*** PHOTO review: city tour on your own - Panama City, Panama (Sunday, 4.11.2010) ***

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

Note that if you wish, you can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby - they did the same cruise).

With respect to the hotel, there are plenty of options in Panama City, based on your personal preference and/or budget.

Sheraton Hotel

The streets of Panama City (Downtown)

Hotel Milan

Panoramic view of Panama City

Grand Veneto Hotel

Panoramic view of Panama City

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

First stop: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen - one of the most treasured religious icons in Panama inspired by medieval Gothic architecture. It is often confused with the Metropolitan Cathedral (which is another impressive building in Panama City).

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen - two slender, elaborated towers stretches upwards towards the sky

with the purpose of elevating to heavens the prayers of the people.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen

(the two towers symbolize the extended hands of a man in an effort to embrace God)

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen - this church is said to be the only Gothic architectural style building in the country.

The church was inspired by the gothic style of the late XIV century representative of Toledo, Spain.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen

(75%- 85% of the population in Panama identifies as Roman Catholic and 15-25% as Evangelical Christian)

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (crowded on a Sunday morning in April 2010)

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen - when light filters through this window into the interior of the temple,

it creates a feeling of deep religious reverence.

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

The name Panama is an indigenous word meaning "abundant fish."

Panamanians joke that the McDonald's franchises and glass skyscrapers make Panama City the "Miami of the South,"

except that more English is spoken in the States.

Riding the Diablo Rojo colorful local bus in Panama's Capitol City (Spanish for "Red Devils")

Those traveling to Panama City, Panama, desiring a true cultural experience with the locals need to try out the public transport system, primarily made up of souped-up school buses that burst out with expression and attitude.

Many buses have their own unique design, including elaborate paint jobs that are either psychedelic or religious in nature, a variety of flashing exterior lights, and some Spanish block lettering or decals.

A lot of Diablos Rojos have long vertical tail pipes that help to raise the decibel level on Panama City's congested and already noisy streets.

The route traveled by each bus is painted on the windshield and often shouted out by the driver or helper.

The cost is $0.25 to ride in Panama City, paid when you get off the bus.

Diablo Rojos do travel past Tocumen International Airport during daytime hours (leaving from Albrook Bus Terminal; about $1.00 each way).

TIP for tourists: Be ready to exit the bus quickly at your stop as the driver will not wait long!

A stroll along Panama's Amador Causeway

Urban skyline - boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

Fishing boats silhouetted against the Sunday morning sky (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

A stop at Flamengo Island Marina (there is a Duty Free, so shopping didn't hurt)

Yachts and fishing boats silhouetted against the Sunday morning sky (view from Flamengo Island Marina)

Yachts and fishing boats silhouetted against the Sunday morning sky (view from Flamengo Island Marina)

Yachts and fishing boats silhouetted against the Sunday morning sky (view from Flamengo Island Marina)

Boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

Urban skyline - skyscrapers, boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

Boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

Panama's Amador Causeway & the Bridge of the Americas (in the background)

The Bridge of the Americas (Spanish: Puente de las Américas; originally known as the Thatcher Ferry Bridge) is a road bridge in Panama, which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.

Completed in 1962, at a cost of US $20 million, it was the only non-swinging bridge (there are two other bridges, one at the Miraflores locks and one at the Gatun locks) connecting the north and south American land masses until the opening of the Centennial Bridge in 2004. The bridge was designed by Sverdrup & Parcel.

Skyscrapers, boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

Skyscrapers, boats and waterfront (view from Panama's Amador Causeway)

Panama City (the city's skyline of buildings)

Panama City (ultra-sleek Capital with its stunning skyline does have its fair share of classical charm)

Panama City (the city's skyline of buildings)

Latin American flags on Amador Boulevard

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Panama City - feaded beauty

Panama City Waterfront (buildings along Balboa Avenue - skyline)

Panama City Waterfront (buildings along Balboa Avenue - skyline)

The new Cinta Costera walkways along Avenue Balboa packed with people (located on the Pacific Coast of Panama)

Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Statue on Cinta Costera Parkway (Balboa Avenue)

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Next destination of this city tour: Panamá Viejo

Panamà City skyscapers

Panamà City skyscapers

Morelos Statue in Panamá Viejo

While cruising from Colon or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Next destination of this city tour: Panamá Viejo

Panamá Viejo - ruins of ancient Spanish enclave near the Capital Panama City

Panamá Viejo - ruins of ancient Spanish enclave near the Capital Panama City

Panamá Viejo - the Ruins of Old Panama (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Panamá Viejo - Cathedral tower ruins, abandoned after Henry Morgan's raid

Panamá Viejo - The Church's Bell Tower (Cathedral Tower Ruins)

Panamá Viejo - the colonial city founded by Spanish conquistador Pedrarías Dávila in 1519.

