Ultimate Guide to the Top Things to do in Panama City and the surrounding area

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Panama City is a brilliant mash-up of colonial chram and modern plazas, a world-changing canal, jungle parks within the city, rooftop cocktails, and so many fun day trips to nearby adventures! After spending over a week in Panama City, exploring as much as possible, I’ve put together this guide with all my favorite spots, to help you plan your trip as best as possible.

I’m the first to admit that I didn’t have the biggest expectations for Panama City, and to be honest I’m not quite sure why. After visiting a couple of other capitals during my trip around Central America, I guess I thought they were all going to be slightly unimpressive. But, boy was I wrong when it came to Panama City. It probably took me about 10 minutes before my thoughts changed to «I could probably live here for a while».

The best things to do and see in Panama City

When you think of Panama City, your thoughts probably jump to the Panama Canal, but I can guarantee you that there is so much more to do in this lovely city.

I’ll start this guide with the fun stuff, namely the top things to do in Panama City and the best day trips to take in the area, but if you also need more practical info like how to get around, the best areas to base yourself, the best restaurants and rooftop bars, just scroll furter down and you’ll find everything you need.

If you want all these things planned out to you in a detailed itinerary, check out my ultimate itinerary for Panama City here.

Wander around in Casco Viejo (Old Town)

Exploring Casco Viejo, the Old Town in Panama City, was probably my favorite thing to do. It felt like stepping into a time-capsule with colonial buildings and beautiful churches mixed with modern cafés and bars. You can easily spend a whole day and probably even more just wandering around the cute streets.

If you have plenty of time, just wander the streets in your own, if not I would recommend doing a guided walking tour like the ones below to learn more about the city and its history.

Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Uncover Hidden Gems

The most popular guided walking tour in Casco Viejo

Private Tour of the Historic Center of Panama

If you want a private guided tour of Casco Viejo, this is the best one!

Exploring Casco Viejo

Explore Museums in the Old City

If you’re interested in history or if you’re looking for more fun stuff to do for a rainy day, the old town is packed with cute museum to explore.

Some of the best ones are the Panama Canal Museum, The Museum of the history of Panama and the Mola Museum where you can learn more about the textiles produced by Panamas indigenous people. Alternatively you can take a visit to the National theater and see if there’s a performance you can check out.

Explore another side of Panama City in El Chorrillo

Another area to explore is called El Charillo. This area gives a completely different picture of Panama City and I think it’s worth learning about.

With the modernization and gentrification of Panama City, it’s becoming increasingly expensive for people to live in the city and more and more people have been moved away, many of them to El Charillo.

It’s said to be one of the most dangerous areas in the city and we kind of just stumbled upon it because we lived just at the border. We walked around for a bit and was quite surprised at everything we saw and I would’ve loved to explore this area with a local guide.

I later learned that some locals organize a walking tour of the area where you actullay get to learn more about the history and why the area is so different from the rest of Panama City, so if you want to learn more, I advise you to book a tour for that. I wish I’d known about it while I was still there.

Book the Two Faces of Panama tour here

Walk or bike along Cinta Costera

This long seaside promenade gives you amazing views of Panama City, where the modern city skyline meets the Pacific Ocean. We both walked and took a morning run here which I both recommend, but you can also rent a bike to explore the area.

A practical tip is to avoid going during midday as the sun gets pretty intense and there’s no shade here.

Book an organized bike tour here

This bike tour will guide you through different areas of Panama City, including Cinta Costera and Casco Viejo

Book a guided tour in a classic car here

Explore Panama from a classic car! This tour is perfect for those who want to see as much as possible, but struggle to walk or stay on their feet all day.

Miraflores Locks Visitor Center & Panama Canal

If there’s one thing people think of when they hear “Panama”, it’s the Panama Canal, so it goes without saying that the most popular thing to do here is to visit the Miraflores Locks.

One might think that because of the long line of ships waiting to cross, there would be one crossing at every moment, but that’s not the case. You should therefore make sure to either check the ship-transit times or book a guided tour so you don’t arrive and nothing is happening.

How long to visit the Miraflores Locks and Panama Canal really depends on your level of interest. There are so many options to choose from, rangin from full day excursions including time on the canal, to a shorter stop at the viewing platforms and exhibits. For me it was enough to just see it since I had already been boating on the Panama Canal, but below are some of the most popular choices based on your interest.

