Museo de Panamá Viejo — Attraction in Parque Lefevre

I recently visited Panama Viejo and overall, it was a nice experience. The site offers some beautiful views and a fascinating glimpse into Panama’s history. Walking among the ancient ruins and learning about the past was truly special.

However, I felt that the entrance fee of $17 is a bit too expensive for what’s available. There wasn’t enough information provided in English, which made it difficult to fully appreciate the site unless you speak Spanish. Additionally, some of the staff I interacted with were quite rude when I asked questions, which was disappointing.

Panama Viejo is worth a visit for its historic significance and scenery, but there is room for improvement in visitor service and informational resources—especially for...

The visit starts at the bookstore, which was a nice touch. A tram takes you down to the museum—small but interesting, and it doesn’t take long to go through. Afterward, you can explore the ruins. We spent most of our time at the main tower, which stands about six stories tall with over 100 steps and 3 levels. The climb is worth it—at the top, you get an incredible view of the city ruins, the skyline, and the beaches. I highly recommend making it to the top. We didn’t explore much beyond the tower, but the site is much larger than I expected. There is also a small gift shop by the museum. Entry was around $15 for foreigners, $10 for locals, and $2 for kids. Plan to spend at least 90 minutes...

The museum here is pretty good, lots of info in English. The ruins are worthwhile as well, and there are a few good facilities, including an artisanal market across the parking lot that stays open later. The major downside is that the site is a long strip, and they close off all the entrances and exits except the one at the far end next to the Visitor Center. It's not really accessible by public transport then and Google Maps is a bad guide to get there unless you know to type in the Visitor Center. It's a little pricey and they don't seem to have audio tours or regular hours for the shuttles. Adding tours at certain times (at least once a day) would...