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Panama City is such an underrated destination! What comes to mind when most people think of Panama City is the canal, tax evasion or Panama City Beach in Florida, but they are sorely mistaken.
The capital city of the country of Panama, Panama City, is an incredible destination that is so much more than just its famous engineering feat (although that is pretty cool!). So many travellers use it purely as a jump-off point for other adventures or as a stopover between destinations, but they are truly missing out.
After months of avoiding seedy and unsafe capital cities throughout Central America, we fell in love with Panama City the second we arrived!
We adored the charming old town, Casco Viejo, couldn’t get enough of the epic city skyline (and all the rooftop bars to soak up the views!) and we were shocked at how much nature and wildlife was right in the heart of the city.
Panama City has it all! I think 5 days is the perfect amount of time to hit the highlights and my Panama City itinerary will show you how to experience the best of this tropical metropolis.
5-Day Panama City itinerary
If you think you can see Panama City in a day, you’re mistaken. Yes, you can visit the canal in half a day, but as you’ll read me say many times – this city is SO much more than just the canal!
If you’ve got a broader trip through Panama planned, you’ll no doubt be arriving and/or departing via the international airport in Panama City and you really should set aside a decent amount of time to explore this fantastic city.
If you’re short on time and just looking for a quick getaway, Panama City is the perfect place, as you can experience an amazing metropolis and have quick and easy access to surrounding beaches, islands and natural areas.
I believe 5 days in Panama City is the perfect amount of time for first-time visitors. My Panama City itinerary is full of the best sights and activities, but not so jampacked you don’t have a second to breathe each day.
A big part of the appeal of Panama City, and the old town Casco Viejo in particular, is strolling aimlessly around the charming streets, popping into a cute cafe for a coffee or finding a hidden rooftop bar for a cheeky glass of wine. You won’t be able to do that if you’re rushing, so this itinerary is balanced.
My Panama City itinerary is 5 full days. Ideally, you would arrive the afternoon or evening prior to day 1 (let’s call that day 0), so you can wake up refreshed and ready to go for a full day on day 1.
Technically you should book a stay in Panama City for 6 nights, leaving you 5 full days.
Day 1: Casco Viejo
DAY 1 – MORNING
Good morning to your first full day in Panama City!
Today is all about exploring my favourite part of the city, the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Casco Viejo. Sometimes called Casco Antiguo, this is the ‘old town’ of Panama City and it’s oozing with historic charm.
If you’d like to read more about the history of Casco Viejo, check out my detailed Casco Viejo guide
Start your day with coffee from Cafe Unido, a local Panamanian cafe chain. With the best local beans on tap and expert baristas, they make a good cuppa! Breakfast will be a contrasting experience, shifting from the aesthetic, modern Unido to one of the first coffee shops in Panama, Coca Cola Cafe.
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine inside the dimly lit shop, filled with vintage decor and old Coca Cola memorabilia. Order a hearty Panamanian breakfast and don’t forget a side of hojaldres, a tasty Panamanian fry bread.
Once you’re fuelled up, a walking tour of Casco Viejo is on the agenda for the rest of the morning. This is my favourite way to get to know a new city, and as my first ‘recon’ walk to get my bearings.
You’ll have plenty of time this afternoon to return to places around the neighbourhood at your own pace, so make the most of your guide while you have them to learn about the history and culture of the area.
Some options for walking tours:
- Walking Tour Through the Hidden Treasures and Gems of Casco Viejo
- Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Uncover Hidden Gems
- GuruWalk Old Town Panama Free & Fun Tour (tip required)
DAY 1 – AFTERNOON
When your walking tour is over, it’s time for some lunch! Here are some good options around Casco Viejo for a casual meal:
- Tantalo: this is a fabulous rooftop bar and restaurant, but they also have great lunch specials with a free (non-alcoholic) drink! Check what their deal of the day is and ask if you can sit on their rooftop, even though it’s not usually open during the day.
- Super Gourmet Deli: this friendly local spot is a mix between cafe and fonda, with great local dishes like ropa vieja, tamales and empanadas, but also good coffee and sweet treats.
