15 Best Things To Do in Panama City, Panama [Insider’s Guide]

For far too long, most travelers have skipped the cosmopolitan capital of Panama when they arrive in this country, writing it off as either a layover destination or entirely skipping it for the most famously impressive destinations nearby, like Cartagena, Colombia, or the beaches of Costa Rica. Now, more than ever, this would be a huge mistake!

Panama City has transformed from simply being the capital of commerce in Central America into a bonafide travel destination in itself. In this ultimate guide to the best things to do in Panama City, Panama, travel experts and locals alike have handpicked the best attractions and activities across the city that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re looking for an extended city break or just how to spend a few hours exploring the highlights, these are the best things to do in Panama City.

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Best Things To Do in Panama City, Panama

Visitors could easily spend at least three or four days in Panama City without getting bored and without feeling the need to add a day trip outside of the city to their itinerary. But what if you’re just looking for the highlight reel?

These are what we consider to be the very best things to do in Panama City that can’t be missed, our top picks whether you’re here for a few hours or a few weeks.

The list is short, but especially with the inclusion of exploring the Casco Viejo neighborhood, it can be a lot! We always recommend travelers spend at least two to three days here to enjoy these things (and more!) from our list of the best attractions and things to do in Panama City.

1. Visit the Panama Canal

Would it even be a visit to Panama without visiting its most famous attraction? While there are plenty more things to do in Panama City than just visiting the canal, there’s just no way you can miss a feat of engineering that quite literally transformed our world.

Located just south of the Casco Viejo, the Panama Canal is easily accessible to the rest of the city and makes for a great half-day excursion. You’ll find great half-day tours of both the city and the canal, which makes for a great way to kill two birds with one stone, especially if you’re visiting the city on a short trip.

If you can fit it into your itinerary, try to find an experience that includes actually sailing on a stretch of the canal. While the Panama Canal is impressive when observed from popular viewpoints and the famous Miraflores Visitor Center, there’s nothing like actually getting to ride this waterway, even if just for a short stretch of sea.

2. Explore Casco Viejo

What was formerly a rundown, almost rejected neighborhood just a few decades ago has undergone a renaissance that has transformed Panama City as a travel destination entirely. With projects dedicated to restoring historic structures to their former glory, while bringing new spaces for dining, playing, and staying to the neighborhood, Panama City’s Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo) is now officially the place to be.

Plan to spend at least four or five hours walking the streets of Casco Viejo to get a feel for all it has to offer. While just wandering this charming neighborhood and strolling down its cobblestone streets is a pleasure, here are some of the neighborhood’s highlights:

• Eat at Mahalo Cocina y Jardin, the cute (and delicious!) restaurant inside Las Clementinas.
• Visit the ruins of the Iglesia de la Sociedad de Jesús.
• Pop into Hotel La Compañía, right next door to the ruined church, for a drink. Even better, stay the night! This restored historic hotel is one of the best hotels in Panama City.
• Visit Pedro Mandiga, the country’s first artisanal rum distillery, for a proper taste test.
• Visit the Iglesia de San Jose church and marvel at the impressive golden altar, one of the few remaining relics of the 1671 pirate sacking of the city by famed pirate Henry Morgan.
• Have a photoshoot among murals, historic walls, and colonial churches. While there are plenty of spots for photography in Panama City, this is one of the best!

Not sure where to stay during your visit? We also consider Casco Viejo the number one choice among several of the best neighborhoods in Panama City for travelers.

Read More: Where to Stay in Panama City + BEST Panama City Neighborhoods

3. Walk (or Bike) the Cinta Costera

Arching along the waterway from just north of the Casco Viejo towards the upscale Punta Pacifica neighborhood, the Cinta Costera is one of the most emblematic spots in Panama City. This coastal waterfront walkway and bike path is hugely popular with locals and travelers alike for its ocean breezes, incredible city viewpoints, and beautifully manicured lawns. 

Whether you want to congregate with locals at sundown, enjoy showstopping sunsets, or start your day with a morning jog in one of the city’s most beautiful areas, this is a must-visit destination. With a leisurely stroll from one end to the other taking just over 45 minutes to an hour, it’s not a bad way to start an evening, and one of the hands-down best things to do in Panama City.

4. Visit Soberanía National Park

Located just 30 – 45 minutes outside Panama City, Soberanía National Park (Parque Nacional Soberanía) is a hidden gem for travelers looking to escape from the excitement of Panama City. Lush rainforest rich with flora and fauna, and countless activities make this an easy destination for a memorable day trip.

