Five Must-Visit Museums in Panama

Panama's historical and cultural offer has been diversifying over time, knowing the past is what will make us build a better present and future. Visit the museums in Panama: come with your family and friends to learn more about the attributes of our country, its history, its flora and fauna, and its process of evolution over centuries Sometimes we want to do different things with our family and friends.

We want to propose something different to get out of the routine and we want to encourage them to get to know the cultural side of the city. For those occasions, we suggest you discover the museums and cultural events in Panama: experience the city from another point of view. Check out this list of five museums in Panama that you should visit.

Museum of Interoceanic Canal of Panama

This museum is in a beautiful old building that used to be where people planned to build the Panama Canal. Inside, there are exhibits that tell you all about the canal's history and how it affected Panama. Even though the signs are in Spanish, you can pay a little extra for an audio tour in English if you want to learn more. It's a popular place to visit in Panama City.

Biomuseum

The isthmus of Panama formed not long ago in geological terms, but it had a big impact on the world. It brought together two continents and changed the environment, leading to a unique mix of plants and animals. You can learn more about Panama's role in this at the Biomuseo. It's a special museum designed by famous architect Frank Gehry, known for designing impressive buildings like the Guggenheim Museum. This museum is Gehry's first project in Latin America and it's all about Panama's environment and biodiversity.

Museum of Contemporary Art

This museum is a great place to see the best Panamanian art and some artwork from Latin American artists on paper. Sometimes, they also have special exhibitions by artists from other countries or Panama. It's a lovely museum to visit.

Museum of Panama Viejo

This museum is in the old part of Panama City, and it shows the history from before the Spanish came to colonial times. You can see a big model of how Panama City looked before 1671 and learn about religious art, old maps, and pirate history. If you want, you can also go up a tall tower to see the view, but it's not safe for kids under eight. It's a place where you can learn a lot about Panama's past.

Afro Antillean Museum of Panama

While the Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum focuses on the French and American workers who built the Panama Canal, the Afro-Antillean Museum of Panama is the place to learn about the important role the West Indian community played in developing Panama's infrastructure. In this museum, you can see pictures, stories, and items that show how hardworking and determined West Indians were in building local railways and canals. It's a place to understand their contribution to Panama's history.