- La Rana Dorada: a great brewery with some tasty craft beers on tap and bar food like pizzas, burgers, wings etc.
The rest of the afternoon is free to soak up the vibe of Casco Viejo. Now that you’ve got the lay of the land from your walking tour, return to some of your favourite places and enjoy the amazing architecture.
We spent many hours just wandering around with no destination in mind, exploring tight alleyways, wandering into pretty churches and taking dozens of photos!
It also helps that there are plenty of places to stop along the way for a coffee (Sisu), a sweet treat (Gelarti) or something stronger (La Rana Dorada Brewery or Pedro Mandiga Rum Bar).
If you’re interested in museums, you can check out the Museo de Mola (Mola Museum) to learn more about the iconic textiles produced by the Indigenous Guna people. There’s also the excellent Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá (Panama Canal Museum) which most find more informative than the museum at the Miraflores Locks.
DAY 1 – EVENING
Check the sunset time and make sure you are seated on a funky rooftop with a drink in hand at least an hour beforehand to enjoy the city views in the golden hour!
There are dozens of amazing rooftops in Casco Viejo, but here are a few of our favourites:
- Selina: the rooftop of the famous hostel chain has uninterrupted views of the CBD skyline! They usually have rotating drinks specials too.
- Tantalo: you may have already visited here for lunch, but it’s a completely different vibe in the evening.
- CasaCasco: a mega-venue right in the heart of Casco Viejo with a different restaurant on each level. Head straight to the rooftop for a drink and prime sunset scenes.
To experience a taste of classic Panamanian cuisine with a modern twist, you must make a reservation for Fonda Lo Que Hay for dinner tonight! Do it ASAP as it does book out.
It’s a funky fusion twist on local dishes, served as share-style plates with excellent cocktails. It’s one of the best-rated restaurants in the city, featured in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for Latin America list. It’s surprisingly not too expensive either, our meal with cocktails was under $100.
If you’ve still got some steam left, you can visit some more bars, rooftop or otherwise, or join the famous Panama Barcrawl through Casco Viejo!
Day 2: Cinta Costera, CBD + Casco Viejo
DAY 2 – MORNING
Make sure you fuel up with a big breakfast this morning, you’ll need energy today!
Mahalo is a gorgeous cafe in a leafy courtyard with great breakfast dishes, nice coffee and fresh juices.
Make your way over to Burke Bikes to rent a bike to cycle the Cinta Costera.
Translating as ‘Coastal Beltway’ the Cinta Costera is a 7 km (4.3 mi) waterfront promenade along the Bay of Panama with walking and bike paths, gardens, picnic and exercise areas, and most importantly – insane views of the CBD and skyline!
It’s divided into the Cinta Costera 1, 2 and 3. 1 and 2 run adjacent to Avenida Balboa between Casco Viejo and Punta Pailita in the CBD, while Cinta Costera 3 was actually designed as a traffic bypass to Casco Viejo, and runs through the ocean around the old town.
It’s a flat and easy pathway and a bike is the funnest way to explore it! The staff at Burke Bikes will help you find a bike suitable for you. Expect to pay from $15 for a full-day rental.
From the bike shop, I’d recommend turning left first and cycling towards the CBD on Cinta Costera 1 and 2. You’ll naturally find the best places to stop (I’ve pinned some on my Panama map), there are lots of cool lookouts, gardens and the famous Panama letters for a good photo opp.
One sight worth pointing out in this area is the Mercado de Mariscos (seafood market). This is my recommended lunch spot for today, however, if you’re interested in actually seeing the market in swing, with the fishermen hauling their catch in off the boats and lining it up on ice for sale, you need to visit in the morning. Beeline here on your bike to check out the actual market and return later on your way back for lunch.
The Cinta Costera ends in Punta Paitilla in the CBD. If you’re interested in checking out the modern side of Panama City, lock up your bikes somewhere safe and go for a stroll.
To be honest, we found this part of the city disjointed and difficult to navigate. We still don’t really know where the ‘centre’ is and what the main attractions are.