While cruising from Colon, Panama or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Along with real estate, tourism is one of Panama's rising economic activities. Small and amazingly diverse, Panama makes it possible for a traveler to visit not only two different oceans in one day, but be able to combine in less than a week a diversified natural experience (white sand beaches, cloud or rain forest, mountains or valleys) with a wide range of cultural experiences (seven Indian tribes, Afroantillian and Spanish Colonial culture, several historic monuments and a 300 year old World Heritage Site called Casco Antiguo (often referred as Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo, San Felipe or Catedral).

Next destination of this city tour: Casco Viejo

(the old quarter was founded in 1673 after the famous Capt. Morgan)

Panamá Viejo - Tower ruins (Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)

Chinatown (Panama Viejo)

Panama, because of its historical reliance on commerce, is above all a melting pot. This is shown, for instance, by its considerable population of Afro-Antillean and Chinese origin.

The first Chinese immigrated to Panama from southern China to help build the Panama Railroad in the 19th century. They were followed by several waves of immigrants whose descendants number around 50,000. Starting in the 1970s, a further 80,000 have immigrated from other parts of mainland China as well.

Most of the Panamanian population of West Indian descent owe their presence in the country to the monumental efforts to build the Panama Canal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Piazza Herrera

This square was cleared out by the 1781 fire; it was originally used for bull fights before being renamed for one of Panama's independence heroes.

Piazza Herrera

This square is lined with beautiful crumbling buildings, including the Edificio la Reformada.

Caso Viejo (the taxi driver and a policeman chating by Las Bóvedas)

Casco Viejo (the Bóvedas promenade)

Las Bóvedas fits right into the ambiance of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s traditional sector of pastel homes and jazz clubs.

While cruising from Colon, Panama or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Next destination of this city tour: Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo sits on a peninsula with Bahia De Panama on one side and ships lining up for passage through the Panama Canal

on the other.

Paseo de las Bovedas also known as Paseo Estaban Huertas (Casco Viejo, Panama)

Bougainvillea-adorned trestle, over the Waterfront in Casco Viejo (Paseo de las Bovedas)

Kuna woman along Paseo de las Bovedas In Casco Viejo

(a very colorful area with small winding brick paved streets and indigens)

Kuna woman along Paseo de las Bovedas in Casco Viejo

(one of the most charming neighborhoods in Panama City)

Skyscrapers and Waterfront in Casco Viejo, Panama (view from Paseo de las Bovedas)

While cruising from Colon, Panama or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

The culture, customs, and language of the Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean and Spanish.

Spanish is the official and dominant language. About 40 percent of the population speak creole, mostly in Panama City and in the islands off the northeast coast.

English is spoken widely on the Caribbean coast and by many in business and professional fields.

Next destination of this city tour: Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo sits on a peninsula with Bahia De Panama on one side and ships lining up for passage through the Panama Canal on the other.

Skyscrapers and Waterfront - Casco Viejo, Panama (view from Paseo de las Bovedas)

1997 - UNESCO declared the Casco Antiguo a Patrimony of Humanity,

underscoring its rich architectonic diversity from the 19th and early 20th century.

Looking at the Flamengo Island Marina (from Las Bovedas in Casco Viejo, Panama)

Plaza de Francia - the seaside boardwalk in the afternoon sun (stairs leading to Paseo las Bovedas - San Felipe in Casco Viejo, Panama)

Plaza de Francia (Casco Viejo, Panama)

Obelisk donated by the French Government and dedicated to the thousands of men that died during the French Canal building attempt during the late XIX century.

Plaza de Francia (Casco Viejo, Panama)

Statue of Pablo Arosemena (former president of Panama)

While cruising from Colon, Panama or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

The overwhelming majority of Panamanians are Roman Catholic – various sources estimate that 75 to 85 percent of the population identifies itself as Roman Catholic and 15 to 25 percent as evangelical Christian.

