What Are the Best Things to Do in Panama City?

The best things to do in Panama City are visiting Casco Viejo, seeing the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks and hiking Ancon Hill. The city also has museums, rainforest trails, markets and waterfront areas to explore. If you have three or more days, you can add a day trip to the San Blas Islands, an Emberá community or the rainforest around Gamboa.

If you only have one full day in Panama City, don't try to fit everything in. Spend an afternoon in the old town and a morning around the canal. You'll have enough time to enjoy both without rushing from one place to another. It’s better to see a few places properly than spend the whole day trying to see everything.

1. Wander Casco Viejo (the Old Town).

Casco Viejo is Panama City's UNESCO-listed historic quarter and the single best place to spend your first afternoon. Cobblestone streets link colonial churches, plazas, rooftop bars, and boutique hotels, and it is heavily patrolled by tourist police, so it feels safe day and night. Go in the late afternoon for the light, then stay for dinner.

If it’s your first time in Panama City, I’d start here. Give yourself an hour to walk around Casco Viejo before stopping for coffee or lunch. The best parts are often the streets and little corners you come across along the way.

2. See the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks.

The Miraflores Visitor Center is the easiest place to watch ships rise and fall through the locks, located about 20 minutes from Casco Viejo. There is an observation deck, a museum on the canal's history and construction, and a documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Check the transit schedule before heading to Miraflores. There’s not much to see when the locks are empty, so timing your visit around a passing ship makes a big difference. The visitor centre is also undergoing renovation through late 2026, so check the latest information before you go.

3. Take a partial Panama Canal boat transit.

For a more active version, book a partial transit that takes you through the locks by boat rather than watching from the deck. Tours run a few times a week and usually last half a day. This is the closest you get to understanding the scale of the canal.

If you have the time and budget, a partial canal transit is worth considering. Seeing the locks from the water gives you a much better idea of how large the canal actually is. Book ahead if your dates are fixed, as departures can fill up.

4. Hike Ancon Hill for the best skyline view.

Ancon Hill is a short, easy climb that ends with a panorama of the old town, the modern skyline, and the canal entrance. The paved service road takes about an hour round trip; mornings are cooler and better for spotting sloths and toucans. Admission is free.

Ancon Hill is one of the easiest ways to get a great view of Panama City without spending anything. Go early in the morning when it’s cooler, and you may also spot some wildlife along the way.

5. Bike or walk the Amador Causeway.

The Amador Causeway is a flat, palm-lined road built from Panama Canal excavation rock that juts into the bay and links four small islands. Rent a bike, take in the skyline views, and stop for seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants. It is a car-restricted zone with its own security, making it a relaxed evening option.

The Amador Causeway is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. Rent a bike in the late afternoon, take in the skyline as you ride towards the islands, then stop for something to eat while you’re there. Sunset is particularly nice from this side of the city.

6. Explore the Biomuseo.

The Biomuseo is a Frank Gehry-designed museum, his only building in Latin America, telling the story of how the Isthmus of Panama formed and changed the planet's ecology. Its brightly coloured roof sits at the entrance to the causeway. Allow an hour or two.

The Biomuseo is worth a visit if you’re interested in Panama’s natural history, but the building itself is also a big part of the experience. You can easily combine it with a visit to the Amador Causeway.

7. Spot wildlife in Metropolitan Natural Park.

This is the only protected tropical rainforest inside a Latin American capital, located minutes from downtown. Well-marked trails give you a real chance of seeing sloths, toucans, agoutis, and titi monkeys without leaving the city. Go early in the morning for the most activity.

It’s surprisingly easy to get a taste of the rainforest without leaving Panama City. Metropolitan Natural Park is close to downtown, and an early morning visit gives you the best chance of seeing birds and other wildlife.

8. Visit the ruins of Panamá Viejo.

Panamá Viejo is the site of the original city, founded in 1519 and destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. A stone cathedral tower still stands, and the on-site museum explains the city's rise and fall. Visit by day and take a taxi both ways, as the surrounding area is not safe to walk around.

Panamá Viejo is worth adding if you’re interested in the city’s history. If your schedule is tight, though, I’d prioritise Casco Viejo. If you do visit, go during the day and use a taxi or ride-hailing service rather than walking around the surrounding area.

9. Eat ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos.

The seafood market is where locals and visitors line up for fresh ceviche served in plastic cups for a few dollars. It sits on the waterfront between downtown and Casco Viejo. Come hungry, come early, and pair it with a cold Cerveza Panamá.

The seafood market is an easy stop if you want to try something local without spending much. Go earlier in the day for the freshest selection and see what the locals are ordering before choosing your ceviche.

10. Take a day trip to the San Blas Islands.

The San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) are a self-governed archipelago of white-sand islands and turquoise waters managed by the Indigenous Guna people. Day tours from the city include 4x4 transfers, boat rides, and lunch, though an overnight stay offers a better experience if you have time.

Book ahead during the high season. For another laid-back island-and-beach escape, Samaná in the Dominican Republic is a great option.

If you have enough time, stay overnight in San Blas rather than trying to fit everything into a day trip. The journey from Panama City takes several hours, so staying the night gives you more time to enjoy the islands without feeling rushed.

11. Visit an Emberá indigenous village.

A day trip to an Emberá community takes you by dugout canoe up a rainforest river to learn about a culture that has lived in the region for centuries. You will experience traditional dance, food, and handwoven crafts, and the boat ride through Chagres National Park is half the appeal. Tours run from the city and include transport.

The canoe journey through the rainforest is one of the memorable parts of an Emberá visit. If possible, choose a smaller group, as it tends to make the experience more comfortable and personal.

