Five must-do things in Panama

Have a $3 carafe of iced coffee, dine with a view of the city and try Afro-Panamanian food.

From visiting the world-famous Panama Canal to some of the city’s most beloved food spots, Panama City has lots of great things to experience. Here are five things to do on your next trip to Panama:

1. Visit the Panama Canal

Arguably one of Panama’s most famous landmarks, the Panama Canal is a “must-visit” for any trip to the country. The Panama Canal, an engineering masterpiece and important waterway for trade, connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Considered the world’s most famous “shortcut” for ships, until the canal was completed, ships were forced to sail down past the southernmost tip of North America -- saving thousands of miles per trip -- in order to reach the other side of the world.

2. Spend a day on Taboga Island

If you’re looking to slow down a bit and experience the natural wonders of Panama, Taboga Island, nicknamed “The Island of Flowers,” is where to go. Travel by boat a few miles away from Panama City’s shoreline, and you’ll find a colorful, more tranquil scene on Taboga Island.

Nestled against the backdrop of tree-lined hills and colorful homes, Taboga is where the local food stalls and shops are as plentiful as the blossoms. It’s a nearly perfect view.

While a seat at the end of the Island’s dock is free and includes a gentle breeze with a view of the ocean, the use of the bathrooms on the island will cost you 75 cents.

3. Try Afro-Panamanian cuisine

La Tapa Del Coco, Panama City's first Afro-Panamanian restaurant, is a quiet, almost unassuming local favorite. Specializing in cultural recipes that belong to Panama’s African descendants that landed in the country during the colonial period, La Tapa Del Coco delivers flavors that feel unique and familiar all at once.

Many of the recipes are reminiscent of the best Caribbean flavors fused with a Latin style that’s totally unique to Panama. One dish in particular, the Jerk Chicken, is a deliciously sweet and smokey flavored bird where the meat falls off the bone completely. After trying -- and falling in love -- you might start to wonder if you’ve been preparing chicken wrong your entire life.

4. Have a $3 coffee you can split with friends

Coffee Maxx, an outdoor eatery on a corner in the center of Panama City’s lively downtown area, is one of residents’ best-kept secrets. Affordable breakfast, extra-large iced coffee and freshly blended smoothies are all part of the menu.

Warm weather, a $3 carafe of coffee, a $4 mango-pineapple smoothie carafe and a group of your closest friends are all you need to have the perfect outdoor breakfast -- or brunch -- in Panama.

5. Have dinner with a view

Panama City is full of beautiful towers and skyscrapers. Its downtown is lined with luxurious hotels and residences that make the city ripe for picturesque rooftop views.

Once the sun goes down, make reservations for dinner on a rooftop at NIBA, an indoor/outdoor concept inside the Hilton Panama. NIBA’s contemporary design makes the view of the bay- and Panama’s twinkling city night lights- a welcomed addition to any evening meal.