Panama City Travel Guide

Explore the natural attractions, must-see cultural landmarks, and local customs of Panama City via this complete travel tour guide.


Introduction to Panama City

Panama City is the capital of Central Panama, a city that is both cosmopolitan and traditional at the same time. For tourists, Panama City is a great place to explore Central America with its vibrant culture, natural landscapes, and friendly locals. This comprehensive guide will take you through all the necessary details you need to know to discover Panama City’s most exciting activities, attractions, and cultural interests.

List of Places to Visit in Panama City

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

Panama Viejo, the Panama Canal Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bio Museum, and the National Museum of Panama are some of the top cultural landmarks in Panama City that you must visit. Panama Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an archaeological site that provides a glimpse of Panama City’s colonial past. At the Panama Canal Museum, you will learn about the history of the canal and get to view the locks up close. The Museum of Contemporary Art has an impressive collection of modern art from Latin America, while the Bio Museum brilliantly explains the biodiversity of Panama. Lastly, the National Museum of Panama delves deeper into the country’s history, from pre-Columbian times to post-independence.

Natural Attractions of Panama City: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

The Panama Canal and the Amador Causeway offer stunning views of Panama City’s skyline. The Metropolitan National Park is a great place for hiking and nature photography, while there is ample opportunity for bird-watching, fishing, and surfing in the nearby Pacific coasts of Panama. Moreover, the Chagres National Park is an incredible place to explore the tropical rainforests of Panama, with Fort San Lorenzo being a standout attraction in the area. These natural landscapes offer a complete contrast to the city’s skyscrapers and offer an excellent opportunity for a break from the urban life.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Panama City

Ancon Hill, Cinta Costera, and the Amador Causeway are excellent places to embark on hiking or biking routes in Panama City. These are urban parks that offer fantastic hiking, jogging, or biking trails along with remarkable views of the city skyline and coastline. Ancon Hill, situated near the Panama Canal, is a protected nature reserve that offers excellent bird-watching with the opportunity of viewing the canal’s impressive ships.

Best Things to Do in Panama City: Activities and Tours

City boat tours, catamaran boat tours, fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking are some of the top activities to do in Panama City. Moreover, a guided walking or bike tour of the city’s Old Quarter, Casco Viejo, is the best way to explore the neighborhood’s narrow streets and colonial-era architecture. The Panama Canal has its visitors’ center and open-air museum that unveil the history and mechanics of the world-famous canal. Moreover, the Embera Village Tour and the Hacienda San Isidro Tour provide a chance to learn about Panama’s history and its indigenous culture.

Week-Long Itinerary for Panama City

Day 1: Visit Panama Viejo and its archaeological sites. Day 2: Explore the Historic Old Town, Casco Viejo. Day 3: Visit the Panama Canal and its Visitors’ Centre, check out the Miraflores Locks. Day 4: Explore the gorgeous Amador Causeway, the Bridge of the Americas, and the Causeway Islands. Day 5: Visit the Biomuseo or the Museum of Contemporary Art and learn about the city’s biodiversity and culture. Day 6: Explore the nearby Pacific Coast by taking day tour and go fishing, surfing, or just relaxing on the beach where spotting some whales and dolphins is likely. Day 7: Wander along the Cinta Costra and discover the Panama City skyline while walking, jogging, or biking.

Food and Drink Scene of Panama City

Must-Try Dishes

Panama’s national dish is Sancocho, a traditional soup made with a variety of meats and vegetables. Ropa Vieja is another favorite dish that is shredded beef and served with rice, some vegetables, and fried plantains. The Panama City’s seafood scene features dishes like Ceviche, Corvina, and lobster, among others.

Local Beverages

The Chicha Fuerte is the most popular local beverage, made from the fermented corn and sugarcane juice. Beer lovers will appreciate Balboa or Atlas, two of Panama’s domestic beer brands, while rum connoisseurs can try Abuelo, a local rum distillery producing some of the finest aged rum in the world.

Where to Stay in Panama City: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Panama City offers a wide range of accommodations for tourists, from boutique hotels to luxury resorts. The Marriott Panama City, the Bristol Panama City, and the American Trade Hotel are some of the most popular choices among luxury hotels. Budget-conscious travelers can consider hostels like the Luna’s Castle Hostel or the Magnolia Inn, and guesthouses like the Casa Sucre or the Tantalo Hotel/ Kitchen/ Roofbar.

What to Buy in Panama City: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

The most famous souvenirs to bring home from Panama City are molas, traditional hand-stitched embroidered textiles that the Kuna people of Panama make. Panama hats are another famous souvenir that can be found in the markets surrounding Casco Viejo. Other locally produced items that one can consider bringing home are organic coffee, rum, and fashion accessories.

Local Culture and Customs of Panama City

Panama City is an excellent blend of modern and ancient cultures, and Spanish is the primary language of the area. Local customs include dressing conservatively while going to a religious site and tipping about 10% to your restaurant servers. Panama City also celebrates its unique festivals such as the Carnaval, Fiestas Patrias, and Pollera Day.

Best Time to Visit Panama City

The best time to explore Panama City is during the dry months, from December to April. These months offer comfortable temperatures and lower humidity levels. The rainy season here starts in May and lasts till November, with occasional downpours, so visiting during these months can be tricky.

Do’s and Don’ts of Panama City

Do:

  • Learn some Spanish words and phrases.
  • Dress appropriately and keep decency in mind while visiting religious venues.
  • Taxis should be your first preference for traveling around at night; however, avoid unlicensed taxis.

Don’t:

  • Don’t leave your valuable items unattended.
  • Don’t drink tap water.
  • Don’t walk down empty streets or those that do not have streetlights at night.

Safety and Health

Safety in Panama City

Panama City is a safe place to visit, but pickpocket incidents can occur in tourist areas, so travelers must remain cautious and alert in such situations. Moreover, some areas like San Miguel in Panama City are notorious for gang activity, so it’s recommended to avoid arriving at night.

Health in Panama City

Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory to enter the coastal regions of Panama City and Malaria is present in some areas. Travelers must be cautious of mosquito bites, stay hydrated in the hot weather, and avoid drinking tap water.

Getting to Panama City: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Panama City

There are two airports in Panama City that serve international and domestic routes: Tocumen International Airport and Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport. Tocumen International Airport is located around 24 km away from downtown, while Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport is 3 km away from the city center, and only serves domestic flights from the USA and local countries.

Bus Stations Near Panama City

Panama City’s main bus station is the Albrook Bus Station, located in the eastern part of the city, with frequent connections to other parts of the country and Costa Rica.

Other Options

Taxis, water taxis, and Uber operate in Panama City. There is also the modern metro system in operation.

How to Get Around in Panama City

Taxis or the metro are the best ways to get around Panama City quickly and efficiently, with buses being a cheaper but less comfortable option. Walking is often the best way to explore the smaller areas of the city, such as Casco Viejo, with bike rentals also being available.

Where to Go Next from Panama City: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

El Valle de Anton, San Blas Islands, and Bocas del Tou are great options to explore around Panama City. El Valle de Anton is a small mountain town offering hot springs, hiking, and exploring waterfalls. The San Blas Islands are a cluster of tropical islands offering world-famous snorkeling and diving opportunities. Bocas del Tou, meanwhile, is located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, offering beachfront resorts, surfing, and more.

Conclusion

Panama City is a dynamic and adventurous place to travel, with its natural beauty and structural design creating an experience that is both unique and memorable. With this comprehensive travel guide, you now have all the necessary details that you need to explore, experience, and enjoy both Panama City’s culture and natural landscapes.

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