12. Explore Soberanía National Park and Gamboa.

Soberanía is a rainforest reserve 40 minutes from downtown, famous among birdwatchers for Pipeline Road. Nearby Gamboa offers a rainforest resort, an aerial tram, and boat trips to "Monkey Island." It is the easiest way to swap the skyline for a jungle in half a day.

Soberanía is a great option if you want more time in the rainforest. Birdwatchers should look at Pipeline Road, while Gamboa is a better choice if you want something easier, such as the aerial tram or a boat trip.

13. Go rooftop bar-hopping in Casco Viejo.

Casco Viejo has the city's best nightlife, with rooftop bars overlooking the old town and the modern skyline across the bay. Tántalo and CasaCasco are long-standing favourites for sunset. This is the adult evening scene that the city does best.

Start your evening around sunset if you want to experience the rooftop bars at their best. Once it gets dark, head down into the streets of Casco Viejo, where there are plenty of smaller bars and restaurants to continue the evening.

14. Shop for molas and a sombrero pintao.

The best souvenirs in Panama are molas (colourful, hand-stitched textile panels made by Guna women) and the sombrero pintao, the authentic Panamanian hat that UNESCO recognizes as Intangible Cultural Heritage. You will find both, plus Emberá baskets and tagua carvings, in Casco Viejo and at the Balboa artisan market. Note that the "Panama hat" is actually Ecuadorian.

If you’re looking for a meaningful souvenir, a mola or sombrero pintao is a good place to start. For better prices, compare what you find in the artisan markets with the shops in Casco Viejo before buying.

15. Try Geisha coffee and a Seco cocktail.

Panama grows Geisha coffee in the Chiriquí highlands, widely rated among the best and most expensive coffees in the world, and city cafés serve it by the cup. For a drink, order Seco Herrerano, the national sugarcane spirit, in a craft cocktail. Both are easy and enjoyable ways to taste the country in the capital.

Geisha coffee is definitely more of a splurge than an everyday coffee, but it’s worth trying while you’re in Panama. For the evening, look for a cocktail made with Seco Herrerano, Panama’s traditional sugarcane spirit.

How Much Does a Panama City Trip Cost?

Panama City suits a range of budgets, from backpackers to luxury travellers. The list below breaks down typical costs as of mid-2026; prices are approximate and vary by season.

• Accommodation (per night): budget $30–60 (hostel or basic hotel), mid-range $90–180
• Meal: budget $6–12, mid-range $15–35
• San Blas Islands day tour: $110–170
• Miraflores Locks entry: under $20
• Ancon Hill / Metropolitan Park: free to a few dollars
• Uber across the city: $3–8

On Epic, Panama City hotels and flights are available at up to 30% lower prices than Booking.com, and you can pay using Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or crypto.

Panama City can be surprisingly affordable once you’re there. Many of the main sights cost very little or are free, so I’d put more of your budget towards accommodation and food. Booking your flights and hotel in advance can also help keep the overall cost down.

Where Should You Stay in Panama City?

• Casco Viejo suits first-timers who want atmosphere, walkability and the best dining and nightlife.
• El Cangrejo is a vibrant, café-filled area popular with expats and remote workers, and it's central and walkable.
• Marbella and Obarrio (Banking District) put you among modern hotels, malls and restaurants.
• Costa del Este and Punta Pacifica are the safest, most modern residential zones, better for longer or quieter stays.

Most first-time visitors do best in Casco Viejo or El Cangrejo for easy access to the main sights.

For a first visit, Casco Viejo is an easy choice because you’re close to restaurants, nightlife and several of the city’s main sights. El Cangrejo is a good alternative if you’re staying longer or want a more local neighbourhood. If you prefer a quieter area, Costa del Este or Punta Pacifica may suit you better, but you’ll likely use Uber more often.

What Does a Perfect Panama City Itinerary Look Like?

• 2 days: Casco Viejo and the fish market on day one; the Panama Canal at Miraflores plus Ancon Hill or Metropolitan Park on day two.
• 3 days: Add the Amador Causeway, the Biomuseo and a rooftop dinner in the old town.
• 5 days: Add a full-day trip to the San Blas Islands and a second to an Emberá village or Gamboa rainforest.

Two days is enough to see the main sights, but three gives you more breathing room. With five days, you can add San Blas, an Emberá village or a trip into the rainforest without having to rush back to the city.

How Can You Start Planning Your Panama City Trip?

Panama City packs a canal, a rainforest, a 500-year-old ruin, and a colonial old town into a city you can cover in a long weekend, with island and jungle day trips just beyond it. Decide how many days you have, pick a dry-season window if you can, and base yourself in Casco Viejo or El Cangrejo.

If a beach-first Caribbean trip tempts you more, compare Panama with the waterfalls and coastline of Puerto Plata or swap continents for a city break in Athens.

Once your plan is set, booking should be the easy part. Epic lets you book flights and hotels up to 30% cheaper than Booking.com, and pay the way you prefer: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or 200+ cryptocurrencies. Claim $25 off your first booking.

Plan your dates and accommodation first, then leave some room in your schedule. Panama City is easy enough to get around, so you don't need every hour planned in advance. I would book San Blas or Emberá tours ahead of time during busy periods, but leave the rest flexible if you can.

Sources

• Binance Academy — What Is Epic Chain (EPIC)?
• Business Wire — Epic Transitions into the Travel Layer for Crypto, Bringing Real-World Utility to the Web3 Space
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá
• Panama Canal Authority (Visit Canal de Panamá) — Miraflores Visitor Center
• Biomuseo (official site) — The Biomuseo