Panama: Canal Wonders, Emberá Traditions, and Beach Calm
"Pro Mundi Beneficio," which is Latin for "For the Benefit of the World"
11/2/202511 min read
Panama surprised us in ways we did not expect. It is a country where modern towers rise beside colonial streets, where jungle rivers carve through quiet villages, and where the Pacific and Caribbean feel only a breath apart. We wanted to experience both sides of Panama, the energy of its capital and the calm of its coastline, so we split our stay between downtown Panama City and a beach resort at Playa Bonita. It gave us the perfect balance. The city awakened our curiosity with its history, culture, and the marvel of the canal, while the coastline offered relaxation, sun, and space to simply breathe. It felt like two different trips woven into one, each revealing something distinct about this small but fascinating country.
Our time in the city was all about sightseeing and immersion. We knew once we reached the beach resort we might not leave.
Life in the City: Waldorf Astoria Panama
The Waldorf Astoria was luxury and comfort in the heart of a chaotic and fascinating city. Its location sits just minutes from the old quarter and the waterfront. The hotel offers sweeping city or partial ocean views from many rooms and features a fitness center and a great daily breakfast that gave us energy for long days of exploring.
Bedrooms are modern with marble bathrooms, ample space, and amenities. Service was friendly and efficient. Oliver at the concierge desk was always helpful and professional when we had questions or needed directions.
Touring Panama City and the Canal
One of the first excursions we took was a combined Panama Canal and city tour. We booked through Tony's Panama Tours and our guide Dimas made the trip memorable. We visited the lock viewing platforms where massive ships navigate through the canal with just inches of clearance on either side. Seeing a massive ship cross the locks left us in awe of this engineering marvel. The tour also included a short IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman about the history of the canal that added context and depth to what we were witnessing. We recommend you purchase tickets online to avoid the long lines and to arrive early for your slot. Or just let Tony and Dimas take care of that for you.
From there we explored the historic quarter of Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo), a UNESCO World Heritage district full of colonial architecture, old churches, cobblestone streets, and a mix of restored buildings and atmospheric ruins. It is a neighborhood that reflects centuries of Panama’s layered history—everything from Spanish colonial rule to modern urban life. We toured the area with Dimas and then went back another day to explore it more on our own. Make sure you try their famous Geisha Coffee while there!
Journey into the Jungle: Embera Village and Waterfall Tour
For a dramatic contrast to city life, we also took a day trip to visit an indigenous community with the Emberá people via a boat ride on the Chagres River. The trip took us into the rainforest where we traveled by dugout canoe and then walked to a jungle waterfall for a swim. The tour included a traditional lunch prepared over fire: fresh fried fish, plantains, and tropical fruit, and plenty of time to meet the artisans, see traditional dances, and learn about Emberá culture. The village had no electricity but was rich in spirit, warmth, and authenticity. It felt meaningful to support the community directly through their handmade crafts, often for a fraction of tourist-store pricing. Tony coordinated everything and Dimas of course was our guide for this trip as well.
That day reminded us that Panama offers much more than skyscrapers and canal tours. It offers living culture and deep connections to land, water, and tradition. I still remember sitting by the river in a canoe, surrounded by jungle sounds and friendly faces, and thinking this must be part of what Panama really is.
Food and Local Flavor
When we got hungry or craved a taste of Panama, we found two standout places in the city. The first was Gauchos Restaurant; a no frills steakhouse where the steaks were perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was simple, hearty, and exactly what we needed after long days. The prices were also very reasonable.
The second was the lively Mercado de Mariscos, a bustling seafood market and cevichería. Here we mingled with locals and tasted fresh ceviche and seafood dishes at reasonable prices. The atmosphere was energetic, hungry, and real.
Beach Time: Dreams Playa Bonita Panama
After five nights in the city, we made the thirty minute drive to Dreams Playa Bonita Panama. From the moment we arrived it felt like a different world. The resort sits on Playa Bonita beach facing the Pacific with a rainforest backdrop and sweeping ocean views. The property has nearly 300 guest rooms and suites, many with partial or full ocean views. The grounds include multiple pools (including an infinity pool), guided jungle walkways, a spa, beach-side access, and all-inclusive amenities with gourmet dining, bars, and activities for all ages.
One of the striking things about switching from the city to the resort was the weather. While it rained almost daily during our city stay, as soon as we reached the resort the skies cleared and sunshine greeted us every day. It felt like Panama was giving us a reward for making the effort to explore first before decompressing by the sea.
While on the grounds, make sure you meet William. He knows where all the sloths are hiding and is also responsible for the turtle sanctuary and nesting grounds.
Relaxing by the pool, enjoying cocktails, listening to the surf, and knowing that all meals and drinks were included felt luxurious after the buzz of the city. The resort’s comfortable rooms and laid-back pace gave us time to reflect on our whirlwind days of tours.
Final Thoughts
Our split stay in Panama City and at the beach resort gave us the full spectrum of Panama; its complex history, modern hustle, natural beauty, and relaxed coastal charm. From watching ships pass through the Panama Canal to riding in a canoe through jungle rivers; from colonial streets and seafood markets to infinity pools and sunset cocktails, this trip felt like a complete portrait of a country that can shift moods in the same afternoon.
Panama City taught us about ambition, history, and cultural layers. The Embera village reminded us of human connection and resilience. The beach resort gave us calm, sun, and time to reflect.
If you want a travel experience that combines intensity, authenticity, and afterwards, pure relaxation, Panama offers it all. We loved what we saw, what we experienced, and how the days flowed from concrete to jungle to beach. If you’re thinking about planning your own Panama adventure, reach out to us at Tacks Travels. We’d love to help you design a safe, memorable, and authentic trip, just like ours.
