Panama City, Panama: travel guide
The Panama Canal, Casco Viejo and the Amador Causeway on the Pacific coast
Panama's cosmopolitan capital on the Pacific, home to the Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks), the UNESCO old town of Casco Viejo, the Biomuseo and the Amador Causeway.
About Panama City
Panama City, also called simply Panama, is the Republic of Panama's largest city and its capital. It sits where the Panama Canal meets the Pacific, and serves as the country's centre for politics, administration, banking and commerce.
Pedro Arias Dávila, a Spanish conquistador, established the city in 1519. Expeditions to Peru set out from it, and it was a key stop on routes along which the Spanish moved gold and silver they had mined.
Henry Morgan and his raiders burned the first city in 1671. Its replacement was built in 1673 about 8 km away, on a peninsula. Ruins of the first settlement survive, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage and popular with tourists.
- Country
- Panama
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Panama
- Nearest airport
- PTY
Last updated
Top places to visit in Panama City
Biomuseo
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Frank Gehry-designed biodiversity museum on the Amador Causeway telling how the isthmus of Panama changed the planet.
Metropolitan Natural Park
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Tropical dry forest within the city where trails reveal sloths, toucans and titi monkeys and a hilltop city view.
Punta Culebra Nature Center
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Smithsonian-run coastal nature centre on Amador with touch pools, sloths and a small aquarium of two oceans.
Mercado de Mariscos (Fish Market)
Market · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Bustling seafood market beside Casco Viejo famous for cheap fresh ceviche served in plastic cups.
Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The most-visited Panama Canal viewpoint, with an observation deck and museum where ships are raised and lowered between ocean and lake.
Panama Viejo (Old Panama ruins)
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO ruins of the original 1519 city sacked by pirate Henry Morgan, with a landmark cathedral tower and museum.
Museo del Canal Interoceanico
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
History museum on the main plaza covering the French attempt, US construction and the canal's handover to Panama.
Catedral Metropolitana
Church · 4.8 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
The white twin-towered cathedral on Plaza de la Independencia, restored for its 500th anniversary.
Plaza de la Independencia
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The historic central square of Casco Viejo where Panama declared independence, ringed by the cathedral and museums.
Iglesia de San Jose (Golden Altar)
Church · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Home of the celebrated baroque Altar de Oro, said to have been saved from Morgan by painting it black.
Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill)
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The city's highest point, crowned by a giant Panamanian flag, with a walking road up through forest and panoramic views.
Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo (Arco Chato)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Ruined 17th-century convent famous for its flat arch, long cited in the decision to build the canal in Panama.
Things to do
- Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour · 5 h · from USD 185 per person
- Panama City & Canal City Tour Tour · 4 h · from USD 55 per person
- Embera Village Day Trip Cultural · 8 h · from USD 120 per person
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from USD 30 per person
- Gatun Lake & Monkey Island Boat Safari Adventure · 5 h · from USD 75 per person
- Panama Canal Railway Scenic Ride Tour · 3 h · from USD 50 per person
Day trips and tours
- Panama City Highlights & Canal 8 h · from USD 65
Where to stay in Panama City
- Casco Viejo about USD 150 per night
Atmospheric UNESCO old town with boutique hotels, rooftop bars and restaurants.
- Marbella / Bella Vista about USD 130 per night
Central business and dining district near the bay and Cinta Costera.
- El Cangrejo about USD 100 per night
Lively hotel and restaurant zone around Via Argentina, good value.
Hotels
- American Trade Hotel 5-star · USD 250 to USD 450 per night
- The Bristol Panama 5-star · USD 190 to USD 320 per night
- Magnolia Inn 3-star · USD 18 to USD 95 per night
- Central Hotel Panama 4-star · USD 110 to USD 200 per night
- Luna's Castle Hostel 2-star · USD 16 to USD 55 per night
- Hotel El Panama 4-star · USD 100 to USD 170 per night
Where to eat
- Fonda Lo Que Hay Panamanian · about USD 35 per person
- Tantalo Kitchen International, Tapas · about USD 30 per person
- Cafe Coca Cola Panamanian, Cafe · about USD 8 per person
- Maito Panamanian, Fine dining · about USD 65 per person
- El Trapiche Panamanian · about USD 20 per person
- Super Gourmet Deli Deli, Cafe · about USD 12 per person
Getting to Panama City
Airport: Panama City (PAC), Panama City (PTY)
How visitors arrive in Panama City
- Fly into Tocumen (PTY) By air from Tocumen International Airport · most visitors
Tocumen is the main hub; the page says most visitors arriving by air use it. Albrook/Gelabert handles domestic and some regional flights. Source: laestrella.com.pa
- International bus to Albrook terminal By road from Central America · possible
International buses such as Ticabus and Expreso Panama start and end at the Gran Terminal Nacional de Transporte (Albrook). Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cruise ship By ferry from Fuerte Amador · possible
The page says most visitors arriving by sea come on cruise ships, usually docking at Fuerte Amador. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Metro station near Tocumen terminal unconfirmed
Tocumen sits well northeast of the centre; the page notes a Metro station close to the terminal. Check current line status before relying on it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi from Tocumen airport
Taxis are the usual door-to-door option from Tocumen. They are unmetered and priced by zone, so ask for the official fare table first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Hail taxis from the kerb and ignore people offering to find you a cab. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Gran Terminal Nacional, Albrook
Main bus hub next to Albrook airport and Albrook Mall; all international coaches, including Ticabus and Expreso Panama, arrive here. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Hail taxis from the kerb and ignore people offering to find you a cab. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Metro
The Panama City metro runs on Line 1 and Line 2.
- Ride Hail
The Uber and inDrive ride-hailing apps both operate in Panama City, as an alternative to hailing a taxi in the street.
- Taxi
Taxis have no meters and fares are set by zone, so confirm the price before getting in; drivers should carry a fare table.
- Walking
Paying
- Metrobuses do not take cash; buy a fare card at a mall or Metro station first. Albrook turnstiles take only the RapiPass card. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Safety and scams to avoid
Unmetered taxi overcharging
Tocumen Airport & tourist areas
Taxis have no meters and quote inflated fares to tourists, especially from the airport and Casco Viejo.
How to avoid it: Agree the price before getting in, or use Uber/InDriver for a fixed fare.
Fake tour touts
Casco Viejo & Amador
Street touts sell canal or island tours that are overpriced or never materialise.
How to avoid it: Book through your hotel or an established operator and pay on arrival where possible.
Best time to visit Panama City
- Jan 32°C
- Feb 33°C
- Mar 33°C
- Apr 33°C
- May 32°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 31°C
- Oct 31°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 32°C
More in Panama
Frequently asked questions about Panama City
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Panama City?
- The highest-rated places in our Panama City guide are Catedral Metropolitana, Iglesia de San Jose (Golden Altar), Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal), Plaza de la Independencia, Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill).
- Where should I stay in Panama City?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Panama City: Casco Viejo, Marbella / Bella Vista, El Cangrejo.
- How do I get around Panama City?
- Ways to get around Panama City covered in our guide: Metro, Ride-hailing app, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Panama City?
- Scams reported to us for Panama City include Unmetered taxi overcharging; Fake tour touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Panama City?
- Average daytime highs in Panama City run from 31°C in Oct to 33°C in Apr.
- Which airport is nearest to Panama City?
- The nearest airport to Panama City has the code PTY.