Panama City is a vibrant and modern, yet historic destination where business and economy meet creativity and adventure. This city will surely surprise you with everything from a bustling nightlife scene to ancient ruins. In this guide, we’ll share with you the best things to do in Panama City & some helpful insight on where to eat and stay and how to navigate this lively destination.
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Panama City is often assumed to be a destination not worth spending time in. It is easy to place it in the same category as other Central American cities that are crowded, unsafe, and not worth seeing. However, Panama City is a very exciting destination for many reasons. There is actually a lot to do and see in the city and because of its geographical location, it is a very well-traveled and economically strong city with unexpected amounts of wildlife and natural beauty! You could easily spend 3-5 full days exploring Panama City.
Things to do in Panama City
1) The Panama Canal
Obviously, a must-see while visiting Panama. This is the attraction that the country is most known for. The Panama Canal is an iconic landmark and is very important not only for Panama but for all of the world in fact. The canal allows cargo ships to pass through the center of the Americas instead of going all the way around South America, which cuts down transit times by nearly 5 months and distances of 8,000 miles.
The Panama Canal is an essential part of the global economy and it’s one of the coolest things to be able to see and learn about in person!
The most popular place to see the Panama Canal is at The Miraflores Locks. It’s about a 20-25 minute drive from Casco Viejo. Along with an up-close view of ships passing through the locks, there is also a short film that teaches you quite a bit of interesting history included with your ticket.
Hours & Entry Fees
The Miraflores Locks are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. It is important to check the ship schedule because most of the time, ships do not pass through from 10 am to 2 pm. Always check their website or call the visitors center for the most updated inofrmation. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
Tip: Experience the Panama Canal from a different point of view by taking a tour to Monkey Island or another boat tour in the Chagres River
2) Explore Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo is Panama City’s old town- there are no highrises in this district but instead, colorful and historic buildings that are just so picture-worthy! You may find yourself staying in this part of town but even if you are not, you will probably still end up over here to dine or explore. Quite a few of Panama City’s activities are located in or near Casco Viejo.
The neighborhood itself is definitely worth setting some time aside to walk through- either on your own or with a guide. There is also an abundant amount of cute cafes and delicious restaurants here. Some of our favorites are Selina Rooftop, Mahalo Garden y Cocina, and Fonda La Que Hay.
3) The Amador Causeway
The Amador Causeway is a 3.7-mile stretch of road that leads out into the Pacific Ocean. It was built using the rock carved out from the construction of the Panama Canal and it connects the mainland to the islands of Naos, Perico, and Flamenco.
This geographical attraction is something that makes Panama City very unique. I for one had never seen anything else like this. There are several restaurants and hotels located on the causeway and there is also a nature center and the Biomuseo for you to visit.
The best part of the Causeway, in our opinion, is the incredible view of the Panama City skyline. There a so many benches along the road for you to sit and enjoy the view. We came at sunset to admire the skyline and it was just perfect.
To get here, take an Uber to either the beginning or the far end of the road. You can choose the distance you would like to walk and use Uber for the times that you don’t feel like walking. We took an Uber both ways because we were short on time.
Check out our guide on Boquete, Panama!
4) Ancon Hill Hike
Ancon Hill, located just outside of Casco Viejo, is the tallest point in Panama City. Once used to oversee the construction of the Panama Canal, it’s now the most popular viewpoint in the city. A 30-minute hike surrounded by tall trees and tropical wildlife such as sloths and toucans will get you to the top of Ancon Hill where you can sit and admire several different views of Panama City.
The Hike is paved the entire way with a few stairs here and there. It is not very difficult and most adults and children will be able to complete it with no problem.
5) Mercado De Mariscos
Another unique thing to do in Panama City is enjoy some of the freshest seafood in the world at Mercado de Mariscos. Located in Caco Viejo, you will immediately notice the seafood market by its strong smell and all of the birds on the roof. Not only is this somewhere that serves fresh seafood, but it is also a marketplace for local restaurants to buy their fish from.
The best way to experience the market is to go up to one of the stalls and buy your fish of choice. We chose sea bass! They will fillet it for you on the spot and bag it up. Once you have your fish, head upstairs to the restaurant and there they can prepare it any way you’d like. I had mine fried while Noah had his grilled. This was one of the best meals we had in all of Panama and it was also very affordable. We paid about $20 total for the fish, the preparation, sides, and drinks.
6) Day trip to The San Blas Islands
The San Blas Islands are an archipelago group off the Caribbean coast of Panama. While completely self-governed by the indigenous Kuna Yala tribe, this group of islands remains extremely preserved and is a complete tropical paradise.
The San Blas Islands may make their way as a longer stop on your Panama itinerary, but if you do not have enough time to spend a few days there, there are many day trips that depart from Panama City every day.
While this may be a longer day trip than most are used to (tours depart in the early morning) it is definitely worth it to be able to experience the beauty of the San Blas Islands.
7) Panama Viejo
Just outside Panama City’s impressive network of skyscrapers sits the humble beginning of modern-day Panama. Not to be confused with Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo is the historical site of Panama City’s ancient ruins.
The original Panama City was first just a small settlement formed in 1519 with about 100 people. Later, in the 17th century when Panama City had over 10,000 inhabitants, Henry Morgan attacked the city, ultimately resulting in a fire that destroyed the thriving community.
