Museums
Canal Interoceanico Museum: Located in the Cathedral Plaza. From 1997 the museum is situated inside a very elegant French style building built in 1875 as the Grand Hotel. The building is acquired by the Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interoceanique for their offices in 1881. The Isthmian Canal Commission buys the building after the failure by the French to build the Canal and utilizes it until 1910 when it passes to the Panamanian government.
This museum exhibits an important collection of objects related to the Inter oceanic route from the time of the colony, to the construction of the railroad and the gold fever, to the republican time and the construction of the Inter oceanic route. Open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from tuesday to sunday. Price of admission: $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for kids. For more information call 211-1650.
Reina Torres de Arauz Anthropologic Museum: Located in the fifth of may plaza in the old pacific terminal from the inter oceanic railroad. This building has a neoclassic style and was built in 1914. Hosts a very important collection of pre-columbian devices discovered throughout the national territory and that are a valuable evidence of the way of life from the cultures that populated the isthmus before the arrival of the Spaniards. Open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from tuesday to sunday. Price of admission: $2.00 tourists, $1.00 adults, $0.50 retirees, $0.50 students and $0.25 kids.
Afroantillano Museum: This small museum exhibits the way of life from the Antillean immigrants that arrived to Panama, mainly during the construction of the railroad and the Canal. These groups had an important influence in the configuration of the Panamanian culture. It is located in El Marañon neighborhood, the center of the Antillean establishment from the beginning of the XX century. The museum is situated in a building that was used as a church. Open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from tuesday to saturday. Price of admission: $1.00 adults and $0.25 kids. Phone: 262-5348.
Colonial Religious Art Museum: Located in the old chapel from the Santo Domingo Convent in the A avenue of Casco Viejo. It was built in 1756 and only a few remaining is left from the convent and chapel. It exhibits paintings, sculptures and objected used in liturgical rites in the XVI, XVII AND XVIII centuries. In the entrance of the Convent, one can appreciate the famous “Arco Chato”, one of the most important architectural pieces from the time and that still remains in perfect conditions. Open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. from tuesday to saturday. Price of admission: $0.75 adults and $0.25 kids. Phone: 228-2897.
History Museum: Located in the lower level of the Palacio Municipal in the Cathedral Plaza. It exhibits objects and devices from the Panamanian history from the colony until 1977 when the Torrijos-Carter treaty is signed, where the United States agrees to return the control of the Canal to Panama. Open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. from tuesday to saturday. Price of admission: $1.00 adults and $0.25 kids. Phone: 228-6331.
Museo de sitio del Patronato Panama Viejo: Open from monday to sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price of admission: $1.50 adults, $0.50 kids and retirees. Groups of more than 20 people: $1.25 per person.
Casa Gongora: Casco Viejo. Open from tuesday to sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price of admission: Free.
Museo de Ciencias Naturales: Located in Cuba Avenue between the 29 and 30 streets east. Offers a great variety of terrestrial and marine flora species and fauna. Open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from tuesday to saturday and on sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Price of admission: $1.00 adults and $0.25 kids. Phone: 225-0645.
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo: Located in the Martires Avenue. It is the only private museum of the country. Offers an important collection of Latin american contemporaneous art. Open from monday to friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on saturday until noon. Price of admission: Free.
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