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Panama city.

Panama City , the largest city between Pensacola and Tallahassee in Northwest Florida , is known for lively waterfront restaurants , unbeatable fishing , and easy access to world-class beaches for water sports, diving , and nonstop fun in the sun.

Outdoor adventures abound both on and off the water at 1,200-acre St. Andrews State Park , situated along the shores of St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Here, visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails and spot wildlife , surf , fish , paddle , swim, and camp by the water. From the state park, visitors can take a shuttle to Shell Island , a pristine, uninhabited island that is only accessible by boat and a popular day-trip destination for shelling, swimming, and paddling. Beyond the park, Panama City’s proximity to Panama City Beach means it’s just minutes away from nearly 100 beach access points .

The city’s four historic neighborhoods —  St. Andrews , Millville , Glenwood , and Downtown Panama City — each offer their own unique history and cultural significance, and the historic downtown is brimming with culinary delights , boutique shops , foodie hotspots, and local gems serving the flavors of the Gulf Coast.

History buffs will enjoy walking through the city’s two historic districts and visiting the Panama City Publishing Company Museum and Bay County History Museum . Art enthusiasts won’t want to miss seeing local exhibits at the Panama City Center for the Arts , and visitors can watch performing arts from around the world and special events at the Marina Civic Center .

Plan your trip at Destination Panama City .

Panama City is home to St. Andrews State Park and just minutes from nearly 100 beach access points of Panama City Beach.

• St. Andrews State Park
• Carl Gray Park
• Earl Gilbert Park
• Shell Island
• More Panama City beaches
• Beach access points of Panama City Beach

Play on the beach, see dolphins, and visit family-friendly attractions.

• Playgrounds
• Dolphin tours
• More family-friendly things to do

MUSEUMS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Visit galleries, museums, and historic sites.

• Art galleries
• Mural Trail
• Historic walking tours
• Annual events

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Play all day on and off the water.

• Boat rentals
• Birding, walking, and paddling trails
• Fishing charters
• Bay cruising
• Snorkeling and diving
• Bike rentals

ACCESSIBILITY

Visit the area’s accessible attractions.

• Spring Avenue Park
• Accessible attractions in Panama City Beach

Dine by the water, indulge in sweet treats, and enjoy fresh-from-the water seafood.

• Outdoor dining
• Dock and dine
• Oyster Trail
• Ice cream and desserts
• Coffee and tea
• More places to eat and drink

Shop for antiques, gifts, beach gear, fresh food, and more.

• Specialty gifts
• Farmers markets
• More places to shop

Tee off on the area’s scenic golf courses, play tennis, and watch sporting events.

• Golf courses

PET-FRIENDLY ADVENTURES

Four-legged family members are welcome at Panama City’s dog-friendly restaurants and attractions.

• Al Helms Dog Park
• Pet-friendly dining
• Pet-friendly lodging

PLACES TO STAY

Choose from waterfront hotels, vacation rentals, budget motels, and more.

• Hotel Indigo Panama City Marina
• Holiday Inn Panama City
• Hilton Garden Inn Panama City
• More places to stay

Panama City Events

Panama City Oyster Trail

Fishing by Kayak

Quick Facts

Family-friendly city with watersports & nearby beaches

Nearest Airport

• Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

PANAMA CITY BUSINESS LISTINGS

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Top Things to Do in Panama City, FL

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Panama City Beach   Travel Guide

10 Best Things To Do in Panama City Beach

Updated Mar. 7, 2023

Panama City Beach's sugar white sand is what primarily attracts families, couples and spring breakers year after year. But this vacation haven isn't just for beach bums. Outdoor adventurers will have plenty of land to explore at Conservation

• All Things To Do

St. Andrews State Park St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews State Park has enough attractions and activities to keep every member of your family happy. Along with a nearly 2-mile-long white sand beach, the park also boasts paved bike trails, marked hiking trails, water sports equipment rentals (including canoes, kayaks and snorkeling gear) and shuttle boat tours to Shell Island, a 7-mile long undeveloped barrier island. Additionally, the park provides a concession stand with snacks, souvenirs and fishing supplies.

Recent visitors described the park as beautiful and praised the clean beach and facilities. Reviewers said the park can get quite crowded on the weekends and advised visiting during the week if your itinerary allows. And keep your eyes peeled for plenty of wildlife: travelers said there was a lot of activity in and out of the water from local animals like alligators, heron, ibis and white tail deer.

Beaches Beaches free

With 27 miles of beaches and nearly 100 access points, PCB is a beach bum's paradise. You won't have a difficult time finding a stretch of sand to park your towel; in fact, you may have a harder time deciding on what shoreline to relax.

If you want to stay close to the downtown area, head to Front Beach Road. From here, you'll find a bevy of convenient Panama City Beach access points and street parking. To experience Florida's coastal beauty at its most natural, hop a shuttle boat to Shell Island . This barrier island off of St. Andrews State Park is undeveloped with few crowds and a peaceful atmosphere, according to recent visitors. Plus, it's a haven for dolphins. For even more undeveloped land, head to Camp Helen State Park, which sits on the far western border of Panama City Beach. Along with a quiet beach, it's also home to trails that snake through dunes and scrub oak forests, not to mention a rare dune lake.

Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours

Though you can see and interact with dolphins at the Gulf World Marine Park , locals and visitors will tell you: there's nothing like observing them in the wild. Dolphin tours are a popular to-do in Panama City Beach, and often described by travelers as their favorite experience in PCB.

Similar to the area's fishing charters , there are a variety of dolphin tours to choose from. If you want a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience, consider Dolphin and Snorkel Tours , which limits the number of guests on its boats to six people. The company also guarantees dolphin sightings because of its location at the Bay Point Marina (the closest marina to Shell Island , which is where dolphins are usually spotted). These tours, which typically last three hours, also include snorkel gear in case you'd like to get in the water to explore more.

Popular Tours

Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

(2916 reviews)

from $ 52.43

Sunset & Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

(1298 reviews)

Swim with the Dolphins Boat Tour in Panama City Beach

(147 reviews)

from $ 63.13

Shell Island Shell Island

If you need a break from the crowds in Panama City Beach, consider making the short trip to Shell Island. This 7-mile-long barrier island runs east to west between the Gulf of Mexico and the St. Andrew Bay. Because it's undeveloped, you'll find plenty of coastal creatures and untouched vegetation, plus miles of pearly white sand to sink your toes into. While recent visitors said the natural setting was a relaxing reprieve from the busy, commercialized feel of the mainland, it isn't without a few drawbacks. Shell Island has no restrooms, concession stands, trash receptacles, picnic tables or shade pavilions, meaning you'll need to come with everything you need (and take it back with you when you head back across the bay).

To get around the fact that the island hosts no facilities, many travelers choose to hop on a charter to the island. This option offers the best of both worlds: You'll have access to food, drinks and a restroom on the boat, and still be able to play in the island's shallow waters.

Conservation Park Conservation Park free

When you're ready to explore more of PCB's nature, head to Conservation Park. As a safeguard for wetlands, wildlife and pine forest, the park is a natural filter, balancing treated water before it travels to the St. Andrews Bay. This nearly 3,000-acre park features 12 different trails of varying difficultly and eight boardwalks totaling more than a mile in length. Bring binoculars – you'll likely spot plenty of birds and wildlife in the wetlands area.

According to recent visitors, the park's well-maintained, flat trails are perfect for hiking or biking. One word of caution from reviewers: Bring plenty of sunscreen and water. Though some said the park was a bit out of the way compared to other top attractions (it's about 10 miles west of downtown Panama City Beach and best reached by car), travelers also enjoyed that its location away from the beach crowds made it incredibly peaceful.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark Shipwreck Island Waterpark

Consistently described by visitors as a great place for families, Shipwreck Island Waterpark is a 20-acre facility that features a wave pool, a lazy river, several water slides and flumes, and two shallow pools perfect for novice swimmers. True to its name, it's also home to a replica of a 17th-century sailing ship that allows swimmers to zip line off the ship before dropping into a large lagoon pool. Along with the rides, the park also boasts concessions (though reviewers were not as impressed with the food as they were the attractions).

Recent travelers said the park was a great place to spend a day with the kids and said it never felt too crowded. Visitors particularly praised the facilities available for little swimmers and said a day here is worth the ticket price.

Fishing Charters Fishing Charters

As with other coastal Florida cities, Panama City Beach is a prime spot for both avid and novice anglers to cast a line. Though you can fish from the piers along the beach and at St. Andrew Bay or directly from the shore (with the proper fishing license), there are also several charter companies that can transport you out into the Gulf of Mexico (perfect for if you want to try your hand at deep-sea fishing).

Along with their fishing skills and knowledge of the area, most charter captains or operators will provide all fishing equipment (including bait and tackle) and the licenses you need to fish in area waters. Choose your charter company based on how serious you are about fishing. For instance, some companies like The Reel Contender Fishing Charters allow just five anglers on board with trips lasting between five and 10 hours. In contrast, companies like Jubilee Deep Sea Fishing , which describes itself as a "party fishing boat," may be better suited for more casual anglers. Capt. Anderson's Marina is another company favored by recent travelers.

Pier Park Pier Park free

PCB is first and foremost a beach destination. But when you need a break from the sun and surf (or if some clouds thwart your plans), the area has a bevy of attractions to keep you entertained away from the shoreline. Case in point: Pier Park. An outdoor retail, dining and entertainment hub, Pier Park is home to familiar chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Subway and Five Guys, along with popular stores like Charming Charlie, Dillard's and Old Navy, among others. When you need a reprieve from shopping, head to Pier Park Amusements, the on-site theme park (a hit with recent visitors). It features a giant slide, a small roller coaster and a free-fall ride, along with more gentle attractions for young children

Along with the variety of stores and activities, visitors particularly liked how clean and safe the area is.

Scream Machine Thrill Ride at Panama City Beach

(257 reviews)

from $ 69.95

3 Hour Cruise, Snorkel, Swim / float Sandbar - tandem tiki option

(71 reviews)

from $ 80.25

Panama City Beach Water Activity Adventure Catamaran Sail

(420 reviews)

from $ 55.00

Gulf World Marine Park Gulf World Marine Park

If you love dolphins, you'll want to schedule a stop at Gulf World Marine Park. Though the park houses several other species, including sea turtles, stingrays, sharks and sea lions, dolphins are the main attraction here, and one of the major reasons visitors recommend spending a few hours at the park. Similar to SeaWorld, the Gulf World Marine Park hosts animal shows (dolphins and sea lions are the only animals that perform), feeding demonstrations and opportunities to swim with the dolphins and interact with the park's other residents, including a variety of birds and reptiles.

Aside from the animals, recent visitors were also impressed with the knowledgeable trainers and said this attraction was a hit with the kids. If you need a rainy day activity, reviewers said this would be a solid choice. And if you're willing to splurge, travelers said swimming with the dolphins was an unforgettable experience.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Though Ripley's isn't unique to Panama City Beach, it is a favorite rainy day activity among families with young kids. Inside, you'll find oddities like shrunken heads, one-of-a-kind artwork and other interesting artifacts synonymous with the Ripley name. Along with the hands-on displays, this outpost is also home to a 7-D moving theater, the LaserRace Challenge and a mirror maze, if you're willing to pay extra.

Reviews were a bit mixed on this PCB location. Some said it was a fun way to spend an hour or two if you need a break from the beach , while others said the museum had a tired feel and was expensive compared to the area's other attractions. If you're not traveling with kids, this may not be worth your time and money, according to recent travelers.

Explore More of Panama City Beach

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24 Best Things to do in Panama City, Panama

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: December 20, 2023

Looking for things to do in Panama City, Panama? Whether you are going on a cruise through the Panama Canal or escaping to one of Panama’s luxurious islands, chances are you are going to visit Panama City for at least a day or two. This Panama City guide will help you plan your time there.

We first visited Panama City when we were invited to check out all the cool elements of the Hard Rock Hotel downtown Panama. Not only was it a cool hotel, but the city also blew us away! It has the perfect blend of a high-tech modern metropolis combined with a well-preserved history in its old town and historic ruins.

Table of Contents

Things to do in Panama City

During our first time in Panama City, we spent a week exploring everything it had to offer in the downtown core. We visited the Old Town, and the waterfront, and stayed at one of Panama City’s most recognizable hotels, the Hard Rock Hotel Panama. (rumour has it that this hotel is now closed but the website is still up and running so it is unconfirmed)

Recently, we returned to Panama with Uncruise to sail to Costa Rica from Panama and had the chance to tick off the rest of our Panama City bucket list. This city is a modern wonder that has blended its state-of-the-art architecture with its historic center. If you are visiting Central America, make sure to spend at least a few days exploring the best of Panama City. Enjoy these must-see attractions in Panama City and extra travel tips to help you make the most of your stay!

1. Panama Canal – Miraflores

The obvious choice for first-time visitors to Panama City is to check out the Panama Canal . The closest locks to Panama City are the Miraflores Locks located less than 30 minutes from downtown making it an easy day trip. It is amazing to see the crowds that the locks still attract and even we were a bit giddy when we viewed a cargo ship going through.

The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic ocean with the Pacific ocean, is one of the Seven Industrial Wonders of the World and when you walk through the fabulous interactive Miraflores visitors center, you’ll understand why! This was not an easy waterway to make. There are two levels of viewing platforms to watch the ships and a Panama Canal museum. It is definitely the number 1 thing to do in Panama City.

