A Walk through Panama City: Old & New
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Port
Gatun Lake, Panama
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$79.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Panama City consists of two parts. Part one is Panama Viejo (Old Panama), which lies in ruins after being sacked by the pirate Sir Henry Morgan and burned down in 1671. Part two is the Panama City of today, built in 1673 on a peninsula located that is just five miles from the original settlement sacked by Morgan.
Air-conditioned transportation will bring you to part one -- the ruins of Old Panama. This site was founded in 1519 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Avila and played a major in one of the most important trade routes in the Americas. It was a repository for much of the gold and silver that Spain took from the New World. Walk with your guide through the ruins to learn about Old Panama’s history and the lifestyle of its wealthy and important inhabitants.
Part two -- the modern-day location of Panama City -- boasts an incredible Old Town area known as the Casco Antiguo. The Casco displays a fascinating mix of architectural styles, which in turn reflect the cultural diversity of the country. Caribbean, Republican, Art Deco, French and Colonial architecture mix in this historic area. Most of Panama City’s main monuments are located in Casco Antiguo.
On your second walking tour of the day, you will see the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Theater, among other buildings.
Continue to your final destination -- Las Bovedas. This is the sea wall of the Spanish Fort on the point of the peninsula. It takes its name from the dungeons that are embedded in the wall. Today, the infamous dungeons are relatively civilized and house an art gallery and a restaurant. A stroll along the top of the wall provides a unique view of Panama City across the bay.
Survey Panama City, from old to new, from your coach on the way back to the ship
Notes:
This excursion departs from Gatún Lake and ends in Colón, where you will rejoin the ship. Tour departure times may vary due to local authority clearance and will be announced on board the ship. The Panama Canal Authority assigns specific time slots for the transit of each vessel transiting the locks; the arrival of the ship in Colón may be delayed. Be prepared for such a delay by bringing any needed medication or essential items on tour. Facilities are available at the terminal in Colón while you are waiting for the ship’s arrival.