10 Things to do in Panama City with Kids

Panama City is an excellent place to establish contact with nature from an early age or to live exciting adventures in the jungle such as zip-lining. It also seems to me a recommendable option for its beaches, which have children's areas and an excellent soft breeze.

Among the best things to do in Panama City with the family are: to take the chocolate route, visit Monkey Island and visit the areas where you can see different species of animals. The best thing is that its attraction is not limited to its natural beauty. Here are all the places that will delight the little ones.

A bike tour is one of the most fun adventures that can be experienced during childhood, especially if it is through unknown panoramas. In Panama City you can stroll through the picturesque streets and pedal along the Cinta Costera, where the sea breeze blows softly and there are outdoor activities for the whole family. In front of the sea you will find skating rinks, soccer fields and playgrounds.

This way, you won't have to walk for hours and you can optimize the itinerary so that the little ones don't get tired. You can organize it on your own or join a guided tour to pass by the National Theater, Plaza Simon Bolivar and the Seafood Market, where you can eat very well. To explore Panama City by bike, it is recommended that children be at least 11 years old and in some cases there may be height restrictions.

If everyone at home is adventurous and not afraid to try new things, then adventures in the Panamanian rainforest are a must on your family itinerary. I suggest you head to the Gamboa Reserve, just forty minutes from downtown, where you will find an impressive zip line jumping park with 10 platforms and a 2-kilometer route. Here children will feel safe, as before starting there is a basic introductory lesson and safety equipment is provided.

It is a different and fun way to explore the vastness of the jungle and marvel at the views of Gatun Lake, while swinging along the treetops. The zip line experience is included in some of the best excursions from Panama City and I recommend joining one of them to experience the whole activity in a relaxed way and just worry about enjoying yourself. Keep in mind that you will be traveling with children, so don't forget to bring sunscreen, a change of clothes, comfortable shoes and insect repellent.

There are usually no age or height restrictions but you should check before booking the activity.

Children's connection with animals and nature is very important, as it promotes mental health, creativity and empathy from an early age. Tap into their curiosity and take them to the hidden paradise of Monkey Island, home to crocodiles, sloths and iguanas. Of course, it is home to different types of macaques, including howler monkeys, lemurs and Panamanian tamarins.

Generally, the route begins at the Panama Canal stops, from where the boats depart along a waterway surrounded by exotic vegetation. In this area you will only hear the sounds of nature and you will be able to interact with the monkeys at a respectful distance. You will also notice that the capuchins are very intelligent, in fact they know how to choose their food, medicines and form nests, being protected species due to their illegal commercialization

Here also hide the marmoset monkeys, which are the smallest in the world and also take refuge in neighboring countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Please note that for this getaway you should bring insect repellent and children or babies should be seated on an adult's lap.

Panama City is very popular for its beautiful beaches, in fact it is considered a paradisiacal destination in the navel of the Pacific and the Caribbean. The best thing is that they are accessible thanks to the Panama Metro, so it will not be a chaos to go with the little ones. It is worth making room for them in your family itinerary, as there are many options suitable for children, among the most outstanding are:

• Veracruz Beach: it is located to the west and is a destination where you will find swings in front of the sea, beach bars and an uncluttered landscape, since it is not so touristy. It is perfect because you will be able to keep the kids in sight all the time.
• Playa Bonita: here you will find the most fun and luxurious resorts in Panama City with gardens, spa area for children and adults, water sports and swimming pools overlooking the sea.
• El Palmar: its dark sand makes it attractive and different, plus it is a good destination to teach the little ones to surf.
• Taboga Island: you will be far from the hustle and bustle of the city and you can spend the day in crystal clear waters shining under the sun. Generally, you arrive by boat and on board there are a variety of recreational activities for the whole family. Please note that the whole family must have their passport to travel, and it is not suitable for children under 6 months or pregnant women.

Panama City is within walking distance of natural enclaves with a variety of activities for the whole family, as you have already seen. But the best part is that some of them are within the urban area.

Children will surely want to explore new corners and climb hills, discover animal species and swim in crystal-clear waters.

In the following sections I will tell you which are the best natural places in the city to take the children.

Metropolitan Park

The Metropolitan Park is a space in the heart of Panama City, so you should not even leave the urban perimeter. It has 230 hectares of nature with diverse species that coexist in its leafy wooded areas.

In general, you can go up to the Santiago Cable Car and take advantage of the areas with games for all ages. Here you can also fly kites, have a picnic or hike along one of the park's 7 trails, where you will encounter a diversity of flora and fauna. If you are traveling with small children, I recommend taking the easy intensity trails, which are worth it for the views.