First time to Panama City? This city tour is a great introduction to Panama where you’ll visit many of the top attractions including the Miraflores Locks visitor center where you’ll skip the lines arriving as soon as they open. After you’ve seen the famous Panama Canal, you’ll make your way to Casco Viejo, the Amador Causeway, the viewpoint of Panama City, and the boardwalk and waterfront with your local expert guide.

2. Casco Viejo

No visit to Panama City would be complete without taking a stroll through its old town. Casco Viejo, (Old Town) is the historic center of Panama City that is being restored to its original glory. Dating back to 1673, Casco Viejo is worth visiting on a tour to learn about all the buildings, cathedrals, and history of the area.

The historic center of Panama is a must-visit. It reminded us of the old town of Havana, Cuba and I can envision it being as beautiful in just a few short years as hotels and corporations transform the crumbling ruins into boutique hotels. This 2-hour walking tour takes you through the old quarter, where you’ll see the top tourist attractions including San Francisco de Asis and San José churches, the Panama waterfront and admire the architecture inspired by Spanish, French and early Americans.

3. Plaza de Francia

While in Casco Viejo make sure to visit Plaza de Francia. Also, known as The French Plaza, Plaza de Francia is a monument dedicated to the 22,000 workers who died during the construction of the Panama Canal. Here you’ll be able to see the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (National Institute of Culture) that houses a theater and cultural events. The statues and tablets depict the role that the French played in the construction of the Panama Canal.

Fun Fact: It is here that you’ll see a plaque dedicated to the Cuban doctor Carlos J. Finlay, who discovered out how mosquitoes transmitted yellow fever. 

4. Convent Santo Domingo

Located in the Casco Viejo, a quick photography stop is the Convent Santo Domingo and its Flat Arch (El Arco Chato). Similar to another popular tourist attraction in Panama (eh-hem, The Panama Canal), the arch is a feat of engineering for its time. Spanning nearly 50 feet without any support, it stood the test of time and helped solidify Panama as the place for the canal connecting the two oceans. Since it had stood since the 17th century, it proved that Panama wasn’t as prone to earthquakes at Nicaragua, thus making for better, … for the Panama Canal.

5. Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square)

 Also known as Plaza Mayor or Cathedral Plaza, Plaza de la Independencia is a plaza with the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama (Basilica of the Virgin of Santa María la Antigua) standing proud at its center. It is a quiet respite from the city with colonial architecture housing restaurants, shops and boutique shopping. You’ll also see the Panama Canal Museum and the headquarters of the Municipal Council in Plaza de la Independencia. We stumbled upon this square during a walk around the city and fell in love with its colonial architecture, its lovely white gazebo and the shady trees lining the square.

6. Iglesia San Felipe Nativity Scene

Even if you are not religious, this nativity scene in Iglesia San Felipe is impressive. For years, families in Panama set up their own nativity scenes around the city but after the restoration of Iglesia San Felipe de Neri, one family donated their massive scene that they built up over the years for everyone to enjoy. If you take a walking tour of the Old Town, chances are your guide will take you into this hidden gem.

Other Things to see in Casco Viejo

You should spend at least an afternoon in Caso Viejo. Take a walking tour of Casco Viejo to see all the main sites and attractions. Check out this city tour with GetYourGuide

One of the best ways we explored Panama was on a private tour. This highly rated private tour lets you explore Panama at your own pace with a customizable tour to suit your desires. Follow your local guide to top-rated attractions such as Casco Viejo, The Causeway, and other parts of the city as you learn insider tips, such as the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around.

• Historic Society of Jesus
• Church of San Jose – Gold Altar

Gentrification is becoming a problem for the local families that lived in this neighborhood rent-free, so I do hope the government takes care of the people who are the heartbeat of Panama City. But I do also believe in progress, and turning this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a maze of walking streets filled with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, will help everyone in the long run.

7. Panama Viejo

Not to be confused with Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo is a fascinating tour through the abandoned ruins of the original city. The highway once ran directly through these historic monuments, but thankfully, it was diverted before it all disappeared.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to 1519, Panama Viejo was the heart of the economic power of trade, religion, and commerce. The city was in use until 1671 when the Spaniards sacked the city themselves before moving to what we know today as Panama Viejo.

Panama was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast and became a strategic location for mining gold and silver. There are several walls and facades remaining and they are doing regular restoration. The most impressive ruin is the Cathedral – Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción where you can climb up the bell tower for a panoramic view of Panama City.

8. Cinta Costera

Cinta Costera is the beating heart of Panama City. This 64-acre oceanfront parkway is within walking distance from the major hotels, shopping malls and restaurants. One of our favorite things to do in Panama was to walk along the walking trails of Cinta Costera taking in the views of the city. Spanish for Coastal Walkway, tourists and visitors alike use this greenspace for cycling, working out or simply taking relaxing away from the hustle and bustle.

You can rent bikes or hire a rickshaw to take you on a tour of Cinta Costera to explore many of the top attractions in Panama City.

9. Balboa Avenue

Avenue Balboa is Panama City’s downtown neighborhood with skyscrapers lining the waterfront. This ultra-modern waterfront neighborhood is a fun place to hang out for the afternoon.

There’s a paved walkway for cycling or walking. You can walk all the way along the 3km route to Casco Viejo. We stopped in at five-star hotels for a cocktail and for rooftop views of the bay.

10. Amador Causeway

This incredible 6km stretch of road houses some of Panama’s top attractions. It’s located 20 minutes outside the city and offers excellent views of Panama.

It is here, that you can enjoy some fun in the sun paddle boarding, hanging out at the pool bars or do some shopping. You can also hop on the aqua bus here for a view of Panama from the water.

11. Centro Artisan Market

Located at the Amador Causeway, this huge Artisan Market is a great place to shop for your souvenirs. I’ve picked up many a necklace from here, but you can also get masks, jewelry, Panama hats, and other nick nacks here. For another great shopping experience check out the pedestrian mall at the end of Avenida Central.

12. Albrook Mall

If shopping is your thing, pay a visit to Albrook Mall. It is the largest shopping mall in Central America. This mall really is a tourist attraction unto itself. It’s the 14th largest mall in the world and that’s saying a lot. When you think about the mega malls found in Dubai and Asia, its’ amazing that one of the top 20 is in Panama. The mall is located close to the airport and is just minutes from three of Panama’s most popular tourist attractions, the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, the historic area of Casco Antiguo, and the Causeway.

The Wyndham Hotel is connected to the Albrook Mall making it a good choice to stay in Panama if you are flying out the next day.

13. Bridge of the Americas

It is from the Amador Causeway that you can see the Bridge of the Americas. This massive bridge spans the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. It was built by the United States in 1962. What is so unique about this bridge? It connects the landmasses of North America and South America.

14. Sunset at the JW Marriott 65 Floor

Another residential neighborhood popular with ex-pats is Punta Pacifica. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Balboa Avenue, or you can take an Uber or taxi for a reasonable price.

The JW Marriott has a huge Casino attached to the main floor. If you go here, take the elevators up to the 65th floor to the rooftop bar overlooking the infinity pool. This rooftop pool and bar is one of the most chic areas in the city. It’s one of the best sunset views in the city!

15. Marvel at El Tornillo

Definitely, the most unique building in Panama City is the spiral skyrise of El Tornillo. The best view we found of it was from the Hard Rock pool bar, but we also went for a walk to check it out up close. There isn’t a lot around there, so we suggest viewing it from afar instead.

16. Buy a Panama Hat

Here’s a fun fact. Panama Hats are not made in Panama. Panama Hats originated in Ecuador and are still made there. The Panama Hat got its name when President Roosevelt was photographed wearing one while visiting the Panama Canal.

The name stuck and even though they are not made here, they are very popular. In Casca Viejo, you can find many Panama Hats on sale at shops. Victor’s is the most popular spot for purchasing a hat. What we loved about buying a Panama Hat in the shops, is that there is no bargaining. You can buy high quality or cheaper imitations ranging from $25 – $200.

17. Biomuseo

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo explores the biodiversity of Panama. Its unique location bridges North and South America. It’s also a pretty cool and funky building!

18. Ancon Hill

For one of the best overhead views of Panama, Ancon Hill is a great stop. It is included in many Panama City Day Tours, so if you don’t have transportation, chances are you’ll be able to see it if you book a tour!

Panama City Day Trips

19. san lorenzo fort.

Checking out the San Lorenzo Fort was a part of our UnCruise itinerary and I am so glad we had the chance to see this! Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Panama, this former Spanish military fort was a strategic location for the gold trade. Located on a beautiful clifftop the ocean and Chargras River views are extraordinary. Plus, it is a well-preserved fort dating back to the 1500s.

20. Monkey Island of Gatun Lake

As part of the UnCruise land extension for their Panama to Costa Rica cruise, Gatun Lake is an excellent way to see Panama wildlife such as iguanas, crocodiles, monkeys, toucans, and sloths. I had no idea that the Panama Canal was intertwined with wide and vast waterways.

This highly rated tour takes you to Monkey Island where you’ll catch a riverboat to the Chagres River to see the monkeys of Monkey Island including white-face monkeys, howler monkeys and tamarinds on this island in Gatun Lake.

21. Agua Clara Visitor Center

This Panama Canal expansion is located at Gatun Lake and is an interesting trip to the small town of Colon City. This lock was made to accommodate larger ships sailing through the Panama Canal. You can watch the cruise ships and cargo ships go through from the viewing platforms.

There is a projection room, restaurants, and a hiking trails where you can to try to spot wildlife. You Can visit Colon, Agua Clara, and San Lorenzo Fort on a day tour with Get Your Guide from Panama City.

Enjoy our Video Tour of Panama City

No trip to Central America would be complete without getting on the water, and this boat tour out of Panama City takes you to Taboga Island where you’ll hop aboard a catamaran for a 45-minute cruise where you’ll see the extraordinary Panama City skyline, and Cinta Costera with light snacks, lunch and an all-inclusive bar included.

22. San Blas Islands

San Blas Island has gained in popularity since the Netflix series Money Heist featured the beautiful and secluded white sand beaches of the San Blas Islands surrounded by turquoise water. San Blas Port is located 2.5 hours outside of Panama City and from here you’ll take a Pangas boat to the islands. If you have more time, we suggest spending a night or two on the island, but day tours are offered from downtown.

You can book a Money Heist-themed tour to San Blas Islands from Panama City. ON this tour you’ll visit four islands in one day including snorkeling at Perro Chico, known as the best snorkeling spot in the San Blas Islands, Waily Lodge, Pelicano and the natural swimming pool on a sand bar in the middle of the ocean.

Where to Stay in Panama City

Marbella neighborhood.

Bella Vista Neighborhood

Bristol Hotel – We enjoyed our stay at the Bristol Hotel and found it to be an even better location than the Hard Rock. It didn’t have the amenities of the Hard Rock though if you are looking for a full service hotel. Instead, it is a good luxury choice for a couple of days of sightseeing. We loved the breakfast. Check Availability and Prices on Booking.com or TripAdvisor

Punta Pacifica Neighborhood

JW Marriott – We didn’t find this area to be ideally located as it is away from most of Panama’s top attractions. But the hotel is luxurious with full amenities and an excellent view of the city. Check Availability and Prices on Booking.com or TripAdvisor

Casco Viejo Neighborhood

Central Hotel Panama – Casco Viejo is probably the best location to stay in Panama if you want to be in the heart of the action. Most nightlife has moved to this area and it is near plenty of shopping and culture. Check Availability and Prices on Booking.com or TripAdvisor

Panama City Facts

• Panama uses the USD currency. It is $1 – $1.
• When shopping at markets, it is fair to bargain, but when going into shops, prices are fixed.
• Uber is available in downtown Panama City. When taking taxis be sure to negotiate prices first.
• The main international airport of Panama City is Tocumen Airport
• Panama is a good walking city and we felt safe walking around during the day. Use caution when walking at night.

Book your own  Panama / Costa Rica Panama trip   within the next year with UnCruise, you’ll get $100 per person savings on the same 10-night trip we are taking!

And these are the best things to do in Panama City. Make sure to spend a few days exploring Panama City before you set out on your Panama Cruise or Panama tour, you will love it!

What to Expect on a Panama Canal Cruise with Uncruise

• Things do to in San Jose, Costa Rica
• Central America
• Panama Travel Guide

Experience the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis

• Best City Skylines in the World – Our Favourites in Photos

Did you enjoy all this Panama City guide? Save it to Pinterest for future travel planning.

• 21 Best Things To Do in San Jose, Costa Rica
• 23 Interesting Facts About Costa Rica

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

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4 thoughts on “24 Best Things to do in Panama City, Panama”

Panama city looks cool and awesome. Thanks for sharing all these tips.

Perfect place to explore!!

Amazing post with beautiful images. helpful and informative.

Simply awestruck by Marvel At El Tornillo what an architecture…what a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

Panama City Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Today, you can find divine food, plenty of shopping, and a vibrant nightlife scene in Panama’s capital. Casco Viejo, the oldest neighborhood of the city, is where you still find the early origins of the city when it served as an important trading hub between the New World and the Old World. Since the crumbling Spanish-colonial buildings of Casco Viejo were renovated in the 2000s, the area has evolved from a crime-ridden no-go neighborhood to Panama’s tourist hot spot.

Admittedly, Panama City doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of landmarks and tourist sights, but it is a good place to spend a few days enjoying the amenities of a big city. It’s also a good base for visiting the Panama Canal, the rainforest, and nearby Taboga Island.