Panama surprised us in ways we did not expect. It is a country where modern towers rise beside colonial streets, where jungle rivers carve through quiet villages, and where the Pacific and Caribbean feel only a breath apart. We wanted to experience both sides of Panama, the energy of its capital and the calm of its coastline, so we split our stay between downtown Panama City and a beach resort at Playa Bonita. It gave us the perfect balance. The city awakened our curiosity with its history, culture, and the marvel of the canal, while the coastline offered relaxation, sun, and space to simply breathe. It felt like two different trips woven into one, each revealing something distinct about this small but fascinating country.
Our time in the city was all about sightseeing and immersion. We knew once we reached the beach resort we might not leave.
Life in the City: Waldorf Astoria Panama
The Waldorf Astoria was luxury and comfort in the heart of a chaotic and fascinating city. Its location sits just minutes from the old quarter and the waterfront. The hotel offers sweeping city or partial ocean views from many rooms and features a fitness center and a great daily breakfast that gave us energy for long days of exploring.
Bedrooms are modern with marble bathrooms, ample space, and amenities. Service was friendly and efficient. Oliver at the concierge desk was always helpful and professional when we had questions or needed directions.
Touring Panama City and the Canal
One of the first excursions we took was a combined Panama Canal and city tour. We booked through Tony's Panama Tours and our guide Dimas made the trip memorable. We visited the lock viewing platforms where massive ships navigate through the canal with just inches of clearance on either side. Seeing a massive ship cross the locks left us in awe of this engineering marvel. The tour also included a short IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman about the history of the canal that added context and depth to what we were witnessing. We recommend you purchase tickets online to avoid the long lines and to arrive early for your slot. Or just let Tony and Dimas take care of that for you.
From there we explored the historic quarter of Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo), a UNESCO World Heritage district full of colonial architecture, old churches, cobblestone streets, and a mix of restored buildings and atmospheric ruins. It is a neighborhood that reflects centuries of Panama’s layered history—everything from Spanish colonial rule to modern urban life. We toured the area with Dimas and then went back another day to explore it more on our own. Make sure you try their famous Geisha Coffee while there!
Journey into the Jungle: Embera Village and Waterfall Tour
For a dramatic contrast to city life, we also took a day trip to visit an indigenous community with the Emberá people via a boat ride on the Chagres River. The trip took us into the rainforest where we traveled by dugout canoe and then walked to a jungle waterfall for a swim. The tour included a traditional lunch prepared over fire: fresh fried fish, plantains, and tropical fruit, and plenty of time to meet the artisans, see traditional dances, and learn about Emberá culture. The village had no electricity but was rich in spirit, warmth, and authenticity. It felt meaningful to support the community directly through their handmade crafts, often for a fraction of tourist-store pricing. Tony coordinated everything and Dimas of course was our guide for this trip as well.
That day reminded us that Panama offers much more than skyscrapers and canal tours. It offers living culture and deep connections to land, water, and tradition. I still remember sitting by the river in a canoe, surrounded by jungle sounds and friendly faces, and thinking this must be part of what Panama really is.
Food and Local Flavor
When we got hungry or craved a taste of Panama, we found two standout places in the city. The first was Gauchos Restaurant; a no frills steakhouse where the steaks were perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was simple, hearty, and exactly what we needed after long days. The prices were also very reasonable.
The second was the lively Mercado de Mariscos, a bustling seafood market and cevichería. Here we mingled with locals and tasted fresh ceviche and seafood dishes at reasonable prices. The atmosphere was energetic, hungry, and real.
Beach Time: Dreams Playa Bonita Panama
After five nights in the city, we made the thirty minute drive to Dreams Playa Bonita Panama. From the moment we arrived it felt like a different world. The resort sits on Playa Bonita beach facing the Pacific with a rainforest backdrop and sweeping ocean views. The property has nearly 300 guest rooms and suites, many with partial or full ocean views. The grounds include multiple pools (including an infinity pool), guided jungle walkways, a spa, beach-side access, and all-inclusive amenities with gourmet dining, bars, and activities for all ages.
One of the striking things about switching from the city to the resort was the weather. While it rained almost daily during our city stay, as soon as we reached the resort the skies cleared and sunshine greeted us every day. It felt like Panama was giving us a reward for making the effort to explore first before decompressing by the sea.
While on the grounds, make sure you meet William. He knows where all the sloths are hiding and is also responsible for the turtle sanctuary and nesting grounds.
Relaxing by the pool, enjoying cocktails, listening to the surf, and knowing that all meals and drinks were included felt luxurious after the buzz of the city. The resort’s comfortable rooms and laid-back pace gave us time to reflect on our whirlwind days of tours.
Final Thoughts
Our split stay in Panama City and at the beach resort gave us the full spectrum of Panama; its complex history, modern hustle, natural beauty, and relaxed coastal charm. From watching ships pass through the Panama Canal to riding in a canoe through jungle rivers; from colonial streets and seafood markets to infinity pools and sunset cocktails, this trip felt like a complete portrait of a country that can shift moods in the same afternoon.
Panama City taught us about ambition, history, and cultural layers. The Embera village reminded us of human connection and resilience. The beach resort gave us calm, sun, and time to reflect.
If you want a travel experience that combines intensity, authenticity, and afterwards, pure relaxation, Panama offers it all. We loved what we saw, what we experienced, and how the days flowed from concrete to jungle to beach. If you’re thinking about planning your own Panama adventure, reach out to us at Tacks Travels. We’d love to help you design a safe, memorable, and authentic trip, just like ours.
