Explore Panama City: A complete travel guide

Panama City is the capital of Panama and is often simply called "Panama." The city consists of both an old and a new part, creating an interesting mix of modern and historic buildings. Located in the center of the country, the city borders both Costa Rica and Colombia. This blog post provides tips and attractions for visiting this charming city.

How to get there?

From Boquete, you can travel to Panama City by bus. The bus stop is located in Boquete Park and can be found on Maps under "bus stop for David." Three buses depart for David every hour, but it's recommended to leave early. The journey to Panama City takes at least six hours. From David, you can take a direct bus to Panama City. You can buy bus tickets on the spot. Buses depart for Panama City approximately every hour on the hour, but in the afternoon, departure times vary from a quarter past to a quarter to the hour. Bus schedules can vary, so it's always a good idea to check the exact departure time at the station. Not all buses have air conditioning, so it can be hot during the journey. There's usually a stop along the way for you to grab a bite.

From Colombia, you can book flights to Panama City, departing from Medellín. It's also possible to travel to Panama City via the San Blas Islands. Several companies offer this unforgettable water journey, taking you past beautiful islands in about five days, depending on the operator, to Panama as your final destination.

Where to stay?

Panama City is actually divided into two parts. There's the "old" part of town, Casco Viejo, where you'll find a mix of dilapidated and new colonial buildings. The "new" part has many modern, often tall, buildings and is slightly more expansive than the old part. If you're staying in Panama City for several days, it's recommended to book accommodations in both parts so you can explore everything the city has to offer.

If you only have a few days, I'd recommend staying in Casco Viejo. However, for safety reasons, choose accommodations within the city center. From the old part, you have a beautiful view of the illuminated new part of town, especially at night. Casco Viejo also has many charming restaurants and bars. We visited both parts during our trip, but even during our stay in the "new" part, we spent a lot of time in Casco Viejo. The metro, taxis, or Uber make it easy to travel between the different parts of the city.

Things to do in Panama

Strolling along the historic buildings in Casco Viejo

In historic Casco Viejo, there are several highlights to discover, including the ruins of the Convento de Santo Domingo, where you can admire the remains of a convent. Then, walk towards the southern edge of the district, where you'll find all sorts of fun souvenir stalls. Along the way, you'll encounter beautiful street art and see the mix of colonial and dilapidated buildings that make Casco Viejo so unique.

Learn all about the Panama Canal

When you mention Panama, many people immediately think of the Panama Canal. You can, of course, visit the canal itself, but if you're traveling to Panama from the west by bus, you can also spot it along the way. If you don't want to visit the canal itself, but are interested in its construction, then the Panama Canal Museum is highly recommended. Here you'll learn all about not only the canal's history but also the broader history of Panama. Moreover, the museum is a great place to visit on hot days, as the air conditioning is wonderfully refreshing.

Panama Canal Museum

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Walk from the old to the new part of the city

You can walk from the new part of town to Casco Viejo via Cinta Costera, a bicycle and walking path along the coast lined with palm trees. From the edge of town, you have a clear view of the imposing, tall buildings. Many people are often jogging or rollerblading on this boulevard. Along the way, you'll pass Mirador del Pacífico, a square with a popular photo spot where you can have your picture taken by the colorful "Panama" letters. Continuing on, you'll have a view of the fishing harbor before reaching Casco Viejo.

Beautiful view over the city

Casco Viejo is also known for its rooftop bars, which offer stunning views of both the old and new city. A visit to one of these bars is a must during your trip to Panama. You can visit these rooftop bars both during the day and in the evening, but in the evening, especially at sunset or after, is highly recommended, as you can enjoy a beautiful view of the illuminated city skyline. Several hotels in the new part of town also offer fantastic views.

My tips for great rooftop bars:

Lazotea Restaurant & Rooftop Bar

While the drinks can be a bit pricey, the view from this rooftop bar is stunning! Visit just before sunset for a beautiful view of the new city.

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Tacos La Neta

On top of the well-known Selina hotel, you'll find this charming rooftop restaurant with delicious tacos. In the evenings, there's often a DJ playing music, and the view is amazing.

View on Google Maps

Visiting the real old Panama

Although I mentioned earlier that Casco Viejo is the old part of the city, there's an even older part on the outskirts of Panama City: Panamá Viejo. In these ruins, with its accompanying museum, you can learn about, among other things, the relocation of the city's sections after the pirate invasion. You can also climb the famous Belltower, which rewards you with a magnificent view of Panama City and the remaining ruins of Panamá Viejo.

Climb Ancon Hill

A well-known attraction in Panama is Ancon Hill. Located in a nature reserve, this hill offers panoramic views of the city and the Panama Canal. The hike takes about an hour, and you might even spot monkeys and sloths along the way. Although it's a popular destination, the park offers tranquility, as it's located outside the bustling city center.

Visiting paradise islands

From Panama City, you can also take a day trip or multi-day trip to one of Panama's beautiful islands. For example, visit the idyllic islands of San Blas. You can read more about this in my blog post about the enchanting islands of Panama.

Eating and drinking in Panama City

Looking for great places to eat or drink? Below you'll find some tips for great restaurants and bars in both the old and new city.

Mahalo Cocina y Jardin

This restaurant boasts a beautiful courtyard garden, but the atmosphere inside is also realy nice. The menu includes falafel bowls and curries. You can also order a smash burger or avocado toast.

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Casa Bruja Brewing Co

This brewery has tables both indoors and outdoors where you can order delicious beers and snacks like tacos, burgers, and fries. Live music is also featured occasionally.

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The Vegan Shack

For bowls, smoothies, and pancakes, you've come to the right place! This awesome restaurant is located in Casco Viejo.

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Avantika

In this restaurant, located in a side street, you can mainly order Thai dishes such as pad thai and various curries.

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In Panama City, you'll find both rich history and vibrancy as well as tropical nature, a surprising city to visit!

Useful information

• Official language: Spanish

• Currency: US dollar

• Area: 86.6 km²

• Best time to travel: Panama's dry season is between November and April, making this the best time to travel.