statue of balboa panama city panama cinta costera panama
Situated along the Cinta Costera, the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Statue is a historical monument that pays tribute to the Spanish adventurer and the first European to glimpse the Pacific Ocean in 1513. Holding the Spanish flag in his left hand and a sword in his right, the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa statue overlooks Panama Bay and is surrounded by benches and well-manicured plants and flowers.
Sculpted by Miguel Blan and Mariano Benlliure and later donated by King Alfonso XIII of Spain, President Belisario Porras inaugurated the monument on September 29, 1924, with representatives from 15 Latin American countries present.
Before the completion of the Cinta Costera, the Statue of Balboa resided along the water's edge on an outcropping that extended out into Panama Bay, where it received a considerable amount of foot and vehicular traffic. As a result, it was a popular gathering place, and the monument commanded a lot of attention. It now resides on the center island that separates the east and west lanes of the Cinta Costera, traversing along Balboa Avenue, leaving it somewhat isolated.
The statue's surroundings are manicured and well-maintained, making it an easy subject for photographers.
Any Metro Bus that runs along Balboa Avenue and reads Cinta Costera or Albrook will pass by the Statue of Balboa.