Panama City is one of Latin America’s most dynamic capitals, a place where a glittering skyline of glass towers rises just minutes from colonial cobblestones and dense tropical rainforest. As the meeting point of the Americas and the gateway to the famous Panama Canal, the city rewards visitors with world-class sightseeing, superb food and easy access to both Pacific beaches and jungle. This guide covers the top things to do, plus practical tips on getting around, when to visit and where to stay.
How to Get There
Most international visitors arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), a major regional hub about 25 kilometers east of downtown. A taxi or rideshare into the city typically takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Official airport taxis charge a set zone-based fare, and rideshare apps operate widely; agree on the price or use the app before you set off. Panama City is also easily reached by domestic flights from Bocas del Toro and David, and by long-distance bus from across the country arriving at the Albrook terminal.
Best Time to Visit
Panama has two seasons. The dry season (roughly mid-December to April) brings sunshine and lower humidity, and is the most popular time to visit. The green or rainy season (May to November) sees warm mornings and short, heavy afternoon downpours; it is quieter, greener and often cheaper, and rarely rains all day. The city sits close to sea level and stays hot and humid year round, so light clothing, sun protection and an umbrella are useful whenever you come.
Top Things to Do
See the Panama Canal
No visit is complete without watching a ship transit the Panama Canal. The Miraflores Visitor Center is closest to the city and has viewing terraces, a museum and a film; the newer Agua Clara and Cocolí locks show the larger expansion vessels. Arrive mid-morning or late afternoon for the best chance of seeing a large ship pass through.
Wander Casco Viejo
The restored old town, Casco Viejo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of plazas, churches, boutique hotels and rooftop bars. It is perfect for an afternoon stroll and stays lively into the evening. See our dedicated Casco Viejo guide for a deeper dive.
Stroll the Cinta Costera and Amador Causeway
The Cinta Costera is a waterfront park and promenade with skyline views, ideal for a walk or bike ride. The Amador Causeway, built from canal excavation rock, connects several small islands and offers restaurants, a marina and the striking Biomuseo, a biodiversity museum designed by Frank Gehry.
Explore Rainforest Within the City
Metropolitan Natural Park is a genuine tropical forest inside the city limits, with trails where you can spot sloths, toucans and monkeys. For more wildlife, the nearby Soberanía National Park and the famous Pipeline Road are among the best birdwatching spots in the Americas.
Visit Panamá Viejo
The ruins of Panamá Viejo, the original 16th-century city sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671, sit on the eastern edge of town with a museum and a climbable cathedral tower that surveys the modern skyline beyond.
Shop, Relax and Go Out
Panama City is a major shopping hub, with large malls such as Multiplaza and Albrook Mall (one of the largest in the region) offering air-conditioned relief and international brands. For a taste of local life, browse the Mercado de Artesanías for molas and handicrafts. After dark, the city’s nightlife spans Casco Viejo’s rooftop lounges, the bars and clubs of Uruguay Street and the casinos attached to major hotels.
Take a Day Trip
Using the city as a base, you can reach an Emberá indigenous village along the Chagres River, the rainforest and aerial tram at Gamboa, the Pacific beaches around Coronado and even the mountain town of El Valle de Antón, all within roughly one to two hours.
Where to Stay
Panama City suits every budget and style:
- Casco Viejo for boutique charm, walkable streets and nightlife, ideal for first-time visitors who want atmosphere.
- Marbella and Bella Vista (the modern banking district) for high-rise hotels, restaurants and easy transport.
- Amador Causeway for waterfront views and a resort feel slightly removed from downtown.
- El Cangrejo for a lively, walkable neighborhood packed with restaurants and mid-range hotels.
Rates span budget hostels to luxury towers; booking ahead pays off during the dry-season high period and around Carnival.
Food and Drink
Panama City is a genuine culinary destination. Try traditional dishes such as sancocho (a hearty chicken soup), ropa vieja, fried patacones (green plantains) and fresh ceviche from the seafood market at the Mercado de Mariscos. The city also has an ambitious fine-dining scene, plus rooftop cocktail bars in Casco Viejo and international cuisine in El Cangrejo. Tap water is generally safe to drink in the city.
Practical Tips
- Currency: Panama uses the US dollar (locally also called the balboa). Carry small bills for taxis and markets.
- Getting around: The metro is clean, cheap and useful along its lines; rideshare apps are convenient and affordable for everything else. Traffic is heavy at rush hour.
- Language: Spanish is the main language; English is common in tourism and business areas.
- Safety: Stick to well-traveled neighborhoods, use rideshare at night, and keep valuables discreet as in any big city.
- Day trips: Beaches of the Pacific coast, the rainforest of Gamboa and even the Emberá indigenous villages along the Chagres River are all within an easy day’s reach.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to explore more of the country? See our sibling guides to the Casco Viejo old town and visiting the Panama Canal.
Plan your trip with local tour operators, hotels and restaurants in the Panama Digital Directory.