The Bahá'í Faith community of Panama is estimated at 2.00% of the national population, or about 60,000 and is home to one of the seven Baha'i Houses of Worship.

Smaller religious groups include Jewish and Muslim communities with approximately 10,000 members each, and small groups of Hindus, Buddhists and Rastafarians.

Indigenous religions include Ibeorgun (among Kuna) and Mamatata (among Ngobe).

The Jewish community in Panama, with over 10,000 members, is by far the biggest in the region (including Central America and the Caribbean).

Next destination of this city tour: Casco Viejo

1997 - UNESCO declared the Casco Viejo a Patrimony of Humanity,

underscoring its rich architectonic diversity from the 19th and early 20th century.

Casco Viejo, Panama - the Old City closely resemble the ancient quarters of New Orleans and Havana.

The Metropolitan Cathedral (Casco Viejo) - an ancient church built by the Spanish during colonial times in Panama City.

It will be restored with walls of calicanto, a mix of sand, rocks, and cement.

While cruising from Colon, Panama or just in town for couple of hours, you can do a Panama City tour on your own - hail a cab (US $10.00/hr) and off you go!

Below are pictures from the Panama City - city tour - done by A/C yellow cab on a Sunday morning (4.11.2010), before heading to Colon Port using the local express bus from Allbrook Bus Terminal (in Colon, Panama, we had to board the RCI ship "Enchantment of the Seas" for a 8 days Repo cruise heading back to the States; the ports of call were Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Cartagena and then Santa Marta, Colombia - Orangestad, Aruba - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).

You can add to your tour a stop at the Miraflores Locks Museum (see photo review posted last month by Truby).

Panama is located in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. Its location on the Isthmus of Panama is strategic. By 2000, Panama controlled the Panama Canal that links the North Atlantic Ocean via the Caribbean Sea with the North Pacific Ocean.

The dominant feature of the country's landform is the central spine of mountains and hills that forms the continental divide.

The divide does not form part of the great mountain chains of North America, and only near the Colombian border are there highlands related to the Andean system of South America. The spine that forms the divide is the highly eroded arch of an uplift from the sea bottom, in which peaks were formed by volcanic intrusions.

Final destination of this city tour: Casco Viejo and back to Downtown Panama City

(before heading out to port of Colon for embarkation)

Iglesia De La Merced -church that stands out in Casco Viejo; located a block away from el Parque Catedral.

This church was built in 1680 after having been moved, stone by stone, from its previous site in Panama Viejo. Many believe that this church should be included in the World Guiness Book of Records for being the luckiest building in the world.

The original church was built in the 16th century and survived a number of fires and earthquakes before the final plundering of the city by Welch privateer, Sir Henry Morgan, in 1671.

La Merced, which was one of the few buildings not affected by the subsequent fire (ordered by the city’s governor, Juan Pérez de Guzmán), served as headquarters of Morgan’s forces during their month-long stay.

When Spanish authorities ordered the relocation of the city to present-day San Felipe, black slaves underwent the painstaking task of removing La Merced’s baroque-style façade stone by stone to re-assemble it in its present location, where it has survived the “small fire” and “big fires”, which almost destroyed San Felipe in the 18th century, as well as the 1880 earthquake.

The first La Merced church has an enormous historic significance. It was there where, in 1531 Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro took the Holy Communion before setting sailing to conquer the rich Inca empire in Perú.

Panama City - balconies with laundry drying out in the sun

Panama City - balconies with laundry drying out in the sun

The Pope's Statue close to Allbrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, Panama

Thanks for the photo tour. I really enjoyed it.

Great pics, thanks for sharing! we will be there soon!

Great pics, thanks for sharing! we will be there soon!

You're welcome! Have fun in Panama City! You'll enjoy the city!

Thanks for sharing your photos. I was born/raised in Panama and looking at the photos does make one homesick. I will be going back on a cruise and so looking foward to it. Thanks once again.

DJ127

Thank you for the photo tour and pricing info. We'll be there in November and will keep this in mind.

I can only hope to capture my visit to Panama on film half as well as you did! Very nice photos. Thanks so much for sharing!

I can only hope to capture my visit to Panama on film half as well as you did! Very nice photos. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thank you kindly for the nice comments.

I really enjoyed your colorful pictures. Thanks for posting them.

I really enjoyed your colorful pictures. Thanks for posting them.

You're so very welcome.

Fabulous photos, thank you, getting excited even though I'm not going till Oct 2012!

Great shots