Panama

Panama City

I had the opportunity to explore the best of Panama from coast to coast, and I was blown away! Though sometimes overlooked as a tourist destination in Central America, there truly is something for everyone in Panama, whether you come for world-famous shopping, the pristine islands of San Blas or for a stroll through Panama City's historic Casco Viejo district. Panama City is the heart of Panama, and the hub of business, culture, nightlife, and cuisine—this travel guide is filled with travel tips to help you plan an incredible trip!

What to Expect in Panama City

Panama City is the heart of Panama, and the hub of business, culture, nightlife, and cuisine!

Language: Like most of Latin America, Spanish is the primary language in Panama City, but because of its legacy as a vital international trade connection, you will also find that there is a multicultural expat population that speaks English too.

Currency: Unusual for a sovereign state, Panama actually has two official currencies, with the US Dollar sharing official status with Panamanian Balboa, pegged at a one-to-one rate, and dollars used for paper money, and Panama mainly produces its own coins.

Credit Cards and Banks: In Panama City itself, a good majority of retailers will accept credit cards, particularly tourist businesses, while ATMs are common around the city.

Climate: Temperatures in Panama City are quite stable throughout the year, with hot days that often rise to thirty three degrees Celsius, and rarely dropping below eighteen degrees. The dry season is fairly short, running from December to April, with the remainder of the year experiences a fair amount of rain.

Getting Around in Panama City

The transportation situation in the city has improved significantly over recent years, with a new metro subway system which opened in 2014, and some of the old buses being replaced by new city buses. Opt for Uber if you can!

Metro: The first line of the metro runs north to south under the city, and is relatively cheap and affordable, with fares at around 35 cents.

Bus: Buses in the city are divided into the local routes with lots of stops that offer fares of 25 cents, or the main corridor buses that run a quicker service along the main north to south and east to west corridor, with fares a little higher at $1.25.

Taxi/Uber: Taxis are also plentiful and affordable in the city, with fares set by the government that depend on the distance that you will be covering. Uber is also a great option, and what I would overall recommend.

Travel Tip

If you're looking to get out of the city, buses are the cheapest way to explore Panama—most are charter buses that are comfortable and efficient. If you're limited on time, domestic flights are the fastest way to travel to many parts of Panama.

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

What to Do

El Litoral

A short drive outside the city, this rustic seaside El Litoral is a wonderful retreat from the bustle of Panama City, with cottage style accommodation and charming rooms with large double beds. The location is also used as a retreat for holistic therapies and offers classes in yoga and Pilates too.

Location: Coronado
Accommodation: Budget B&B
Price Range: $$$

American Trade Hotel

This classy hotel is bursting with traditional charm, and has some beautifully decorated rooms with comfortable beds and large bathrooms. A swimming pool provides a nice spot to cool off, while the free wireless internet is a nice modern touch.

Location: Casco Viejo
Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel
Price Range: $$

Hotel Acapulco

This budget hotel offers great value, and you get what you pay for. Set in an awesome location, you can walk to Casco Viejo and local restaurants. If you’re looking for an authentic experience in Panama on a budget, this is your place.

Location: Calidonia
Accommodation: Budget Hotel
Price Range: $

Waldorf Astoria Panama

The Waldorf Astoria Panama is a tower hotel which can be seen from much of the city! The rooms here are sumptuously decorated and the hotel even has a dedicated driver in the lobby who can take you to nearby locations. Unwind at the hotel bar with their extensive drinks list!

Location: Marbella
Accommodation: 5-Star Hotel
Price Range: $$

Hospedaje Casco Viejo

This building was originally a mansion built in the early 1900s as a family residence, and has recently been restored to serve as a hostel. If you’re looking for a budget experience, stay here for a few nights.

