PANAMA CITY | Panama Canal
It is hard to believe we experienced the Panama Canal twice in six months, the transit from both directions. This time, we were northbound from Panama City as we were in the final days of our 110-day voyage with Oceania Cruises.
Panama City, Panama
Welcome to PanamĆ” City. It is a cosmopolitan city framed by the Pacific Ocean and the gateway to the artificial Panama Canal.
With only one day in the city, a Sunday and a day of rest, we explored Casco Viejo, its cobblestoned historic centre, famed for colonial-era landmarks and bougainvillea-filled plazas lined with cafes and bars.
After checking the weather, we opted to stay calm and avoid the humidity and hot sun by bar-hopping through fabulous cocktail bars and hunting for more Pisco Sours. It's our last chance before we leave this wonderful continent we have been blessed to explore over the past six months.
Ubers were plentiful and comfortable, all with air conditioning, so that was a bonus! We were whisked away to our first rooftop bar in the old city; as we whizzed through the streets, we knew we had made the right decision.
Lazotea Rooftop Bar was impressive at first sight; PanamĆ” City is the place to be! We were greeted by a resident DJ playing tunes as we walked in. We perched ourselves at the bar while waiting to devour more Pisco Sours.
Being Sunday, the brunch menu was the highlight, and we sampled our way through some of the options, of which we were delighted!
The next stop was a quick stroll through the old city, and after five minutes in the scorching heat, we were ready to embrace another cocktail.
We located the stunningly new La CompaƱia Hotel, part of the unbound collection with Hyatt, and it was the perfect place to enjoy the last Pisco in South America. The hotel was pure luxury and on our list when we returned amongst all the local eateries and bars. The old city was full of absolute charm, style and wealth.
