Long-Weekend in Panama City, Panama, and Cartagena, Colombia
Curated By
Aimee Suthann
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Colombia
Panama
City Travel
International Travel
Weekend Getaways
Foodie
Shopping
Sightseeing
Curator’s statement
Panama City and Cartagena are two cities that are a gateway to Central and South America. The weather in both is tropical, and the cities are adorned with colonial architecture, basked in delicious cuisine and fun nightlife. Enjoy these two Latin cities on an extended, long-weekend trip.
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Things to do
Cartagena:
Islas Baru
Take a private half-day boat tour and land on your own private island, Baru, or land at Blue Apple Beach if you are with friends looking for a scene.
Coffee tasting
Check out the Folklore Colombian Cafe joint for a delicious Colombia coffee tasting.
Salsa class
Take a salsa class at Crazy Salsa.
Explore Cartagena
Enjoy a walking tour of the city with a private guide, or perhaps a local street art tour. The city boasts beautiful street murals. Walk around the old town to taste the street vendors' coconuts, tropical fruits and arepas.
Shopping
Cartagena offers great luxury stores alongside handmade artisan crafts.
Panama City:
Explore the old city
Take a walking tour of Casco Viejo and visit its nooks and crannies.
Visit the Panama Canal
View the 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America.
Visit Parque Metropolitano
This is an inner city rainforest where you can stroll around and enjoy the flora.
A note from Aimee
If you have a few extra days, explore Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Eat & drink
Cartagena
Buena Vida Marisqueria: Rooftop restaurant with great Caribbean decor.
La Cocina de Pepina: Authentic food that combines Colombian and Caribbean cooking styles.
El Baron Cafe and Liquor Bar: Grab a drink at this fantastic cocktail bar.
Alma: Fine dining restaurant and bar in Casa Augustin hotel.
Oh la la: A great breakfast spot with a French twist.
Panama City
Casa Casco: A rooftop eatery/nightclub in one.
Annie & Motts: Cute casual eatery for breakfast and/or lunch.
Santa Rita Casca Viejo: This is the place to go for dinner! A lively atmosphere, fantastic service, good drinks, and a lovely Spanish-Argentinian menu.
Brutto: The in-know-the crowd go here for sushi in Panama City.
Cafe Unido: Go here for some great local coffee and snacks.
Need to Know
This trip is best as two nights in Panama and three nights in Colombia. The best time to visit is from January to May.
Travel Advisor
Aimee Suthann
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