PANAMA CITY |
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BEST OF THE REST |
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San Blas Islands Visiting these distinctly offgrid islands is subject to the discretion of the Guna Indigenous community . Accommodations range from rustic cabins to overwater bungalows — or stay on a private catamaran . |
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Hike Ancón Hill Lace up your boots and hike to the highest peak in Panama City . Be there at 8am to beat the heat and have a chance to spot sloths , monkeys , toucans , woodpeckers or butterflies in the lush , junglelike setting . |
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images : GETTY ; STOCKFOOD |
by Dominican friars . The Metropolitan Cathedral and its adjacent plaza offer a shady spot for a rest and a raspado — flavoured shaved ice sold from vendor carts .
Handicrafts from Indigenous artisans as well as young , upcoming artists are displayed in gallery windows throughout Casco Viejo . Galeria de Arte Indigena offers an extensive collection of embroidered cloth , woven baskets and figures carved from tagua palm seeds that make for the ideal souvenir .
FOOD
Casco Viejo is the heart of Panama City ’ s gastronomy scene . Start the day with a Geisha coffee and a steamed tamale wrapped in a banana leaf at Casa Sucre Coffeehouse . Panama ’ s Geisha coffee beans are an aromatic varietal grown at altitudes of over 5,000 feet and are coveted by aficionados . Devote half a day to dive into
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the local food scene with a private culinary tour that delves into flavours like organic chocolate , small batch rum , craft beer and , of course , coffee .
A visit to the Mercado de Mariscos , a fish and seafood market on the waterfront , is a must . Stroll among the aisles stocked with yellowfin tuna , black marlin , Pacific sailfish , dorado , roosterfish , wahoo and amberjack — all freshly caught and sold at reasonable prices . For a snack , try a cup of shrimp or seabass ceviche , or go big with a platter of fried fish served with rice or French fries . Cantina del Tigre , or Tiger ’ s Canteen , was named one of Latin America ’ s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 . Located in the San Francisco neighbourhood on the east side of the city , it features a spacious outdoor patio as well as indoor seating . Chef Fulvio Miranda has created an updated menu of Panamanian flavours , which relies heavily
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Study molas Delve into the history of Panamanian textiles at the Museo de la Mola , affectionately known as MuMo . Permanent exhibits highlight patterns that illustrate landscapes , wildlife and spiritual concepts .
Sport fishing Thanks to the Humboldt Current , an abundance of large exotic fish populates the coastal waters of Panama . Anglers know it ’ s one the best places in the world for an unforgettable day of fishing . Charters for sailfish , marlin , roosterfish and snapper go nearly year-round . Have your photo taken holding a trophy fish before releasing it back into the Pacific .
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WINTER 2024 • 77 |