Top Places to Visit in Panama City on a Cruise

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Panama City is the capital and largest city in Panama. It is popular the world over for the Panama Canal which is a narrow stretch of waterway that connects the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, Panama City is a vital link between North America and South America. Due to its geographical location, Panama City naturally imbibes the cultural elements of both North America and South America. Similar to the city of Istanbul which lies between Asia and Europe and has taken the best features from both worlds and created something unique in terms of identity. When you are in Panama, the best way to go about touring the place is on a cruise or a boat.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Panama City on a Cruise 

In this article, we quickly give you some ideas about the best places to visit in Panama City on a cruise:

1. Gulf of Panama

When you are in Panama City, cruising the Gulf of Panama is a must. Being at the crossroads of the two American Continents, you will get a nice view of the bow and arrow while on your way to the transit. If you manage to wake up early by 5 am, then you can also experience the sunrise on the historically significant Panama Canal.

2. Soberania National Park

If you are traveling with your family, then a visit to the Soberania National Park will be an eventful one. This park which is quite easily accessible is one of the most amazing places to visit in Panama City on a cruise, especially for nature and adventure lovers. The park is home to a number of rare birds such as crested eagle, red-bellied woodpecker, sirystes, rufous-fantail, ground cuckoo, harpy eagle, yellow-eared toucanets, trogons, motmots, and flycatchers. One of the highlights of this national park is the Panama Rainforest Discovery Centre wherein you can climb the stairs and gain a panoramic view of the entire rainforest from a 32-metre high elevation.

Also, Read: Best Cruise Line Go to Panama Canal

3. Shell Island tours

Another island which you should experience when you are looking up for top 5 places to visit in Panama City on a cruise is Shell Island. The island at one point in time was habited by Spanish settlers, pirates, and Native Americans. Today, the sugar-white sandy beach is home to many species of birds and marine life. You can have a gala time at Shell Island by taking part in activities such as beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

4. Coiba National Park

Coiba National Park is located of the southwest coast of Panama and is responsible for protecting the Coiba Islands. The park and the Special Zone of Marine Protection can be found within the Republic of Panama in the Chiriqui Gulf. This tropical rainforest is renowned for its high level of endemic species due to the rampant evolution of new species of plants and birds in the surrounding areas. The park is a thriving hotspot for scientific research and provides a wonderful connection to the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Coiba National Park is definitely one of the top 5 places to visit in Panama City on a cruise.

Also, Read: What is the best time to visit the panama canal?

5. Cebaco Island

Cebaco Island is another hidden gem located within 5 miles of Panama’s Pacific Coast. What makes this Island one of the best places to visit in Panama City on a cruise is that it comprises 5,000 acres of mature forests and around 2,500 acres of plantations with hardwood trees top of being home to dolphins and humpback whales. The 20,000-acre island is positioned right at the centre of the Gulf of Montijo which is a protected marine area in the underwater ridge bridging the Galapagos Islands and the Costa Rican Island Coco. The Galapagos is a very important site because it became UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site in 1978. The Galapagos Islands and the surrounding areas were described by Darwin as a “world in itself’’.

Conclusion

Panama City is a major trading hub of the western world; the canal handles about 14,000 transit ships every year. The surrounding islands and parks are home to rare and endemic species and are ranked as some of the most amazing places to visit in Panama City on a cruise.

Also, Read: What cruise line is best for world cruises?