Panama City is the capital and largest city of Panama, situated at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. The city is known for its modern skyline, historical landmarks, vibrant nightlife, and cultural diversity. People from all over the world visit Panama City to explore its rich history, indulge in delicious Panamanian cuisine, experience the bustling atmosphere of the city, and soak up the tropical sunshine on nearby beaches.
Meet Cat and Miguel – Local Panama City Experts
In 2009, we met Cat, an American from California, when we all joined the Peace Corps. Her husband, Miguel, comes from the Bocas del Toro region of Panama and runs a small tour company called Panama Road Trips as its owner and guide. They have been residing in Panama City for more than 11 years. They enjoy the city’s intimate atmosphere despite its population of over a million people. The places that people work and spend their leisure time in Panama City are few, so they frequently run into people they know.
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Top Attractions in Panama City
Here are the top attractions in and around Panama City that were listed in multiple blogs from various websites. Cat and Miguel give their recommendations and tips for each.
Explore the Casco Viejo
In the last decade Casco Viejo has been restored a lot and is full of restaurants, bars, shops, and lots of other things to do. This area of the city is one of the best places to explore! Spend the day enjoying its city vibes.
Highlights:
- Many streets to walk around and explore
- Check out the community garden
- There’s a small park near the waterfront that is nice for small children
Go to the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks
If you are interested in the Panama Canal and its history, you will like this. If you don’t care as much, it’s okay to skip. Panama is so much more than the Canal!
Highlights:
- View the ships passing through. Ships don’t pass through between 12pm and 3pm, so visit right away at 9am when the visitor center opens or around 3pm.
- There’s an IMAX film that you can watch that describes the history. It is fairly well done.
- Ships only pass through at certain times which makes viewing them tricky. It gets crowded in the viewing area.
- The very large ships that pass through in the new section of the canal are hidden behind a section of trees. You can still see the tops of them. However, you can’t really see the Canal’s locks work their magic.
Soberania National Park
Highly recommend a visit to Soberania National Park! This is a great place to hire a guide for either birding or a nature walk.
Highlights:
- Contact Miguel’s company, Panama Road Trips, to arrange a tour. You can also WhatsApp him at Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
Highlights:
- Fun place to visit for the morning with a canopy tower you can climb in Gamboa.
- Good for birding and nature observation
- You can easily walk through the park as the trails are well-marked. If you prefer, you can also request a guided tour through the reserve, [email protected].
Go to the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway in Panama City
Photo Credit: Benjamin Gremler – Unsplash Highlights:
- Great place to go as a family
- Worth a visit to learn about the migration of species over the isthmus and learn about Panama’s natural history
- Bonus: It’s a unique architectural building by Frank Gehry
Panama Viejo
Panama Viejo is the original Panama City that was attacked and destroyed by pirates. This historic site showcases the ruins of churches and a cathedral. It offers a glimpse into the city’s colonial past.
Highlights:
- The site is only open Tuesday – Sunday from 8:30am – 5:30pm. The ticket office closes at 4:30pm.
- In addition to the archaeological site, there is also an interesting history museum.
- Since there aren’t many ruins, it can feel a little disappointing.
Panama City Day Trip to Nearby Islands
San Blas – stock photo from Canva San Blas Islands
Highlights:
- San Blas day trips are fun and the islands are stunning.
- They can be exhausting with lots of island hopping and not much time spent lounging.
Go to San Blas! BUT stay for a few days to fully enjoy the islands.
Pearl Islands
Highlights:
- The Pearl Islands are gorgeous. You should definitely consider visiting but stay a few nights on the islands to make the most of it!
- The ferry takes a little time to get out there, so it would feel rushed as a day trip.
Taboga Island
Highlights:
- This is a great island to visit and can be done as a day trip!
- Sailing Club Panama can you get set up for different water sports.
- There are plenty of vacation rentals there too. Spend a night to enjoy it a even more!
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Family-Friendly Panama City Activities
All of these family- friendly Panama City activities are recommended by Cat and Miguel.
Panamá Para Niños
This isn’t an activity, but a great resource on Facebook and Instagram to find activities to do with your children in Panama City. They also have a website where you can find out more – Panamá Para Niños.