Some sights you might like to see are:
- Via Argentina: a pretty street in one of the city’s leafy neighbourhoods with cafes, shops and lots of greenery.
- Parque Urracá: a really nice green space in the CBD.
- Calle 50: a major road through the city with lots of the biggest skyscrapers, including the F&F Tower, the twisty tower that you see on the skyline.
- JW Marriot: the former Trump Tower (not that that is of any great appeal), but it’s located in Punta Pacifica, which is a fancy, modern area to walk around with huge hotels and skyscrapers.
We wanted to love the modern city as much as Casco Viejo but our experience was that it was a little soulless, and too spread out to have any kind of vibe. We stayed here for 3 nights and it just didn’t click. I hope you have a better time here!
DAY 2 – AFTERNOON
Cycle your way back along the Cinta Costera and pull into the Mercado de Mariscos for a fresh seafood lunch! There are multiple restaurants in the food court area, and everyone will be vying for your patronage. It’s a bit hectic but go with your gut (or Google reviews!).
We ordered a fresh ceviche and a whole fried fish with a cold Panama beer and it was just what we needed after a big bike ride!
Before you return your bikes, there is one final part of the Cinta Costera to ride, number 3. This strange engineering feat has the highway running in a circular ring in the ocean to bypass Casco Viejo. By all accounts, it hasn’t done much for the traffic problem, but it’s got a cool bike path.
Return your bikes and take a rest at your accommodation if you’ve got time, before your next activity.
Casco Viejo is a charming and beautifully restored historic area, but it’s not all boutique hotels and funky rooftops. This area has a violent history and a dark side, where many of the city’s residents have been kicked out of their homes in the name of gentrification.
As much as we loved the old town, you have to view it through an accurate lens. The second you step outside the boundary of Casco Viejo, you’re in a very different city and I think it’s unfair to not see both sides.
Luckily there are some fantastic alternative tours led by passionate locals who want to show tourists the real, unpolished version of their city and shed some light on the situation in Casco Viejo.
You’ve got two choices, both usually have a 3:00 pm departure option (book and confirm in advance):
- The Two Faces of Panama: a walking tour through the local neighbourhood of El Chorrillo, next to Casco Viejo. This area has a reputation as violent and sketchy, but you’ll see another side to it with authentic insights from your guide.
- Panama Canal Zone Bike Adventure: if you’ve got some bike riding left in you, this is an alternative bike tour focusing on the canal zone and the neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Casco Viejo. See these areas through a local lens, with valuable context and history on the building of the canal, the gentrification of the area, and the impact this has had on the city’s residents.
DAY 2 – EVENING
After a long day today and a big day ahead of you tomorrow, keep it low-key tonight with just one rooftop drink (can you go a night in Panama City without sitting on a rooftop? I don’t think so!) and a casual dinner.
Here are two options, depending on your preferences:
- En La Fonda: a famous Panamanian restaurant serving up all the local classics. This restaurant is more than just a restaurant though, it’s decorated with traditional Panamanian decor from all over the country, staff are dressed in traditional dress and they have a live show each night with singing and dancing. It is a bit touristy, but they pull it off in a very non-tacky way, and locals seem to love it just as much as tourists.
- Complement this with a pre-dinner drink at Lazotea Rooftop just next door!
- Madre Pizza: a great Italian restaurant with tasty, sourdough pizzas. We had a very lovely evening here sitting out in Plaza Herrera, which was all lit up with candles and lights, it’s a very romantic setting.
- Complement this with a pre-dinner drink at CasaCasco Rooftop, just next door!
Day 3: Day trip
DAY 3 – MORNING & AFTERNOON
Today will be a full day out of the city, exploring one of the surrounding regions. You’ve got a wide variety of choices for tours today, from beaches to islands to rainforests.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t take a tour that visits Gatun Lake, Gamboa or Monkey Island today. If this is something you’re interested in, I think it’s best combined with a visit to the Panama Canal, which you’ll do on day 5 of this Panama City itinerary.
Most tours include hotel pick-up or will meet at a central meeting point in the city.
