Panama City | Panama 2023

In 2023, we had the chance to visit Panama City, Panama, a destination where history, culture, and modern marvels intersect. We based ourselves at the RIU Hotel, right in the heart of the city. Its central location made it easy to explore, and we were more than a little spoiled by the sleek city views and the fancy pool—a refreshing retreat after wandering through the bustling streets.

Panama City is fascinating in its contrasts. On one hand, there are gleaming skyscrapers and modern neighborhoods; on the other, cobblestone streets, colonial-era churches, and pastel facades in Casco Viejo, the city’s historic quarter. This part of the city, dating back to 1673 after the original Panama Viejo was sacked by pirates, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking its streets, we admired the Spanish colonial architecture and even stopped by Iglesia La Merced, a beautiful church that was originally built in 1680 and relocated stone by stone after the pirate attack on the old city.

One afternoon, we hopped in a taxi to the waterfront, where locals and travelers alike flock to enjoy the Cinta Costera, a scenic coastal beltway with parks, bike paths, and of course, the famous Panama sign—a must for photos. The city felt safe and welcoming, with friendly Panamanians always ready to help when our wandering got a little too adventurous.

The highlight of our time in the city was without a doubt our private tour of the Panama Canal. It’s hard to overstate the global importance of this engineering wonder, which first opened in 1914 and remains one of the world’s most vital waterways. Each year, more than 12,000 ships from around the world transit the canal, carrying everything from cars and fuel to bananas and coffee.

Our small boat tour offered a unique perspective: we cruised alongside massive cargo ships and container vessels on their transcontinental journeys, a surreal contrast to the quiet mangrove-lined islands we passed along the way. Our guide introduced us to the canal’s rich ecosystem. We spotted crocodiles basking on the banks, colonies of bats tucked into shady crevices, countless bird species, and even several groups of monkeys. One little guy climbed aboard long enough for Braden to feed him by hand, an unforgettable moment!

We continued to the Miraflores Locks, where we watched ships make their slow, careful passage through the first generation lock system. Standing there, it was easy to appreciate both the history and ingenuity behind this project, which forever changed global trade.

As if the canal experience wasn’t enough, we were lucky to snag a last-minute opening for a chocolate-making class. Panama, after all, is part of the cacao belt, and its beans are among the finest in the world. This turned out to be Cole’s favorite activity of the trip. We learned how cocoa beans are harvested, roasted, and transformed into smooth, creamy chocolate—and even got to make our own chocolate bars to take home. It was as educational as it was delicious!

We booked both the canal excursion and the chocolate class through Viator, our go-to platform for discovering and booking experiences. It never disappoints when we want to add something special to our trips.