Take a tour to Monkey Island in Lake Gatun
Monkey Island – Stock photo from Canva The Monkey Island tour on Lake Gatun in Panama City takes visitors on a boat ride to an island inhabited by several species of monkeys. There are howlers, capuchins, and spider monkeys there. Visitors can observe and interact with the monkeys while learning about their habitat and behavior from knowledgeable guides.
Ziplining in Gamboa
Ziplining in Gamboa offers a thrilling and adrenaline-filled experience as visitors fly through the air high above the rainforest canopy taking in the stunning views. Kids must be at least 5 years old.
Go to a VIP movie theater
- VIP Cinema at Multiplaza Pacific Mall offers movies in English with Spanish subtitles and has comfortable seating, food and beverage service, and other amenities.
- The VIP Theater at Metromall offers English speaking movies with Spanish subtitles and also has luxury amenities such as reclining seats and in-theater dining.
Go for a Walk or Bike Ride in Panama City
Cinta Costera, Amador Causeway, and Cerro Ancon are all great places to walk.
View from Cerro Ancon looking out towards Cinta Costera and Casco Viejo Highlights:
- Amador Causeway and Cinta Costera are also popular for biking with both locals and tourists.
- Go in the morning or evening to avoid the mid-day heat!
- The Causeway and Cinta Costera have enjoyable parks for children.
- Cerro Ancon has magnificent views of the Canal and the city at the top. See the above picture!
- There’s a possibility of seeing toucans, monkeys and ñeques on the trail up Cerro Ancon, which is always exciting.
Let the Kids Run and Play at a Local Park
- Kiwanis Park in Ciudad del Saber (Near the Canal)
- Parque Omar Torrijos (close to Downtown and has an enjoyable playground)
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Additional Panama City Recommendations
A couple of more unique recommendations by Cat and Miguel.
Enjoy an Event
Panama isn’t known for its festivals and events but they are worth going if you are around. Some popular, large ones are the Jazz Festival, Microbrew Fest, and ComiCon. Also see if any small ferias are happening in your area.
Escape the City and Step into Nature
Stock Photo from Canva – Chame, Panama Chame
Chame is located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Panama City. The town is situated along the Pacific coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Playa Chame and Playa Malibu. It’s also a popular destination for surfing, fishing, and other water sports.
El Valle de Anton
El Valle de Anton is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Panama City. The town is located in the crater of an extinct volcano and is known for its natural beauty, cooler climate, and ecological diversity. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as an invigorating hike, birdwatching, and relaxing in the hot springs.
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Panama City Restaurant Recommendations
Below are Cat and Miguel’s suggestions to fill your belly in Panama City!
Avenida Balboa Incredible Sunset and Remarkable View
Delicious Local Cuisine
- Fonda Lo Que Hay – Casco Viejo (modern take on Panamanian traditional dishes)
- La Tapa del Coco – San Francisco (modern take on Afro-Panamanian food)
- Cafe Coca-Cola – Santa Ana (REAL authentic Panamanian food)
Top Breakfast Joints
- Mahalo – Casco Viejo
- The Dining Room at the American Trade Hotel – Casco Viejo
- Pan y Canela – Clayton
Best Lunch
- Fonda Donde Francis – Rio Abajo (please note that this isn’t the safest neighborhood, but a small group for lunch should be fine.)
- Nomada Eatery – Casco Viejo
Notable Dinner
- Los Cayucos or Pencas – Amador Causeway
- Esa Flaca Rica – San Francisco
- La Rana Dorada – Casco Viejo
Good Cheap Food
- Mercado de Mariscos
- Sabores del Chorrillo
- Rincon Afroantillano de Rio Abajo
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Panama City Hotel Recommendations
- Luxurious – Westin at Playa Bonita
- Fun and in the Middle of Everything – Hard Rock Hotel & Hotel Sortis
- Old Colonial-Style – Hotel La Compania
- Something Unique – Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
- Airbnbs are also affordable and available in Panama
Stock Photo from Canva 
Map of Recommendations