This guide to Panama City can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this massive capital city!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Panama City

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Panama City

1. Wander Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo, the original Spanish-colonial settlement built in 1671, is a must-do and also a great place to stay if you’d rather not stay in the bustling metropolis part of the city. Everything is walkable in this gorgeous neighborhood that is home to some of the trendiest bars, restaurants, and boutique hotels. Visit the Panama Canal Museum for a bit of history as well as the Museo de la Moda to learn about the unique, vibrant tapestries made by the Guna indigenous people. You can also wander the cobblestone streets and watch the sunset at one of the many rooftop bars. If you’re a coffee fanatic and want to indulge, head to Café Unido.

2. Hang out in Metropolitan Park

The Metropolitan Park is a 575-acre rainforest within the city limits. This beautiful nature sanctuary is home to 227 bird species, 45 mammals, 14 kinds of amphibians, 36 different kinds of snakes, and 284 types of trees. There are 8 kilometers (5 miles) of trails here to enjoy and you can hike up to the top of Cedar Hill for beautiful panoramic views of the city and the Panama Canal. Admission is $4 USD. You can also see 30 different species of butterflies housed on the butterfly farm for an additional $5 USD.

3. See the Panama Canal

One of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal is definitely worth checking out if you’re in Panama City. The Miraflores Locks are one of twelve locks along the Panama Canal and the closest to Panama City. The canal took 10 years and over 40,000 laborers to build (over 5,000 of whom died during construction). There is a visitor center with an observation deck and, every time a ship passes through the canal, you’ll hear a detailed explanation of what is happening. Also, Miraflores has an interesting IMAX documentary on the history of the Canal with Morgan Freeman narrating. Admission is $20 USD.

4. Explore Panama Viejo

Panama Viejo (Old Panama) is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site and forms the original part of the city. It was founded in 1519 by Pedrarías Dávila and was the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas — and the first planned town in the Western Hemisphere. In 1691, the city was attacked and destroyed by pirate captain Sir Henry Morgan. Despite several attacks, a huge fire, and an earthquake, you can still see some of the ruins of many of the original buildings including the Old Panama Cathedral. The remaining ruins are spread out over 57 acres, including the original cathedral. Admission is $15 USD.

5. Bike along Amador Causeway

Amador Causeway is made up of rocks excavated for the construction of the Panama Canal and connects Panama City with three small islands: Naos, Perico, and Flamenco. The 6-kilometer (4-mile) ultra scenic, colorful boardwalk is popular with cyclists and filled with all kinds of restaurants where you can stop for fresh seafood and take in the views (especially at sunset). You can rent bikes for about $15 USD per day if you want to explore by bike.

Other Things to See and Do in Panama City

1. check out mi pueblito.

This open-air museum is designed to give visitors a glimpse of village life in Panama. You’ll find replicas of colonial and indigenous buildings here and on Fridays and Saturdays they have folklore dance performances. The village is divided into three parts: an indigenous village, a rural village, and an Afro-Antillean village, showing aspects of these three different population groups in Panama. Admission is $3 USD.

2. Admire some colonial art

The Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial in Casco Viejo houses colonial religious art that dates back to the 16th century. Some of the art and artifacts even made it through the attack and sacking of the city by Henry Morgan and his crew in 1671. One of the most interesting pieces is the Arco Chato, a long arch that stood unsupported for hundreds of years (the arch was used to prove that Panama was not earthquake-prone, making it an ideal place for the canal rather than Nicaragua). This is a small museum and admission is only $1 USD, so it’s worth a quick visit.

3. Take a ferry to Taboga Island

Taboga Island is a little island 19 kilometers (12 miles) off the Pacific coast of Panama City. It’s easy to do as a day tour, with return ferries costing $24 USD. The ferries leave from Amador Causeway and the ride takes about 30 minutes. Explore the island’s village, chat with the locals, go on a hike, or just chill on the sandy beach. The beach is not the nicest as the water tends to be polluted but the ocean views towards Panama City and the Panama Canal make up for that.

4. Hike Cerro Ancon

The highest hill in Panama City makes for a great hike. It’s a steep 30-minute incline, but you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views. There are two viewing platforms: one facing historic Casco Viejo, and one facing the newer skyline that’s lined with skyscrapers. Look out for wildlife along the way – you’re likely to see toucans, iguanas, and pacas. A cab ride to the trailhead, which is right by Mi Pueblito, takes about 10 minutes.

5. Marvel at contemporary art

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Panama City features various permanent and temporary exhibits from Panamanian and Latin American artists. With over 700 items in the collection, it offers a comprehensive introduction to Latin American contemporary art. There are often free exhibits that provide an opportunity to hang out with the city’s artsy crowd too. It’s the only contemporary art museum in the entire country. Admission is $5 USD.

6. Take a Spanish course

If you’ve got some time to spend in the city, consider taking a week-long Spanish course. There are a number of schools here that offer programs with one-on-one or small group classes for $230-$250 USD per week. Try the Spanish Panama Language School or Casco Antiguo Spanish School for in-depth lessons that can help you master the language.

7. Learn about Marine Life

Punta Culebra Nature Center is a science and nature center run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute that focuses on marine life. There is also a short nature trail with three-toed sloths, iguanas, and frogs. Explanatory signs are in Spanish and English, making it an educational exhibition that’s interesting for grown-ups and kids alike. Admission is $8 USD.

8. Visit the Biomuseo

The Biodiversity Museum was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and it was his first design in Latin America (Gehryd designed the Dancing House in Prague, the AGO in Toronto, and the Disney Concert House in LA) . It’s worth seeing simply for the stunning design, though spending a couple of hours inside the museum is a great way to learn about Panama’s biodiversity. The museum also highlights the natural and cultural history of the country. The Biomuseo has eight galleries for its permanent exhibits, each one covering a different topic. Tickets are $18 USD.

9. Check out the seafood market

Panama’s lively Mercado de Mariscos, the seafood market, is located on the western end of the Cinta Costera, the coastal road that connects Casco Viejo with the newer part of town. The market is divided into two parts: one section is where fresh fish and seafood are sold, and the other section is where you’ll find dozens of no-frills seafood restaurants where you can try some of the fresh catch. Try the local specialty, ceviche, made from raw fish and lemon.

10. Stroll Avenida Central

Avenida Central is the pedestrian walkway where you can soak up the city’s vibe. It’s noisy and fun, with lots of street food vendors and performers, making for some excellent people-watching. Cinta Costera is the city’s waterfront park area where you can enjoy views of the ocean while grabbing an ice cream or some street food as you soak up the pace of the city.

Panama City Travel Costs

Note: Panama uses both PAB and USD. There’s no real need to carry the local currency, the Panamanian Balboa, unless you’re paying for really small things on the street. For the most part, use USD (which has the same value as PAB).

Hostel prices – Hostels in Panama City are inexpensive, with a night in a hostel dorm costing between $12-30 USD per night for a 6-8-bed dorm. Private rooms start around $22 USD per night for a double room. All hostels offer free Wi-Fi and some offer free breakfast.

Budget hotel prices – For a three-star hotel, prices start at $50 USD per night and go up from there. International hotel chains range from $75-135 USD.

Airbnb is available in the city, with private rooms ranging from $40-60 USD per night and entire apartments starting around $75-100 USD. Bigger apartments accommodating four to six people start at $150 USD per night. Book early otherwise prices can double.

Food – Like its neighbors, Panamanian cuisine features rice, black beans, yuca (a starchy vegetable similar to the potato), plantains, beef, chicken, and seafood. Common dishes include empanadas, chicken and rice, fried fish, and ceviche (a raw fish dish with lemon).

Local food stalls meals will cost around $4-6 USD. For that price, you will get a plate of chicken, rice, and beans — a staple dish in Panama. Western food such as pizza or hamburgers costs around $10-15 USD.

Panama City has the best international food in all of Central America, so take advantage of that while you’re in town. Many of the trendiest restaurants can be found in the Casco Viejo neighborhood, such as the Dining Room, Tantalo (a superb rooftop restaurant and bar atop the Tantalo Hotel), Donde Jose (fine dining Panamanian cuisine) and Casa Casco, which has three great restaurants, a rooftop bar and a nightclub. You’ll also find a number of great restaurants along Amador Causeway.

For a nice meal with wine, expect to pay around $50 USD. There are a lot of stylish, more expensive restaurants in Casco Viejo if you’re looking for something more upscale.

Domestic beer at a bar is around $2.50 USD. Cocktails at one of the popular rooftop bars are around $8-9 USD. A latte/cappuccino costs around $3.50 USD while bottled water is $1 USD.

If you plan on cooking your own food, expect to pay about $35-45 USD per week for groceries like rice, beans, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Panama City Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking around Panama City, expect to spend about $45 USD per day. This includes staying in a hostel dorm, limiting your drinking, cooking your meals, using public transportation to get around, and doing mostly free and cheap activities like hiking and wandering the Old Town.

On a mid-range budget of around $150 USD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, enjoy a few drinks, eat out for a few meals, take the occasional taxi, and do some paid activities like visiting the canal.

On a “luxury” budget of $220 USD per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Panama City Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Panama City is a pretty affordable place to visit. Unless you are dining on the higher end of things or staying in a chain hotel, you’re hard pressed to spend a lot of money here. However, there are always extra ways to keep your costs down. Here are the best ways to save money in Panama City:

• Stick to free activities – Most of Panama City’s sights can be visited for free: Casco Viejo, Amador Causeway, a stroll through the fish market and along Cinta Costera, the coastal road that offers stunning views of the bay and the freighters entering the Panama Canal.
• Eat at local food stands – Meals at local food stalls cost less than $5 USD. You’ll get rice, chicken, beans, and maybe another side plus a drink. Don’t expect a super tasty meal, but it is enough to fill you up.
• Avoid taxis – Buses are cheap and go everywhere in the city. Take the bus and save your money!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is generally safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle. LifeStraw is my go-to choice as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Stick to beer – Beer is cheaper than other kinds of alcohol so if you want to drink, stick to beer.
• Save money on rideshares – Uber is cheaper than taxis and is the best way to get around if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi.
• Carry small change – Most taxis and small shops won’t accept larger bills for small purchases so make sure you carry change.
• Avoid hot water – Get rooms with cold-water showers. Hot water always costs a lot more. It’s so hot here anyway, you’ll hardly ever want hot water. Even I got used to cold-water showers, and usually, I get cranky without hot water!
• Stay with a local – There are tons of Couchsurfing hosts (and lots of community events) here, making this a great city to Couchsurf in. Pick up some tips and save some money by staying with a local!

Where to Stay in Panama City

Panama City has plenty of fun, affordable hostels. Here are my favorite places to stay:

• Hostel Mamallena
• Magnolia Inn
• Hostal Casa Areka

How to Get Around Panama City

Public transportation – It is easy to travel by city bus between Amador Causeway and Casco Viejo – buses have their destination written on the front. The main bus terminal is inside the Albrook Shopping Mall. If you think you’ll be taking the bus a lot, pick up a metro card at Albrook Terminal. The metro card is $2 USD, and then you can add however much money you think you’ll need. Since a bus ride is only $0.35 USD, adding only one dollar will get you four rides.

To recharge the card, you have to find a supermarket that offers this service (look for a sign that says Venta de Tarjeta y Recarga ) or head to Albrook Terminal. You’ll be able to navigate the bus system with the help of Google Maps.

Panama City’s first metro line opened in 2014 (the first metro system in all of Central America), but it is pretty irrelevant for tourists since it’s far away from the beaches and interesting sights. A ride is only $0.35 USD. The metro runs from 6am-10pm daily (even on holidays), with 14 different stations, running north and south and passing through the city center.

Bicycle – Cycling in Panama City is possible, but not very safe since Panama is known for its notorious drivers who often speed. The only places you can safely cycle at are Amador Causeway (where you’ll find several bike rental places) and Cinta Costera, the coastal beltway that links modern Panama City with the historic Casco Viejo neighborhood. You can rent bikes for about $15 USD per day.

Taxi – Taxis are cheap in Panama City. Be careful though: Panamanian cab drivers are known to try to rip off foreigners. Make sure to always negotiate your fare before the start of the trip, since the taxis don’t use meters. Note that taxis are cash only.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Panama City and is cheaper than taxis, so stick to using it if you need a ride.

Car rental – You won’t need a car to get around the city, however, they can be helpful for exploring the region if you plan on leaving the city. Rentals can be found for as little as $25 USD per day for a multi-day rental. Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 25, though some will accept drivers at 21 if they have a credit card.

When to Go to Panama City

Panama City has a short dry season between January and May, which is when there is little rain and you’ll get to enjoy clear blue skies. But since Panama is located only nine degrees north of the equator, temperatures are pretty consistent year-round.

The lowland regions, including Panama City, are always hot and humid. Daytime temperatures average 30-33°C (86-91°F), nighttime temperatures are around 21-23°C (69-73°F).

Rainy season in Panama lasts from mid-April to mid-December, but it usually only rains from late afternoon into the night, which means mornings and early afternoons can still be enjoyed. The rainiest month is November, and July and August are the months that see the least rain during the wet season. If you visit during the rainy season, pack a rain jacket and an umbrella.

You never have to deal with peak season crowds in Panama City – it never feels crowded, unless you run into a cruise ship tour group on one of the days a cruise ship docks in the port. The good news is that the cruise ships docking here are relatively small and that they usually depart at 5pm.

The only times of year that accommodation can book up (especially affordable hotels/Airbnbs) are during holidays and in February during Carnaval. If you’re planning to visit Panama City in February, look up the dates of Carnaval to avoid crazy crowds and inflated prices.

