Mi Pueblito, which means My Tiny Village, sits at the foot of Cerro Ancon, and is a unique representation of culture and history of Panama. The main attraction here is the exact replica of an inner town of Panama at the turn of the century which gives the tourist an idea of what life was like here back in the 19th century. On display are houses of the ethnic groups among which are thatched houses of the Guaymie Indians and Kuna, houses built on stilts by Wounan Indians, and the ones made of wooden gingerbread by the Antilleans/Afros.

Also in the village are government offices, schools, shops and a church with a beautiful fountain. It also has a museum which is entirely dedicated to displaying pollera, the traditional dress of Panama, and sundry antique household furniture. There are guides available to explain visitors the cultural or historical significance of each of the item displayed. The shops profusely sell handicrafts from all over the country. On certain days of the week there are programs featuring folk dance and live music.

Any tourist visiting Mi Pueblito will absolutely love this oasis of calm, far away from the noise and traffic of the outer world.

One of Panama City’s main avenues, Avenida Central originates in Casco Viejo, between Plaza Santa Ana and Plaza Cinco de Mayo, and runs right up to the banking district. Although this part of the city is not a definite “must see” for most tourists, and furthermore, some guidebooks even suggest to avoid it, a little stroll down to the Central will bring you to the pedestrian mall that is well worth checking out.

Don't expect to find here the habitual sterile clean and scrubbed supermarket feel. What you get is a live bustling market on the avenue that is lined with small shops on both sides. You will find real people going about their daily lives, checking out the stuff on sale, haggling for bargains. The shops have on offer anything from bird feed to candy to electronics and clothing. If you come from the city and want to find some stuff at a reasonable price, this is the place. A simple stroll down here would be just as entertaining even if you don't buy anything. Agreed that it is not a picture perfect, but it definitely is the place really interesting and full of energy and life.

From dirt cheap to prohibitively expensive and everything that lies in between you will find here. If you have time in hand and wish to downshift and unwind to small town ways, this is the place to be. Get a snow cone or stop and feed the pigeons. Get a bit adventurous and explore the place, you never know what kind of a surprise is in store here for you.

Casa Góngora is one of the oldest and the only genuine colonial house in Panama City. Built in 1756 by Capt. Paul Gongora, a Spanish merchant who dealt in pearls, this is the last surviving piece of the 17th century colonial architecture in the city. The house was bequeathed to the church after Gongora's death and changed hands several times before was finally handed over to the Panama Municipality in 1995.
UNESCO declared Casa Góngora along with the entire Old Town as the World Heritage site in 1997. During restoration of 1998-99, much of the original woodwork, such as the doors, balconies and the armor, were left intact. Now the municipal property, Casa Góngora serves as a cultural center and hosts regular exhibitions by local artists. You can pop in casually to see some local creations or just admire the restored architecture and woodwork. You can also attend free jazz concerts on Wednesday nights at 8 o'clock and, if lucky, get a chance to catch Friday night bolero concert as well.
A legacy of the colonial rule, Casa Góngora is known to be of a great historic importance for having retained its original architectural style until today. Touring this extraordinary place will give you an incredible opportunity to see with your own eyes what life was like in the colonial times. The site is open on all days and the entry is free.

Reprosa specializes in the best reproductions of pre-Columbian artifacts. You can find exquisite handmade gold and silver jewelry. For over 35 years, Reprosa has been the best art and jewelry shop in Panama City. It also offers a diverse selection of handicrafts, including molas, cocobolo wood pieces, paintings and many other items.

La Ronda is one of the most popular souvenir shops in Casco Antiguo. It is located near Plaza de Francia and offers one of the largest varieties of handicrafts and souvenirs in this part of the city. Besides molas, you can find authentic ceramics, hats, and dolls dressed in polleras. You can also find paintings, jewelery and many other kinds of gifts.

Galería de Arte Indígena, located near Plaza de Francia, offers one of the largest varieties of local crafts, including Emberá baskets, masks and tagua palm nut figures. All products are high-quality indigenous handicrafts at reasonable prices.