Day tour options:
- Taboga Island: Taboga is the closest island to Panama City and if you’re looking for a day of beach, swimming and sailing, this is a fantastic option! You can book the ferry and explore independently, or join a tour like this All-Inclusive Taboga Island Catamaran Tour.
- Pearl Islands: a little further than Taboga, the Pearl Islands are a collection of jungle-clad islands in the Pacific Ocean. Isla Contadora is the most popular for a day trip. You can book return ferry tickets and explore the island independently, soaking up the beaches and trails. Or you can organise a day tour departing from the island, with options like snorkelling, scuba diving and whale watching (July – October) with Coral Dreams. Isla Saboga is an alternative island that is smaller and quieter.
- Embera Village: if you’re looking for a more cultural experience, there are lots of tours that visit the Indigenous Embera people in the rainforest around Panama City. Most tours involve a short jungle hike, a visit to a waterfall and time in the village with a traditional meal. Please be extra careful about any tours that involve people to ensure it is respectful and on their terms. This Rainforest, Waterfall and Embera Village Tour is private, meaning it will be a much more intimate experience for you and the Embera people.
- El Valle de Anton: a very unique town inside an extinct volcano crater, I personally think one day is not enough for El Valle de Anton (we spent 4 nights here!), but it is possible to join a Day Trip to El Valle de Anton if you’re short on time. There is fantastic hiking around the crater rim.
- San Blas Islands: probably the most popular day tour from Panama City, I firmly believe you should spend at least 1 night here if not more (we stayed 2 nights on Chichime Island). Your 14-hour day tour will involve at least 7 hours in a car and boat, which for me, isn’t worth it. If you insist, this Day Tour in San Blas Islands All Included Visiting 4 Islands is well-rated.
DAY 3 – EVENING
Depending on the tour you choose, you may not arrive back in the city until quite late.
If you’re back in time for dinner, you can check out some of these other restaurants around Casco Viejo for a nice meal:
- La Pulperia: excellent seafood and other share-style tapas dishes
- Restaurante Santa Rita: an incredibly well-rated Spanish tapas restaurant
- Kaandela Restaurant: an exceptional dining experience at one of the best-rated restaurants in Casco Viejo, you’ll want a booking for this one and make sure you’re not too tired to enjoy it!
Some cheaper options if you’re feeling like something casual:
- Beauty & The Butcher: delicious, juicy burgers
- Oh My Bao: a fun Asian restaurant with bao, Korean fried chicken, dim sum and other rice and noodle dishes
- Snack Shack: the same owners as Mahalo, Snack Shack has fresh and healthy options like rice bowls, salads and wraps
Day 4: Ancon Hill, Amador Causeway + Panama Viejo
Today can be slow and leisurely if you’re happy to choose only two activities, or it can be a bit rushed but feasible to cram in three sites if you’re okay with a quicker pace.
The day mapped out below includes three sites, but chop and change, and slow down as you please if you want a more restful day.
DAY 4 – MORNING
I would recommend an early start this morning, and breakfast on the go. Pop into Saint Honoré French Bakery the evening prior to stock up on some croissants and pastries for a picnic breakfast – the location is going to be stunning!
Order an Uber to Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill), one of the best green spaces in Panama City and just 10 minutes from Casco Viejo! Put ‘Mi Pueblito’ as your destination, and you will be dropped right near the trailhead.
Cerro Ancon is a small hill above the city with views over Casco Viejo, the modern city and the Panama Canal. It was formerly under US control as part of the Canal Zone and was used to monitor and administer the canal.
Today it’s a great place for a walk in nature with the chance to see sloths, toucans and monkeys and get some great views. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open as you walk up the hill, we spotted a three-toed sloth and a keel-billed toucan!
You can pull up this trail map on AllTrails, but it’s not too hard to follow as you’re walking along a paved road most of the time. It’s steep in sections, and you’ll be thanking yourself for getting up early when the temperature is mild!
Have a rest at the top, overlooking the canal, and enjoy your picnic breakfast.
If you’d prefer to visit with a guide who can best spot wildlife, you can book a sunrise hiking tour at Ancon Hill
When you’re finished your hike, jump in an Uber with ‘Bicicletas Moses’ as your destination.
