Three Days Away: Panama City pt.1

72 hours of eating and drinking around Panama City — need to know

Panama City may not be at the top of your Central America tourist radar — if you're anything like me the country makes you think of hats, canals, those papers, and not much else. But it's certainly worth a visit, both as a city in its own right and as a useful jumping off point for national parks, islands, and mountains. The city is easy to navigate, and offers up things to do for activity seekers and lounge lizards alike. Expect fresh seafood, lively nightlife, and a lot of street sellers who are happy to accept your first no and don't hassle for custom. Depending on where you base yourself you'll find either Central American chaos, colonial glamour, or a soulless Monaco-lite tax haven complete with high-end shopping for the wealthy and tasteless.