These are the largest 20 Panamanian cities and towns, Panama was a key shipping point between Latin America and colonial Spain from the 16th to the 19th centuries, resulting in a cultural, architectural and linguistic influence that exists today. Thousands of tourists visit Panama each year thanks to key attractions such as La Amistad National Park, Playa Blanca Beach and the Panama Canal. Those seeking to explore Panama's most popular tourist-friendly cities will find each offers distinct style, geography and sub-culture.
SAN MIGUELITO
San Miguelito is a city and district (distrito) of Panamá Province in Panama. The population according to the 2000 census was 293,745. The district covers an area of 50 km². San Miguelito separates Panama City and Colon and it is included in the Panama City Metropolitan Area.
Soccer player Luis Tejada was born in San Miguelito, and both Blas Pérez and Kevin Kurányi were once residents of the district.
TOCUMEN
Tocumen is a city and corregimiento in Panamá District, Panamá Province, Panama with a population of 74,952 as of 2010. Its population as of 1990 was 47,032; its population as of 2000 was 83,187. It is the site of the Tocumen International Airport.
DAVID
David officially San José de David is a city and corregimiento located in the west of Panama. It is the capital of the province of Chiriquí and has an estimated population of 144,858 inhabitants as confirmed in 2013. It is a relatively affluent city with a firmly established, dominant middle class and a very low unemployment and poverty index. The Pan-American Highway is a popular route to David. It is named after King David from the Bible.
The development of the banking sector, public construction works such as the expansion of the airport and the David-Boquete highway alongside the growth of commercial activity in the city have increased its prominence as one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The city is currently the economic center of the Chiriqui province and produces more than half the gross domestic product of the province, which totals 2.1 billion. It is known for being the third-largest city in the country both in population and by GDP and for being the largest city in Western Panama.
LAS CUMBRES
Las Cumbres is a corregimiento in Panamá District, Panamá Province, Panama with a population of 32,867 as of 2010.Its population as of 1990 was 56,547; its population as of 2000 was 92,519. Neighborhoods in this sector include Villa Campestre, El Lago, Las Cumbrecitas, Las Glorietas, San Andrés, Altavista, El Rocio, Las Lajas,Villa Grecia and Colonial Las Cumbres.
PUERTO COLON
Colón is a Panamanian city and sea port beside the Caribbean Sea, lying near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is the capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city. Originally, it was located entirely on Manzanillo Island, surrounded by Limon Bay, Manzanillo Bay and the Folks River, but, since the disestablishment of the Panama Canal Zone, the city's limits have been redefined to include Fort Gulick, a former U.S. Army base, as well the former Canal Zone towns of Cristobal, Margarita and Coco Solo.
LA CHORRERA
La Chorrera is a city and municipality in central Panama, located about 30 km south-west of Panama City. Is the capital of the province of Panamá Oeste and one of the larger cities in the country and is fond of the phrase "La Bella, Enamoradora y Querendona, La Gran Chorrera", reportedly as a tribute to its beautiful women, kind people, and happy nightlife.
La Chorrera is renowned for its international fair and famous as being the home of Bollo and Chicheme. It is the home of San Francisco F.C., Mariano Rivera (Apaga y Vamonos, New York Yankees), Vicente Mosquera (former World Boxing Champion), and José Luis Garcés.
SANTIAGO DE VERAGUAS
Santiago is located in the southern part of Veraguas province and is its capital city. Playa Santa Catalina is the prime tourist spot in Santiago thanks to its picturesque black sand beaches, while the downtown area offers an abundance of authentic colonial buildings. The city is also easy to access through the Ruben Cantu Airport, servicing domestic and international flights.
PORTOBELO
Portobelo, meaning "Beautiful Port," was named by Christopher Columbus and is heavy in Spanish art and architecture. This seaside city in Colon province houses several Spanish forts, the largest of which, San Jeronimo, was used to hide stolen Incan artifacts and boasts 18 cannons. Portobelo is also known for the Church San Felipe, home to a statue of the Black Christ.
PENONOME
Penonome, capital of the Cocle province, is only 75 minutes from Panama City. It boasts a mild tropical climate all year round and features a rich Indian history. Tourists can explore the city's charming streets, which bustle with annual festivals dedicated to tomatoes, oranges and sugarcane. Also, a number of orchards, ranches and rolling hills rich with wildlife lie on its outskirts.
CHITRE
Chitre, founded in 1848 and capital of the Herrera province, is central to many other towns such as Parita, Ocu and Santa Maria. Visitors can enjoy the Herrera Museum, detailing the history of the area, as well as the hot springs of Cirugia National Park. The large English-speaking population and a comfortable, easy-to-use public transit system also make Chitre appealing to tourists.