Miraflores Locks and History tour

For those very interested in the canal and it’s history, this is the comprehensive tour

Book a combo trip: Panama Canal + Gatun Lake

Combine a visit to the Miraflores Locks with a trip to the jungle looking for sloths and monkeys

Book a Combo: Panama Canal + Walking Tour

This tour combines a visit to the Panama Canal with a walking tour of Panama City

Hike up Ancon Hill

One of the things I loved most about Panama City is that it’s a very modern city, but still has plenty of jungle adventures close by. One you can easily reach by yourself is Ancon Hill. It’s about a 30 min walk up to Ancon Hill from the trail head and at the top you’ll be able to get some pretty amazing views of Panama City. It’s also possible to spot animals like sloths on the way, but my impression is that it’s not very common.

Book a taxi and put «Mi Pueblito» as your destination and the driver will drop you off at the trailhead. I imagine it’s even better at sunrise or sunset even though I didn't see that myself.

For a better chance of spotting sloths, book this guided tour

Metropolitan Natural Park

Another and slightly bigger nature adventure inside the city is the Metropolitan Natural Park. I took a Taxi to the entrance and the moment I was going to buy my tickets, the heavens opened up and it started pouring down. I waited for a while hoping it would stop, but no luck. So unfortunately I didn't actually visit, but my impression is that it’s definitely worth a trip.

They have multiple shorter or longer trails to choose from, some very easy and some moderate, but bring good shoes no matter which one you choose. You might also be able to spot different animals and birds while walking around the area. You can explore the area on your own, but for an increased chance of spotting animals you can do this guided tour.

Mercado de Mariscos

This local fish market, near Casco Viejo, is worth a stop, especially if you’re a fan of ceviche. You can watch locals do there shopping at this busy market, or just grab some lunch. It’s nothing fancy, but a fun activity if you’re in the area or have some extra time.

Do a rum tasting at Pedro Mandingo Rum Bar

Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar is known as Panama’s first artisanal rum distillery. The tasting experience includes a flight of their smooth, small-batch rums made from locally grown sugarcane, including their award-winning aged rum and a few inventive infusions.

If you’re not a big fan of rum, you can still head over for a drink and relax, because the spot is very charming and a nice place to end the evening.

Best Rooftop Bars in Panama City

Panama City is packed with amazing rooftop bars and we spent every evening exploring at least one new to find our favorites. Most of them have truly great views of the city as well as amazing drinks. If you only have a couple of nights in the city and want to make sure you get a good table for sunset, I advice you to reserve a table in advance.

Some of my favorites in no particular order are:

CasaCasco
Vista Corona Panama
Mazatlan Rooftop
Selina
The Old Town Lighthouse
Cielo Rooftop Bar
Lazotea Rooftop Bar
Sama Sky Lounge

Enjoying a drink at one of the many rooftop bars in Panama City

Make chocolate at Nome

One of the most delicious experiences in Panama City is joining a chocolate-making workshop at Nome Chocolate, a small bean-to-bar shop tucked away in Casco Viejo.

The experience takes you through every step of the process, from roasting and grinding the locally sourced cacao beans to molding your own chocolate bar.

Even if you don’t want to make your own chocolate, it’s worth a visit just to buy some fresh chocolate to taste.

Book your chocolate making class here

Shop at Albrook Mall

This might be a bit different, but if you’ve been traveling for a while like I had when I visited Panama City, a huge mall with everything you need is a great place to visit. I spent a day here and barely scratched the surface of this huge mall. It truly has everything and it’s surprisingly cheap.

However, if you’re only visiting for a couple of days I probably wouldn’t spend so much time here unless you love shopping. It’s the second largest mall in the Americas, but not really a sight in itself.

Visit Panama Viejo (Old-Original Panama City Ruins)

This is a UNESCO world heritage site that works to preserves the ruins of the original panama city. If you love archeology and history this is probably a very fun spot to visit, especially if you have plenty of time in Panama City

I chose to prioritize other things so I didn’t have time to visit it and therefore don’t have any personal experiences to share, but I’m still adding it here so you know about it.

It’s a short drive outside the city, but you can easily book a taxi and explore it on your own, or choose to book a guided tour like this one.

Best Day Trips from Panama City

If you have a couple of extra days and want to explore more of the area around Panama City, I highly recommend these day trips.

Visit an Emberá Village

I’m often a bit unsure about these kinds of trips where you go to visit a local tribe and village, but I gave it a chance and I’m very glad I did. Yes, it was catered to tourists and there were more people there than I would’ve loved, but the experience was still very interesting and I had a really great day meeting, talking to and learning from the various people from the Emberá tribe living just outside Panama City. After the visit you also get to hike to a nearby waterfall if you like, so bring your bathing suit and some sturdy shoes that can get wet. If you have the means I think booking a private tour would have made the experience even more memorable.

This is the exact tour I booked to Embera village

Visiting the Embera tribe outside Panama City

Head to the beach on Taboga or Pearl Island

If you're craving some beach time, then head to either Tobago or Pearl Island.

