A beginner’s guide to Panama City

Boasting its own brand of tropical chic, Panama‘s cosmopolitan capital dazzles with glitzy skyscrapers, old-world charm, and a wildlife-packed rainforest within the city limits. This unique city sits at a busy junction between continents and has a long history of immigration, trade and commerce. Founded in the 1500s by the Spanish, it began life as a strategic port city positioned between the Americas. Then later, after the Panama Canal was completed in 1914, the city really boomed. Today, that legacy of wealth, dynamism and commerce lives on, and it’s an exciting destination to explore. Here, we uncover some of the best things to do in Panama City, for a tailor-made trip to Central America you’ll not soon forget.

Tick off iconic landmarks and historical sites

Casco Viejo: Panama City’s UNESCO-Listed Old Quarter

Colorful and charismatic, Casco Viejo is the heart and soul of Panama City. Also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe, the old town occupies a small nib of the city and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Panama Bay. Cooled by sea breezes and with tumbles of bougainvillea cascading across mellow, sun-bleached walls, its streets were made for strolling. Murals bring splashes of color, and paper garlands are strung across narrow, cobblestone streets. There’s a feast of cafes, rooftop bars, historical buildings, and museums to stumble upon. Exploring here is a real treat for the senses and one of the most popular activities in Panama City.

Panama Viejo: ruins of the original colonial city

Along the coast heading northeast, Panama Viejo is the original Old Town, now a tranquil tumble of ruins set in parkland. Founded by the Spanish in the 1500s, the city grew rich on Peruvian gold and silver. It was plundered in the late 1600s by privateer Captain Henry Morgan before being relocated down the coast. Many of the city’s buildings were destroyed, and the rest have fallen into disrepair. It’s still well worth a visit to see the remnants of the cathedral and walk through the surrounding parkland, with the bristle of downtown skyscrapers glinting in the sunlight beyond.

Ancon Hill: best panoramic views in the city

Just inland, Ancon Hill is the natural high point of Panama City and delivers the best panoramic views of the cityscape and coast. Its forested slopes, along with the surrounding area, are now a natural reserve, harboring wildlife such as toucans and sloths within the city limits. Visitors can walk a wide, shady path that spirals its way to the summit. This is one of the best places to visit in Panama City for glorious, far-reaching views.

Read more: Between continents and cultures: a Panama travel guide

The Panama Canal experience, one of the ultimate things to do in Panama City

Building the Panama Canal was a monumental feat of engineering. Opened in 1914, this 82km man-made body of water links the Caribbean and Pacific oceans and opened the way for major maritime trade. Sadly, this epic achievement came at great human cost, with many workers losing their lives during its construction. Exploring its legacy and witnessing its impressive scale are among the top things to do in Panama City.

Miraflores Locks Visitor Center: watch ships transit live

The best way to learn about the Panama Canal and to see it in action is at the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Panama City. A short drive from the city by bus or taxi, this modern, four-story center explains all with slick interpretation. Canalside viewing decks offer birds-eye views of boats transiting through the locks, which is curiously addictive to observe. The best times to pick your perch on the balconies are late morning and late afternoon, when there are generally more vessels passing through.

Panama Canal Museum

For an insight into the canal without leaving the city, there’s another museum in town. Housed in a handsome historic building in Casco Viejo, the Interoceanic Canal Museum offers a good introduction to this titanic feat of engineering. Exhibits chart the history of the iconic canal from its beginnings in 1880 to the present day.

Read more: Our guide to exploring the Panama Canal

Dive into nature and outdoor activities

Metropolitan Nature Park: urban jungle hiking

The forested stretches of the Metropolitan Nature Park form the expansive lungs of Panama City. Covering a substantial 230 acres, there are several hiking trails to follow, ranging from half-hour ambles to more challenging two-hour hikes. The best time to visit is early morning, when the air is cooler and the wildlife is more active. Look out for all manner of mammals and a plethora of birdlife. You could spot monkeys, sloths, anteaters, and iguanas amongst the branches.