How to Stay Safe in Panama City

Panama City is generally safe but pickpocketing can occur, especially on city buses. Always be vigilant and don’t carry more cash on you than you’re planning to spend. Leave your passport and credit cards (other than the one you may be using) back at the hostel/hotel, don’t carry valuables in your purse.

Bag snatching also happens in Panama City – both on the street and in restaurants — so don’t leave your bag sitting on the chair next to you.

If you go out in Casco Viejo at night, but your hotel is in the newer part of Panama City, take a taxi or Uber back to your hotel. The El Chorillo neighborhood, adjacent to Casco Viejo, can be a bit sketchy after dark.

When taking taxis, negotiate the fare before the trip, or you might get ripped off. There have been frequent reports by foreigners about being overcharged for cab rides. If you don’t want to communicate with the driver or you don’t have cash on you, call an Uber via the app.

Keep an eye out for common scams against tourists , such as fake ATMs, taxis that don’t use a meter, and questionable tour operators.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If you experience an emergency, dial 911.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, before you leave on your trip.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Panama City Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Panama City Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Central America and continue planning your trip:

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Costa Rica?

The Best Tour Companies in Costa Rica

The 6 Best Hostels in Panama City, Panama

Is Belize Safe to Visit?

Is Central America Safe to Visit?

How to Get Around Central America on a Budget

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Panama City

Panama City is much more than the country's capital. Here you can pedal in front of a skyline with some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, enjoy the Pacific breeze as you ride along the Bay of Panama, walk among archaeological sites and trails, and see how colonial history and the night come alive in the same place. Panama City is a high-contrast destination where greenery, indigenous peoples and vibrant city life are waiting for you.

Three Cities in one

Its buildings portray it as a modern city, but it is also a historic city. In fact, it holds two other cities, both declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The oldest one is Panama Viejo , it is an archaeological site that preserves the ruins of the first city, founded in 1519 and destroyed by pirates. The other one is Casco Antiguo , a walled colonial city full of color, history and flavor. Walk around its streets, you’ll find a great offer of museums , hotels and the best nightlife , with rooftops and restaurants.

If you are looking for culinary experiences, you’ll be delighted to know that Panama City is a Creative Gastronomic City , recognized by UNESCO and it has 4 restaurants on the list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. Dine out in the areas of San Francisco, Costa del Este and Casco Antiguo in modern places with ambiance, or in the Cinta Costera for more local and outdoor experiences. Here you’ll find great food for all tastes and budgets.

Connectivity

Getting around the city is relatively easy. You have several digital transportation platforms, buses and the subway line. For the latter two, it is better to have cash. If it rains, you can also ask the hotel to call you a cab. Note that many tour operators include transportation in their rates for excursions, especially to the outskirts of the city. They can pick you up to go sailing to Taboga Island in the Gulf of Panama or have a cultural encounter with the Emberá community on the banks of the Chagres River or with the Gunas on their lands.

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

Nature and parks.

If you are looking for greenery and biodiversity, then you are in the right place. The city has several natural parks for hiking , birding , and wildlife observation. The views of the city from the Metropolitan Park will leave you speechless.

For sea adventures, visit the Amador Causeway. There are 4 islands joined by rocks excavated during the construction of the Panama Canal . It is one of the favorite places for Panamanians to walk, skate and bike. There, you’ll find several coastal services where you can take fishing charters or ferries to the Pearl Islands . There is also the Biomuseo , the  Panama Convention Center  and the Smithsonian Research Institute, which set up a center dedicated to the exploration of the natural world.

Visit Panama City, a cultural, logistical and natural epicenter. It is also the best connected to undertake trips to stunning destinations nationwide. Don't be surprised if you end up extending your stay to see more of the beautiful Panamá .

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Getting there.

Just 20 minutes from downtown lies Tocumen International Airport. With flights from more than 80 destinations, Panama City is one of the best connected in the region. From the plane you’ll see the magnificent city reflected in the sea with ships lined up on the horizon to cross the Panama Canal. Be prepared for a warm welcome, the average temperature is 86 °F (30 °C), although in the evenings it is closer to 77 °F (25 °C).

Discover a Nearby Destination

Taboga island.

Isla Taboga, or the Island of Flowers, is a volcanic island characterized by rich tropical plant life, as well as beautiful beaches and soft sand. Located on the Pacific side of the country in the Gulf of Panama, this majestic island is a short 20 kilometers from the capital, making it the best one-day getaway from Panama City.

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Chart Your Course For Panama City, FLORIDA

Situated in the geographic center of Northwest Florida, Panama City is the largest city between Pensacola and Tallahassee and the seat of Bay County.

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The 29 things everyone should do at least once in Panama City, according to 2024 Tripadvisor ratings

Posted: July 21, 2024 | Last updated: July 21, 2024

Highest-rated things to do in Panama City, according to Tripadvisor

"For those who are lost, there will always be cities that feel like home," Simon Van Booy wrote in his 2011 novel "Everything Beautiful Began After," and what better way to find the cities that might feel like home than to get lost? Travel beckons, and there are many great cities to explore in the U.S. From New York to Los Angeles, Chicago to Miami, and Las Vegas to San Francisco, metro regions in the U.S. offer an incredible range of activities, attractions, and cultural monuments to enjoy.

Every city has its own unique history—stories of industry, immigration, and imagination. Plus, each city offers its own geographical specificity: San Francisco's gorgeous heights and quad-killing hills; the bustling boroughs of New York and how they wind around bodies of water; the flat desert of Las Vegas with its tremendous, wide-open sky (try stargazing at the nearby Red Rock Canyon for awe-inspiring views of the heavens).

Each city also has its own flavor. Some metros are practically a Baskin-Robbins of adventure, featuring all kinds of flavors, some of which might be complex, unfamiliar, or even new. Los Angeles, for example, can be experienced in so many ways, from its history as the motion picture and entertainment capital to its modern incarnation as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world—there are many versions of LA to visit, just as there are many iterations of San Francisco, New York, and Las Vegas. Cities, after you scratch the surface, reveal even more treasures within—but first, you must know where to begin!

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Panama City using data from Tripadvisor . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of May 31, 2024.

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#29. Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center

- Rating: 3/5 (153 reviews) - Address: 8602 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Abc Fine Wine And Spirits

- Rating: 5/5 (25 reviews) - Address: 11699 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Fear at the Pier Haunted House

- Rating: 5/5 (136 reviews) - Address: 15611 Starfish st Suite 115 Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Panama City Beach Library

- Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews) - Address: 12500 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. WonderWorks

- Rating: 4/5 (910 reviews) - Address: 9910 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

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#24. Sunshine Riding Trails - Day Tours

- Rating: 5/5 (114 reviews) - Address: 2273 Rolling Pines Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Aaron Bessant Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews) - Address: 600 Pier Park Drive Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Frank Brown Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (103 reviews) - Address: 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Rick Seltzer Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (99 reviews) - Address: 7419 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. M.B. Miller County Pier

- Rating: 4.5/5 (168 reviews) - Address: 12213 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

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#19. Crooked Island Beach

- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews) - Address: Hwy 98 Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Hidden Lagoon Golf and Racetrack

- Rating: 4/5 (357 reviews) - Address: 14414 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Race City PCB

- Rating: 4/5 (392 reviews) - Address: 9523 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Panama City Beach Winery

- Rating: 5/5 (1,326 reviews) - Address: 8730 Thomas Drive Suite 1103B Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. SkyWheel Panama City Beach

- Rating: 4.5/5 (122 reviews) - Address: 15700 L C Hilton Jr Drive Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

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#14. Gator Country Alligator Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (103 reviews) - Address: 6523 Highway 79 Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Russell Fields City Pier

- Rating: 4.5/5 (284 reviews) - Address: 12213 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Todd Herendeen Theatre

- Rating: 5/5 (112 reviews) - Address: 8010 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Duplin Winery

- Rating: 5/5 (176 reviews) - Address: 10101 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Conservation Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (341 reviews) - Address: 100 Conservation Drive Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

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#9. Ripley's Believe It Or Not

- Rating: 4/5 (897 reviews) - Address: 9907 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Swampy Jack's Wongo Adventure

- Rating: 5/5 (118 reviews) - Address: 284 Powell Adams Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Gulf World Marine Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,580 reviews) - Address: 15412 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Zoo World Zoological Park

- Rating: 4/5 (851 reviews) - Address: 9008 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Shipwreck Island Waterpark

- Rating: 4.5/5 (563 reviews) - Address: 12201 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

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#4. Pier Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,893 reviews) - Address: 600 Pier Park Drive Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Shell Island

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,243 reviews) - Address: Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. St. Andrews State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,398 reviews) - Address: 4607 State Park Lane Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Panama City Beach

- Rating: 4.5/5 (6,623 reviews) - Address: Panama City Beach, Florida - Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Andrea Richards, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 100 metros.

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Panama City Travel Guide

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Few cities in Latin America can match the diversity and cosmopolitanism of PANAMA CITY : polyglot and postmodern before its time, its atmosphere is, surprisingly, more similar to the mighty trading cities of Asia than to anywhere else in the region. The city has always thrived on commerce; its unique position on the world’s trade routes and the economic opportunity this presents has attracted immigrants and businesses from all over the globe. With nearly a third of the country’s population living in the urbanized corridor between Panama City and Colón, the capital’s metropolitan melting pot is a study in contrasts.

Around Panama City

Avenida central, calzada de amador (amador causeway), canal authority administration building, drinking and nightlife, entertainment, iglesia de san josé and plaza herrera, iglesia y convento de santo domingo, mercado del mariscos, museo afro-antillano, the afro-antillanos, museo de arte contemporáneo, museo del canal interoceánico, palacio presidencial, parque natural metropolitano, plaza bolívar, plaza catedral, plaza cinco de mayo, plaza de francia, teatro nacional.

Standing on a small peninsula at the southwest end of the Bay of Panama, the old city centre of Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe) is the most picturesque and historically interesting part of Panama City and houses many of its most important buildings and several museums. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it is gradually being restored to its former glory after decades of neglect. For views of the modern city and ships waiting to cross the canal, head for the bougainvillea-shaded Paseo Las Bóvedas , running some 400m along the top of the old city’s defensive wall between the Plaza de Francia and the corner of Calle 1 and Avenida A.

To the west, the Amador Causeway ( Calzada de Amador ) marks the entrance to the canal and the former Canal Zone, comprised of the causeway and the town of Balboa , which retains a distinctly North American character. East along the bay from the old city centre, the pulsing and chaotic commercial heart of the capital lies in the neighbouring districts of Bella Vista, El Cangrejo and Punta Paitilla, where the majority of banks, hotels, restaurants, shops and luxurious private residences can be found. Further east again, amid sprawling suburban slums, stand the ruins of Panamá Viejo , the first European city on the Pacific coast of the Americas

Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo are joined by Avenida Central , the city’s main thoroughfare. Running north of the old centre, its name changes to Via España as it continues through the downtown districts of Calidonia and La Exposición and the residential neighbourhood of Bella Vista. Isles of tranquillity far from the frenetic squalor of the city include Isla Taboga , the “Island of Flowers”, some 20km off the coast; the islets of the Amador Causeway alongside the Pacific entrance to the canal; and the Parque Natural Metropolitano , an island of tropical rainforest within the capital. Panama City is also a good base for day-trips to the canal and the Caribbean coast as far as Portobelo.

Travel ideas for Panama, created by local experts

Highlights of Panama

Explore Panama's vibrant capital, including the famous Panama Canal before heading out to the tropical rainforest. Nature trails are waiting to be explored before your flight to Bocas del Toro, where you will enjoy a few days kicking back or being active, the islands offer something for everyone.

Cuisine & Culture of Panama

Explore Panama's culture and cuisine in depth in this itinerary. Learn about the Emberá traditions close to the capital, before heading to Panama's cultural heart. Take a local cooking class and explore the surroundings of Chitre, one of Panama's oldest settlements.

Thrilling Adventures in Panama

Mountain-biking, river rafting, mangrove tours - Panama has endless opportunities for all adventure-seekers. Enjoy this fast-paced itinerary from Panama City to the highlands of Boquete and ending on the beaches of Boca Chica.

Luxury Honeymoon

Enjoy the finest Panama has to offer - luxurious hotels, a private gastronomic tour in Panama City, time to discover the highlands of Boquete before heading out to Panama's Pacific coast to spend a few days relaxing on the beach.

A growing number of budget travellers bed down in Casco Viejo. The restoration of many of the area’s colonial buildings makes it a pleasant retreat from the congestion and the pollution of the rest of the city – though there’s constantly some construction noise to contend with – and the nightlife is pretty good. The Calidonia/La Exposición area offers unexceptional but affordable modern hotels and residenciales , while further east along Via España, the districts of Bella Vista and El Cangrejo, the hub of the city’s nightlife and commercial activity, have a couple of hostels, some mid-range options and the expensive chain hotels. In high season (Dec–April) it’s highly advisable to book in advance no matter where you’re staying; hostels, in particular, are almost always booked up. It’s also best to exercise caution in all neighbourhoods after dark.

Two contrasting attractions provide welcome escapes from the frenetic pace of the capital: to the east, a short bus ride away, lie the ruins of Panamá Viejo , once the premier colonial city on the isthmus; to the southwest, and an hour by boat, tropical Isla Taboga provides a peaceful setting for some gentle hiking and beach-lounging.

