Quick Answer
Panama City is Central America's most international capital with the iconic Panama Canal (15 minutes from downtown), the UNESCO Casco Viejo old quarter, and Pacific-Caribbean access in the same country. Hotels start from $85/night. December through April is dry season.
Explore Panama City in Detail
Find Hotels in Panama City
Hotel listings for Panama City are currently being updated.
Top Tours in Panama City
Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks Tour
Half-day tour to the Miraflores Visitor Center for ship transits, the 4-story canal museum, and an explanation of how the locks work. Includes hotel pickup.
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Casco Viejo Old Town Walking Tour
Walking tour through the UNESCO old quarter covering Plaza Bolivar, the cathedral, Iglesia de la Compania ruins, the Pacific seawall, and a tasting at a local cafe.
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Embera Indigenous Village Day Trip
Travel by 4x4 and dugout canoe to a Embera indigenous community in the Chagres National Park rainforest. Cultural exchange, lunch, and hiking included.
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The experiences travelers come back to Panama City for, year after year.
Itineraries for Panama City
Day-by-day plans built by travelers who actually went.
Panama City in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Panama City for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Panama City with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Panama City
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Panama City at your own pace. Compare rates from all major suppliers in one search.
Best Time to Visit Panama City
Best months to visit Panama City: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Panama City?
Panama City is the Central American capital that does the most for the least effort: the canal is right there, the colonial Old Town is intact, the food scene is one of the region’s best, and you can be on the Pacific or the Caribbean within 90 minutes of downtown.
The Panama Canal is the obvious anchor. The Miraflores Visitor Center (15 minutes from downtown) lets you watch ships transit the locks from a viewing platform, with a 4-story museum explaining the canal’s history. Time your visit for late morning when most ships arrive. The Agua Clara Locks on the Caribbean side handle the new Neo-Panamax ships and are more spectacular but a longer drive. A full transit (8 hours by boat) is the bucket list version. Casco Viejo is the UNESCO old quarter on a peninsula jutting into the bay. Colonial Spanish architecture, painted facades, the ruins of the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus, and Plaza Bolivar make it a 3-hour walking tour. The Old Town is now also the city’s best dining and rooftop bar district. Panama Viejo (the original city, sacked by Henry Morgan in 1671) is the ruins 15 minutes east, worth a half-day. The Biomuseo by Frank Gehry on the Amador Causeway is the colorful museum about biodiversity. Beyond the city, the San Blas Islands (the indigenous Kuna Yala archipelago, 1 hour by 4×4 then boat) are the most Caribbean experience in Central America. Boquete in the highlands has coffee farms and Volcan Baru hiking. Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast is the surf and snorkel spot.
Frequently Asked Questions — Panama City
How much do hotels in Panama City cost?
Hostels start at $20/night for private rooms. 3-star hotels run $85-$140. 4-star hotels are $140-$280. Luxury 5-star hotels like American Trade Casco Viejo, The Bristol, or Waldorf Astoria are $300-$700/night. Panama uses the US dollar.
When is the best time to visit Panama City?
December through April is dry season with the most reliable weather. February and March are ideal. May through November is rainy season with afternoon downpours but cheaper rates. Year-round temperatures stay 80-90F with high humidity.
How many days do I need in Panama City?
Three days covers the city: a day for the canal, a day for Casco Viejo, a day for a rainforest or canal partial transit. Add 3-4 days for Bocas del Toro or San Blas. Five to seven days lets you do a proper Panama trip.
Is Panama City safe for tourists?
Panama City is generally safe in tourist areas (Casco Viejo, Marbella, Costa del Este). El Chorrillo and Curundu should be avoided. Standard precautions: no flashy jewelry, don't walk at night outside upscale areas, use Uber. Casco Viejo can have petty theft late at night.
What area should I stay in?
Casco Viejo for first-timers who want colonial atmosphere and best restaurants/bars. Marbella for modern high-rise hotels and central business district. Bella Vista for residential calm and easy access. Avoid hotels in El Cangrejo if you want quiet (lots of casinos).
How do I get around Panama City?
Uber works well and is cheap, with rides usually $3-12. The Metro covers some routes. Taxis are everywhere and cheap but agree on the price first ($3-10 most trips). The Tocumen Airport to downtown is 30-45 minutes ($25-35).
What food should I try in Panama City?
Sancocho de gallina (chicken soup) at any local restaurant, ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos, ropa vieja (shredded beef) at Tantalo, raspados (shaved ice) from any street vendor, and coffee from Boquete or Cafe Geisha (the world's most expensive coffee, made famous from Panama).