Ultimate Panama City Itinerary - 2, 3, 4 or 5 Days

Many people tend to skip Panama City over the more famous nature spots other places in Panama, but I think it’s worth spending at least a couple of days exploring this vibrant capital.

From wandering through the historic streets of Casco Viejo, watching ships pass through the Panama canal and hiking in the jungle, spotting wildlife, visiting a local tribe or relaxing on tropical islands, Panama City offers a surprisingly varied mix of experiences. So no matter how long you stay, there will be plenty of amazing things for you to do.

In this guide, I've put together a flexible Panama City itinerary covering 2, 3, 4 or 5 days, based on the places I'd recommend prioritising. You can follow it day by day or mix things around depending on your interests, the weather and how much time you have. I'll also share where to stay, which excursions to consider and a few practical tips to help you plan your visit.

How Many Days Do You Need in Panama City?

I'd recommend spending at least two full days in Panama City to see the main highlights, including Casco Viejo and the Panama Canal. However, if you have the time, I'd stay for three to five days.

I spent over a week here and still found plenty to enjoy, particularly when it came to exploring the different neighbourhoods and getting out into nature.

Here's a quick overview of how I'd plan your visit depending on how much time you have:

• 2 days in Panama City: Explore Casco Viejo, visit the Panama Canal and enjoy the city's rooftop bars and waterfront.
• 3 days in Panama City: Add a jungle hike and a visit to an Emberá community.
• 4 days in Panama City: Explore the Amador Causeway, visit the fish market and choose between Panama Viejo and other city activities.
• 5 days in Panama City: Take a day trip to an island, explore the rainforest around Gamboa or venture into the mountains around El Valle de Antón.

Looking for the perfect place to stay?

Browse the best hotels, guesthouses, and boutique stays here.

What Is the Best Area to Stay in Panama City?

I personally think that Casco Viejo is the best area to stay in Panama City for most first-time visitors. Its historic streets, restaurants, cafés, museums and rooftop bars make it the most atmospheric part of the city, and you can explore most of the neighbourhood on foot.

However, Casco Viejo isn't necessarily the best choice for everyone. El Cangrejo is a great alternative if you want affordable accommodation, local restaurants and access to the metro, while Bella Vista and Marbella are convenient for modern hotels, shopping and exploring the wider city. San Francisco is worth considering if you prefer a more residential neighbourhood with excellent restaurants and access to green spaces.

Below you’ll see my three favourite hotels that I recommend checking out first. This is my personal favourite, and I highly recommend staying there if you want a relaxing, but practical stay in a charming area of Panama City.

Hotel La Compañía Casco Antiguo

This is one of the most distinctive luxury hotels in Panama City, set in a historic complex with architectural elements from different periods. The property combines heritage buildings with elegant guest rooms, several dining options and beautifully designed courtyards.

Check prices and availability

Riu Plaza Panamá

This is a great choice for those who want a large, modern hotel with extensive facilities. The property offers contemporary rooms, restaurants, a swimming pool and fitness facilities, making it suitable for both short city breaks and longer visits.

Check prices and availability

JW Marriott Panama

This is a nice luxury property in Punta Pacifica, known for its tall waterfront tower and views across the Pacific. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites, multiple dining options, swimming facilities and other amenities suited to an upscale stay.

Check prices and availability

Map of the Best Hotels in Panama City

Below you'll find a map where I've pinned my favourite hotels in Panama City to make it easier for you to navigate when you're looking for where you want to base yourself.

Day 1: Explore Panama City's Old Town

Morning: Explore Casco Viejo Old Town

I'd start your Panama City itinerary in Casco Viejo, which quickly became one of my favourite parts of the city. This historic neighbourhood feels completely different from the modern skyline elsewhere in Panama City, with colourful colonial buildings, narrow streets, historic churches and charming plazas that are perfect for exploring without much of a plan.

