After several wonderful sea days, our ship finally eased into Fuerte Amador, the port that serves Panama City. There’s something about arriving after days at sea — the skyline rising in the distance, the bustle of a working port, the promise of a full day ashore — that always feels a little electric.
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| This picture was taken from Old Town |
Princess offered a handful of shore excursions, but each focused on just one area. I wanted a fuller picture of Panama City, so I checked Shore Excursions Group and found exactly what I was hoping for: a 7‑hour comprehensive tour, covering all the highlights. They guarantee your return to the ship, and with our schedule — docked at 7 AM and sailing at 11 PM — I wasn’t the least bit worried.
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| One of the unique buildings in Panama |
He gave us two choices:
Visit Pedro Miguel Locks, or
Take a long drive to the locks on the Atlantic side.
Choosing Pedro Miguel meant more time in Casco Viejo, the Old Town — an easy decision.
Pedro Miguel Locks
I took photos, but they were through a chain‑link fence, so they won’t make the blog. Even so, watching two massive container ships pass through the lock was fascinating. Our guide explained the rules, costs, and logistics of navigating the canal — a reminder of just how complex and vital this engineering marvel remains.
Bridge of the Americas
From there, we drove past the Bridge of the Americas, completed in 1962. It’s the span that physically links North and South America, and seeing it in person carries a certain weight — a reminder of how geography and history intersect.
Downtown Panama City
Next came downtown Panama City, and I was genuinely surprised by the skyline. Tower after tower, sleek and modern, rising in clusters. And yes — two Tim Hortons. A little Canadian comfort in the tropics.
Casco Viejo: Old Town
We continued into Casco Viejo, the historic district with its narrow streets, restored colonial buildings, and lively plazas. We visited a small museum, then a chocolate factory where the scent alone was worth the stop.
One of the most memorable visits was to the oldest Catholic church in Old Town, with a history that reads like a novel:
The original church was built in Panama Viejo in the early 1600s by the Mercedarian order.
After Henry Morgan’s attack in 1671 destroyed the old city, the stone façade was carefully dismantled and moved to the new settlement at Casco Viejo around 1673.
The church today features a weathered baroque stone façade, a wood‑pillared interior, and historic bells that pre‑date the move.
It sits just steps from Independence Square, anchoring the neighborhood with centuries of history.
On the drive we saw a Tamarin Monkey
and a few Sloths.
By late afternoon, we had seen modern Panama, historic Panama, and the engineering heart of Panama — all in one well‑paced day. With our ship not leaving until 11 PM, we returned onboard with time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the evening.
