Panama City, Panama: travel guide
Panama's cosmopolitan capital on the Pacific, home to the Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks), the UNESCO old town of Casco Viejo, the Biomuseo and the Amador Causeway.
- Country
- Panama
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Panama
- Nearest airport
- PTY
Top places to visit in Panama City
Biomuseo
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 18
Frank Gehry-designed biodiversity museum on the Amador Causeway telling how the isthmus of Panama changed the planet.
Metropolitan Natural Park
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 4
Tropical dry forest within the city where trails reveal sloths, toucans and titi monkeys and a hilltop city view.
Punta Culebra Nature Center
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 10
Smithsonian-run coastal nature centre on Amador with touch pools, sloths and a small aquarium of two oceans.
Mercado de Mariscos (Fish Market)
Market · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h
Bustling seafood market beside Casco Viejo famous for cheap fresh ceviche served in plastic cups.
Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 20
The most-visited Panama Canal viewpoint, with an observation deck and museum where ships are raised and lowered between ocean and lake.
Panama Viejo (Old Panama ruins)
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 15
UNESCO ruins of the original 1519 city sacked by pirate Henry Morgan, with a landmark cathedral tower and museum.
Museo del Canal Interoceanico
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 10
History museum on the main plaza covering the French attempt, US construction and the canal's handover to Panama.
Catedral Metropolitana
Church · 4.8 rating · about 0.7 h
The white twin-towered cathedral on Plaza de la Independencia, restored for its 500th anniversary.
Plaza de la Independencia
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
The historic central square of Casco Viejo where Panama declared independence, ringed by the cathedral and museums.
Iglesia de San Jose (Golden Altar)
Church · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h
Home of the celebrated baroque Altar de Oro, said to have been saved from Morgan by painting it black.
Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill)
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
The city's highest point, crowned by a giant Panamanian flag, with a walking road up through forest and panoramic views.
Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo (Arco Chato)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
Ruined 17th-century convent famous for its flat arch, long cited in the decision to build the canal in Panama.
Things to do
- Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour · 5 h · from USD 185 per person
- Panama City & Canal City Tour Tour · 4 h · from USD 55 per person
- Embera Village Day Trip Cultural · 8 h · from USD 120 per person
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from USD 30 per person
- Gatun Lake & Monkey Island Boat Safari Adventure · 5 h · from USD 75 per person
- Panama Canal Railway Scenic Ride Tour · 3 h · from USD 50 per person
Day trips and tours
- Panama City Highlights & Canal 8 h · from USD 65
Where to stay in Panama City
- Casco Viejo about USD 150 per night
Atmospheric UNESCO old town with boutique hotels, rooftop bars and restaurants.
- Marbella / Bella Vista about USD 130 per night
Central business and dining district near the bay and Cinta Costera.
- El Cangrejo about USD 100 per night
Lively hotel and restaurant zone around Via Argentina, good value.
Hotels
- American Trade Hotel 5-star · USD 250 to USD 450 per night
- The Bristol Panama 5-star · USD 190 to USD 320 per night
- Magnolia Inn 3-star · USD 18 to USD 95 per night
- Central Hotel Panama 4-star · USD 110 to USD 200 per night
- Luna's Castle Hostel 2-star · USD 16 to USD 55 per night
- Hotel El Panama 4-star · USD 100 to USD 170 per night
Where to eat
- Fonda Lo Que Hay Panamanian · about USD 35 per person
- Tantalo Kitchen International, Tapas · about USD 30 per person
- Cafe Coca Cola Panamanian, Cafe · about USD 8 per person
- Maito Panamanian, Fine dining · about USD 65 per person
- El Trapiche Panamanian · about USD 20 per person
- Super Gourmet Deli Deli, Cafe · about USD 12 per person
Getting around
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unmetered taxi overcharging
Tocumen Airport & tourist areas
Taxis have no meters and quote inflated fares to tourists, especially from the airport and Casco Viejo.
How to avoid it: Agree the price before getting in, or use Uber/InDriver for a fixed fare.
Fake tour touts
Casco Viejo & Amador
Street touts sell canal or island tours that are overpriced or never materialise.
How to avoid it: Book through your hotel or an established operator and pay on arrival where possible.