Panama City is dynamic, modern, and often surprising—where towering high-rises, luxury malls, and glassy rooftops rise just beyond Spanish colonial churches, crumbling facades, and local fondas.
The contrast isn’t subtle, but that’s part of its indelible energy and what makes Panama City such a unique Central America destination. In just a few blocks, you can go from old-world charm to skyline views to coastal breezes—and still be back in time for a rum tasting in Casco Viejo.
Panama City is also one of the most strategically located cities in the Americas. With Copa Airlines’ free stopover program and direct flights to major cities across North, Central, and South America, a visit to Panama City makes an easy—and inspired—addition to your Latin America vacation.
Dreaming of a trip through Latin America but not sure where to start—or how to make it happen? That’s what we’re here for. Get in touch to learn more about our custom travel planning across the region.
Now, let’s explore the top things to see in Panama City, Panama.
8 Things to Do in Panama: Explore Panama + The Best Places to Visit
1. Stroll the Streets and Rooftop Bars of Casco Viejo
Start your visit where Panama City’s past and present meet most memorably. Casco Viejo, the city’s historic district and UNESCO World Heritage site, blends 17th-century charm with just the right amount of polish. You’ll find restored colonial facades, crumbling churches, boutique hotels, and rooftop bars layered side by side—each corner telling a different story.
It’s compact enough to explore on foot, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and the streets are quieter. Wander past Iglesia San José with its famed golden altar, stop for a coffee at Café Unido, and make time for sunset drinks overlooking the bay—Tantalo and Casa Casco are local favorites for a reason.
While it’s become more polished in recent years, Casco still holds onto its character. It’s not about seeing every site—just soaking in the rhythm of the city, one plaza at a time.
2. Take a Rum Tasting Tour in Casco Viejo
For a deeper take on Panama’s cultural flavor, skip the standard cocktail hour and book a rum tasting at Pedro Mandinga. This small-batch distillery in Casco Viejo serves house-made rums rooted in Panamanian sugarcane traditions—with options to sample, sip, or settle in for a proper flight. If you’re visiting in the evening, pair your tasting with dinner nearby at Fonda Lo Que Hay, where the food is playful, Panamanian, and deeply local.
3. See the Panama Canal – One of the Top Attractions in Panama City for a Reason
No trip to Panama City is complete without seeing the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel and bridge of the Americas. But how you experience it makes all the difference. Most travelers head to the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center, just 25 minutes from downtown. It’s the most accessible way to view the locks in action, with observation decks, a short film, and museum exhibits that explain the canal’s history and engineering.
But if you want a closer look, consider a partial canal transit tour. These half-day boat trips let you pass through the locks yourself—watching the gates open around you as your vessel rises or drops with the current. It’s a more immersive, hands-on experience and one of the most memorable ways to understand the scale of the canal from the inside out.
If you’re already headed toward the Caribbean side, the Agua Clara Locks near Colón offer a modern alternative with fewer crowds and views of the expanded locks built for the world’s largest ships. Best if you’re pairing it with a visit to Portobelo or the San Lorenzo Fort—but not essential if you’re staying city-based.
4. Explore the Biomuseo and the Amador Causeway Waterfront
Designed by famous architect Frank Gehry and perched right at the edge of the Pacific, the Biomuseo is one of the city’s most visually striking buildings—and a smart stop if you’re curious about Panama’s ecological significance.
Inside, vibrant exhibits walk you through the country’s role as a biological bridge between continents, with immersive displays that connect science, geography, and history in a way that’s as engaging as it is informative.
After your visit, walk or rent bikes along the Amador Causeway, a breezy stretch that connects four small islands to the mainland. It’s a favorite local spot for weekend strolls and waterfront views, with casual open-air restaurants and panoramic looks back at the city skyline.
If you’re visiting during the week, the causeway is quiet. On weekends, it’s full of families, cyclists, and local vendors—a different kind of energy, but just as worthwhile.