Your next stop is the Amador Causeway, a 6 km (3.7 mi) man-made road jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, constructed with rock from the Panama Canal. It originally served as a military outpost to protect the southern entrance to the Panama Canal. Today it’s another excellent green space, with amazing views of the city and the Pacific Ocean.
If you’re not up for more biking (we loved it!) you can choose to walk instead, but we think renting a bike is the easiest way to explore the causeway. Bicicletas Moses rents all kinds of bikes by the hour. You should only need 2 – 3 hours with a stop for lunch (excluding time in any museums).
Cycle along the palm-lined pathway, enjoy the city views and look out for the huge ships floating out in the Pacific Ocean waiting for their allotted passage through the Panama Canal.
If you see a small cart with an umbrella – pull over! It will most likely be a vendor selling the local treat raspado, or shaved ice. It’s the perfect refresher in the steamy Panama City heat!
DAY 4 – AFTERNOON
The causeway runs all the way out into the ocean to three islands, Isla Flamenco, Isla Perico and Isla Naos. There is a marina here, where ferries depart for Taboga Island and the Pearl Islands, and plenty of restaurants for a waterfront lunch.
Sabroso Panamá is a great option, set up like a festive food court vibe with cuisine from all corners of Panama. It’s a little kitschy, they do shows in the evening, but the food is traditional and tasty! There are plenty of other options, particularly seafood if you’d prefer something else.
There are two excellent museums on the Amador Causeway. It’s up to you to gauge your time and interest, pending your plans for the rest of the day. You might be able to visit one, both or neither if you’re rushed.
- Punta Culebra Nature Center: operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Insitute, it showcases the rich biodiversity of Panama with exhibitions on frogs, marine life and short jungle trails where you can see sloths among other wildlife. Their hours are quite limited so be sure to check in advance if they’re open.
- BioMuseo: you might have noticed the very bright rainbow building at the start of the causeway that looks like a Rubix cube, that’s the BioMuseo! This excellent museum features exhibits exploring the unique geographic make-up of Panama as an isthmus and the impact this has had on the world’s biodiversity. Closed Mondays.
You’ll need to keep a close eye on the clock this afternoon if you want to squeeze in one final activity. If you don’t get to it today, there is the possibility of including it on day 5 of this Panama City itinerary, depending on how you’d like to see the canal.
Jump in an Uber and be ready for a 20 – 30 minute ride to the other side of the city. You could use public transport, but it would take double the time and you’ll be on a tight schedule!
Your destination is Panamá Viejo, the archaeological site preserving the ruins of the original Panama City. It’s not to be confused with Casco Viejo, the thriving neighbourhood that was created after the original city was burned and pillaged.
Panamá Viejo dates back to 1519 and was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. The city had a turbulent life, suffering fires, earthquakes and invasions before ultimately reaching its demise in 1671 when it was destroyed by pirates, led by Captain Henry Morgan (yes, from the rum!).
There isn’t too much left of the city, but what remains has been well-preserved, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral, tower and convent complexes in particular are interesting to see.
The ticket office closes at 4:30 pm, but the site doesn’t close until 5:30 pm. Depending on your level of interest, 2 – 3 hours should be sufficient here.
DAY 4 – EVENING
After a big day today, I’d recommend keeping it low-key tonight.
One of our favourite evenings in Panama City was having a picnic on the Cinta Costera, watching nightfall and the city light up. We found a nice grassy spot near the Monument of the Flag of Panama on Cinta Costera 3.
You can stock up on goodies like cheese, meats, bread and wine from a few places in Casco Viejo:
- Grand Deli Gourmet
- Felipe Motta Wine Store & Deli
- Rey Supermarket
A local kindly let us know that you are not allowed to publicly consume alcohol in Panama City. Luckily we had our insulated coffee cups to hide the wine!
If a DIY picnic sounds all too hard, jump back to day 3 for my restaurant recommendations in Casco Viejo.
