atlantic to Pacific.  The US controlled a 5 mile wide swath of Panama in the Canal Zone for over 80 years before Panamanians took responsibility of the operation about 15 years ago. 

The new Canal Expansion Observation Center

The new Canal Expansion Observation Center

Today, with the Panama Canal under its own control, and with a new expansion underway, Panamanians are again claiming Panama as a place to be for commerce and trade. And Panama City is growing like crazy. The help wanted ad on the front page of the Biomuseo website will gives a hint about the low unemployment rate in Panama City, and the influx of wealth can be seen with the yachts and Maseratis in the marinas and on the roads.  The canal has created stability with the government building infrastructure and foreign investment following.

Rudy and Patty have a successful tourist business in Panama.

Rudy and Patty have a successful tourist business in Panama.

Micro economies are growing the middle class- our tour guide. Rudy, and his partner, Patty, own a few tourist properties in Casco Viejo under programs that have low bank loans and initial tax cuts allowing families to renovate older areas, and grow their own businesses.  Of course, there are still challenges, and you know about them when the guide books have maps with areas shaded as “no go” zones, and with rapid growth often comes with growing pains of escalating home prices and other challenges.  However, if you are looking for something new and up and coming in Central America, Panama City is worth a visit, before it becomes too expensive!

Recent reports by air experts I've read say that airfare to Panama City is relative bargain right now.  With modern skyscraper hotels and the growth of small business "casitas", such as Patty's, there is a variety of places to stay.  The same narrow landscape that attracted the canal builders, works to make everything; beaches, wildlife, city or Panama Canal tours all about an hour away and an easy day trip from the city if you choose to stay there.  I know I plan to make a return visit soon! 

 

See our whole Panama City Trip Report with photos here.