5. Hike to the Top of Ancon Hill, a Different Side of Panama City
Just minutes from the downtown city center, Ancon Hill offers one of the best panoramic views of the city — and a rare pocket of quiet above the buzz. The paved trail to the top takes about 30–45 minutes at a relaxed pace, and along the way you might spot monkeys, sloths, or toucans depending on the time of day.
At the summit, you’ll get a clear sense of the city’s geography and views of Panama City: the glass towers of Punta Paitilla, the rooftops of Casco Viejo, and the green expanse of the canal zone all laid out at once. Go early in the morning for cooler temperatures and softer light. There’s no admission fee, but traffic is restricted—plan to walk or take a taxi to the base.
6. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Panama City — From Market Ceviche to Chef-Driven Plates
Panama City’s culinary scene spans a wide range—and some of the best meals aren’t in formal dining rooms. Start with a stop at the Mercado de Mariscos, the city’s bustling fish market, for a cup of just-made ceviche de corvina. It’s tangy, fresh, and wildly affordable, best eaten standing at a plastic table under a fan.
For a more local food option, head to a traditional fonda, where dishes like sancocho, arroz con pollo, and carimañolas are served with little ceremony and big flavor. You’ll find them all over the city, often tucked just off main roads or next to commercial plazas.
If you’re in the mood for something more elevated, Panama City has no shortage of standout restaurants. Maito, frequently listed among Latin America’s best, reimagines Panamanian flavors with precision. And Fonda Lo Que Hay, helmed by the same team, blends comfort food with contemporary flair in a relaxed, stylish space.
7. Take a Day Trip to Parque Natural Metropolitano
Just beyond the city’s high-rises, Parque Natural Metropolitano offers a real slice of rainforest—quiet, green, and surprisingly close. This protected area and natural park is home to sloths, coatis, iguanas, and more than 200 species of birds, with shaded trails that make for an easy half-day excursion.
The Cerro Cedro lookout gives you a treetop perspective with skyline views, while shorter routes like Sendero Los Momótides are ideal for families or a quick nature break. Go in the morning for better wildlife sightings and cooler weather. It’s definitely one of the best things to do!
8. Explore Downtown Panama City with Rooftop Views, Live Music, and Dancing After Dark
Panama City comes alive at night in a way that’s hard to describe but easy to feel. Music rolls out from open doors and rooftop speakers. There’s movement on every floor—salsa steps in a tiled courtyard, cumbia echoing through a narrow bar, a DJ beat from skyscrapers drifting across the skyline.
For elegant evenings, CasaCasco and Lazotea serve up cocktails with a view and a polished crowd that stays late. For something more grounded, La Tana fills up with locals on their feet—friends dancing to classic salsa, couples moving like they’ve danced together for years.
Bonus: Stay in Panama Longer and Head to Isla Palenque for Beach, Monkeys, and Marine Life
Okay—this one’s not in Panama City. But stick with us: if you have a few extra days to work with, Isla Palenque is within easy reach and absolutely worth the detour. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places in this Central American country!
Set off Panama’s Pacific coast, this private island retreat is reached via a short flight to David, followed by a boat transfer to the island. It’s just a few hours door-to-door once you leave Panama City — but once you arrive, the setting feels completely removed.
You’ll stay in open-air casitas tucked between tropical forest and the shoreline, with access to seven beaches, guided jungle hikes, and calm waters for kayaking or paddleboarding. Meals are served at the island’s beachfront restaurant, with daily menus built around what’s fresh, in season, and locally sourced. It’s quiet, intentional, and beautifully designed to let the setting speak for itself.
If you’re looking to add a few days of rest and immersion to the end of your trip, Isla Palenque delivers something rare: a truly remote experience that’s surprisingly easy to reach and absolutely impossible to forget.
From Panama City to Bocas del Toro, We Can Help You Plan the Perfect Panamanian Vacation
Whether you’re drawn to Panama’s historic capital, its Caribbean coast, or a private island escape, we’ll help you build a trip that fits your style, priorities, and pace.
We design custom itineraries throughout Panama—and across Latin America. From logistics and local guides to remote stays and regional pairings, we handle the details so you can focus on the experience.
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