Panama City

Panama City is the capital and largest city of Panama, set where the Pacific Ocean meets the entrance of the Panama Canal. A skyline of glass towers rises along Panama Bay, while the cobbled streets of Casco Viejo preserve the city's colonial past, making it a historic crossroads and a modern financial centre.

Founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila, the city began as a transit point for gold and silver bound for Spain. After the original settlement, Panamá Viejo, was destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671, it was rebuilt in 1673 on a more defensible peninsula. That rebuilt quarter, Casco Viejo, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with plazas, churches and restored buildings.

Visitors can watch ships pass through the Miraflores Locks, walk the Amador Causeway, visit Frank Gehry's Biomuseo and climb Ancon Hill for views over the city. Casco Viejo offers rooftop cafés and galleries, while modern districts such as Punta Pacífica, Costa del Este and El Cangrejo concentrate hotels, restaurants and business towers.

Panama City is one of Latin America's leading banking, logistics and conference hubs, anchored by the Panama Canal and served by Tocumen International Airport, the regional base of Copa Airlines. The city hosts international trade events and acts as a gateway to the Colon Free Zone and destinations across the Americas.

From fresh ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos to evening drinks in Casco Viejo or along Calle Uruguay, the city pairs a dynamic food and nightlife scene with easy access to beaches and rainforest. This mix makes it equally relevant for leisure visitors and business travellers.