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Index

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    • Dec 1, 2018 Where Would YOU like to GO? Dec 1, 2018
  • November 2018
    • Nov 15, 2018 Jamaica. One Love, Too Many Miles! Nov 15, 2018
    • Nov 1, 2018 Venice is Underwater! Now What!? Nov 1, 2018
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    • Oct 5, 2018 Alaska Ports A Day in Sitka/A Day in Haines Oct 5, 2018
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    • Sep 17, 2018 Redemption In Glacier Bay National Park Sep 17, 2018
    • Sep 12, 2018 Whales of Southeast Alaska Sep 12, 2018
    • Sep 6, 2018 So What the Heck is an UnCruise?! Sep 6, 2018
  • August 2018
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    • Aug 9, 2018 Are We in Miami, or Does it Just Feel That Way?! Aug 9, 2018
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    • Jul 17, 2018 How I Survived 5 days on a Zumba Charter Cruise Jul 17, 2018
  • June 2018
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  • May 2018
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    • May 17, 2018 Tulip Season in the Netherlands May 17, 2018
  • April 2018
    • Apr 3, 2018 The Secret to Surviving Long Haul Flights Apr 3, 2018
  • March 2018
    • Mar 27, 2018 Go Jump Off a Cliff! Mar 27, 2018
    • Mar 19, 2018 Crushing Boarding Day on an Ocean Cruise Mar 19, 2018
    • Mar 13, 2018 A Different Look at Liberty of the Seas (Ship Tour) Mar 13, 2018
    • Mar 1, 2018 Sometimes, You Have To Get High! Mar 1, 2018
  • February 2018
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    • Feb 15, 2018 Photo Walk Ely Catherdral Feb 15, 2018
    • Feb 6, 2018 Fear of the Flowrider Feb 6, 2018
  • January 2018
    • Jan 30, 2018 Brrr? Iceland in January! Jan 30, 2018
    • Jan 25, 2018 Photo Walk in Kochi India Streets and Coast Jan 25, 2018
    • Jan 23, 2018 Reykjavik In January? The perfect college break trip! Jan 23, 2018
    • Jan 2, 2018 Where To in 2018? Jan 2, 2018
  • December 2017
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    • Dec 18, 2017 Vatican: Tips and a Trip Report Dec 18, 2017
    • Dec 15, 2017 Rome: A Trip Report Dec 15, 2017
    • Dec 12, 2017 Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, But We Only Had a Day to See It! Dec 12, 2017
    • Dec 7, 2017 Joyeux Noel Montreal Dec 7, 2017
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    • Nov 13, 2017 A Painting, A Rock, A Wedding and A Near Carjacking; Just a Day in Montenegro Nov 13, 2017
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    • Nov 7, 2017 Slovenia Nov 7, 2017
  • October 2017
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    • Oct 30, 2017 A Different Look at Venice Oct 30, 2017
    • Oct 26, 2017 St Mark's Square Venice Oct 26, 2017
    • Oct 24, 2017 Myth Busting in Venice Oct 24, 2017
  • September 2017
    • Sep 28, 2017 Hurricane Destruction and Your Vacation. What to Do Now! Sep 28, 2017
    • Sep 18, 2017 Celebrating 35 Years in Quebec! A GoSeeItPeople Interview Sep 18, 2017
    • Sep 6, 2017 Who Knew Littleton NH Was Cool? Sep 6, 2017
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    • Aug 18, 2017 Up the East Coast with "Open Hearts and Minds" and a Baby in a TESLA! Aug 18, 2017
    • Aug 11, 2017 "Well, We Have Museums in New York!" Aug 11, 2017
  • July 2017
    • Jul 26, 2017 Lawn Chair Travel Jul 26, 2017
  • June 2017
    • Jun 21, 2017 Cuba Travel, What's New(s)? Jun 21, 2017
    • Jun 14, 2017 What To Do with Two Gammy's and a Graduate on an Epic Road Trip? Jun 14, 2017
  • May 2017
    • May 10, 2017 Beach, Off Season and Here's Why! May 10, 2017
    • May 4, 2017 What's Your Travel Style and What Kind of Trip to Take May 4, 2017
  • April 2017
    • Apr 25, 2017 Maple Farming Vermont Style Apr 25, 2017
    • Apr 17, 2017 Pura Vida with the Feifer Family in Costa Rica Apr 17, 2017
    • Apr 6, 2017 Get Off My Ship! Apr 6, 2017
  • March 2017
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    • Mar 24, 2017 Hiking, and Tubing, and Ziplining...You Better "Belize" It! Mar 24, 2017
    • Mar 21, 2017 Roatan, Honduras; We had a "PURPOSE" to go to Roatan! Mar 21, 2017
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    • Feb 23, 2017 Wildlife Among the "Wild Life" Feb 23, 2017
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    • Jan 26, 2017 Shanghai Photo Walk Jan 26, 2017
    • Jan 12, 2017 Don't Get Taken for Ride! How to Avoid Travel Scams Jan 12, 2017
    • Jan 3, 2017 Looking Ahead 2017 Jan 3, 2017
  • December 2016
    • Dec 27, 2016 Looking Back 2016 Dec 27, 2016
    • Dec 20, 2016 How To Navigate a Tourist Trap Dec 20, 2016
    • Dec 15, 2016 Gone to the Dogs! Dec 15, 2016
    • Dec 7, 2016 Don't Miss the Culture for the Trees Dec 7, 2016
    • Dec 1, 2016 4 Reasons to Visit Toronto Dec 1, 2016
  • November 2016
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    • Nov 8, 2016 Election Day? Do You Have This Question On Your Ballot? Nov 8, 2016
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  • October 2016
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    • Oct 26, 2016 Broadway Con...yes, its a thing! Oct 26, 2016
    • Oct 20, 2016 Happy Anniversary to Us! Oct 20, 2016
    • Oct 12, 2016 Can't Miss Foliage Off the Beaten Path in Maine! Oct 12, 2016
    • Oct 4, 2016 I Hate to Shop, But Love a Local Market! Oct 4, 2016