Soberania National Park

Another place to take the kids is Soberania National Park, where you can go hiking and explore the vicinity of the Panama Canal. In addition, the little ones will surely be excited to join a bird watching experience at Canopy Tower.

On its trails there are a variety of monkeys and other species of animals that will captivate you. In fact, to enrich this experience of contact and learning, I recommend visiting the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, which is located in the treetops and allows you to feed hummingbirds, connect with nature or observe monkeys, frogs and butterflies.

When you arrive in Panama City as a family, the first thing you should do is show the kids the most special places. It can be a fun and educational experience, ideal for introducing them to the legends of Casco Viejo, the continental connection of Calzada de Amador and the enigmas of the Panama Canal. In fact, I suggest making a stop at the visitor centers to enjoy the interactive exhibits and see the Miraflores locks.

Also, at the canal, be prepared to see the ships and learn about the maneuvers of the pilots, whose work is crucial to the operation of this commercial waterway. You can participate in the best tours of Panama City that will take you to see the main sites, usually in an air-conditioned vehicle, ideal to protect the little ones from the scorching sun and heat of the city.

Note that the tour is free for children under 3 years old. In addition, at each stop they usually offer Panamanian snacks, whose flavors will captivate your palate and that of the little ones. Surely the children will be thrilled to taste a handmade ice cream, while the adults try the Panamanian geisha coffee.

Panamanian chocolate is heaven for those who can't live without snack time, as it is delicious and will delight the palate of the whole family. An excellent way to learn about its history and production process is to join the Panama City chocolate tour, where you can enjoy a tasting of different flavors.

Generally, cocoa is harvested in plantations in Boca de Toro and other cities, then processed in an artisanal way in factories like Nomé Chocolate. This is the opportunity to develop children's palate through chocolate bonbons with caramel, ginger, geisha coffee, sea salt, chombo chili and other exotic mixtures.

The best thing is that on this tour children can prepare their own chocolate bar under the supervision of experts and create unforgettable memories in one of the most charming cities in Central America. In the local coffee shops you can also try chocolate cocadas, mousses, cakes, flan and brown gold bonbons that are often spicy.

If you want to cool off and get to know another facet of Panama City, you definitely have to immerse yourself in the adventures of a water park. It is a fun activity for the whole family to participate in, since it combines adrenaline and relaxation in the same space. The most outstanding option is Aquatic Park at the Camping Hotel with tickets from 9 euros.

This place has slides and pools with different intensities, as well as children's games that will keep the little ones entertained. There is no doubt that the kids will enjoy it a lot.

If you plan to stay at least 7 days in Panama City I recommend you consider this visit to refresh yourself and ensure a paradisiacal vacation.

A whale watching adventure is a must on your itinerary during your stay in Panama City if you are traveling with children. It offers a fun and educational perspective where you can see and interact with the lifestyle of these friendly animals. It is possible to see them almost all year round, with the season from July to October and August being the month with the best chances of seeing the popular jumping cetaceans.

From December to February there is also a small migration, in which they come in search of warm waters. I recommend joining a whale watching adventure by boat where you will sail to the best spots for this type of experience.

A curious fact is that they travel approximately 25,000 kilometers to take advantage of the pleasant habitat of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, they usually hunt in groups and feed on smaller fish that prowl Panamanian waters. They usually frequent Otok, Bona and Coiba, but can also be seen aboard a catamaran excursion to Taboga Island from Panama City

The Panama City Biomuseo is another wonderful place for children where you will find interactive exhibits that revolve around the history, nature, science and art of the area. It has a total of 8 galleries with projections of Panama's ecosystems, informative corridors about local species and an aquarium where you can learn about the ocean that surrounds the city.

In its facilities you cannot miss the Biodiversity Park Gardens, a botanical space with videos of Panamanian fauna and flora, exhibits on climate change and a beautiful pond where you can see water lilies and bats. I recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat, as there are many insects. Repellents are not recommended to protect the butterflies that prowl around the place.

• Avoid certain red light areas such as El Chorrillo, Curundú, Santa Ana and San Miguelito, due to their high levels of violence and assaults.
• Bring sunscreen on any excursions, as it is a sunny and hot city.
• Be sure to visit beaches that have lifeguards to be safer with children.
• Rent a car or choose private transfers, as walking in Panama City is exhausting due to the type of weather, and even more so with children.
• Look for interactive experiences so that children can participate and get involved with local history.