Panama City is the country's capital and largest city. Whether arriving by air, land or sea, the first sight is of a sea of skyscrapers almost on the scale of Manhattan, and certainly the largest anywhere between Mexico City and Sao Paolo.
But Panama City is highly varied, with settings that include the original 16th-century settlement of Panama la Vieja, the Spanish-colonial capital of Casco Viejo, the modern business district of Obarrio and the Latin downtown area of El Cangrejo.
Built along the curve of the Bay of Panama on the Pacific coast, the city's waterfront continues to develop, with high-rises and a huge yacht marina. Panama City has a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel, but be aware that parts are still run-down.
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