Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Panama is a paradise for travelers seeking diverse experiences ranging from rich cultural encounters to pristine natural beauty. Whether you’re drawn to its vibrant cities or its lush rainforests, Panama offers something for every type of explorer. While we only had a few days in this beautiful city, each day was jam packed with activities. Here’s my recommended list of fun things to do in Panama City if you are planning on visiting!
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Experience Panama City Nightlife with a Casco Viejo Bar Crawl
We started off our trip with a bar crawl through Casco Viejo, Panama City’s Historic District. Our guide took us to multiple bars across the historic district, and drinks were included at all the locations. One of the bars even specialized in just shots and we were treated to a flaming display by the talented bartenders! It’s definitely a great option for a group of people looking to experience the vibrant nightlife of Panama City.
Take a Cooking Class in Panama City
Panamanian cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors influenced by its diverse cultural heritage, and we decided to book an afro-panamanian cooking class hosted by a local through Airbnb Experiences, but you can also book it through other platforms like Viator. Located on an open air balcony overlooking historic streets, our cooking class consisted of a small group that allowed us to get hands on and ask as many questions as we wanted! Our host was fantastic, sharing with us the story of how he and his wife met across the world and ended up in Panama together.
We ended up making several dishes – tostones with a garlic aioli and spicy sauce, jollof rice, and chicken which were all absolutely delicious, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were also included in the experience. If you’re looking for a local culinary experience, I’d definitely recommend a cooking class. It was one of my favorite things to do in Panama City!
Escape Panama City with a Catamaran Boat Day
Panama also offers great beaches and ocean views, and we decided to escape Panama City on a catamaran for a day of boating, swimming and dancing. The tour lasted about six hours, and we had the chance to visit the beach, Tobago Island, and the Island Village. The tour included an open bar, snacks, and lunch, and the staff made sure everyone was having a great time with spontaneous dance parties and pouring drinks straight into guests’ mouths. We finished the day off with the freshest pina colada in a pineapple we’ve ever had!
Relax on the San Blas or Bocas del Toro Islands
For those seeking blissful relaxation or adventure on pristine beaches, a boat day to the San Blas Islands or Bocas del Toro is a must. These archipelagos boasts crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. You can spend your day snorkeling, sunbathing, or simply unwinding in paradise—a true escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Visit the Panama Canal
No visit to Panama is complete without witnessing the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—the Panama Canal. It’s on pretty much every list of things to do in Panama City. You can visit the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to learn about the history and operation of this iconic waterway. We opted out of a tour and just watched from the road as the massive ships navigated through the locks, but there are plenty of tour options available!
Observe Wildlife During a Visit to Monkey Island
If you’re looking for more adventurous things to do in Panama City, add a visit to Monkey Island to your itinerary! Monkey Island, or Isla de los Monos, is a small island located in Lake Gatun, part of the Panama Canal system. This island is known for its population of capuchin monkeys, also known as white-faced monkeys, which have become a popular attraction for tourists visiting the area. It is approximately a 20-minute boat ride from Gamboa, a town located in the Panama Canal Zone. We booked a guided tour to Monkey Island which included transportation, making the day a breeze, and we saw plenty of monkeys and other wildlife! Our guide was great at pointing out different types of wildlife during the tour and knew the best spots to view them from. We were even able to see some of the monkeys up close!
Try Panamanian Rum
Renowned for its sugarcane plantations and distilleries, Panama produces a variety of high-quality rums that embody the essence of tropical indulgence. We chose to visit Pedro Mandinga, a popular rum bar in Casco Viejo which had both flights of rum tasters and carefully crafted cocktails, as well as bottles available for purchase to take home. With a cozy ambiance and excellent service, it’s a great place for an evening drink if you want to try Panamanian rum.
Conclusion
Panama is an underrated destination in Latin America, filled with diverse people, great food, and lots to do. While we only had a few days to spend in the beautiful country, you could easily spend a week exploring. I hope this list of fun things to do in Panama City was helpful as you plan out your next trip!
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