What is there to do here? I recommend ziplining over the jungle with Gamboa Tree Trek Adventure Park for an exciting way to see the beauty of the national park from above. Alternatively, head to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, where you’ll find a giant platform – the Canopy Tower – with a spiral staircase that reaches over 100 feet (about 32 meters) into the air for a stunning view of the treetops. 

5. Visit the Biomuseo

Panama City’s Biomuseo is much more than just your average natural history museum, making it well worth a visit even if you’re not a museum person when you travel. This stunning building is complete with botanical gardens, a cafe, and impressive gallery rooms, boasting a full list of rotating events and exhibits, making it popular with locals and visitors alike.

Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, its dramatic facade makes an incredible impression along the oceanfront on the Amador Causeway at the southern entrance to the Panama Canal. It’s worth taking a peek from the outside, even if you don’t intend to go inside when the museum is open from Thursdays through Sundays.

6. Take in the View from Cerro Ancon

With its soaring skyscrapers and historic church spires, Panama City has a surprising array of viewpoints for a coastal city. There are plenty to choose from – why limit yourself, after all? – but one you shouldn’t miss is Cerro Ancón.

Located surprisingly near the Casco Viejo, Cerro Ancón (Ancón Hill, in English) is hidden within a lush nature reserve and offers a gentle climb amidst lush vegetation before you reach the viewpoint. While you’re sure to spot native birds and other small wildlife along the way, this isn’t a true hike, with the paved path making it more accessible for travelers. However, make sure to set aside at least two hours in total for this up-and-back climb, where you’ll spot skyscrapers meeting the sea.

7. Stay in a Historic Hotel

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding where to stay in Panama City. From ultra-modern hotels in the business center of the city to intricately restored historic properties in the Casco Viejo, there is something for everyone in Panama City. 

Panama City has a crop of new hotels in the Casco Viejo that have been a part of taking this historic district back to its former glory – and staying in one of them is the best way to experience this city! Among them is Las Clementinas, a cool, colorful boutique hotel with studio-style and apartment-style rooms and suites, with a restaurant on the first floor that’s worth a visit even if you’re not staying here.

The real stars of the neighborhood, responsible for transforming Panama City into a true destination for the culturally-conscious luxury traveler, are Hotel La Compañía and Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo. They both debuted within the past few years and took crumbling historic monuments into the new century with inspired renovations. There’s really no better metaphor for the transformation of Panama City, and there is certainly nowhere better to stay!

8. Explore Panama Viejo

Panama Viejo – also known as Panama La Vieja, or, Old Panama – is not the city’s historic center of Casco Viejo, as its name might imply. Panama Viejo, in fact, is much older. Located near the modern-day upscale Costa del Este neighborhood towards the north of the City, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the sight of the very first colonial Panama City, famously destroyed in a record-setting 1671 pirate raid by the infamous Henry Morgan (of Capitan Morgan rum fame).

Rather than rebuilding Panama City on the same site, the Spanish colonizers rebuilt slightly south, in what is now Casco Viejo. You’ll love exploring what remains of the original city while imagining pirates storming and looting the area centuries ago. Give yourself at least an hour to explore these historic ruins – they’re impressive and more extensive than you might think.

9. Take a Day Trip to Taboga Island

Just south of Panama City, Taboga Island looks and feels like the paradise island you’ve always been dreaming of. Known as the “island of the flowers,” this lush destination has everything from great hiking trails, activities such as whale watching, and beautiful beaches with great snorkeling, making it an ideal day trip destination.

Take a $40 round-trip ferry from the city straight to the island, or opt to pay a bit more and travel on a small group excursion for what equates to almost the same price! Favorite excursions to Taboga Island include full-day trips to Taboga Island via catamaran, with all food and drinks included. You can also have an ultra-romantic excursion to the island on your own private charter to Taboga Island – or, book a private charter for your group of friends or family!

10. Eat Ceviche

Think ceviche is only at its best in Peru? Panama City is another fantastic spot for savoring this ultra-fresh seafood dish. With its envious coastal location and long history of fishing, you can’t find a fresher ceviche than the dishes you’ll savor in Panama City.

Featuring sea bass, shrimp, octopus, or conch, all “cooked” in lime juice and seasoned with onions, peppers, salt, and pepper, it’s the ultimate refreshment on a hot day.These are some of the best places in the city to try it.

• Nazca 21 is a Peruvian take on ceviche in the heart of Panama City.
• Santa Rita Casco Viejo offers inventive, creative dishes in a beautiful – even romantic – setting just shy of fine dining. The Casco Viejo location is enviable.
• El Mercado de Mariscos is a local fish market that is home to the freshest and cheapest ceviche in town. Expect zero frills but the most delicious and authentic ceviche creations you’ve ever tasted.

