Panama City is the capital of Panama, and by far its biggest and most modern city. Known as the Hub of the Americas, its central location between North and South America, along with the Panama Canal and diverse banking sector, have made it one of the most important business centers in the region.
Perched on water’s edge on the Bay of Panama, its skyline, dominated by high-rise condominiums towers is reminiscent of Miami, Florida. The city has undergone a real estate boom in recent years, with unprecedented construction changing the landscape almost daily.
The city’s infrastructure is modern, offering advanced telecommunications and fiber optics, cutting edge medical facilities and a wealth of amenities reflecting the culturally diverse makeup of this crossroads of the world. 16th century Spanish colonialism, which can be seen in the city’s older architecture, particularly in the Casco Viejo (Old Town). The ruins of the city’s very first site (Panama Viejo), sacked in the 16th century, can also be found adjacent to some of the city’s more affluent residential suburbs. The Metropolitan Park, a 232-hectare swath of protected rainforest deemed the ‘Lungs of the City’, lies just to the west of the city with a rich diversity of birds, monkeys and other natural attractions for visitors.Tourism is also prevalent in Panama City, as travelers come to explore the city’s rich history dating back to the Panama City offers many hotels, restaurants with cuisines from around the world, casinos and a vibrant night life. Shopping is first-rate, with several excellent shopping centers to choose from, and the world’s top designer boutiques all have storefronts in the city.
The banking district in the city’s center is represented by more than 100 banks from around the world, attracting a great deal of international commerce to Panama.
The nearby presence of the Colon Free Zone (the largest free zone in the Americas, and second largest in the world after Hong Kong) and the Panama Canal also ensure the city sees a strong flow of international business and tourism. Panama City is made up of many small, often self-contained neighborhoods:
| Altos de Panama | Coco del Mar | Los Angeles |
| Altos del Golf | Costa del Este | Marbella |
| Balboa Avenue | Costa Sur | Obarrio |
| Bay of Panam | Dos Mares | Paitilla |
| Bella Vista | El Cangrejo | Punta Pacifica |
| Betania | El Carmen | San Francisco |
| Calle 50 | El Dorado | San Gerardo de Mayela |
| Campo Lindbergh | Fuente Alameda/La Alameda | Tocumen |
| Casco Viejo | La Cresta | Via Argentina |
| Cerro Viento | La Loma | Via España |