Day 5: Panama Canal
DAY 5 – MORNING & AFTERNOON
Your final day in Panama City might just be the most emblematic! I know I said this city is more than just the canal, and hopefully, after 4 amazing days you’ve realised that too, but you can’t leave without seeing this iconic engineering feat with your own eyes!
There are multiple ways you can visit the Panama Canal, depending on your level of interest. Some are full-day excursions involving time actually spent on the canal, whereas if you only have a passing interest, you can opt for a brief visit to the locks and fill out the day with another activity.
Full-day Panama Canal options:
- Panama Canal Full Transit Tour* (~12 – 14 hours): this is the creme de la creme! If you want to experience the Panama Canal to the max, you can take a full transit tour where you will sail on a boat from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, passing through all the locks. It’s a huge and pricey day for your budget, but you can’t get a better experience than actually being ON the Panama Canal!
- Panama Canal Partial Tour – Southbound Direction* (~6 – 8 hours): if you want to transit through the canal but don’t feel the need to do the whole ocean-to-ocean journey, you can do a partial transit where you’ll travel from Gamboa to the Pacific Ocean.
- Panama Canal Partial Tour – Northbound Direction* (~6 – 8 hours): same as above, just northbound, from the Pacific Ocean (city) to Gamboa. I’m not sure of the differences or merits of either direction.
- Ocean to Ocean Panama Canal and Jungle Tour (~8 hours): if you’re less interested in the engineering and more interested in the nature and wildlife of the canal, this tour is a best-of-both-worlds option. You will go on a boat in the canal and Gatun Lake, however you won’t actually transit through the locks. You’ll look for wildlife on the islands in the lake, and visit the Agua Clara Locks to witness the engineering in action!
*The transits through the canal have very limited availability and are only offered 1 – 2 times per week, so be sure to check the schedule in advance and plan your Panama City itinerary accordingly
Half-day Panama Canal options:
- Independently visit Miraflores Locks: if you are interested but not that interested, the easiest and most common way to see the canal in action is at the Miraflores Locks. These locks are the first/final locks the ships pass through from the Pacific Ocean and the closest to the city. You can take an Uber here, buy your tickets when you arrive, watch the short documentary movie about the canal and then proceed to the viewing decks to watch ships pass through. Be sure to check the website in advance for the current transit schedule, to make sure you time your visit for when ships are actually passing through the locks!
- Visit Miraflores Locks with a tour: as above, just with an expert tour guide who includes transport from your accommodation and detailed commentary about the canal and locks. Besides the IMAX movie you watch, there is no tour guide at the locks so we kind of just guessed what was happening. If you’re keen to learn the specifics of the locks and the history of the canal, definitely opt for this tour!
Rest of the day options:
If you’re happy with a simple visit to the locks, you’ll have the rest of the day free and you’ve got some options!
- Albrook Mall: I know a mall isn’t necessarily a fun tourist attraction, but Albrook is absolutely enormous, it’s a sight to behold! The second largest mall in the Americas, it’s a cultural experience to wander around. It’s right near the locks so it can be a good place to grab a bite for lunch.
- Gatun Lake Wildlife Tour: Gatun Lake is technically part of the canal, but there is a range of half-day tours that focus more on the wildlife, rather than the engineering and canal. This tour includes transfers to the town of Gamboa, and a boat ride on the lake where you’ll visit multiple islands, including Monkey Island, to look for wildlife like monkeys, coatis, sloths etc. You would have technically taken a boat on the Panama Canal, but it doesn’t visit the locks, so I think this is an addition, not an instead of, for your Panama Canal experience.
- Parque Natural Metropolitano: if you’re keen for some more nature, the Metropolitan Natural Park is a 573-acre wildlife reserve in the city. Even bigger than Cerro Ancon, there are some beautiful trails through the park and tons of wildlife. You can get an Uber to and from the park.
- Panama Viejo: if yesterday felt too rushed, you can visit Panama Viejo this afternoon if you opt for a half-day canal experience.
DAY 5 – EVENING
Your final night in Panama City! Make sure you go out with a bang and organise a nice dinner and (of course!) rooftop drinks.
