Parque Bolivar (Bolivar Park), Panama City

Simón Bolívar is respected as a Latin American hero. In 1826, in a schoolroom across the street from Parque Bolivar, Bolivar held a pivotal meeting. The Venezuelan general urged that Latin American countries break free from Spanish rule and form their own state, Gran Columbia. While the original proposal failed, General Bolivar succeeded in liberating Bolivia, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela from Spanish rule.

After a fire destroyed houses in this location, the empty lot was named Bolívar Plaza in 1883.

In 1926, a monument was unveiled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bolívar's Amphictyonic Congress. The monument captures Bolívar's life using decorative friezes. An Andean condor is represented above the monument.

This park is a central part of daily life in Panama City. Kids play in the shade of the mango and palm trees in the day while adults chat on park benches.