Here is our guide to Panama City! Panama City is a hub for trade between the Atlantic & Pacific. It’s an interesting blend of modern skyscrapers, historic ruins, nature, and an amazing food scene.
You’ll need at least 3 days to see all that Panama City has to offer.
Related: See full Panama City Photo Album
Check out our guide below to see what you should do, see, and eat!
Arco Chato in Casco Viejo
View this post on Instagram
What to Do & See
- See the Panama Canal – After all, this is why you’re here, right? The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the 7 wonders of the Modern World. The best way to visit is to take an Uber to the Miraflores visitors center (near Panama City) or by taking a tour with this Viator private canal and city tour. Tickets are $17 USD and less for Panama residents. You can also head over to this viewpoint to see ships entering and leaving the canal for free and under the Bridge of the Americas.
- Hike Up Ancon Hill – Takes about 1-1.5 hours to complete (2 mi RT) and gives you views of the city from above.
- Amador Causeway – Cruise ships dock here. There is also a duty-free shop and a path that you can bike or walk.
- Metropolitan Natural Park
- Visit Casco Viejo. This is Panama City’s Old Town. There is so much to do in this area. Allow at least 3-4 hours for your visit to visit all the plazas, buildings, and views.
- Visit the Panama Viejo ruins – Tickets are $17, and you can see what Panama once was. The ruins are fun to explore on foot with tram pick-up points. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water.
- Bike or walk the Malecón Cinta Costera. You might spot some raccoons along the Cinta Costera. A bike rental for the day should be around $20 USD.
- See the Sunset from POIN Rooftop (for FREE!) – Don’t bother buying the $35 skydeck package. They have a $10 pass that YOU DON’T NEED TO BUY. Just tell them you’re going up to Cielo Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, and the views from there are just as impressive! Otherwise, you can opt for their activity packages, which range from $35 to $100. It’s a total rip-off in my honest opinion.
Plaza Simón Bolívar in Casco Viejo
Panama City tree lined Malecon with skyscrapers and biking paths
Arco Chato in Casco Viejo
Raccoons along Cinta Costera Malecón
Skyline city views from Casco Viejo
Where to Eat
You’ll want to try Panamanian food and seafood while you’re in Panama City. Below are our top recommendations!
- Concolon Panamanian Street Food
- El Trapiche – Come here for typical Panamanian cuisine at fair prices. They have multiple locations throughout PTY. I would save seafood for Mercado de Mariscos.
- Gaucho’s Steakhouse
- Kaandela
- La Tapa de Coco
- Mangle – Craft cocktail bar with incredible drinks & eats. Cocktails are only $10.
- Mercado de Mariscos – Offers fresh seafood from a variety of vendors. I highly recommend Don Alfaro’s seafood restaurant. The $2 ceviche and $1.25 beers are a steal. But honestly, their garlic sauce is a must-try. Do not miss this spot!
- Restaurant El Trapiche (multiple locations) for traditional Panamanian food.
- Casa Nostra for Italian pasta!
- B Dubs (Buffalo Wild Wings) – TRUST me on this. Best chicken tenders I’ve ever had. Try it with the spicy garlic sauce. Everything else is mid.
$2 ceviche cup from Mercado de Mariscos at Don Alfaro
Fresh Garlic Sauce Clams from Don Alfaro
Where to Drink
- Amano
- B Bar
- Casa Bruja
- CasaCasco
- Cerveceria Legitima
- Cielo Rooftop Bar – Head up here for a FREE view of Panama City from above. There is a perfect view of the sunset over Ancon Hill.
- Colectivo
- Corcho
- Element
- Frank’s Place
- La Pulperia
- Mangle
- Pedro Mandinga
- Pony Up
- Sama Sky Lounge
- The Wallace
View of Casco Viejo from Cielo Rooftop Bar
Day Trips from Panama City
Opt for these day tours to see more natural areas and beaches surrounding Panama City.
- Bayano Lake
- Bocas Del Toro – Take the nighttime bioluminescence tour!
- Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary – Head here to see the cute sloths (perezosos)!
- Parque Nacional Soberanía
- Contadora Island & Crosiere San Blas
- Enjoy tax-free shopping at Zona Libre in Colon. You’ll need a permit to take advantage of their tax-free mall.
- Embera Village
- Gatun Lake – You may spot capybaras!
- Monkey Island
- Take a Rum Distillery Tour (Abuelo)
- Taboga Island
- Hike La India Dormita & see Piedra Pintada
Handwoven Embera animal masks are art pieces created by the Embera people of Panama using Chunga palm fibers. Each mask portrays rainforest animals or spirits.
Where to Stay in Panama City
Luxury hotels are surprisingly very affordable in Panama City. We highly recommend staying in the Marbella or Bella Vista neighborhoods. There’s plenty to do, and it’s well-lit and safe.
For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend staying at Selina Hostel.
Related: See full Panama City Photo Album
Other Important Panama City Details
Panama City’s weather is warm year-round with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related: How to Dress for 80 Degree Weather
The best way to get around Panama City is by Uber, biking, or walking. There is also a subway that takes you from the airport to the city center for only 85 cents! An Uber to the city center costs $17 USD.
The currency is USD and the Panama Balboa (PAB). The exchange rate is 1:1, and most establishments take credit cards (with a processing fee or minimum) and USD.
There is a 7% sales tax, and a tipping rate of 10% is encouraged at most establishments.
Travel Guide Map
Use our Panama City Travel Guide Map to get around the area. Things marked in YELLOW are must-dos.
If you found our Panama City travel guide helpful, please share this post. Thanks for your support!
Thank you for visiting today! If you found this encouraging or informative, please connect with us on Instagram or TikTok. Sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates and more. We promise we won't spam you! Feel free to unsubscribe anytime. If you're a brand and want to work with us, please visit this page to get in touch.