Panama City

Urban Coastal Beaches

Population: 2 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September–October

Famous For: Panama Canal, Casco Viejo historic district, San Blas Islands, Biodiversity and rainforests, Caribbean and Pacific beaches, Cosmopolitan dining and nightlife, Duty-free shopping, Pre-Columbian artifacts and museums

Train Access: Yes (Panama Metro)

Bus Access: Yes (Metrobús (rapid transit bus system) and various local bus routes operated by private companies)

Panama City's skyline of gleaming skyscrapers rises dramatically from the Pacific, anchored by the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. The Casco Viejo neighborhood preserves colonial architecture along narrow streets lined with restored plazas like Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Francia, where galleries, restaurants, and boutique hotels occupy 17th- and 18th-century buildings. The Amador Causeway connects four islands with a 5-kilometer paved path offering bay views, parks, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's museum. Modern Panama City extends through neighborhoods like Punta Pacifica and Cinta Costera, where the Biomuseo designed by Frank Gehry showcases Panama's biodiversity. The Metropolitan Natural Park (Parque Natural Metropolitano) sits within city limits, offering hiking trails through tropical forest with howler monkeys and sloths visible from the Camino de Cruces trail. Visitors navigate between colonial charm and contemporary development, with the Canal Zone's Gatun Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks providing insight into the canal's operation.

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