Isla Taboga

Some 20km off the coast and about an hour away by boat, tiny ISLA TABOGA is one of the most popular retreats for Panama City residents, who come here to enjoy the island’s clear waters, peaceful atmosphere and verdant beauty. Known as the “Island of Flowers” for the innumerable fragrant blooms that decorate its village and forested slopes, Taboga gets very busy at weekends, particularly during the summer, but is usually quiet during the week.

Taboga’s one fishing village is very picturesque, with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and dozens of gardens filled with bougainvillea and hibiscus. Most visitors head straight for a section of beach , either right in front of the village or in front of the defunct Hotel Taboga , to the right of the pier as you disembark. The water is calmer here and the view of Panama City is magnificent, though the rubbish that frequently washes up on the beach is unsightly.

Behind the village, forested slopes rise to the 300m peak of Cerro Vigía , where a viewing platform on top of an old US military bunker offers spectacular 360-degree views. It’s about an hour’s climb through the forest to the mirador – follow the path some 100m up behind the church until you find a sign marked “Sendero de los Tres Cruces”, beyond which the trail is easy to follow. It’s a great area for spotting poison dart frogs and tarantulas, especially after some rain. The other side of the island is home to one of the largest brown pelican breeding colonies in the world and, together with the neighbouring island of Urabá, forms a protected wildlife refuge.

Panamá Viejo

On the coast about 8km east of the city centre stand the ruins of PANAMÁ VIEJO , the original colonial city founded by Pedro Arias de Ávila in 1519. Abandoned in 1671 after being sacked by Henry Morgan and his band of pirates, many of its buildings were later dismantled to provide stones for the construction of Casco Viejo, and in recent decades much of the site has been built over as the modern city has spread eastward – another new major road was being built through the site at the time of writing. Despite this encroachment, a surprising number of the original buildings still stand.

The best place to start a visit is the museum on Vía Cincuentenario near the ruins, where exhibits explain the changes that have taken place since this was a tiny Indian village around 500 BC. Only one section of the ruins, the former Plaza Mayor , requires an entry fee. The major draw here is the three-storey square stone tower of the cathedral, built between 1619 and 1629. It has a modern stairway with a lookout at the top and is flanked by the square cabildo (town hall) to the right and the bishop’s house to the left. Nearby, and free to the public, is the site of La Merced, the church and monastery where Francisco Pizarro took communion before embarking on the conquest of Peru in 1531. La Merced was once considered Panama City’s most beautiful church, and survived Morgan’s burning of the city by his use of it as a headquarters.

Avenida Central runs north all the way from the waterfront in the old city centre, through the scary, off-limits barrios of Santa Ana and El Chorillo – so don’t venture down the side streets – towards the more modern portion of the city. The pedestrianized, ten-block stretch between Parque Santa Ana , a small park, and Plaza Cinco de Mayo is the liveliest and most popular shopping district for the city’s less wealthy residents. Blasts of air conditioning and loud music pour from the huge superstores that line the avenue, while hawkers with megaphones attempt to entice shoppers inside with deals on clothing, electronics and household goods. Nowhere is the diversity and vitality of the city more evident.

To the southwest of Calidonia and El Chorillo, Panama City encompasses the former Canal Zone town of Balboa , administered by the US as de facto sovereign territory from 1903 to 1979. Balboa retains many of the characteristics of a US provincial town: clean and well ordered, it stands in stark contrast to the chaotic vitality of the rest of the city, though it conceals a troubled past.

Along the border of the former Canal Zone runs Avenida de Los Mártires . An extension of Avenida 4 de Julio and often called by the same name, the road is named in honour of the young Panamanians, mostly students, killed by the US military during the flag riots of 1964. A sculpture by González Palomino, depicting three people climbing a flagpole, was erected here in 2004 as a tribute to the fallen; above it rises Cerro Ancón , crowned by a huge Panamanian flag that is visible throughout the city. An early-morning or late-afternoon walk to the top will reward you with great views of both the canal and the city and likely sightings of toucans in the treetops.

West of Balboa, the Calzada de Amador , originally designed as the canal’s Pacific breakwater, runs 6km out into the bay, linking the mainland with the tiny islands of Naos , Perico and Flamenco . It’s a popular weekend escape for the city’s wealthier residents, who come here to jog, swim, stroll, rollerblade or cycle – you can rent bikes – and to enjoy the sea air and the views of the city and the canal. The northern sector of the causeway is being redeveloped into a complex – still under construction – which will comprise luxury bars, restaurants and hotels, and a marina, as well as the much vaunted Museo de la Biodiversidad ( w biomuseopanama.com ), a “biodiversity exhibition centre” designed by architect Frank Gehry. Building began in 2004 but has been plagued with controversy, and there is still no opening date in sight.

At the southern side of Punta Culebra, a small promontory at the end of Naos, 4km along the Causeway, and next to the unexciting Punta Culebra Nature Center , is the departure point for passenger ferries to Isla Taboga and for some of the canal transit tours. Beyond, Perico and Flamenco are home to more shops, bars, restaurants and a marina.

On Gorgas Road in Balboa Heights, the Panama Canal Authority Administration Building was built during the canal construction and is still home to the principal administration offices. Inside, four dramatic murals by US artist William Van Ingen depict the story of the canal’s construction under a domed ceiling supported by marble pillars.

At the rear of the building, where a Panamanian flag now flutters, a broad stairway runs down to the Goethals monument , a white megalith with stepped fountains that represent the canal’s different locks, erected in honour of George Goethals, chief engineer from 1907 to 1914 and first governor of the Canal Zone. Beside the monument is Balboa High School , whose ordinary appearance belies the dramatic events it has witnessed. It was here in 1964 that Zonians attacked students attempting to raise the Panamanian flag, triggering the flag riots that left a group of young Panamanians dead. During the 1989 invasion, the school was used as a detention camp for Panamanian prisoners, some of whom were allegedly executed by US soldiers.

Panama City is a 24hr metropolis, and its residents like nothing better than to drink and dance into the early hours. At one end of the great range of places to go are the cantinas and bars around Av Central: hard-drinking dives where women are scarce. Most of the upmarket places are found around El Cangrejo – around C Uruguay in particular – Amador and Casco Viejo, though the colonial centre also has some less expensive, more bohemian spots. Nightlife in the Amador Causeway centres on the Zona de la Rumba – a secure, walled enclave of glitzy bars, restaurants and clubs, with pricey drinks and a none-too-cheap taxi fare to factor in. Once you're in a particular neighbourhood, it’s easy and relatively safe to walk between venues at night. Most clubs are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and don’t get going until around midnight. Cover charges, mostly levied on weekends and for live acts, tend to be high, but often include several free drinks.

Panama City’s cosmopolitan nature is reflected in its restaurants: anything from US fast food to Greek, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and French can easily be found, and excellent seafood is widely available. The most celebrated areas to eat out in are Bella Vista and El Cangrejo – along and around Vía España, Vía Argentina, Vía Veneto and Calle Uruguay – and Casco Viejo, with a handful of restaurants sprinkled along the Amador Causeway. Cheap hot and cold takeaway meals are available from the Rey supermarket (open 24hr) on Vía España, while the food courts in the city’s numerous shopping malls are popular at weekends.

Most theatre productions are in Spanish, and can be found advertised outside theatre buildings and in La Prensa . Rock concerts and the like happen at the convention centres of ATLAPA and Figali. Check the papers, as well as w quehacerhoypanama.com , w thepanamanews.com and w prensa.com , for entertainment listings, including live music and theatre.

On Avenida A at the corner with Calle 8 is the Iglesia de San José . Built in 1673 and since remodelled, the church is exceptional only as the home of the legendary Baroque Golden Altar, one of the few treasures to survive Henry Morgan’s ransacking of Panamá Viejo in 1671 – it was apparently painted or covered in mud to disguise its real value.

One block west of San José, Avenida A emerges onto Plaza Herrera , a pleasant square lined with nineteenth-century houses. This was originally the Plaza de Triunfo, where bullfights were held, but was renamed in 1922 in honour of General Tomás Herrera, whose equestrian monument is at its centre. Herrera was the military leader of the short-lived independence attempt in 1840; he went on to be elected president of Colombia, but was assassinated in 1854. Note that beyond the plaza lies the no-go slum area of El Chorillo , which was devastated during the US invasion of Panama, leaving hundreds dead and thousands homeless.

On Avenida A stands the ruined Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo , completed in 1678 and famous for the Arco Chato (flat arch). Just 10.6m high but spanning some 15m with no external support, the Arco Chato was reputedly cited as evidence of Panama’s seismic stability when the US Senate was choosing whether to build an interoceanic canal through Nicaragua or Panama.

Even if you don’t smell the fish market from a distance, the vultures circling outside are a sure indication that you’ve reached the city’s seafood hub, on Avenida Balboa close to the entrance to Casco Viejo. Inside you’ll find a fantastic selection of Panama’s marine life on ice, with lime, and ready to consume. The market is open daily (6am–5pm) but closed the third Monday of the month for fumigation.

At the corner of Avenida Justo Arosemena and Calle 24 is a wooden former church, now the Museo Afro-Antillano , dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Panama’s large West Indian population. It’s very small, but the exhibits – photographs, tools and furniture – give a good idea of the working and living conditions of black canal-workers.

Some five percent of Panama’s population are Afro-Antillanos – descendants of the black workers from the English- and French-speaking West Indies who began migrating to Panama in the mid-nineteenth century to help build the railroad and canal. Widely considered second-class citizens or undesirable aliens, Afro-Antillanos worked and lived in appalling conditions under French and American control. Most of the twenty thousand workers who died during the French canal attempt were West Indians, and the mortality rate was four times higher among black workers than white during US construction.

Throughout the twentieth and into the twenty-first century, successive Panamanian governments have ignored the needs of Afro-Antillanos, and they remain among the most marginalized segments of the population. In spite of this, they maintain a vibrant and distinct culture whose influence is widely felt in contemporary Panamanian society. Many second- and third-generation Afro-Antillanos still speak the melodic patois of the West Indies, and the street Spanish of Panama City and Colón is peppered with Jamaican slang. Unique Protestant beliefs imported from the West Indies continue to thrive, heavily spiced Caribbean dishes permeate Panamanian cuisine, and the music, from jazz in the 1950s to “reggaespañol” in the 1990s, has made an indelible mark on the region.

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo , just off Gorgas Road and housed in a former Masonic temple, has a small collection of modern paintings and engravings by Panamanian and Latin American artists, as well as temporary international exhibitions.

The excellent Museo del Canal Interoceánico , on the south side of the Plaza Catedral, explains in great detail the history of the country’s transisthmian waterway. Photographs, video footage and historic exhibits – including the original canal treaties – document everything from the first Spanish attempt to find a passage to Asia to the contemporary management of the canal.

On the seafront two blocks north of the Plaza Catedral along Calle 6, the Palacio Presidencial , built in 1673, was home to several successive colonial and Colombian governors. In 1922 it was rebuilt in grandiose neo-Moorish style under the orders of President Belisario Porras, who also introduced white Darién herons to the grounds, giving the palace the nickname of “Palacio de las Garzas”. The birds and their descendants have lived freely around the patio fountain ever since and have now been joined by a couple of cranes, donated by the South African government. The streets around the palace are closed to traffic and pedestrians, but the presidential guards allow visitors to view the exterior of the palace between 8am and 5pm daily (except Tues) via a checkpoint on Calle 4.

A couple of kilometres north of central Panama City, the 2.65-square-kilometre Parque Natural Metropolitano is an unspoilt tract of tropical rainforest that is home to more than two hundred species of birds and mammals, including Geoffroy’s tamarin monkeys, white-tailed deer, sloths and agoutis. It’s possible to complete the four main trails in just a few hours; the best of these is the combined La Cienaguita and Mono Titi trail (3km), which leads to a mirador with views across the forest to the city. As elsewhere, the best time to see wildlife, particularly birds, is early in the morning – there’s nothing to stop you from coming in earlier than the official opening time. The park office and main entrance are on Avenida Juan Pablo II.

Two blocks east of the Palacio Presidencial is Plaza Bolívar , an elegant square dedicated in 1883 to Simón Bolívar, whose statue, crowned by a condor, stands in its centre. Bolívar came here in 1826 for the first Panamerican Congress, held in the chapter-room of the old monastery on the northeast corner of the square, now the Salón Bolívar , a small museum whose centrepiece is a replica of the Liberator’s bejewelled ceremonial sword. The whole building has been beautifully restored and currently houses government offices but you can visit for free.

Next door stands the church and monastery of San Francisco , built in the seventeenth century but extensively modified subsequently. Since the impressive tower is collapsing, the place has been closed for years awaiting unforthcoming restoration.

Elderly men chat amiably among the shaded benches and gazebos of cobblestoned Plaza Catedral , which sits at the heart of Casco Viejo and the old city. It’s also known as Plaza de la Independencia, in honour of the proclamations of independence from both Spain and Colombia that were issued here. The western side of the plaza is dominated by the classical facade of the cathedral . Built between 1688 and 1796, it was constructed using stones and three of the bells from the ruined cathedral of Panamá Viejo.

Across the square from the cathedral towers the half-restored facade of the Hotel Central , built to replace the Grand Hotel , which was, in its time, the plushest hotel in Central America. Southeast of the cathedral is the Neoclassical Palacio Municipal, whose small Museo de Historia Panameña offers a cursory introduction to Panamanian history.

As Avenida Central emerges onto Plaza Cinco de Mayo , the pedestrianized section ends and the maelstrom of traffic takes over again. The plaza is actually two squares rolled into one. The first has a small monument to the volunteer firemen killed while fighting an exploded gunpowder magazine in 1914; bomberos occupy a revered position in a city that has so often been devastated by fire. To the south of the plaza stands a forlorn Neoclassical building that was once the Panama Railroad Pacific terminal. The second square, Plaza Cinco de Mayo proper, borders the legislative palace compound, identifiable by a black, monolithic monument.