If you’d like to explore outside Casco Viejo, some of the city’s best restaurants are located in the modern CBD. Maito and Cantina del Tigre are both in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for Latin America, you’ll need a reservation.
There are also some fantastic rooftop bars in this area, check out Luna Rooftop or the W Hotel Rooftop.
If you’d prefer to stick around Casco Viejo, check through my previous recommendations and see what you’ve missed. Or go back to a favourite! If you didn’t make it to En La Fonda on day 2, it could be a very fun way to finish your time in this amazing city.
Panama City travel logistics
Getting to Panama City
- ✈️ By air (international): if you’re flying into Panama City from outside the country, you’ll be landing at the PTY – Tocumen International Airport. The airport is about half an hour outside the city. The best way to get to your accommodation is to pre-book an airport transfer, or take an Uber (if you have data on your phone or use airport wifi, there will be instructions on where to meet the driver in the app).
- ✈️ By air (domestic): if you’re already in Panama and flying into the city from destinations like Bocas del Toro or David (for Boquete), you’ll arrive at the PAC – Albrook Gelabert Airport. This airport is only 15 minutes from Casco Viejo, an Uber is cheap and easy.
- 🚌 By bus: if you’ve already been travelling around Panama, you will most likely arrive to the city via bus. You can get buses to Panama City from all over the country, some direct, some with a few changes, from places like El Valle de Anton, Santa Catalina, Boquete, Bocas del Toro (Almirante) etc. All the buses arrive at the Gran Terminal Nacional De Transporte, outside the Albrook Mall and very close to the domestic airport. An Uber is the easiest way to get to your accommodation.
- ⛵️ By boat: if you’re coming to Panama via Colombia, you might be arriving in Panama City via boat! Well, it won’t be the city directly, you’ll sail via the San Blas Islands and then get a transfer to Panama City in a 4×4 vehicle organised by your tour company.
Getting around Panama City
- 🚙 Uber: Uber is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around Panama City. They’re abundant and affordable and generally half the time of taking public transport. We exclusively used Uber to get around the city, and our trips were mostly $3 – $4.
- 🚕 Taxis: if you can’t get an Uber, there are always taxis around. Of course, the prices are inflated and the service is terrible, many drivers are known to overcharge foreigners. Uber is the ideal choice if possible!
- 👣 Walking: the best way to see the city is walking, especially in the Casco Viejo neighbourhood. You can see everything there on foot.
- 🚲 Bicycle: as you’ve seen throughout this Panama City itinerary, there are multiple opportunities to rent and ride bikes in the city. However, the city overall is not very bike-friendly, it’s more of an activity in dedicated biking areas (Cinta Costera, Amador Causeway) rather than a form of transport around the city.
- 🚉 Metro: Panama City has a clean and well-run metro system, however, it’s not really that valuable for tourists. If you’re staying in the CBD vs Casco Viejo, you may get more use out of it, but it was never a convenient option for us and usually involved a trip out of our way to get to a station. It’s an option to keep in mind though!
- 🚌 Bus/colectivo: there is a confusing and extensive local bus network around Panama City. If you’re spending longer in the city or staying on the outskirts, it might be worth mastering. But for a quick trip, I don’t think it’s worth the hassle!
- 🚗 Rental car: I would not recommend renting a car in Panama City. The traffic is heavy, the drivers are aggressive and the parking situation is a nightmare. Use Uber!
Where to stay in Panama City
I highly, highly recommend staying in the Casco Viejo neighbourhood and I’ve written this Panama City itinerary from that perspective.
While you’ll see sights all over the city, I truly think the best base to start and end your day is Casco Viejo. It’s full of excellent hotels, amazing cafes, restaurants and rooftops and is an attraction in itself.
We actually split our time in the city between Casco Viejo and the city centre but we wish we just stayed in Casco the whole time.
I’ve got more comprehensive information on where to stay in the area in my dedicated Casco Viejo guide, but these are some top recommendations, depending on your budget.
