The Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador) is a scenic road connecting four small islands — Naos, Culebra, Perico, and Flamenco — at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Built using rock excavated during the canal's construction, it stretches about 6 km from the mainland and offers some of the best views in Panama City: the canal entrance, the Bridge of the Americas, the city skyline, and on clear days, Taboga Island in the distance.
The causeway is popular for cycling, walking, and jogging, with a dedicated bike path running its length. Bike rental shops are available at the mainland end. It's a relaxed 2–3 hour activity that pairs well with a morning Panama Canal tour or an afternoon visit.
Biomuseo
Frank Gehry's Biomuseo is the most visually striking building in Panama — a riot of angular, colorful roof panels that's unmistakable from the causeway. It's Gehry's only work in Latin America and houses interactive exhibits about Panama's role as the land bridge that connected North and South America, reshaping global biodiversity.
The museum is well-designed for families with kids. Plan about 1.5–2 hours. Closed Mondays.
Punta Culebra Nature Center
Run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Punta Culebra sits at the tip of Naos Island. It features a butterfly dome, marine aquariums, frog exhibits, sea turtle displays, and short nature trails through dry tropical forest. The views of the canal and city from the trails are excellent.
This is one of the best family-friendly activities in Panama City — educational, outdoors, and compact enough to visit in 1–1.5 hours. It pairs naturally with a Biomuseo visit since they're minutes apart.
Practical Info
- Getting there: ~15 minutes by car from downtown Panama City
- Bike rental: Available at the mainland end of the causeway
- Time needed: 2–3 hours for the causeway, add 1.5h for Biomuseo, 1h for Punta Culebra
- Ferries: Taboga and Contadora ferries depart from Flamenco Marina on the causeway
- Dining: Several restaurants along the causeway with ocean views
Add This to Your Tour Day
The Amador Causeway is a popular add-on to our Panama Canal Tour ($40/person extra). We can also include it in any custom itinerary.