The Plaza de Francia lies at the southeastern tip of the peninsula, a couple of hundred metres from the theatre, and beyond the ruined shell of the Club de Clases y Tropas – the former recreation centre for Noriega’s national guard, which was bombed during the US invasion. Enclosed on three sides by seaward defensive walls, it’s the site of a monument dedicated to the thousands of workers who died during the disastrous French attempt to build the canal. The Neoclassical French Embassy building, fronted by a statue of former president Pablo Arosemena, stands on the north side of the square. The elegant building to the east is home to the National Cultural Institute . During the colonial period the square was a military centre, with the now restored vaults under the seaward walls – known as Las Bóvedas – serving as the city’s jail; built below sea level, it is claimed that they would sometimes flood at high tide, drowning the unfortunate prisoners within.

There are several souvenir shops lining Vía Veneto in El Cangrejo, and a handful of shops catering to tourists clustered along C 1 in Casco Viejo – the best is the Galería de Arte Indigena. Av Central. The pedestrian zone running between Plaza Cinco de Mayo and Casco Viejo is the place to go for low prices on any type of goods.

Just south of Plaza Bolívar on Avenida B is the Teatro Nacional , designed by Genaro Ruggieri, the Italian architect responsible for La Scala in Milan. Extensively restored in the early 1970s, the splendid Neoclassical interior is richly furnished and decorated in red and gold, with French crystal chandeliers, busts of famous dramatists and a vaulted ceiling painted with scenes depicting the birth of the nation by Panamanian artist Roberto Lewis. Official opening hours are rarely adhered to, but if the door is open, you can usually take a look around; alternatively, try to catch a performance here.

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Panama City Travel Guide: Visiting the Hub of the Americas [2023]

· a detailed guide with everything you need to know for your next trip to panama city, panama including getting to and around the city, the best things to do, and more ·.

Panama City, the place that links North and South America, is an incredible tropical destination filled with world-class food, incredible Pacific and Caribbean beaches, and of course, the only waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

On top of all of that, Panama City is the world’s only metropolis that contains a rainforest within its city limits! Panama City is one of the most international places in all of Latin America, and the diversity is on full display – between the languages you hear on the streets and cuisines from all over the world. 

We had an incredible time on our visit, and with this guide hopefully you will too.

Our Panama vlog covers the highlights in Panama City and also our absolutely EPIC hike to Cerro Los Picachos

Best Things to Do in Panama City

Panama City is an incredible place with so much to do. The city itself feels like Miami, except plopped into a tropical rainforest climate. Well, I guess Miami already feels that way! Jokes aside, this Central American gem deserves a visit, and here are some of the best ways to spend your time.

1. Wander Around Casco Antiguo

Casco Antiguo is the “old town” area in Panama City. Filled with beautiful streets, stunning architecture, top-tier restaurants, and thrilling rooftop bars, this is where most tourists spend the majority of their time.

There is definitely no shortage of restaurants and cafes here – in fact, most of the places in the “where to eat” section are in Casco Antiguo.

But in addition to the great food and nightlife, there are plenty of other beautiful things to see. You can go for a walk along a pedestrian walkway overlooking the Pacific Ocean, visit the Plaza de Francia, admire the many murals and quaint alleyways, and marvel at the incredible churches, including the city’s cathedral.

One very popular thing to do in Casco Antiguo is head to one of its countless rooftop bars in the evening, many of which offer awesome views of the city.

2. Explore Panama City’s Natural Surroundings

Several Uber drivers and locals that we talked to in Panama City have a very salty opinion of Costa Rica because they say that their northern neighbor has nothing that Panama doesn’t have, other than good marketing by its tourist industry.

They say that so much emphasis has been put on marketing the city and canal as major tourist destinations that people don’t realize that the natural sites surrounding Panama City are breathtaking. From the rainforest park that is literally within the city limits, to the Valle de Anton just an hour north to the awesome beauty that extends even further north, Panama is every bit as beautiful and naturally breathtaking as Costa Rica.

The sunrise hike at Cerro Los Picachos was one of the best experiences of our lives.

We opted to take a day-long tour with Travelling Souls Panama to go for a sunrise hike at the Cerro Los Picachos and it was literally one of the best experiences of my life. This breathtaking mountain is about two and a half hours north of Panama City and hiking it was one of the most rewarding challenges of my life.

While the hike isn’t super intense and is very short, it is very steep and very scary to someone like me, who is pretty afraid of heights.

Whether you head to Cerro Los Picachos or not, I definitely recommend visiting some of the stunning nature that this country has to offer, and I even more strongly recommend doing it with Josias at Travelling Souls Panama.

3. Try Panamanian Geisha Coffee

If you’ve read my previous posts, like my Abu Dhabi Travel Guide , for example, you know that I am a coffee fiend. I’ve worked in the coffee industry for several years and definitely consider myself to be a coffee snob.

When we decided to head to Panama, one experience stood out to me as a “must-do” – trying Panamanian Geisha coffee. Geisha coffee is a specially-cultivated type of coffee that requires very specific growing environments, including extremely high altitudes.

While a handful of countries produce Geisha coffee, including Ethiopia where it originated, Panama has become the consensus expert in Geisha coffee cultivation.

Currently, Panamanian Geisha coffee holds the record for being the most expensive coffee on the planet, with a pound of beans costing over $1,000. Needless to say, trying Geisha coffee in Panama was a must for me.

While I definitely don’t see the $1,000 hype, it was definitely a good cup of coffee with very unique flavors. In Casco Antiguo, you can head to Casa Sucre Café where you can get a cup of this liquid gold for $10. The café is also very cute and homey, and you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.

4. Take a Trip to the San Blas Islands

The San Blas Islands are easily the favorite beach getaway for the locals of Panama City. Located a couple of hours away by a combination of bus or car and ferry, the San Blas Islands are some of Panama’s most accessible Caribbean gems. The water is beautiful and crystal clear, the amenities and activities are an awesome blend of relaxation and adventure, and the retreat away from the fast pace of the city is serene.

Once you’re there you’ll find countless activities, including renting four-wheelers, snorkeling, diving, and more. While you can drive there yourself, another option to consider is taking an organized day or several-day tour, which will handle the transportation, lodging, and activities for you while also offering a knowledgeable guide.

5. Go for an Urban Hike at Cerro Ancon

Cerro Ancon is a Hill that sits in between the new city and the old city and provides some stunning views of both sides. This is a common place to go for an urban hike, and we definitely recommend going for sunrise.

If you go in the early morning there is a good chance to see all kinds of wildlife, including toucans, monkeys, and sloths! There are three different lookouts that you can access. The first two are totally legal, and if the access gate on the road is closed it is completely legal to go through the hole in the fence to the right of the road.

The third lookout, which is higher up the hill and sits at the base of the flagpole, is technically off-limits and considered trespassing, but people go up there all the time anyway. Regardless, Cerro Ancon should absolutely be something you check out next time you’re in Panama City.

From the entrance of the hike, it takes about 30-45 minutes to get to the top of the hill. The park opens very early in the morning and going for a sunrise hike is totally acceptable and definitely worth it! You can either Uber, taxi, or drive directly to the entrance, or you can opt to take the metro to 5 de Mayo station and walk about a mile and a half to the entrance.

6. Check out the Panama Canal

It’s hard to put together a Panama City travel guide and leave out the Panama Canal, which is one of the greatest spectacles of human engineering on the planet. While the idea of digging a trench through a skinny country to connect to big oceans might not sound like a major project or accomplishment, once you see it you’ll feel otherwise.

The engineering that went into the canal was incredible, and once you add the fact that it was built over a century ago, it becomes even more impressive.

One fact that very few people realize is that the construction of the Panama Canal cost more American lives than most wars that the United States has ever fought in, mostly as a result of diseases like malaria, dysentery, and yellow fever.

One tip to save money and skip the lines is to head to the restaurant by the Miraflores locks instead of going to the official viewing platform. While the platform normally has long lines and charges very high prices, the restaurant offers great views of the canal and the ships passing through it, and all it costs you is a beer or a coffee.

The Best Places to Eat in Panama City

As I said before, Panama City is one of the most international cities in all of Latin America, and you can find top-tier food of every major global cuisine. From Chinese, Japanese, and Indian to Mexican, Italian, American, and French, you can find just about anything you’re looking for.

These are some of the places we chose to visit and really loved. Unfortunately, some of the top places in the city that we planned on visiting were still temporarily closed because of the pandemic, but these ones were open and earned our stamp of approval!

Great Coffee Shops in Panama City, Panama

1. Café Unido

Caffe Per Due is more than just a café, actually. It’s a full-blown Italian restaurant run by real Italians in the heart of Casco Antiguo. While they do have good, authentic Italian coffee, the other highlight here is the pizza. We got a Margherita pizza and a Calabrese Pizza, and both were wonderful.

The restaurant is very small, but it’s a great place to get work done for an afternoon while snacking on some great pizza and sipping a fantastic cappuccino.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

2. Casa Sucre

Casa Sucre is adorable, and the barista who was working during our visit was an extremely kind man. I had an ice-dripped coffee which was very well done, and I followed it up by trying their Geisha pour-over. Both were awesome, and the vibe in the café is really calm and relaxing.

It’s another awesome place to sit for an afternoon and get work done, or even soak up some cool air while planning your next stop in the city. Like Caffe Per Due, it’s also a small business, which we all need to support in these hard times!

Best Breweries and Bars in Panama City, Panama

1. casa bruja.

Like La Rana Dorada, Casa Bruja is a great craft brewery in the heart of Panama City. Its brewhouse is in Costa del Este, which is a bit out of the way from Casco Antiguo, but definitely worth the bus or Uber if you’re into some good beers.

Their goal is to create a new beer every month to keep you on your toes, as they believe that predictability is boring. They’ve stuck to it pretty well, too – in their 8 years of operations, they’ve come up with 60 different beers. Not all of them are on tap at any given time, but you can definitely expect some high-quality brews.

On public transportation, you can take either the S487 or the E664 from Cinco de Mayo Station to Costa Azul Station.

2. The Blue Moon TapHouse

Run by Blue Moon itself, this restaurant and bar serves top-notch food and a wide variety of craft beers. The facility itself is beautiful in the newly renovated Casa Velasquez, and its location in the heart of Casco Antiguo makes it incredibly easy to visit.

If you’re a fan of Blue Moon, you’ll be excited to hear that the Blue Moon TapHouse also serves other, less popular varieties of Blue Moon that are very hard to find in stores. If you’re looking for a place for dinner or even just to grab a drink, look no further.

3. La Rana Dorada

I always love checking out the national beers wherever I go, but I also have a hard time saying no to quality breweries. La Rana Dorada is one of those! They make high-quality brews, with 7 or 8 different varieties on the menu at any given time.

The best part about this place, which has several locations throughout the city, is that they run a happy hour from 12 to 6 every day with 50% off of all beers. This is definitely a solid deal, especially considering the prices are awesome to begin with.

I went to two separate locations, and one of the bartenders even offered me a free 2 oz. sample of every beer on tap after he told me the flight wasn’t included in the happy hour. Their Pale Ale is great, but my favorite was actually their Saison, which was a seasonal rotation they had on tap.

Best Restaurants in Panama City, Panama

1. fonda lo que hay.

This trendy place is located right in the heart of Casco Antiguo, and it’s totally worth checking out for dinner. It’s a nice smart casual spot with a diverse menu, and everything is very good. We got their house burger and their fried fish with plantains and both dishes were awesome.

The prices were surprisingly low for the quality of the place, too, and we only paid about $30 total after tip for our whole meal. Definitely worth a visit.

2. El Trapiche

This place is much more dialed back and serves awesome Panamanian food. It is a local chain and has several locations throughout the city. The breakfast is great and widely recommended, and a handful of Uber drivers each recommended stopping by for their chicken and rice. Traditional, local, and delicious, El Trapiche is a place you should definitely hit on your trip to Panama City.

3. Coca Cola Cafe

Coca Cola Café feels like a hole in the wall while you’re there, and you may be surprised to find out that it is one of the oldest, most famous restaurants in the whole city. It is not visually impressive and looks pretty average on the inside, but the food is delicious and super cheap.

We stopped here for lunch and got fried fish and a beef tenderloin sandwich. Super basic, very tasty, and too cheap to be true. Check it out.

How to Get to Panama City

Panama City’s airport is a major hub. If you read my guide on finding cheap flights , you know that is supposed to be a good thing. Tocumen International Airport (PTY) , which is Panama City’s main airport, is actually called the Hub of the Americas because of the enormous volume of flights that it runs.

Yet, there are rarely cheap flights to and from the United States.

The part that we found to be funny is that flying through Panama City is often significantly cheaper than flying to Panama City.

For example, we saw plenty of flights from the United States to South American countries for around $350 round trip, while the cheapest flight on our dates to Panama City was closer to $500 round trip. The even funnier part is that the expensive flight going to Panama City is the same first leg as the flight to South America.

So, if you pay the cheap price to fly all the way to Brazil, you’re on the same flight as the person that paid hundreds more to go half the distance. Weird.