BUDGET 💰
MID-RANGE 💰💰
- Casa Arias (AmazINN Places)
- Casa Marichu (AmazINN Places)
- Las Clementinas
- Casa Lourdes By Acomodo Casco Viejo
HIGH-END 💰💰💰
Panama City travel tips
Get all our Panama travel tips in our Panama travel guide
- 🌤️ Best time to visit: Panama City is a hot and tropical destination year-round. The best time to visit is the dry season, from November – April, which has the lowest chance of persistent rain, and generally clear, sunny skies. The humidity is slightly more manageable than during the wet season, which is usually characterised by sticky, overcast days and afternoon or evening showers.
- 🗓️ How long to stay: as this Panama City itinerary says, I think 5 days (6 nights) is a great length of time to stay in Panama City, but you could easily extend to this a week or more if you had extra time up your sleeve.
- 🫶🏼 Safety: is Panama City safe? Generally, yes. Like any big city, there are seedy neighbourhoods and seedy people, but we generally felt very safe all over the city.
However, you should be particularly aware of where you are in the Casco Viejo neighbourhood. This touristy, upper-scale neighbourhood is safe and frequently patrolled by tourist police, but as soon as you cross the boundary, it’s a different story. The surrounding neighbourhoods can be very unsafe, especially at night. We comfortably walked home from rooftop bars and restaurants in Casco Viejo at night, but note that we were together as a couple. If in doubt, just grab an Uber!
- 🗣️ Language: Spanish is the official language in Panama and is, of course, widely spoken in Panama City. Many locals involved in tourism do speak English, but you should not expect this. Brush up on your Spanish in advance and test out some phrases when you arrive. If in doubt, have the Google Translate app ready to go.
- 💰 Currency: the official currency of Panama is the Panamanian Balboa. However, the Balboa is tied at a fixed rate of 1:1 with the US Dollar, and they use US Dollar notes. There are no Balboa bills but you will see Balboa coins and should expect to be given change in a mix of both currencies.
- 🏧 ATMs: there are banks and ATMs all over Panama City. It’s best to use ATMs associated with banks (such as Banco Nacional de Panama, Banistmo and Banco General) to reduce the chance of skimming.
The problem lies in the fact that most ATMs only allow you to withdraw $250 USD at a time and the fee is a hefty $6.50 USD. If you want to bring USD with you, stick to smaller bills. $50 and $100 are rarely accepted due to the high rate of counterfeits.
Payment by credit card is possible in most businesses around the city, although you should always have cash on you for street vendors, markets etc.
- 📱 Phone & SIM Cards: pre-paid phone plans in Panama are excellent, with unlimited data included in 7 or 10-day plans, for around $6 – $7. Tigo and Más Movil are the most common providers. There are no stores at the international airport, unfortunately, just a very expensive third-party re-seller. Instead, it’s better to go directly to their stores if it’s convenient (both carriers have stores at Albrook Mall and Multiplaza), otherwise any local supermarket or independent phone shop can sell and set up a SIM card for you. If you’re staying in Casco Viejo, Tech Movil is very helpful and speaks English.
- 🥑 Groceries: if you’ve got kitchen facilities, or just want to have a few snacks on hand, there are grocery stores all over Panama City. Rey and Riba Smith are the biggest chains. The stores in the modern CBD are much bigger than those in Casco Viejo if you want to do a big shop. There are smaller minimarts and chinos (Chinese-owned markets) all over the city.
- 💧 Can you drink the water: yes, you can drink the tap water in Panama City. It’s best to triple-check with your accommodation provider before you drink it, as it does depend on where they source their water. But city water is clean and potable and can save money and plastic!
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Final thoughts: Panama City itinerary
I want to go back and relive this Panama City itinerary all over again! We seriously adore this city, and can’t believe how few people dedicate time to properly exploring it.
It has so much to offer – colonial charm, top-notch dining scene, nature, big city vibes, fun bike paths, access to beautiful beaches and of course, one of the world’s greatest innovations, the Panama Canal.
The rest of the country is just as special, and I think your time in Panama City should be complemented by a broader trip throughout the country. You can check out our Panama itinerary if you’ve got another few weeks up your sleeve!
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