Tobago Island is the closest island to Panama City and if you want to venture a bit further out you can choose to visit Pearl island instead.

You can reach both islands with a ferry, so you can easily explore the area on your own if you feel like it. If you want a more easy and pre planned trip, you can choose to book the trip below and spend the day on a catamaran.

Book a Catamaran tour to Tobago Island

Hike in Valle de Anton

Another option for a daytrip is to head to Valle de Anton for some hiking. If you’re on a longer trip traveling through Panama, this might be a stop in itself for a couple of nights, but if you’re only visiting Panama City and love hiking, this is a great choice for a daytrip.

Book the best day trip to Anton Valley here

Visit the San Blas Island

This is probably the thing I’m most upset about missing out on during my whole 6 month trip through Central America. The weather was just too bad for us to be able to go there, but at least I have a good reason to come back to Panama as soon as possible.

I was hoping to go and stay there for a couple of nights, but I would have done a day trip as well if the weather permitted. You’ll see some of the most remote and pristine beaches and even though I didn’t make it I definitely think you should head there.

If you’re on a longer trip you can also choose to visit the San Blas Island as a stopover on a boat trip to Colombia.

This is the most popular daytrip to San Blas Island

Explore Monkey island

If you're looking for more wildlife then this tour might be just the one. We did this tour and saw so many monkeys and even sloths which I had not expected.

On the way you get to cruise along the Panama Canal so technically you’ve been on it if that matters to you. The highlight is the visit to monkey island where you’ll see so many monkeys, and later on you go for a walk in the forest. It started pouring down like crazy for our walk so that part wasn’t so enjoyable and we didn’t see any more animals, but it was still fun.

Book the exact same tour as I did

Monkey Island, Panama City

Best areas to stay in Panama City

I think most areas in Panama City have something special to offer, but I wouldn’t necessarily base myself in all of them. So it really depends on what kind of vibe you’re looking for and how long you’re staying. However, my personal favorite is Casco Viejo.

Best Hotels in Casco Viejo

The historic heart of Panama City is filled with charming cobbled streets, colonial-era architecture and a lively nightlife scene. It’s ideal if you want a mix of culture, restaurants and walking around in a visually enchanting part of the city. This is by far my favorite area.

Hotel Casa Panama ($100 per night)

This is a solid choice for travelers who don’t want to spend big but still want to soak up the historic architecture and central location of Casco Viejo.

American Trade Hotel ($260 per night)

This Hotel is housed in a landmark 1917 building in Casco Viejo, and blends heritage with style. It features a rooftop pool, jazz-bar/lounge atmosphere and boutique hotel feel. It hits the sweet spot for comfort, character and location without going ultra-luxury.

Sofitel Legend ($370 per night)

This is a top-tier choice and perfect if you want to splurge and stay in the most atmospheric part of the city.

Best Hotels in Punta Pacífica

JW Marriott Panama Hotel ($150 per night)

This hotel dominates the skyline in Punta Pacífica. It features stunning views and amenities you could expect from a much pricier hotel. It’s a great pick without breaking the bank.

Residence Inn by Marriott ($180 per night)

This Hotel is slightly more apartment / extended-stay-style, which can be great if you plan to stay a bit longer and want more space/flexibility.

Best Time to Visit Panama City

The ideal time to visit Panama City is during the dry season, roughly from late December through April. During this period you’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine, minimal rainfall and comfortable conditions for walking around the city’s historic districts.

If you travel outside that window like I did, you’ll face more rain and higher humidity. On the plus side you might find better hotel deals and fewer crowds. I wouldn’t recommend it though as there were a couple of things I wanted to do around Panama City that’s just wasn’t possible due to the heavy rain.

Best Places to Eat in Panama City

This is by no means a complete list, because there are so many great options to choose from and I of course didn’t have time to try them all. However, I did a substantial amount of research before my trip and tried as much as possible, so below are a couple of places I would go back to on my next visit.

Kaandela Restaurant
Calicanto Trattoria
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Café UNIDO
La Panaderia
Afrodisiaco Restaurant
Mercado de Mariscos
Maito
La Rana Dorado

Afrodisiaco Restaurant in Panama City

Final Thoughts: The Best Things to Do in and Around Panama City

Panama City offers an amazing blend of different worlds: colonial alleys and modern towers, tropical warmth and cosmopolitan energy, food markets and rooftop cocktails. Whether you’re there for a relaxing city stop or as part of a longer Central American journey I think Panama City deserves at least a couple of days.

I hope this guide was helpful and that you have an amazing time visiting Panama. If you have any questions about Panama City or travel in general, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

Top Things To Do In Panama City - The Ultimate Guide To Your City Adventure