Panama City

Urban Coastal Beaches Riverfront

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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Planning Your Trip to Panama City

Weather: Panama City has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and a rainy season from May to November with a drier season from December to April.

Festivals: Carnaval (February–March), Festival del Cristo Negro de Portobelo (October 21), Feria de las Flores y las Frutas (January)

Best Things for Kids to Do: The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's museum on Naos Island features interactive exhibits on rainforest ecology and a 3D theater experience. The Panama Canal Locks visitor center at Gatun Locks allows children to watch massive ships transit through the canal from observation platforms. Parque Natural Metropolitano offers guided family hikes where children spot sloths, howler monkeys, and tropical birds on the Camino de Cruces trail. The Amador Causeway's paved path includes parks with playgrounds, and the nearby Punta Culebra Nature Center has tide pools and marine exhibits. Biomuseo features colorful galleries designed to engage younger visitors with Panama's biodiversity through interactive displays.

Hidden Gem: The Museo Afroantillano de Panamá in Casco Viejo documents the Caribbean and African diaspora communities that built the canal and shaped the city's culture through photographs, artifacts, and oral histories. Located in a modest colonial building on Avenida Central, it receives far fewer visitors than the Biomuseo or Canal museums, yet provides essential context for understanding Panama City's demographic and social fabric.

Accessibility: Casco Viejo's narrow colonial streets and uneven cobblestones present significant wheelchair challenges, though some restored buildings and plazas have ramps. The Amador Causeway's paved 5-kilometer path is fully accessible for wheelchairs and mobility devices. Metro de Panamá's modern stations include elevators and accessible platforms, though older buses lack lifts. The Biomuseo and Smithsonian museum have accessible entrances and elevators, though some outdoor trails in Parque Natural Metropolitano lack paved accessibility.

For the Runner: The Amador Causeway offers a flat, paved 5-kilometer loop connecting the four islands with bay views and minimal traffic. Parque Natural Metropolitano's Camino de Cruces trail runs approximately 2.5 kilometers through rainforest with moderate elevation gain and uneven terrain. Cinta Costera's waterfront promenade provides a 3-kilometer paved running path along the bay with city skyline views, though it can be crowded during peak hours.

Restaurants in Panama City

Panama City offers a diverse dining scene with excellent international cuisine, particularly strong in seafood and Latin American fare. The city features everything from casual street food and local eateries to upscale fine dining establishments, with a growing number of trendy restaurants in neighborhoods like Casco Viejo. The restaurant scene reflects the city's cosmopolitan nature and multicultural population.

Where to Stay

Panama City accommodations range from budget hostels in Casco Viejo to luxury high-rises in Punta Pacifica and the financial district. Mid-range hotels cluster in El Cangrejo and along Cinta Costera, while boutique properties occupy restored colonial buildings in Casco Viejo. The Amador Causeway area hosts resort-style properties with bay access.

Best Hotels: The American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo occupies a restored 1927 building with a rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the bay, blending colonial arc

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Aloft Panama, Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino, The Westin Playa Bonita Panama

Panama City

Planning Your Trip to Panama City

Restaurants in Panama City

Where to Stay

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