Location: Casco Viejo
Accommodation: Hostel
Price Range: $

Las Clementinas Hotel

With its sea views and beautiful architecture, this hotel is a lovely place to stay, while the rooms are nice with some nice artwork and plenty of space to allow you to relax. The location is excellent for this city’s night life and restaurants, while the air conditioning is welcome and the nice terrace area is a great place to unwind.

Location: Casco Antiguo
Accommodation: Mid-Range Hotel
Price Range: $$

Donde Jose (Fine Dining)

One of the few restaurants in the city that has a waiting list, Donde Jose’s cuisine delivers Panamanian classics with a modern culinary twist, and every day a fixed menu of five main items and two desserts are prepared in two sittings, and each dish is lovingly decorated which makes it almost a shame to touch the food with your fork!

Cerveceria La Rana Dorada Pub (Cheap Eats)

Come here for some cold beer and snacks while you’re exploring Casco Viejo! There’s lots of comfortable seating and great service.

Tantalo Kitchen (Casual Dining)

Situated in the heart of Casco Viejo, this restaurant + bar has a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the Panama city skyline. This place caters to everyone and you will love it.

When to Go: Go around sunset for a drink from on the rooftop bar!

Barrio Pizza Casco Viejo (Casual Dining)

Located on the Avenida Central at the heart of the city, this pizza restaurant prepares their pizzas in the traditional way, with a good selection of toppings and the option to choose your own topping too. The restaurant is lively and displays some bold artwork giving the location a vibrant atmosphere.

Puntarenas (Fine Dining)

If you like seafood, this Peruvian hotspot is a perfect spot. The service is great and ambience will impress you (along with the food, of course).

What to Order: Be sure to order the ceviche (you get a generous serving), and the quinoa flan is a must!

Las Clementinas Bistro

Las Clementinas seemed to be the go-to, casual weekend brunch spot for hip, Panama City locals. The walls are adorned in old photographs and what look like newspaper cutouts from over the decades, the floor is tiled in a gray and white geometric art deco design, and the chairs are woven in a bright green and white.

When to Go: There is an official prix-fix brunch menu on Sundays.

Casco Viejo

The historic area of the city has seen a lot of development over recent years, but you can still see some historic traditional buildings, while there are also plenty of bars and restaurants here. Many of the city’s museums are located in this district, while the theaters here host some of the best operas and musical shows in the region.

The Panama Canal

The canal is the main reason for the city being what it is today, and to see the ships go by in the canal is an impressive sight. You can reach the area by bus or by taxi, and there is also a visitor’s center at the Miraflores Locks with a great viewing platform and a museum showing off the history of the canal too.

Cruise The Chagres River

The Chagres is the largest of the rivers of Panama, and is a broad river that flows relatively slowly. Take a cruise or a stand up paddleboard up the river for amazing scenery!

Panama Viejo

Panama City has not always been set in its current location, and back in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the city was a target for pirates, and after the attack of Henry Morgan, the city elders eventually decided to leave behind the old city and move to the more secure site which you can see in Casco Viejo today.

Bio Museo

This colorful building is facing the Pacific Ocean near the end of the canal, and is designed to be a museum of biodiversity. There are eight exhibitions located within the museum itself, and the bold design is actually one that was designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.

Take A Day Trip To The Gamboa Rainforest

A trip to Gamboa offers some fascinating insights into Panama and its history, as the town of Gamboa is a faded colonial gem that has houses and public buildings in various states of repair, while the rainforest is home to a massive range of birds and wildlife, with some lovely walking trails.

Monkey Island Boat Tour

This is an island on Gatun Lake which has a huge range of monkeys present, and this trip offers a view of a range of different species including capuchins, howler monkeys and even the sloths and toucans that also live on the island.

Embera Indian Village Tour

The Embera are an indigenous tribe that live in the Panama rainforest, and this day trip from Panama City will offer a fascinating perspective on the country as it was before colonization, and you can enjoy musical performances and an introduction to the culture and traditions of the tribe. Overnight stays in the rainforest are also available.