The Westin Playa Bonita can help arrange a number of family-friendly activities, both on- and off-site.
At the beach-level Kids Club, open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., activities for ages 4 to 12 include dance classes, cookie decorating and sandcastle making. The resort can also arrange babysitting and nanny services.
Meanwhile, the Family Adventures program offers activities such as beach walks and Spanish lessons.
For guests looking to explore Panama City, a one-way cab ride to the historical district is about $25. Additionally, at 10 a.m. daily the resort offers complimentary shuttle service to the city's massive Albrook Mall.
Gamboa Tours, which has a reservations desk at the Westin, can arrange city-based excursions, including half- and full-day tours and full and partial transits of the Panama Canal.
For those looking to venture well beyond the city, Gamboa offers plenty of options, too. One particularly family-friendly option is the Gatun Lake Expedition, about 90 minutes west of the city, where guests can spot Capuchin monkeys and crocodiles.
During my press trip, our group opted for a day in Portobelo in Cocle province, about two hours north of the city on the country's Caribbean coast. After exploring the colonial architecture of the Unesco World Heritage site, it was a quick boat ride to relax amid the azure waters and white sands of Isla Grande.
For more information, visit www.gamboatours.com.