Start by wandering around Plaza de la Independencia and the surrounding streets, where you'll find the Metropolitan Cathedral and plenty of historic architecture. Continue towards Plaza de Francia for waterfront views across the bay towards the city's modern skyline.

There are also plenty of restaurants, cafés and rooftop bars tucked between the old buildings here, so you can easily spend several hours without getting bored. If you'd like to understand more about the neighbourhood's history, consider joining a guided walking tour.

Evening: Join a class in Old Town and grab a drink at a rooftop bar

In the afternoon, you can choose between a cooking class, a chocolate-making workshop or simply taking your time explore the neighbourhood.

Right before sunset I recommend you head to one of Casco Viejo's many charming rooftop bars for an evening drink. You can find my favourite spots here.

Day 2: Visit the Panama Canal and Explore the Waterfront

Morning: Visit the Miraflores Locks

You can't really visit Panama City without learning a little bit about the Panama Canal.

The easiest way to see the canal from the city is to visit the Miraflores Locks. Here, you can watch large cargo ships pass through the locks as the water level changes to move them between sections of the canal. The visitor centre also has exhibitions explaining the canal's construction and how it operates if you want to learn even more about the engineering.

You can visit on your own, just make sure to check the schedule to see when the ships will pass so you don’t get there and miss it. Alternatively you can book a guided excursion and have it all figured out for you.

If you're interested in wildlife as well as engineering, I'd consider a tour that combines the canal with a boat trip on Gatun Lake, where you’ll look for monkeys, sloths and other animals in the surrounding rainforest.

Evening: Explore Cinta Costera

In the afternoon, you could head towards Cinta Costera and explore the city from the waterfront promenade. It’s a cozy area to just take a walk, or you can rent a bike and explore even further.

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

Day 3: Hike in the Jungle and Visit an Emberá Community

One of the things I find fascinating about Panama City is how quickly you can move from busy streets and skyscrapers into tropical forest. If you're interested in nature and wildlife, I'd dedicate your third day to exploring this side of the capital.

Morning: Hike to Ancon Hill

Start by choosing between Ancon Hill and Metropolitan Natural Park. Both offer opportunities to enjoy the greener side of Panama City, but they provide different experiences.

Ancon Hill is a good choice if you want a hike with views over Panama City. The trail takes you through the jungle, and from the top you can look out over the skyline and the canal area. I'd aim to go earlier in the day to avoid the hottest hours.

Metropolitan Natural Park is another option if you're more interested in wildlife. This protected area sits surprisingly close to the city and has several walking trails through the forest. You may spot birds, monkeys and other animals, even a sloth if you’re very lucky.

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

Travel with peace of mind and get travel insurance before your trip.

I personally use SafetyWing and highly recommend it for every kind of trip. Check their prices & plans here.

Evening: Visit a local tribe

Later in the day I recommend visiting an Emberá community on a guided excursion outside the city. I did this during my visit to Panama city and loved it. The trip offers an opportunity to learn more about Emberá culture, traditions and daily life, and it was all very interesting.

You can choose to do this in the morning or afternoon so switch up the itinerary if you’d rather start at the Emberá village and catch the sunset at Ancon Hill instead.

This is the exact tour I booked to Embera village

Day 4: Explore the Waterfront and Modern Panama City

After spending some time in the historic district and the rainforest, use your fourth day to explore another side of Panama City.

Morning: Explore the Amador Causeway

Start your morning with a walk along the Amador Causeway. It's a lovely place to walk or cycle, with views of the city skyline on one side and the water on the other. For lunch, consider heading to Mercado de Mariscos for some amazing ceviche.

Need mobile data when you land?

I always set up an eSIM before flying so I'm connected the moment I arrive. Compare the best plans from Airalo here.

Evening: Panama Viejo or shopping

In the afternoon you can choose whichever activity suits you best.

If you're interested in history, I recommend a visit to Panama Viejo, the archaeological remains of the original Panama City, founded in 1519. The ruins give a glimpse into the city's early history.