Anyway, to get to Panama City you simply need to fly into Tocumen International Airport. You don’t really have another option, as the closest alternative would be flying into San Jose in Costa Rica which is about 12 hours north of Panama City, or David, which is a city about 8 hours north. Also, Colombia isn’t an option if you’re looking to drive, as there is literally not a single road connecting Panama to its southern neighbor.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

To get from the airport into the city, you have two main options: take a taxi or Uber, or take a bus and then connect via the metro.

Taxi from the Airport into the city

If you take a taxi, be sure to get a certified cab from the airport. If you’re calling an Uber, just walk outside of the terminal and cross a couple of lanes until you get to the “passenger pickup” area.

Bus from the Airport into the city

If you’re taking a bus, follow the signs in the airport leading you outside to the bus stop. You’ll need to cross the street to catch the buses heading toward the city. The problem with this is that you can’t use the buses or metro without a metro card, which needs to be bought at a metro station in the city.

Uber from the Airport into the city

What we wound up doing was taking an Uber into the city from the airport for about $20 and then using public transportation to get to the airport when we left, as we had metro cards at that point.

Metro from the Airport into the city

The best way to get to the airport from the city on public transportation is to take the metro to 5 de Mayo metro station, walk a half block to the 5 de Mayo bus station, and take the 482 line all the way to the Airport stop, which is about 40 minutes later. From here it’s a very short walk into the terminal.

How to Get Around Panama City

METRO | BUS | UBER | SCOOTER

Panama City is wonderfully connected via public transportation. There is only one metro line, but it takes you right through the spine of the city. It is also one of the cleanest, best metro systems we’ve been on in our lives – comparable to Shanghai, China!

There is also an expansive network of metro busses that take you just about everywhere you can imagine within the city and its nearby neighborhoods. To use the metro and the buses you need to buy a metro card. You can buy one at a metro station for $2.

Each trip on the bus or metro costs $.35, which is extremely affordable! Keep in mind you can’t travel on public transportation without a metro card, as they do not accept cash.

Uber in Panama City

If you don’t like using public transportation or need to get somewhere that isn’t conveniently reached by bus or subway, your best bet is Uber. Uber works wonderfully in Panama City, and the prices are pretty affordable; you can go just about anywhere for $2-5. Like always, as long as you make sure you’re getting in the right car, Uber is perfectly safe, too!

Also, there are shareable electronic scooters here, which are especially handy for getting around Casco Antiguo.

– R E A D –

Is Panama City Safe to Visit?

Panama City is extremely safe, especially by Latin American standards. Like any place, there are areas that you shouldn’t visit, and flashing your wealth and shiny watches around isn’t ever a wise choice. All in all, if you use some common sense, it is unlikely that anything will happen to you – even at night.

Panama is extremely safe, especially for Latin American standards.

If you’re going to walk at night, try to stay among a group of people. While Casco Antiguo is a very safe area and is famed for its nightlife, the area right outside of Casco Antiguo is not quite as safe – in fact, one lady on a bus told me not to pull my phone out of my pocket there, even during the day.

While I think that was an exaggeration and I never once felt targeted or threatened, a local always knows better than a tourist, so I’d be weary there just in case. With that being said, if you keep your wits about you, it’s unlikely anything will ever happen. For reference, the average parts of Panama City felt safer than the average parts of most big U.S. cities.

Is Panama City Worth Visiting?

The only negative thing I have to say about Panama City is that the weather is brutal. Other than that, this city truly is an incredible destination to visit. From outstanding restaurants, to a charming Old City, to spectacular nature and an urban rainforest, Panama City, Panama has a long list of great things to do.

Many see Panama City as a gateway to other places. Many travelers pass through Panama City, Panama on their way to the Chiriqui region, Bocas del Toro, or to South America, and surprisingly few actually stick around to see all that this tropical capital city has to offer.

After all of our travels through Latin America, we can honestly say that Panama City, Panama is unique and worth a visit. To me, it is very similar to San Jose, Costa Rica but with a lot more to do. There is more to Panama City than just the Panama Canal, and I highly recommend checking it out if you have the opportunity.

Our Final Panama City Tips

Be prepared for unbearably humid weather.

Firstly, Panama City is extremely humid and pretty hot all year round. Packing breathable clothing is definitely a good bet, as even walking a block makes you break a sweat. This also helps when you head to nature destinations outside of the city, as the rainforest is even more humid than the city.

Make sure your accommodation has AC

Secondly, do yourself a favor, and make sure wherever you stay has air conditioning. If it doesn’t, you might die. That’s an exaggeration, but honestly, you’ll really be very uncomfortable at night if you don’t have air conditioning.

Pack an umbrella if you’re going during rainy season

While we’re talking about the weather, be sure to pack umbrellas or ponchos if you’re heading to Panama City during the rainy season, which runs from about May to December – literally most of the year. As one Uber driver explained to me, you never know what you’re going to get.

The sky could look extremely gloomy and it will never rain, or it can appear to be a gorgeous day and within 5 minutes a thunderstorm starts. The good news is that the rain doesn’t tend to last very long, and most showers clear up relatively quickly.

You can use the US dollar

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Panama has it’s own currency called the Balboa, but it is pegged in value directly to the dollar, and the dollar is also in circulation in Panama, meaning it is an official currency. If you’re coming from the United States, there is no need to convert any cash before your trip, but I would recommend bringing cash from home because foreign ATMs always tend to smack you with fees.

The airport does NOT have free Wi-Fi

Speaking of stupid fees, be aware that the airport does not have free Wi-Fi! This was probably the first big airport we have ever seen that doesn’t have free Wi-Fi. Technically, there is free Wi-Fi, but you only get 30 minutes of low-speed access per device the entire time that you’re in the airport. After that, you need to pay anywhere from $5 for an hour to $10 for four hours of Wi-Fi access.

So, if you plan on using your phone or computer for anything important while waiting for your flight and you don’t have a data plan during your trip in Panama, be prepared to pay for it.

That’s all we have for you about Panama City! Hopefully, this guide helps you with planning and epic Panama City getaway.

If you have any questions about visiting Panama or going on the Ola Hiking adventure, drop a comment below !

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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9 Amazing Things To Do In Panama City, Panama

• Activities and Interests
• Central and South America
• Destinations
• Panama City

I have to admit that Panama was never on my radar. Of course, I had heard of the Panama Canal, connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean, and the many big ships around the world that were and are listed in Panama, but as a travel destination, even though I love traveling in Latin America, it simply never registered. 

Then my husband had to go to Panama City — not to be confused with Panama City in Florida — for work and came back gushing with enthusiasm, saying that next time he was going to go there on business, I was to come with him. So, I started researching, finding out what there was to do, getting rather keen on hopefully spotting a sloth, and before long, I had landed at Tocumen International Airport on the eastern outskirts of the city, and shortly afterwards, found myself in Casco Viejo, the historic district, with a glass of champagne in hand. Looking out across an amazing skyline full of skyscrapers on one side, and the higgledy-piggledy assortment of rooftops of the old town Casco Viejo on the other, I was brimming with enthusiasm to explore this place. 

Panama lies right at the lower end of Central America, bordering South America, and is close enough to the U.S. for an easy vacation, but quite a long journey from Europe, where I had come from. While this country is so well-known for so many reasons, tourism seems only to be an afterthought. I suppose Panama has to compete with the Caribbean islands, and other popular Central American tourism hotspots such as Costa Rica , Belize , Colombia , and Mexico . Many would-be visitors probably think only of the Panama Canal and the modern city, without realizing that there are some truly amazing things to do in and around Panama City, with some great day trips to be enjoyed.

Here is a selection of the things I was up to during my relatively long stay there. And, as I did most of these things on my own, while my husband was working, it seems safe to say that it is a good destination for lone female travelers as well.

1. Have Champagne On A Rooftop

You cannot find a better spot for your first night in Panama, and this place on the rooftop of an old building in Casco Viejo really set the mood for me. Tantalo has simply the best views of new and old Panama City and a great atmosphere. It soon morphed into one of my favorite champagne bars in the world. Be prepared to spend a few hours in balmy weather, nibbling on some yummy snacks and sipping those bubbles. A perfect start on a visit to Panama.

If you’re a champagne lover, be sure to visit the world’s nine best champagne bars .

2. Find A Sloth

Getting my priorities right, the next thing on my list was tracking down a sloth. Just along the Amador Causeway, not far from Casco Viejo where I was staying, is the Punta Culebra Nature Center — an educational center with many rescued animals living in the wild there. Walking around the forested peninsula, jutting into Panama Bay, I came across iguanas, local frogs, and tanks full of marine life, all set up for groups of school children who visit the center to learn more about their local wildlife, but no sloth.

I eventually grabbed one of the local wildlife guides and asked him to help me find one, and would you believe it? There was one hanging quietly, quite literally above my head, and I never would have seen it without the guide’s help. Once I learned how to spot a sloth, I found a few more and came away happy. Not only had I finally scratched that itch, but I also had a much better idea of how diverse Panama’s wildlife is.

3. Visit The Bio Museum

To learn more, I visited the Bio Museum (or biomuseo) just a mile or so down the road. This museum had initially found its way onto my to-do list because it was built by Frank Gehry, and I love searching for good architecture. In this case, the construction really surprised me, because it is so unlike any other Gehry building. Instead of being shiny and hyper-modern — like the Guggenheim Bilbao, or the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris — this was a relatively small building, and while the roof structure was very obviously Gehry, the entire building is a pop of colors, with red, blue, green, and yellow walls and roofs.

Inside, there is an amazing amount of information on just what a hotbed of biodiversity Panama is. The entire natural history is laid out step-by-step, and I learned that there are nearly 10,500 different types of plant species, including 1,200 orchid varieties and 1,500 species of trees, plus 255 species of mammals and nearly 1,000 indigenous bird species — and, of course, sloths.

4. Buy A Hat

Back in town, I was planning to go for a walk the next day but wanted to be protected from the sun. So, when in Panama, a Panama hat had to be purchased. Alas, original Panama hats are actually from Ecuador , but that did not stop me. Finding a store with lots of choices, and more importantly good advice, I settled on a traditional design: off-white with a slightly rosé-colored band that fit my oversized head rather well. But be warned, they are beautiful hats. If you go for original and well-crafted ones, they cost a small fortune.

5. Walk The Cinta Costera

Sun hat in place, the next morning I set off to walk along the avenida Cinta Costera. Starting off on the far side of Casco Viejo, I first did the loop that encircles the old town with magnificent views along it. This is a spot where people jog and walk their dogs. Coffee stops are set along it, and while modern, it is a great walk with the old town on one side, complete with fortifications and the sea on the other.

The road then evolves into the main coastal road connecting Casco Viejo with modern Panama, which is bordered by parks, the Panama sign which is perfect for posing for a selfie, and plenty of cafes and hotels. This is also where the carnival holds court, and I was lucky enough to stumble upon it. Not at all planned, but such fun, I loved seeing the incredible mix of people Panama is home to. There was a huge range — from working Panamanians in suits to indigenous families decked out in feathers — all coming together for the party.

6. Go Boating In The Canal

After a few days, I could not ignore the Panama Canal anymore, and I am so glad that I didn’t. Compared to European canals, which tend to be straight, narrow, concreted waterways, this one is a revelation. It is more like a river and lake connecting two oceans, with a couple of locks (admittedly rather enormous locks) at either end. I decided to embark on a boat trip exploring the lake and the islands in the middle of the canal.

The islands are former mountains that turned into islands when the flow was cut off, and the wildlife was sadly cut off from the other mountain tops. On the islands, now national parks, live lots of monkeys, curious enough to hop on board and say hello when we got closer to the land. Again, this was a great way of ramming Panama’s incredible biodiversity home. Even in the middle of what is in effect a man-made waterway, the lush greenery and ever-present wildlife, including crocodiles, was just magical to see, especially when viewed against a backdrop of gigantic ships going through the canal.

7. Explore Some Pirate History

After crossing the entire country to the ocean on the other side, a mere 55-odd miles across through the rain forest – perfect for a day trip, spotting howler monkeys, toucans, and, yes, more sloths along the way, the Atlantic Coast of Panama is where there are plenty of pirate lore and old forts to explore .

San Lorenzo (and Portobelo) are sturdy forts dating to the 1500s, built to protect the waterways. Located along the legendary Spanish Trail, pirates such as Henry Moore and corsairs such as Francis Drake frequented the area, which is full of sunken ships and, reportedly, hidden treasure. Seeing the sites and hearing the old stories, you can nearly smell the gold.

8. Walk The Old Town

Walking around Casco Viejo , also known as Casco Antiguo, is simply lovely. There are plenty of cafes, superb restaurants covering Central, South, and North American cuisines and then some, plus great little shops for those souvenirs, and countless market stalls lining the outer border of the old town around Plaza de Francia.

There are churches, museums, and superb street art everywhere, plus art galleries and individual boutiques, and a decent nightlife as well. I spent hours just meandering through the streets, stopping for coffee, and watching the world go by. This is also a very photogenic part of town with usually a sleepy cat lying on a colorful windowsill, or a brightly dressed local walking past an even brighter painted house.

9. Visit The Really Old Town

There is the old town and then there is the really old town. While Casco Viejo is a colonial old town full of bright buildings, Panama Viejo holds the ruins of Old Panama, the original European settlement. This is in fact the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

The settlement, originally called Castillo del Oro, was nearly destroyed in 1671 by marauding pirate Henry Morgan. Today it is a lovely park area with remains of a convent, a church tower with great views, various other ruins, and a modern, very informative museum , with a lovely gift shop. So, plan for up to three hours of just walking the grounds and taking it all in.

