City: Panama
Top Things to do in Panama
Top Hotels in Panama
- 1. Wyndham Panama Albrook Mall Hotel & Convention Center
- 2. The Bristol Panama, a Registry Collection Hotel
- 3. Hotel Riu Plaza Panama
- 4. The Westin Playa Bonita Panama
- 5. Hotel Riu Playa Blanca
- 6. Hilton Panama
- 7. Dreams Playa Bonita Panama
- 8. The Santa Maria, A Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, Panama City
- 9. Ramada Plaza By Wyndham Panama Punta Pacifica
- 10. Central Hotel Panama Casco Viejo
Countries
10 Specialty Museums in Panama That You Shouldn't Miss
Coordinates: 9°N 80°W / 9°N 80°W / 9; -80
Restaurants in Panama
1. Centro de Interpretacion de Ciudad del Saber
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
The City of Knowledge Interpretation Center has an exhibition about the history of Fort Clayton. It emphasizes the different stages of its development and the evolution of its architecture. In addition, it highlights the connection between the place and the history of Panama, especially that related to the military presence of the United States in Panama.
2. Museo de la Mola
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 329jimmym - Miami, United States
This tiny museum in the heart of the old quarter is a must see on you trip to Panama. It shows the history of the art craft called Mola, created by the indigenous tribes of Guna Yala, formerly San Blas. They display an amazing collection of these works of art and have several interactive displays for the kids to enjoy. Do go and visit this gem, recently opened in Panama City.
3. Biomuseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,616 reviews
Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is his only work in Latin America and the tropics. The building was designed to tell the story of how the isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents, separating a vast ocean in two, and changing the planet's biodiversity forever.
Reviewed By mayohrm50 - Warwick, United States
This is a great museum to learn about the formation of the isthmus, its evolutionary importance, and the natural history of Panama up to the present day. The exhibits on several floors are state-of-the-art. The museum not only celebrates the wonders of natural life in Panama and its two oceans, it also teaches us about man's impact on the environment, the perils of climate change, and the need to preserve and protect the natural world around us.
4. Sitio Barriles Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By MNescaped - Prior Lake, United States
This is the best walking museum you may ever take. Edna has so much knowledge of not just the archeological artifacts and their findings but also of the plants and ecology of the area. You cannot go on this tour without learning more about history, culture and local nature. Who would have ever imagined artifact proof of both Chinese and African peoples in Panama around 3000 BC? It really opens more questions about ancient folks to attempt to piece together the travels and influences they had.
5. Plastic Bottle Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Museum, hotel, hostel. Castle Inspiration was built by Plastic King Robert and his friends, from July 2016 to April 2018. It has four levels measuring 14 meters high (50 ft) and was made out of 40,000 PET bottles. The Castle includes four guest rooms on the first two floors, a dining area on the third floor and a gathering level with a fantastic view on the fourth. The main objective is to inspire the visitors and guess, and to bring awareness about the invasion of the single use PET plastic bottles in our oceans.
Reviewed By jjw1028 - Panama City, Panama
This is a must stop in Bocas, what a great work they have done here, with thousands of plastic bottles.
6. Museo de la Libertad
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
The Museo de la Libertad is a non-profit association that was created to promote democratic values, the principles of freedom, and the respect and observance of human rights. The Foundation's flagship project is the Museum of Freedom, whose first phase opened on May 22, 2019. A first pavilion known as “Equality” was inaugurated; its main theme is: “human rights are yours and of all".
Reviewed By steph_kirby - Toronto, Canada
After visiting the canal, the Amador causeway, the museum of the history of the canal, the biodiversity museum, Ancon Hill and the old city, we had some time to fill. We really enjoyed our 45 minute visit in this important, modern and well curated museum. They offer a tour in English, which runs an hour and a half. Sadly we didn’t have time for this, but the staff members at this museum are young, extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic about sharing information about human rights in Panama and the world. They speak English perfectly and are available to explain and interpret the exhibits. Loved this museum, as did our teenage kids.
7. Afro-Antillian Museum (Museo Afro Antillano de Panama )
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Open Tuesday-Sunday, this museum pays tribute to the 30,000-plus black West Indians who made up the vast majority of the Canal’s foreign laborers, many of whom died doing this dangerous work. See reconstructed examples of Afro-Antillanos’ dismal living conditions, photos and artifacts.
Reviewed By michelefV9765EM - Louisville, United States
Because I travel by METRO when I visit Panama City, it was very easy to get to the Afro-Antillian Museum. It is directly across the street from Estacion 5 de Mayo. What's even better, it costs only a dollar. The Museum tells the story of people from the Caribbean who traveled to Panama to build the Canal, the lives they lived, the difficulties they faced, and they managed to make new lives for themselves in Panama, thus shaping and changing what Panama was to what it has become today. It was worth the time and the cost is right. You won't be sorry you went.
8. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Scenic621749
We had an informative tour by David who was gracious, intelligent and answered all our questions. We saw a few sloths in the trees and got information and insight into the important research and educational programs they run. Sadly, funding has been decreased since 2016 (USA) so, I plan to donate as the water quality is poor, people have to be educated and create better practices to restore and preserve the beautiful environment.
9. MAC Panama
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 30 reviews
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC Panamá) is a place for creativity and conversation. Everyone is welcome.
Reviewed By 880juniorb - Panama City, Panama
Great place to come and see beautiful art. The exhibition right now is very informative about the Guna people of Panama.
10. Museo Panama Viejo
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By midway42 - Minnesota, United States
Located just a short walk from the Ascuncion Cathedral, the Panama Viejo museum is a new addition to the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage site. Starting on the second floor, it begins with coverage of the first human settlements in the area around 500AD, including pottery shards and dioramas of daily life. The Spanish presence in the area obviously takes up most of the exhibitions, with military life and daily colonial life being the featured elements. Digital displays, movies reenacting the invasion by Henry Morgan, and life-sized kitchens with complete dining sets share space with a meticulous diorama of the colonial town circa the 16th Century. I spent a little over an hour here and made a quick visit to the small souvenir shop before departure. In summary, I thought this museum was a hidden gem and added tremendously to my understanding of the ruins (see separate review) I had just toured. English signage was excellent and the layout chronologically made sense. There were several opportunities to visualize Panama Viejo in its heyday, with the diorama and digital recreations. Overall the static archeological finds and modern computerized recreations definitely worked with each reinforcing the other if that makes sense. Moreover, the entire museum can be covered in one to two hours depending on your enthusiasm. An excellent visit and highly recommended.
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