Cinta Costera: Panama City’s waterfront promenade

Stretching for 7km in a loop around Panama Bay, Cinta Costera is where the city comes to let off some steam. Bike lanes cruise along the coast, and there are sports parks and gardens at intervals along the palm-fringed route. Peaceful stretches give way to busier pockets with al fresco cafes and seafood restaurants. At the far point of the pedestrian route, viewing platforms offer fantastic vistas back across the water to Panama City Old Town.

Biomuseo: Frank Gehry’s tribute to Panama’s biodiversity

Designed by Frank Gehry (who also created the flowing silver curves of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao), the Biomuseo is striking to say the least. Brightly colored, sail-like shapes layer over one another, giving the impression of a beautiful tropical bird in motion. Inside, the museum celebrates Panama’s biodiversity and how its emergence as a land bridge influenced wildlife right across the planet.

Amador Causeway: walk, bike, or kayak the Pacific shoreline

Just beyond the Biomuseo, the Amador Causeway is one of the most popular Panama City attractions. This man-made causeway was built using the spoils of the Panama Canal and links a string of islands, creating a relaxing green space for biking, walking, shopping and dining. There are boat trips to book and kayaks to rent for exploring the bay. With views across the city skyline and a cooling sea breeze, it’s a great place to while away an afternoon.

Read more: Panama’s rainy season: what to know before you go

Get to know the local food, drink, and markets

Mercado de Mariscos: fresh ceviche at the seafood market

Between Casco Viejo and the southern end of the Cinta Costera, the Mercado de Mariscos is a much-loved hub of the city. The market opens to the public at 5am when the local fishermen haul in their catch. Red snapper is a favorite, standing out bright pink against the crushed ice of the displays; they sit next to piles of glistening, fresh shrimp, giant lobster, octopus, mussels, and sea bass. A lively, no-frills restaurant area awaits on the upper floor, where ultra-fresh seafood is served alongside cold beer and Latin beats. The zingy ceviche is a dish not to be missed.

Geisha coffee and where to try it

Gesha or geisha coffee is one of the rarest coffee beans in the world. Originally from Ethiopia and notoriously difficult to cultivate, the gesha bean thrives at high altitudes and in the rich, volcanic soils of certain regions of Panama. It’s a delicate brew with floral notes and the subtle sweetness of honey and chocolate. Savor a cup in salubrious surroundings at Café Unido or in the hip roastery and coffee shop, Mentiritas Blancas. If you’d like to take a bag home with you, expect to pay upwards of $50 per 100g, depending on the estate.

Rooftop bars and sunset spots in Casco Viejo and beyond

The nightlife scene in Panama City is electric and runs late, kicking off with cocktails and sunset views. The clubs and bars are busiest around 1-2am with the revelry eventually winding down by 4-5am. One of the top things to do in Panama City, Panama, is to bar-hop the Casco Viejo rooftop bars, sipping on tropical cocktails and gazing at sunset views across the bay. You can also flip the view by heading into the new city for more elevated rooftop views of the bay.

Read more: Tips for planning a trip to Panama for the first time

Take a day trip from Panama City

Gamboa Rainforest: wildlife watching on the Canal Corridor

If you’re wondering where else to visit on a trip to Panama, just beyond the city, Gamboa Rainforest is less than an hour’s drive from the capital. Here you can immerse yourself in the forest with jungle boat trips and a canopy gondola ride through the treetops.

San Blas Islands: Guna Yala territory and Caribbean waters

Further afield, but still doable as a day trip (prepare for a very early morning pick-up), the San Blas Islands are an archipelago of castaway Caribbean islands with powder-soft sand and turquoise waters. These islands are Guna Yala territory and have a distinct indigenous culture to discover. To give yourself a little more breathing space, consider staying a night or two in one of the rustic beach cabins before heading back to embrace the glitz of Panama City.

Make it happen

Our local experts in Panama are equipped with all the knowledge of great things to do in Panama City, and will help build and fine-tune your itinerary to suit your needs and budget. Reach out to them today to get the ball rolling.