11. Take in the View from a Rooftop Bar

With its coastal location and glittering, modern skyline, Panama City is a place to enjoy some incredible views, all the better appreciated with a drink in hand.

Punta Pacifica and other modern areas of the city boast some stunning views and great places to eat and drink, with Luna Rooftop being one of the most famous spots in this part of the city for incredible views and great atmosphere alike. Panaviera, at the JW Marriott Panama on the 66th floor, is Central America’s highest rooftop bar – absolutely worth a visit for at least one drink!

However, Casco Viejo has officially put modern Panama City on notice, with an incredible array of rooftops with both bars and delicious dining options to choose from. We’ll take a Casco Viejo rooftop over one in a more modern part of the city any time! These are some of the city’s favorites:

• Selina Casco Viejo | The rooftop of the Selina coliving and coworking space is popular, with a festive vibe and youthful atmosphere, especially in the evening.
• Tántalo | One of the first great rooftop spaces in Casco Viejo, Tántalo offers the very best in music, drinks, and food – with great views.
• Vista Corona | Located on top of Casco Viejo’s Gold House, Vista Corona is nestled among church belltowers and steeples. A laid-back atmosphere with delicious food brings people back again and again.

12. Enjoy High-End Shopping

As the busiest city and most important financial capital in Central America, Panama City has a lot of wealth, and with that comes plenty of high-end brands looking to woo consumers. The city is filled with malls packed with designer brands, so if you’re in the mood for some shopping, you’re certainly in luck.

Multiplaza Mall in Punta Paitilla is one of the city’s most upscale malls, while Albrook Mall has more affordable options for shoppers on all budgets.

Does the idea of visiting a mall sound like sacrilege on a vacation, especially in a new city? While it might be an unexpected way to spend time while traveling for some, Panama City’s malls are truly impressive and packed with movie theaters, restaurants, cafes, and other things to do as well.

13. Test Your Luck at a Casino

Panama City is quite well known for its casinos, so if you’re looking for a fun way to spend an evening – or even just an interesting part of the city to explore – consider adding one to your itinerary. While the city has a number of different casinos to consider, the most impressive by far is the Ocean Sun Casino, located high up in the modern, coastal JW Marriott Panama.

The views from the casino alone will wow you! As far as the games and tables go, it’s well-equipped and has plenty of machines and tables for games, making it quite impressive overall. Whether you’re drawn here to play or just enjoy the view, it makes for a great place to spend an evening.

14. Go Ziplining

Once you’ve thoroughly explored Panama City, it’s time to take a breath of fresh air and explore some of the country’s other world-class spots. One of the best ways to see another side of Panama is by ziplining over the jungle canopy, a popular and easy excursion that takes travelers to the interior of the country.

The tiny town of Gamboa along the Panama Canal is the access point for the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, home to an impressive ziplining course perfect for an adventurous city escape. Taking a ziplining excursion to Gamboa from Panama City is the easiest way to enjoy the experience, especially as just a day trip, though you’ll find ziplining courses in other areas of Panama as well.

15. Visit Monkey Island

If you’re looking for a great day trip from Panama City, but ziplining isn’t exactly your thing, how about a visit to Monkey Island? Monkey Island is a part of the Panama Canal waterway not far from Gamboa. Explore by boat and spot howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys playing and searching for food.

Truthfully, Monkey Island is not the most “in-the-wild” experience with monkeys you could have in the jungles of Panama; if you have time on your itinerary to visit one of Panama’s ecolodges in the verdant interior of the country, you’ll have a much more meaningful experience with playful monkeys. However, as a day trip from Panama City, it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon and a great, scenic escape!

Check Availability and Rates: Monkey Island Excursion from Panama City

Bonus: Visit the San Blas Islands

Just a tiny spray of white sands islands in the Caribbean Sea, Panama’s San Blas Islands are among the best Caribbean island destinations for travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path getaway. While they’ve long been a popular destination with backpackers, the San Blas islands still have that deserted island, hidden gem feel you’ll love.

We’ve added them to this list as a bonus due to distance alone; if you have time in your Panama itinerary, these should be at the very top of your list! To reach these isolated islands from Panama City, it is nearly a three-hour drive to the port town from which you’ll hop on a boat and head to the islands, making a visit almost out of the question as a day trip from Panama City.

As the San Blas Islands are quite isolated, most travelers visit by day trip from Panama City, or by booking on to a multi-day tour. Even if you’re not usually a tour person, this is the spot for it – it makes island-hopping around the archipelago a breeze and takes care of all transport, lodging, and food in an area where everything feels a little more challenging without a local connection.

Another reason to visit? Tourism dollars in the San Blas Islands directly support local Guna Yala indigenous communities, making a trip to these pristine Caribbean islands a particularly impactful one.