Panama Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Panama City

Panama City might not be on everyone’s radar, but it absolutely should be. It has an amazing mix of stunning architecture, tropical relaxation, vibrant nightlife, and rich history. I was lucky enough to visit for a few days as part of a broader trip to Latin America, and definitely thought it was an underrated destination. This Panama City Travel Guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Panama City, where to stay, the best time to visit, where to eat and drink, and more!

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How to Get to Panama City, Panama

The most common way to get to Panama City is to fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY is the airport code, make sure you don’t end up in Panama City, Florida!). It serves most major airlines and has direct flights to several major cities in North America, Latin America, and Europe. 

It’s located about 30 minutes from the city and there’s a few ways to get into the city. Uber is the most convenient option and is what we did, and you can expect to pay around $20 for a one way trip. You can also book a taxi but it will be a bit more expensive and you’ll want to make sure to confirm the fare ahead of time. There’s also many private transfer options through local companies as well as through your hotel. While there is a bus that runs from the airport, it requires a Metrocard and multiple transfers so I wouldn’t recommend it for tourists.

The Best Time to Visit Panama City, Panama

The best time to visit Panama is during its dry season from December to April where the weather will be sunny and warm with lower humidity. Prices will be higher during this time, but if you avoid key holidays like Christmas, New Years, and Semana Santa then you can avoid some of the peak pricing.

The rainy season has lower prices and fewer crowds, but the weather won’t be as good. However, most rain in the rainy season comes in the form of quick afternoon storms/downpours rather than all day rain so it’s usually fairly predictable. We went during the rainy season and didn’t have too many issues with the weather but you’ll want to pay close attention to the forecast!

8 Best Things To Do In Panama City, Panama

1. Explore Casco Viejo

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Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo or the Old Quarter, is the historic heart of Panama City. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this walkable neighborhood is full of colonial architecture, tons of history, lots of restaurants, and amazing nightlife. Some of the top things to see in Casco Viejo include Plaza Bolívar & Plaza de la Independencia, Panama Canal Museum, and San José Church.

2. Catamaran Cruise

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Panama also offers great beaches and ocean views, and one of the top things to do in Panama is take a catamaran cruise. We had the chance to visit the beach, Tobago Island, and the Island Village but there’s also tours that will take you to the San Blas Islands. These archipelagos boast crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. 

3. Visit the Panama Canal

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No visit to Panama is complete without witnessing the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal. It’s at the top of 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. While you can just watch from the road as the massive ships navigate through the locks, there are plenty of tour options available!

4. Casco Viejo Bar Crawl

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If you want a taste of Panamanian nightlife, a bar crawl through Casco Viejo, is an amazing way to experience the city. 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!

5. Local Cooking Class

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Panamanian cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors, and an afro-panamanian cooking class is a great way to learn more about Panama’s diverse cultural heritage. We ended up making several dishes – tostones with a garlic aioli and spicy sauce, jollof rice, and chicken, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were also included. If you’re looking for a local culinary experience, I’d definitely recommend a cooking class!

6. Gatun Lake and Monkey Island

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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. 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!

7. Try Panamanian Rum

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Renowned for its sugarcane plantations and distilleries, Panama produces a variety of high-quality rums. Pedro Mandinga is one of the most popular rum bars in Casco Viejo and is a great place to try out the local rum. They have flights of rum tasters, rum cocktails, and bottles available for purchase. It had such a cozy ambiance and excellent service, and is a great place for an evening drink if you want to try Panamanian rum. 

8. Amador Causeway

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The Amador Causeway is a manmade roadway that connects the mainland to four other small islands. You’ll see the Panama City skyline on one side and the Panama Canal entrance on the other, there’s also paths for jogging and walking, and Along the way there’s also a museum focused on Panama’s biodiversity!

Where to Stay in Panama City, Panama

Casco Viejo: this is one of the most popular options for tourists since it’s right in the heart of all the action and is surrounded by lots of beautiful architecture, great restaurants, and bars. It’s super walkable and has great nightlife, and has lots of charming boutique hotels, However, if you’re looking for something a bit quieter then you may want to choose a different neighborhood since it can get lively at night.

Obarrio: this is where you’ll see a lot of the high rise hotels, shopping centers, and lots of high end dining. The area is a bit upscale, and you’ll find lots of the traditional western hotel chains here.

Punta Pacifica: if you’re looking for luxury, then this is the neighborhood for you. Punta Pacifica is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Panama City and many hotels here have ocean views. It’s super safe, but isn’t as walkable as neighborhoods like Casco Viejo, so you’ll likely need to uber to a lot of the attractions. We stayed in this neighborhood and enjoyed it, and it was pretty easy to get everywhere since Uber was very affordable.

Best Bars in Panama City

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Amano | Cocktail Bar

Pedro Mandingo | Rum Bar

Sama SkyLounge | Cocktail Bar

Element | Cocktail Bar

La Rana Dorada | Craft Beer

Selina | Rooftop Bar

CasaCasco | Rooftop Bar

How to Get Around Panama City

Taxis/Uber: Yellow taxis are everywhere, but they don’t use meters and unfortunately tourists often end up getting scammed. You’ll need to negotiate the fare before hopping in, which can be tricky if you don’t speak Spanish. In general, I’d advise staying away from taxis. Instead, I would recommend using Uber since it’s quite affordable in Panama, you get a set price upfront, and it’s safer.

Walking: In areas like Casco Viejo, walking is the way to go. The streets are pedestrian-friendly and the area is very walkable. Just wear comfortable shoes since there’s a lot of cobblestone streets!

Metro: Panama City has a metro that covers a lot of key areas, but it doesn’t reach everywhere, like Casco Viejo. If you’re staying near a metro stop, it’s a cheap way to move around but you may still need to walk a fair distance to your final destination. If you need to get around at night, I’d just call an Uber.

Buses: The city’s bus system, known locally as “Metrobus,” is a cheap option, but it can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the routes. You’ll need a preloaded Metro Card to board. It’s not the fastest or easiest choice for tourists so I wouldn’t recommend it for first time visitors.

How Many Days to Spend in Panama City

In my opinion, 3 days in Panama City is the perfect amount of time to see the main attractions like Casco Viejo, Monkey Island, the Panama Canal, and one of the islands. If you’re just stopping over on the way to Bocas del Toro, Boquete, or San Blas, 1-2 nights may be enough. However if Panama City is your main destination, then I’d go for 3-4 full days.

Is Panama City Safe?

Panama City is generally safe for travelers, especially in tourist-friendly neighborhoods like Casco Viejo and Obarrio. You’ll want to make sure you take the usual precautions: stick to well-lit areas, keep an eye on your belongings, and avoid flashing valuables. Rideshares like Uber are also safer than hailing a random cab off the street. 

However, there are some neighborhoods that you’ll want to make sure to avoid. El Chorrillo borders Casco Viejo and is known for gang activity. Certain parts of Cerro Batea / San Miguelito (northeast of downtown) are also sometimes victim to drug related violence. You’ll want to avoid Curundu (north of downtown) as well since it is one of the more dangerous parts of the city. At night you’ll also want to be extra careful in Santa Ana and Calidonia due to crime.

In general, the neighborhoods considered to be safe for tourists are Casco Viejo, El Crangrejo, Obarrio, Punta Paitilla, Punta Pacifica, and Costa del Este!

Looking for more Latin America recommendations? Check out some of our other posts from the blog!

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