Lived in the Canal Zone 44 years ago and was amazed at the changes all over. Ate at Alberto's and Balboa Yacht Club with good meals and great ship watching.
When we got there by taxi we realized that we would be able to see nothing because of the great wall built in the direction to the city. What a pity!
We rented bikes and rode out to Flamenko. The ride is very scenic, and lots of places for sunset cocktails!
With a few hours to kill and a nice sunny day took a trip to Amador causeway after visiting Ancon Hill.A lot of things have changed the past two or three years. New museum, looks like widening of roads, new restaurants and change to view ships moored awaiting transit of canal.
Amador is not far from Panama city and it's a cruise port. There are a lot of restaurants and bars ,some quite good although not cheap ( cruise port!! ),souvenir shops and a very good duty free shop.You can also see by the sea ,on the rocks lots of iguanas !
The Causeway is geared towards the tourist's. But on the weekends and evenings the locals come out and enjoy their walk and riding three wheel bikes. They are widening the road and to keep the dust down they put up a wall. Unfortunately, this wall blocks the view of the City side of the Bay of Panama.
The road was undergoing repairs so the view was blocked. The ride were this was not the case was beautiful. We got to see the sunset on the side facing the entrance to the canal. Once they finish the road repairs you will be able to view both the canal and the city.
The views are so constricted right now. A lot of construction right now because they are adding lanes to the causeway with the rubble from the Canal expansion. The Marina was neat. It will be better once the construction is done and the barriers ( as high as 8') are gone.
Be advised that Perico island is private and not accessible, and anything you do on Naos is going to cost you. Other than marking some shore birds off your birding list, I don't see any reason to go. Perhaps the Museo de la Biodiversidad at the entrance, but it's so expensive we didn't go in.
Causeways has always been one great place to visit while in Panama, but the construction of a new lane for cars is taking away the awe of its view. The people still go a lot to use the parks, the walking lines and the restaurants. Basically, the only thing is lost is the amazing views.