Panama City was then rebuilt just a few kilometers to the west where it sits today and some of the ancient ruins are still intact and open for observation. A $15 entry fee will allow you access to the entire historical site, including the museum, and you can even ride their tram around the grounds.
8) Metropolitan Natural Park
This 573-acre park in the middle of the city is a must for nature lovers. The park is Panama City’s only wildlife reserve that is home to over 300 animal species for you to encounter. There are also 5 hiking trails within the park that offer great views of the skyline.
Unfortunately, when we attempted to go, the staff refused to let us enter the park because of our camera. They told us that we needed permission to do commercial work (like most places require). However, we were not shooting anything that would be commercialized or used for anything other than our personal memories and this blog. We tried to explain this to them but they ultimately did not want us entering with a camera.
I do wish that we could have gone, so just keep that in mind when visiting. If you have any type of camera that is larger than an iPhone, I would recommend hiding it in your bag. We believe that if we had the camera put away and not on a strap, then we would not have had any issues.
9) Monkey Island Boat Tour
Visiting Monkey Island is a great way to get a little bit outside of the city and encounter some wildlife up close and personal. Located in the Chagres River, “Monkey Island” is actually a group of islands where several species of Monkeys and other animals can be found.
The best part about this experience is that you are actually inside the Panama Canal with the massive ships. So while you are busy spotting playful Capuchin Monkeys, don’t forget to turn around and watch the massive ships pass through the river behind you.
The only way to access this area of the canal is on a tour. Most will include a professional wildlife guide who will educate you on all of the animals that you spot. On our tour, we saw 3 different species of monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and more!
10) Taboga Island
Sitting just a few miles off the coast of Panama City is a small volcanic island known as the “island of flowers” or Taboga Island. Taking a day trip here is a fun way to experience the tropical side of Panama without having to go very far.
We think going on a tour like this is a great option, especially for travelers who are only visiting Panama City. If you don’t have time to visit Panama’s beach scene either in Bocas Del Toro or elsewhere, taking this day trip is a perfect way to change things up in your city itinerary!
Most tours to the island depart directly from Panama City and are all-inclusive with lunch, drinks, and a lovely catamaran to lounge in the sun.
When is the best time to visit Panama City?
Panama has 9 months of rainy season where you can expect some rain almost every day during the months of April to December. It usually will not rain very hard or for extended periods of time and sunshine is very present even during the rainy season. With that being said, the weather is always more unpredictable than not so keep this in mind. We visited for 2 weeks in July and saw about 10 completely sunny days with no rain.
Visiting in the dry season (January to April) may be a better choice for more predictable weather, however, you will definitely see more crowds and higher prices for flights and accommodation.
Panama City is typically very warm and when the sun is out, it is absolutely sweltering. Expect highs in the 90’s and lows in the 70’s. Bring clothes that will be comfortable for exploring all day.
How to get to Panama City & how to get around
The easiest way to get to Panama City is to fly directly into the international airport (PTY). There are many international flights coming in and out of Panama City daily. There is also a small domestic airport (PAC) that is used by travelers coming from Bocas Del Toro or Boquete with Air Panama.
You can also get to Panama City by bus from other parts of Panama. This is a good option if you are on a tight budget but be aware that they are often very long rides and may not always be on time.
Check out our guide on Boquete, Panama!
Getting around Panama City is surprisingly very easy and affordable thanks to rideshare services like Uber. We wouldn’t even recommend renting a car here because Uber is so cheap and quick. It is also safer than taxis because the rate is always upfront and you never have to wonder if they are legit.
How expensive is Panama City?
Panama City is considerably more expensive than other destinations in Central America. However, it is still more affordable than most places in the United States and many places in Europe. From my observations, I found things in Panama City to be about two-thirds the price they would be in the U.S.
Where to stay in Panama City
There are plenty of accommodation options in Panama City ranging from backpacker hostels to fancy hotels and everything in between. We found Airbnb to be very plentiful and affordable in Panama City. We stayed in an apartment located in the Marbella neighborhood with all of the high rises. It had a great view and the best rooftop pool.
Whether you want to stay in the more modern financial district like us or in the old town (Casco Viejo) is up to you. They are only about 5-10 minutes away by car and can also be reached by walking the Cintra Costera. I really appreciated the incredible views where we were and it felt like we were very much in the center of a concrete jungle. However, we found ourselves eating out more in Casco Viejo and the views of the skyline from there are also very great.
Budget: Selina Hostel (great view), Magnolia Inn, Hostal Villa Grande
Mid: Hyatt Place Panama, Airbnb 2-bedroom apartment
Luxury: W Panama City, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Places to eat in Panama City
Panama City has so many amazing restaurants! We mainly stuck to low to moderate-priced places within our budget, and we particularly enjoyed these places:
– Tacos La Neta 5/5 Delicious Tacos on a chic rooftop in Casco Viejo
– Mahalo Garden y Cocina 5/5 Great for brunch, beautiful outdoor area
– Fonda Lo Que Hay 4/5 Modern and upscale Panamanian food, pricier than most places, nice ambiance
– El Trapiche 4/5 Great typical Panamanian food, large servings
– Cafe Unido 4/5 Good for breakfast and coffee
Comment your Panama City tips and experiences below! 🙂