I did most of the things mentioned above on my own and felt safe as a lone female. One lesson I learned quickly, though, was to go by Uber rather than hailing a taxi, as I was quite literally taken for a ride with other people joining me in the taxi — and since Spanish is not my strongest language — I ended up paying for all of them. With Uber, you get the details of the driver, and prices up front, which made me feel a lot safer. You can get a cheap local SIM card with plenty of data at the airport on arrival, which makes using the internet painless.

For more information on Panama, check out our most recent articles covering this location:

• 8 Reasons To Fall In Love With Panama
• 7 Things You Need To Know About Healthcare In Panama
• 9 Reasons Panama Is Popular With Retirees Looking To Live Internationally

A travel writer and guidebook author for the last 20 years, Ulrike's work has been seen in National Geographic , BBC , The Independent , Australian Women's Weekly , The Telegraph , The Australian , Fodor's , France Today , CNN Travel , Lonely Planet , Travel + Leisure , CNTraveler , numerous inflight magazines, and many others.

She has written three books for Moon Travel Guides: 'Living Abroad in Australia' (3rd edition), 'Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef', and the shorter version 'Spotlight Sydney' and are all available in print and as e-books.

Having lived in seven countries (Germany, UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Australia, and France) to date and traveled to more than 100, she specializes in writing about travel, art and architecture, expat living, and life and style.

More developments coming to Panama City Beach including restaurants

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Several new establishments are being built in Panama City Beach including Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage and McGuire’s Irish Pub.

Pirates Voyage is a pirate-themed restaurant that will offer dinner and a show to its patrons. It will be located near Pier Park.

The restaurant’s groundbreaking took place in February and construction has already begun.

Panama City Beach Mayor Stuart Tettemer said the restaurant will make a great addition to the area although it poses some challenges.

“There may be some challenges in terms of traffic impact for the pirates show,” Tettemer said. “But we’ve talked to the Dolly Parton folks, and they have some ways of getting people in and out in a smooth way.”

Several visitors tell us they will return once the restaurant is completed.

“I’m really excited,” Josh Williams said. “My family every time we go up to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge we always go to the one up there. I’m 17 years old and I love pirates. I love the water elements. they actually have boats in there and the food you know is great too. That’s probably the best part the food.”

Preston Moore said he has also visited the establishment in Gatlinburg

“I’m really excited. I’ve actually been to the one in Gatlinburg,” said Moore. “We were a family of eight and I’ll definitely be coming back to this one.”

Haim Son said he is looking forward to visiting Pirates Voyage for the first time.

“I just think it’s going to be fun,” he said.

Tate Montgomery said he learned of the new voyage being built in Panama City Beach recently.

“I saw it on Instagram a couple of weeks ago,” Montgomery said. “I’m kind of excited for it.”

Progress is also being made on McGuire’s Irish Pub which will be located along Front Beach Road.

Copyright 2024 WJHG. All rights reserved.

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The 8 best places to visit in Panama

Dec 1, 2023 • 6 min read

Experience the best of Panama with our guide to the top places to visit Matthew Micah Wright / Getty Images

There’s so much more to Panama  than its world-famous waterway.

Yes, its canal is a whopper – and something you won't want to miss – but this Central American country offers lots more besides. With myriad  islands , wildlife-rich tropical forests and miles of pristine coastline on two oceans, it'll keep you under its spell for weeks.

Squeezed between Costa Rica and Colombia, this narrow land bridge and biological corridor may be compact, but it packs a lot in.

From a cosmopolitan capital filled with state-of-the-art skyscrapers to the splendid isolation of the  Guna Yala Archipelago , there’s a good chance you’ll want to extend your trip here. Especially once you hear about its adrenaline-fueled adventures in the highlands around  Boquete and the island hopping opportunities in  Bocas del Toro .

These are the best places to visit in Panama.

1. Panama City

Central America’s most stylish capital is a tale of three cities. Downtown is a skyscraper-packed hub of international finance, glitzy shopping malls and upscale restaurants. Across the bay, tombstone-like ruins are all that’s left of the original city,  Panama Viejo , which was sacked by pirates in 1671.

Next comes  Casco Viejo , which, after an ambitious restoration, has become the city’s hippest neighborhood. Boutique spots like the  American Trade Hotel and stylish rooftop restaurants and bars such as  Casa Casco fill the pastel-colored colonial mansions that line its cobblestone streets.

Planning tip:  To escape the urban jungle, hike the trails of the  Parque Natural Metropolitano , or cycle along the scenic Amador Causeway, where the striking Frank Gehry-designed  BioMuseo celebrates the natural and cultural history of the isthmus.

2. Panama Canal

The world’s most famous shortcut, the  Panama Canal – dubbed “the big ditch” – has been a vital trade route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans since it opened in 1914. An awe-inspiring feat of engineering, this artificial marvel operates around the clock and moves more than half a billion tons of goods a year.

Planning tip:  The easiest place to watch the canal’s mechanics in action is from the viewing platforms at the four-story  Miraflores Visitor Center – try to time your visit with the arrival of a mega-ship, and don’t miss the 3D movie. You can get even closer to the locks on a partial (six to seven hours) or full (10 to 12 hours) canal transit with  Ancon Expeditions .

Adrenaline junkies should head to the highland town of Boquete , where adventurers have their pick of rappelling, rock climbing and rafting. From the foothills of Volcán Barú, you can hike up to the summit for a show-stopping sunrise, or whizz above the slopes on a zip line.

Hiking along its misty cloud forest trails in search of hidden waterfalls and elusive quetzals, shrouded in greenery and serenaded by birdsong, is a must.

After sweltering in Panama City, Boquete is – quite literally – a breath of fresh air, where shade-grown coffee plantations stretch to the horizon in an undulating patchwork of greens. Sample Panama Geisha, one of the world’s most expensive cups of joe, then feast on farm-to-table fusion fare at Italian-run  Retrogusto .

4. Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro have something for everyone. Simultaneously a backpacker party hub, couples’ chilled-out Caribbean paradise, and expat enclave, the three main islands and scores of uninhabited islets also boast some of Panama's finest beaches .

Bocas Town on  Isla Colón is party central. Everything from hostels to handicraft stores is housed in brightly painted, charming clapboard buildings.

Go starfish spotting at Playa Estrella, where the calm waters are perfect for snorkeling. Then kick back over killer cocktails and just-caught fish at over-the-water  El Último Refugio .

Planning tip:  For jungle-backed beaches, coral-fringed cays and magical surf breaks at  Wizard Beach , island hop to  Isla Bastimentos . Home to a namesake  marine park , this important conservation area contains mangroves, monkeys, crocodiles and caimans, among other wild things, with superb snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities to match.

5. Comarca de Guna Yala (San Blas Islands)

Indulge your inner Robinson Crusoe on this string of jewel-like tropical islands off Panama’s Caribbean coast – all swaying palms, icing-sugar-soft white sand and azure water.

The  San Blas archipelago has an island for every day of the year (plus a few to spare). This semi-autonomous region is home to the Indigenous Guna people, who fiercely protect their culture and customs – including molas , the hand-embroidered textiles designed and sewn by Guna women. 

With their no-frills cane-and-palm-thatch cabañas, the island lodges are all owned and run by families from the more densely populated village-islands, such as Playón Chico.

Planning tip: The San Blas Islands offer the chance to disconnect from the world – we're talking no internet, no TVs and no telephones – so be prepared to take a step away from your tech for the duration of your visit. Instead, idle your time away, sunning, swimming, snorkeling and stargazing.

6. Santa Catalina

A fishing village turned surfer haunt,  Santa Catalina in the Gulf of Chiriquí has some of the best year-round breaks in Central America – no wetsuit required.

Laid-back fishers sell the day's catch from the shade of a mango tree: expect sushi with a tropical twist. And if you aren’t there to surf, this is the jumping-off point for  Parque Nacional Coiba .

Planning tip:  Visit this former penal colony, dubbed "Panama’s Galápagos", at the right time of year  and you can swim alongside the gentle giants of the sea: whale sharks (December to April) and humpback whales (August to November), along with whitetip reef sharks, rays, hawksbill turtles and shoals of technicolor fish. To access the park, you’ll need to book a tour in town.

7. Portobelo

Strolling around the unhurried streets of  Portobelo , it’s hard to believe this was once one of the most important ports in the Caribbean, where treasure plundered from the Incas was shipped back to Spain.

The ruins of often-sacked fortresses remain, with Fuerte San Jerónimo  the most popular. The stone  Customs House , once piled high with Peruvian gold, stands out among the clapboard houses. 

Portobelo’s African roots stretch to the Congo and spaces like  Casa de la Cultura Congo help keep traditional art and music alive.

Planning tip:  Visit during the two spirited (and spiritual) festivals that celebrate the vibrant local culture: the colorful and rhythmic biannual  Festival de Diablos y Congos ; and October’s Festival del Cristo Negro, when the Black Christ – a life-size wooden statue steeped in myth and legend – is removed from  Iglesia San Felipe  and paraded around town.

8. Península de Azuero

Farming, folklore and fiestas are the lifeblood of the  Azuero Peninsula , the country’s cultural heartland, bordered by the Gulf of Chiriquí to the west and the Gulf of Panamá to the east.

Las Tablas puts on the country’s largest and loudest Carnaval celebration: expect flamboyant costumes, exuberant music and energetic dancing.

Further south, the streets of Pedasí are lined with well-preserved colonial buildings. Playa Venao, a golden sweep of sand with world-class surf, is another 34km (21 miles) south.

And for wildlife spotting, the reserves of  Isla Iguana and  Isla Cañas – one of the few places on the planet where olive ridley sea turtles go to nest in large numbers – are just short boat hops away. 

This article was first published Apr 17, 2022 and updated Dec 1, 2023.

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Confusion as Secret Service closes key road near Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach

As each car approached the traffic circle where South Ocean Boulevard meets Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach on Saturday morning, there were more than a few tapped brakes.

While Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies urged drivers to keep moving, the confusion inside each car was visible with drivers wanting to know: What was happening?

State and local officials announced Thursday and Friday that South Ocean Boulevard north of the traffic circle would be closed indefinitely, extending to South County Road a little more than half a mile north.

It was the latest move by the U.S. Secret Service to tighten security at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, along with Trump's other properties, following an attempted assassination at Trump's campaign rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The road is closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, officials said. Residents of homes affected by the closure will need to present identification to enter the area, and they must exit and enter from the north. Only law enforcement and fire rescue can pass through both directions, officials said.

The closure took effect at 5 a.m. Saturday, Palm Beach officials announced Friday. That was earlier than the 4 p.m. Saturday timeline that had been announced Thursday afternoon. The Thursday announcement also said the closure would extend through the Nov. 5 general election "at a minimum."

Trump is not at Mar-a-Lago, his primary residence. This summer, he has traveled primarily between his residence at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club and campaign appearances, with a few stops at his Palm Beach club. Earlier this week, he was in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention. Later Saturday, he will speak at a campaign rally in Michigan.

South Ocean Boulevard is closed beyond what was announced Thursday, when the town said the road would close from the traffic circle north to Woodbridge Road, just beyond Mar-a-Lago's property line.

Instead, the town said Friday that per Secret Service instructions, the closure would include more roads.

Drivers were confused Saturday morning, with no signage along the route to explain what was going on and why. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office would provide electronic signboards, Palm Beach Police spokesman Capt. Will Rothrock said in a Saturday email to the Daily News.

A bulldozer moved concrete barricades into place as orange traffic cones prevented eastbound drivers from entering the traffic circle to travel north. Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies directed confused motorists to navigate what at one point was one lane that would open to first allow northbound traffic to move west onto Southern, then to allow eastbound traffic to move south onto South Ocean.

PBSO will handle checkpoints and traffic issues "immediately adjacent" to the closure, Rothrock said.

"We're monitoring town-wide traffic conditions as a result of the closure, planning for mitigation efforts and intervening where necessary," he said of the Palm Beach Police Department. That is similar to how previous closures around Mar-a-Lago were handled, he added.

Cyclists who regularly use the route for Saturday morning rides were perplexed. Some paused to see if they would be allowed to maneuver through the barricades. One cyclist approaching from the north stopped his bike, put his hands on his hips and questioned why, if Trump is not at Mar-a-Lago, the road must close.

That was the prevailing question from local officials, many of whom said they were caught off-guard by the Secret Service's decision.

The closure is necessary "due to enhanced security measures involving Mar-a-Lago and U.S. Secret Service-protected persons," the alert from Palm Beach Police said.

Town Manager Kirk Blouin said Palm Beach plans to explore its options beginning next week, telling the Daily News the town would be unable to shut down the road indefinitely "unless we're ordered to."

"If there's a protectee in residence, it makes sense," he said. "If there's no one there, I don't understand the road closure at this moment. I don't know the information that the government may have, or if it's a knee-jerk reaction. But for this weekend, it will be closed, and we're going to get more information next week. We're going to challenge the permanent road closure. And we'll try to work, obviously, with the federal government. We think anyone, regardless of political affiliation, should have the necessary protections to keep them safe. But we've got to have other options."

Blouin said the town plans to request a letter from the Secret Service ordering the closure of South Ocean Boulevard.

"Absent a protectee being in Mar-a-Lago, we're not willing to shut the road down," he said. "That's my opinion. The council may decide otherwise."

"The safety and security of our protectees is the U.S. Secret Service’s top priority," a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said in an emailed statement to the Daily News. "Out of concern for operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the means and methods used for our protective operations."

Read more about security and traffic at Mar-a-Lago.