PANAMA CITY'S MUSEUMS

* REINA TORRES DE ARAUZ ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM: Archaeology sheds light on anthropology and ethnology in galleries that show pre-Columbian gold works and historical artifacts, in the process, illustrating Panama's rich cultural heritage. There are five permanent exhibition rooms that display works performed by Panamanians have done over the past 10,000 years and how the various ethnic groups of the past and present have shaped the national culture.

* NATURAL SCIENCES MUSEUM: This museum has exhibits on national and international geography, geology, and fossils, plus displays of mammals, reptiles and other fauna and flora.

* AFRO-ANTILLEAN MUSEUM: Here you will find photos, art and objects that doument the lives and cultures of the Afro-Antillean community that provided five of every six workers that were involved in the construction of the Panama Canal.

* MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART: This has one permanent gallery and two for temporary shows, where they exhibit oils, frescoes, watercolors, pastels, inks and engravings by national and international artists.

* MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS ART: Here you can appreciate the collection of leather and cloth panels; polychrome carvings from Quito, Lima, Seville and various Panamanian workshops; sacred relics in silver and bone; painted plaster images; a beautiful gold altar; a colonial mother-of-pearl staircase; and a restored choir box.

* NATIONAL BANK OF PANAMA'S MUSEUM HOUSE: This is the place to go if you're a numismatist or philatelist. On constant display is a valuable coin and stamp collection that covers the 16th century through our times.

DURATION: 3½ Hrs.

THREE MUSEUMS WILL BE VISITED ACCORDING TO AVAILABILITY