If you prefer shopping, Albrook Mall is a huge shopping centre with a wide range of shops and places to eat. It's not somewhere I'd prioritise on a short first visit, but it can be useful if you need to shop or want a break from sightseeing.

Alternatively, head back to Casco Viejo for a more relaxed afternoon. You could try a rum tasting or revisit one of the cafés and rooftop bars you enjoyed earlier in the trip.

Sign up for my newsletter

Every now and again I'll send you my latest travel updates and guides.

Subscribe

Day 5: Take a Day Trip from Panama City

If you have five days in Panama City, I'd use your final day to explore beyond the capital city, and if more of these options look good to you, just change out the other days and add on more day trips instead.

There are several options, depending on whether you'd rather spend time on a beach, look for wildlife or escape into the mountains.

Option 1: Visit Taboga Island

Located in the Gulf of Panama this island offers beaches, a small village and a more relaxed atmosphere than the capital.

You can take a ferry and explore independently or book a catamaran with lunch and open bar.

Option 2: Explore Gamboa and Gatun Lake

If you want to spot some wild-life I would head to Gatun lake and look for sloths and monkeys. We had an amazing trip here and saw so many monkeys, sloths and crocodiles.

I recommend this guided boat tour that takes you through the Panama Canal, to monkey island and has a nice walk at the end.

Option 3: Take a day trip to San Blas

The San Blas Islands are famous for their white-sand beaches, turquoise water and secluded islands. I dreamt of coming here, but the weather didn’t permit so unfortunately I never made it.

If you have some extra time in Panama it can be worth looking into staying here for a night or two, but if you don’t have the time join a day tour instead.

Option 4: Go hiking in El Valle de Antón

If beaches aren't your thing, El Valle de Antón is another option. This mountain town sits in the crater of an extinct volcano and is known for its cooler climate, green scenery, hiking trails and waterfalls.

This is another spot you could easily add as an overnight stop on a longer Panama itinerary, but if you don’t have the time you can choose to book a day tour and do some hiking.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Panama City?

Panama has a tropical climate, with a dry season running from December to April and a wetter season for much of the rest of the year. The dry season is the most convenient time to visit for outdoor sightseeing, hiking and island excursions. However, it’s a tropical area, so even hough you visit during the dry periods, showers of rain can still occur.

If you're visiting during the wetter months like I did, plan outdoor activities earlier in the day where possible and leave some flexibility in your itinerary. Rain can affect hiking conditions and boat excursions, so it's worth having an alternative activity in mind. I wasn’t able to do all the things I wanted due to the weather, so if you visit during the rainy period have some extra flexibility.

Final Thoughts: Is Panama City Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Panama City surprised me in the best way, and I'm glad I gave it more time than I originally expected to. I loved the contrast between the historic streets of Casco Viejo, the modern skyline, the Panama Canal and the tropical nature just outside the city.

If you're short on time, two full days are enough to cover the main highlights. With three or four days, you can explore more of the city's different sides without rushing, and five days gives you the opportunity to add a day trip.

I'd particularly recommend Panama City if you enjoy combining city sightseeing with nature, good food and a few experiences that are a little different from the usual capital-city itinerary. It also makes a useful starting point for exploring the rest of Panama.

Plan Your Trip to Panama City

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan your itinerary in Panama City. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Booking.com

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Hotels.com

Compare flight prices on Skyscanner.com

Book buses, trains and ferries with 12Go

Brows the best tours on Viator here

Brows the best tours on Get Your Guide here

Compare eSIM plans with Airalo here

Get travel insurance from SafetyWing here

Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

Thank you for supporting Travels with Ingrid!

If you have any questions about travel in Panama, 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

Find more articles about Panama here...

Panama

Is Panama City Worth Visiting?

Panama

Where to Stay in Panama City - 6 Best Areas & Hotels

Panama

18 Top Things To Do In Panama City