Explore Panama City: A complete travel guide
Central AmericaPanama 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, Panama
From Boquete, you can travel to Panama City by bus. It's recommended to leave early, as the journey to Panama City takes at least six hours. The bus stop in Boquete is located in the park and can be found on Google Maps under the name "bus stop for David." Several buses depart from Boquete to David every hour.
From David, you can take a direct bus to Panama City. These buses depart approximately every hour, although departure times can vary in the afternoon from a quarter past to a quarter to the hour. Because bus schedules can vary, it's wise to always check the exact departure time at the bus station.
Bus tickets can be purchased on the bus; reservations are not necessary. Not all buses have air conditioning, so it can get quite warm during the journey. So keep this in mind when choosing your clothing. There is usually a short stop along the way so you can get something to eat or drink.
From Colombia
From Colombia, you can book a flight 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 City.
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.
The highlights of Panama 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
View on Google MapsWalk 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.
Stunning views over the city: the most beautiful rooftop bars
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.
View on Google Maps
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.
Stunning views and wildlife watching
One of the most famous nature spots in Panama City is Ancón Hill (Cerro Ancón). This green hill is located in a nature reserve near Mi Pueblito and offers panoramic views of the city and the Panama Canal. The hike to the top takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on your pace, and is manageable for most hikers. Admission to the park is free.
During the hike, you have a good chance of spotting animals. The area is home to sloths and various bird species, such as toucans. Despite being close to the city, it sometimes feels like you're in a piece of jungle.
The Parque Natural Metropolitano is also highly recommended. The park is about a 10- to 15-minute drive from the city center and is unique because it contains a large area of rainforest within the city limits. The park has several well-maintained hiking trails that you can explore in about 1 to 2 hours. Admission usually costs $5.
A variety of animals live in Metropolitano Park, including monkeys, sloths, and several bird species. If you explore the park early in the morning, you'll also have a chance to admire various reptile species. A morning visit is always recommended, as most other animals are more active then, and it's much cooler than in the afternoon.
Visiting paradise islands from Panama City
From Panama City, you can easily take a day trip or a multi-day trip to one of Panama's beautiful islands. For example, in the south of Casco Viejo, at the harbor on the Amador Causeway, boats depart for the green and charming island of Isla Taboga.
You can also easily arrange a multi-day visit from Panama City to the idyllic San Blas Islands, known for their white beaches and clear blue sea. In addition, Panama boasts another beautiful archipelago in the north: Bocas del Toro, beloved for its relaxed atmosphere and tropical beaches.
You can read more about these paradise islands 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.
View on Google Maps
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.
View on Google Maps
The Vegan Shack
For bowls, smoothies, and pancakes, you've come to the right place! This awesome restaurant is located in Casco Viejo.
View on Google MapsAvantika
In this restaurant, located in a side street, you can mainly order Thai dishes such as pad thai and various curries.
View on Google MapsIn 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.
