Panama City
10 Great Things About Panama City
First, it’s important to know that the heart of Panama is Panama City, and the very heart of Panama City is Vía Argentina, El Cangrejo — the vibrant, walkable neighborhood where Spanish Panama Language School is located, and the Spanish school is located at the best intersection!
Welcome to Panama!
Welcome to Panama!
10 Great Things to Know About Panama City
Panama City is one of the most modern, commercial, and energetic cities in Latin America. It offers the excitement of a global city while still providing hundreds of tranquil spaces — parks, gardens, ancient ruins, museums, and coastal views — where you can relax and unwind.
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A Global Banking and Business Hub
Panama City is a major international banking center and is often referred to as the “Switzerland of the Americas.” -
Modern Shopping and Convenience
There are more than 10 modern shopping malls featuring international brands. Albrook Mall, built in 2003, is now among the largest malls in the world. Ask your teacher to have your language class while exploring any of Panama’s shopping malls! -
Cultural Diversity
Panama City is culturally rich, with strong Afro-Caribbean, Chinese, Indigenous, and international communities. It’s common to meet people of mixed heritage and global backgrounds. -
Tropical Climate
The city enjoys warm temperatures year-round, lush greenery, and a tropical atmosphere without extreme weather. -
Low-Cost Transportation
Taxi rides typically range from $2–$6, buses cost $0.35, and the Panama Metro also costs $0.35 per ride. The Metro continues to expand, including connections toward the international airport (PTY). Nowadays, you can go from Spanish Panama Language School by trains in just over one hour for 85 cents. Take Via Argentina to San Miguelito, 35 cents. Then for 50 cents, San Miguelito to Corredor Sur and transfer there to the PTY. -
Vibrant Nightlife
From jazz bars and live music venues to clubs, cafés, and casinos, Panama City offers a lively nightlife scene. -
Geographic Advantage
The city is centrally located between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, close to beaches, islands, rainforest, and mountains. -
World-Class Services
Panama City offers excellent hospitals, universities, private schools, supermarkets, banks, and professional services. -
Exceptional Food Scene
Enjoy local dishes such as ceviche, patacones, sancocho, tamales, and a wide range of international cuisine. Panama’s history as a crossroads of cultures has created an unusually diverse culinary landscape. -
Rich Musical Heritage
Panama has contributed to jazz, salsa, cumbia, tamborito, reggae, bolero, mejorana, calypso, and many other musical traditions.
But Why Stop at 10?
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Panama City has a rainforest inside the city — Metropolitan Natural Park, just a 10–15 minute drive from Spanish Panama.
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Two oceans: You can watch the sunrise on the Pacific and the sunset on the Atlantic from a single point — and drive between them in just over an hour.
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Panama has the oldest operating transcontinental railroad in the world.
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No hurricanes, blizzards, or tornados — just a warm climate year-round.
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Panama uses the U.S. dollar, so there’s no need to exchange money.
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Roughly one-third of Panama’s economy is connected to the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important engineering achievements.
Things to Do in Panama City
You could easily spend a month exploring Panama City. Highlights include:
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Casco Antiguo (Old Town) — just a $2 Uber ride from Spanish Panama. Ask your teacher to take a class there!
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Panama Viejo (the original ruined city). Ask your teacher to take a class there!
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The Panama Canal and visitor centers (excursions leave from the school)
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Rainforest walks, birdwatching, beaches, islands, and sailing tours
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Modern skyscrapers, museums, markets, and cultural districts
Panama City also offers:
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Excellent fiber-optic internet
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A growing Metro/Subway system Ask your teachers about taking you there and orientate you to how to use it!)
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Quick access to two oceans, jungles, mountains, and countryside
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An international airport with direct flights to North America, Europe, and Latin America
Casco Antiguo.
Spanish Panama Language School is $2 by Uber from Panama’s colonial city.
One of the many ships that go through the Panama Canal
Shopping and Accessibility from Spanish Panama
From Spanish Panama Language School in El Cangrejo:
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Via España shopping areas are nearby (Do your class while walking around with your teacher)
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Albrook Mall is a $3 taxi or 12-minute Metro ride, and connects to the national bus terminal and domestic airport. Ask your teacher if they can take you there!
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Avenida Central and local markets offer budget-friendly shopping
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Multicentro and Multiplaza malls are about a 25-minute walk
Multiplaza, Panama’s most exclusive mall, features brands such as:
Zara, Prada, Armani Exchange, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Hermès, and many more. Ask your teacher to take you there!
Zara, Prada, Armani Exchange, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Hermès, and many more. Ask your teacher to take you there!
Nearby landmarks include Panama Pacific Hospital (Johns Hopkins affiliated), Citibank, Samsung, Scotiabank, and the Canadian Embassy.
Still in Panama City! Metropolitan Park is a 10″ car ride from Spanish Panama Language School. ($5 entrance tourist fee)
Nature Within the City
Metropolitan Natural Park is still within Panama City and only a short drive from Spanish Panama Language School. It offers hiking trails, wildlife, and panoramic city views — a reminder that nature and urban life coexist in Panama. Ask your teacher about taking you there!
Why This Matters for Students and Newcomers
Panama City — and especially Vía Argentina, El Cangrejo — offers one of the best environments in Latin America for learning Spanish, settling in, and enjoying daily life. Everything you need is close by, walkable, and connected.
Spanish Panama Language School aims to help you to feel comfortable in Panama with these things to do while learning the Panamanian language.