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    • Sep 2, 2016 A Real Country Fair (a photo essay) Sep 2, 2016
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    • Aug 18, 2016 Time to Think About College Travel And How to Save Money! Aug 18, 2016
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    • Jun 21, 2016 London Trip Report: Tips for Making the Most of a Short Stay Jun 21, 2016
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    • Apr 20, 2016 Alaska- "isn't it cold there?" Apr 20, 2016
    • Apr 15, 2016 Super Jeff Saves Seattle Apr 15, 2016
    • Apr 7, 2016 A Few Of My Favorite Travel Things (and one I regret buying) Apr 7, 2016
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    • Mar 25, 2016 Costa Rica: You just can't stump these guides! Mar 25, 2016
    • Mar 21, 2016 Panama City: A Contrast of Old and New Mar 21, 2016
    • Mar 15, 2016 Panama Canal Full Transit Aboard Azamara Journey Mar 15, 2016
    • Mar 11, 2016 Cartegena Columbia Mar 11, 2016
  • February 2016
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    • Feb 7, 2016 Azamara Journey Post Dry Dock Feb 7, 2016
  • January 2016
    • Jan 28, 2016 Looking Forward 2016 Jan 28, 2016
    • Jan 19, 2016 Looking Back 2015 Jan 19, 2016
    • Jan 13, 2016 A Long Weekend in French St Martin N.A. Jan 13, 2016
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    • Dec 31, 2015 Happy New Year! An Interview with a Woman Who Spent the Night in Times Square! Dec 31, 2015
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    • Nov 24, 2015 Don't Let Your Flight Be A Turkey This Thanksgiving! Nov 24, 2015
    • Nov 17, 2015 Should We Stay or Should We Go Now? Nov 17, 2015
    • Nov 3, 2015 OH, OH, We Didn't Know... Nov 3, 2015
  • October 2015
    • Oct 30, 2015 Travel Isn't Scary! Oct 30, 2015
    • Oct 27, 2015 Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Oct 27, 2015
    • Oct 6, 2015 Why Should Planning College Visits Be Harder Than the SAT? Oct 6, 2015
    • Oct 1, 2015 Woodstock VT: A Bridge to Another Time Oct 1, 2015
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    • Aug 16, 2015 Schoodic Penisula Acadia National Park Maine Aug 16, 2015
    • Aug 7, 2015 Go See It Cuba Aug 7, 2015
    • Aug 1, 2015 A Colorful Tour of South Beach, Miami Aug 1, 2015
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    • Jul 29, 2015 A "Colorless" Tour of Colorful South Beach, Miami Jul 29, 2015
    • Jul 14, 2015 Cuba- Cars and Cigars! Part 2 Jul 14, 2015
    • Jul 10, 2015 Disney Bans Selfie Sticks!? Yes, and Thank You! Jul 10, 2015
    • Jul 9, 2015 Cuba- Cars and Cigars! Jul 9, 2015
    • Jul 1, 2015 Cuba- We Can All Agree on Change Jul 1, 2015
  • June 2015
    • Jun 2, 2015 The Power of Social Media for Social Good!! Jun 2, 2015
  • May 2015
    • May 30, 2015 Expecting the Best, Preparing for the Worst: Preparing a Travel Medical Kit May 30, 2015
    • May 19, 2015 A Little Trouble in Paradise (St Croix) May 19, 2015
    • May 13, 2015 New Ship Tour- Adventure of the Seas May 13, 2015
  • April 2015
    • Apr 28, 2015 Antigua: It's All About That Boat (with apologies to Meghan Trainor) Aboard Adventure of the Seas Apr 28, 2015
    • Apr 24, 2015 Flora and People of St Lucia (aboard Adventure of the Seas) Apr 24, 2015
    • Apr 23, 2015 What Happens on a Sea Day? (aboard Adventure of the Seas) Apr 23, 2015
    • Apr 19, 2015 San Juan at Night Apr 19, 2015
    • Apr 18, 2015 Viejo San Juan Apr 18, 2015
    • Apr 12, 2015 Title Town, Boston MA Apr 12, 2015
    • Apr 7, 2015 The Reset Button Apr 7, 2015
    • Apr 2, 2015 Autism and Travel Apr 2, 2015
  • March 2015
    • Mar 26, 2015 Pashmina, Scarf or Linus's Blankie? The Always Useful Wrap! Mar 26, 2015
    • Mar 17, 2015 Just Thinking Outloud: Public Transportation Mar 17, 2015
    • Mar 14, 2015 New Feature! Ship Tours Mar 14, 2015
    • Mar 9, 2015 Burlington Vermont Trip Report Mar 9, 2015
  • February 2015
    • Feb 26, 2015 What In The Air is Going Here? Surviving the Airlines Part 2 Feb 26, 2015
    • Feb 25, 2015 New Feature- Trip Reports! Feb 25, 2015
    • Feb 24, 2015 Successfully Hunting Down Flights Part 1 Feb 24, 2015
    • Feb 3, 2015 "Real" Florida Feb 3, 2015
  • January 2015
    • Jan 26, 2015 Disney Last Minute with Late Mornings...How's That Possible!? Jan 26, 2015
    • Jan 12, 2015 You Have to Take Steps To Fly! Jan 12, 2015
    • Jan 6, 2015 Where We've Been and Where We Are Going Jan 6, 2015
    • Jan 1, 2015 Resolved! Jan 1, 2015
  • October 2014
    • Oct 16, 2014 Why Bother With a Local Guide? Oct 16, 2014
    • Oct 3, 2014 To Market, To Market (the many markets of Istanbul) Oct 3, 2014
  • September 2014
    • Sep 30, 2014 Istanbul - A Crossroad for Humanity Sep 30, 2014
    • Sep 26, 2014 "It's Complicated" Sep 26, 2014
    • Sep 24, 2014 "It's Not An Adventure Until Peril Is Involved" Sep 24, 2014
    • Sep 24, 2014 Postcards From Budapest Sep 24, 2014
    • Sep 23, 2014 Goodbye to the Goulash City Sep 23, 2014
    • Sep 21, 2014 A Monumental Day In Budapest Sep 21, 2014
    • Sep 20, 2014 Arrival in Budapest Sep 20, 2014
    • Sep 20, 2014 13 Words You Do Not Want To Hear Immediately After Takeoff Sep 20, 2014
    • Sep 19, 2014 What camera gear am I bringing? Sep 19, 2014
    • Sep 19, 2014 Pre Trip Planning and Packing 9/19/2014 Sep 19, 2014
    • Sep 18, 2014 Why do we travel? Sep 18, 2014