Destinations / Central America

Panama City, Panama travel guide

Where a glittering skyline, a colonial old town, and the world-famous canal meet rainforest on the city's edge.

Best time to visit: December-April (dry season)
Average daily budget: $60 to $130 USD
Ideal trip length: 3 to 4 days

Panama City is Latin America's most cosmopolitan capital: a Miami-like skyline of glass towers, the atmospheric colonial old town of Casco Viejo, and the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, all with rainforest minutes from downtown. It's a city where you can watch ships transit the canal in the morning and spot toucans on a jungle trail by afternoon. Joy Plus routes the old town and canal, finds the rooftop bars and ceviche markets, and slots in a rainforest or island escape.

Panama City itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks. Watch giant ships rise and fall through the locks from the visitor centre's viewing decks and museum.

Afternoon: Explore Casco Viejo, The colonial old town: cobbled plazas, restored mansions, rooftop bars, and the best dining.

Evening: Casco Viejo walking tour. The UNESCO-listed old town: plazas, churches, the Panama hat shops, and sunset rooftop bars.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Soberanía rainforest. Spot toucans, sloths, and monkeys on jungle trails or the famous Pipeline Road, 30 minutes from downtown.

Afternoon: Explore Cinta Costera & Downtown, The modern bayfront: the skyline, the seaside promenade, and the financial district.

Evening: Casco Viejo old town. The atmospheric UNESCO old quarter, restored colonial buildings, rooftop bars, plazas and the contrast of the gleaming modern skyline across the bay.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Amador Causeway & Biomuseo. Cycle the breakwater for skyline views and visit Frank Gehry's colourful biodiversity museum.

Afternoon: Explore Amador Causeway, A breakwater of islands linked to the mainland: bike paths, the Biomuseo, and skyline views.

Evening: Watch ships at the Panama Canal. See the engineering marvel in action at the Miraflores Locks, where giant ships are raised and lowered. The visitor centre and viewing deck make the scale real.

Best neighbourhoods

Casco Viejo: The colonial old town: cobbled plazas, restored mansions, rooftop bars, and the best dining.
Cinta Costera & Downtown: The modern bayfront: the skyline, the seaside promenade, and the financial district.
Amador Causeway: A breakwater of islands linked to the mainland: bike paths, the Biomuseo, and skyline views.
El Cangrejo: The leafy, walkable hub of restaurants, hotels, and the city's diverse food scene.
Canal & Soberanía: The Miraflores Locks and the rainforest national park, both just outside the city.

Must-do experiences

Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks: Watch giant ships rise and fall through the locks from the visitor centre's viewing decks and museum.
Casco Viejo walking tour: The UNESCO-listed old town: plazas, churches, the Panama hat shops, and sunset rooftop bars.
Soberanía rainforest: Spot toucans, sloths, and monkeys on jungle trails or the famous Pipeline Road, 30 minutes from downtown.
Amador Causeway & Biomuseo: Cycle the breakwater for skyline views and visit Frank Gehry's colourful biodiversity museum.
Watch ships at the Panama Canal: See the engineering marvel in action at the Miraflores Locks, where giant ships are raised and lowered. The visitor centre and viewing deck make the scale real.
Casco Viejo old town: The atmospheric UNESCO old quarter, restored colonial buildings, rooftop bars, plazas and the contrast of the gleaming modern skyline across the bay.

Hidden gems

Ceviche by the cup at the Mercado de Mariscos seafood market.
The ruins of Panamá Viejo, the original 16th-century city sacked by Henry Morgan.
Rooftop cocktails over the old town's tiled roofs at sunset.
A day trip to Isla Taboga, the 'island of flowers', by ferry from the causeway.

Daily budget

$60 to $130 USD per day.

What to eat

Ceviche from the Mercado de Mariscos
Sancocho, the hearty Panamanian chicken soup
Patacones (twice-fried plantains) with everything
Geisha coffee, Panama's prized highland bean

Getting around

Panama City has a clean, modern Metro (the first in Central America) useful on its corridors. Uber is the easiest, safest, and most affordable way to get around the city and is preferable to street taxis. Casco Viejo and the causeway are walkable and bike-friendly. For the canal, rainforest, and islands, Uber, tours, or a rental car work well.

Safety

The tourist areas (Casco Viejo, downtown, the causeway) are generally safe, but some adjacent neighbourhoods like El Chorrillo are best avoided. Use Uber rather than hailing taxis, keep valuables discreet, and take normal night-time precautions. The US dollar is the currency. Stay hydrated and use insect repellent on rainforest trips.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Panama City?

Three to four days covers the canal, Casco Viejo, the causeway, and a rainforest or island day trip, with time to enjoy the food and rooftop scene.

Is Panama City good for solo travellers?

Yes. It's one of Central America's safest, most modern capitals, with Uber, a metro, and an easy mix of city, history, and nature. English is fairly widely spoken.

When is the best time to visit Panama City?

December to April is the dry season and ideal. The May-November green season brings afternoon rains but lush rainforest and fewer crowds. It's warm and humid year-round.

Is Panama City worth visiting?

Yes, for the iconic canal, the charming Casco Viejo old town, a modern skyline, and as a hub for rainforest, islands (San Blas, Bocas) and the rest of Central America.

Is Panama City safe for tourists?

The tourist areas (Casco Viejo, the banking district, Amador) are generally safe with normal caution. Avoid certain neighbourhoods (like El Chorrillo), use Uber at night, and don't flash valuables.

What currency is used in Panama?

The US dollar is the everyday currency (alongside the locally minted balboa coins), so US travellers don't need to exchange money. Cards are widely accepted in the city, but carry cash for smaller spots.

How much does a trip to Panama City cost?

Budget around $60 to $130 USD per person per day, covering a mid range room, local transport, two or three meals out and an activity or entry ticket. You can go lower with hostels, markets and free walking tours, or far higher with boutique hotels and private guides.

How much does a solo trip to Panama City cost?

Budget on roughly $60-$130 USD per day in Panama City as a solo traveller. That covers a hostel bed or simple room, local food, getting around and a couple of paid sights. Mid-range comfort with private rooms, sit-down dinners and the odd tour runs closer to double, while shoestring travellers who cook and stick to street food can come in under it.

Is Panama City safe for solo female travellers?

Panama City is generally a comfortable place to travel solo, including for women, as long as you use normal city sense. The tourist areas (Casco Viejo, downtown, the causeway) are generally safe, but some adjacent neighbourhoods like El Chorrillo are best avoided. Use Uber rather than hailing taxis, keep valuables discreet, and take normal night-time precautions. The US dollar is the currency. Stay hydrated and use insect repellent on rainforest trips.

How do you get around Panama City?

Tours and activities in Panama City | Panama City in 3 days | Panama City in 5 days | Panama City in 7 days