Known as the Dubai of Latin America, for its recent economic prosperity, Panama City's modern skyline rises from the jungle-laden beaches ripe with palm trees and incredibly diverse fauna. The city's wealth can be traced to the inception of the man-made Panama Canal in the early 1900s. PCT, as it's known locally, is strewn across a narrow land mass with the Pacific Ocean to the West, preserved tropical rainforests to the East, and the beginning of the Panama Canal to the South. The newly opened ...
Known as the Dubai of Latin America, for its recent economic prosperity, Panama City's modern skyline rises from the jungle-laden beaches ripe with palm trees and incredibly diverse fauna. The city's wealth can be traced to the inception of the man-made Panama Canal in the early 1900s. PCT, as it's known locally, is strewn across a narrow land mass with the Pacific Ocean to the West, preserved tropical rainforests to the East, and the beginning of the Panama Canal to the South. The newly opened metro system outlines the narrow expansion of the city from the historic Casco Viejo to the neighborhood reaching the inland North.
The nation's capital is similarly at the crux of an expanding queer culture where old Catholic mentalities are starting to fade away to the nation's youth which is far more open to LGBTQ+ people. Panama City has no gay district, but most of queer life is sandwiched between the historic Casco Veio, San Francisco, and El Cangrejo neighborhoods. Casco Viejo is ripe with Colonial antiquities and cobblestone streets, while the up-and-coming districts of hip El Cangrejo and San Francisco are full of trendy dining options and luxury shopping. Panama City gays love mega clubs, and you'll find four bumping into the night that locals and international tourists alike frequent. Just make sure to bring your passport or ID, the bouncers will deny you entry unless you have original identification on you. Copies on your phone don't count! The city also hosts many rooftop bars with stunning views and lush courtyards with live music and DJs. Many of these spaces are queer-friendly. For a more intimate gay experience, PTY has a handful of gay bathhouses and sex clubs dotted around the city.
Although Panama City sits on the Pacific Ocean, the city is not known for its beaches. The country's best LGBTQ+ friendly beaches are on the islands of San Blas and Bocas Del Toro where ex-pat communities have settled on the white sands beaches. The country's natural beauty is endless, don't miss the opportunity to explore it whether that's hiking through the jungle or kayaking through crystal-clear mangroves.
