Top 15 Things to Do in Panama City Panama

If you’re headed to Panama City, Panama -the heart of Central America – there are many must-see experiences you wont want to miss. Panama City is one of the most underrated and pleasantly surprising vacations we’ve taken to date. The city is full of history, cityscape, culture, and mouth-watering international cuisine. Panama City, Panama, is a captivating destination that offers a plethora of experiences for every type of traveler. To make sure you get the most of your trip, check out our Top 25 recommendations for things to do in Panama City below. If you’re looking for an itinerary for the entirety of Panama, check out our Guide to Panama.

Google Map of Panama

As with all of our destinations, we always save all of our recommended locations into a Google Map for your future use. For Panama City and the surrounding areas, you can check out our saved map below or on our Travel Maps page.

TopThings to Do in Panama City

To help you with your travel plans, we’ve organized our top recommendations by category: History/Art/Architecture, Outdoor Adventures, and Food. Note, these are not organized from most to least recommended. For our must-see recommendations or a free itinerary, check out our Panama City itinerary that’s part of our Guide to Panama.

History, Art & Architecture

Let’s start with the history, because, we all know we can’t go to Panama City without seeing the canal, and experiencing the impact it had on the country as a whole.

1. Panama Canal: Navigating History and Innovation

No visit to Panama City is complete without exploring the iconic Panama Canal. A marvel of engineering, this 51-mile waterway connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, shaping global trade and standing as a testament to human ingenuity. It’s important to know there are many activities you should see at the canal, not just the canal itself. So check out the key experiences below.

Key Experiences:

• Miraflores Locks: Begin your canal exploration at the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center. Witness colossal ships passing through the locks, showcasing the canal’s operational brilliance. The informative museum offers insights into the canal’s construction and its impact on world trade.
• IMAX Experience: As part of your admission to the visitor’s center, you can opt to watch a short movie (voice over by Morgan Freeman!) about the history of the canal. In our opinion this is a must.
• Terrace Viewing: After the IMAX experience, you’ll be ushered into the terrace and bleachers area to watch a ship transit through the canal experience. Make sure you look at the schedule in advance to time your visit accordingly.

You can visit the canal on your own, it’s easy to take an uber there and back from the city. But, we highly recommend booking this full day tour that takes you to the canal AND Lake Gatun to see Monkey Island. The canal and Monkey Island are the TOP TWO things you MUST do in Panama, and this tour makes sure you get the best highlights and best experience.

2. Explore the Colonial Charm in Casco Viejo

One of our favorite experiences in Panama City was the day we spent explore Casco Viejo. Thanks to our Amex Platinum card, we actually ended up booking a fairly pricy (pricier than we usually get) hotel in the heart of Casco Viejo (Hotel La Compana) as part of the Fine Hotels program (they give you a statement credit, welcome gift, breakfast, late checkout, etc etc to make it worth it).

Regardless of whether or not you stay in the fancy Hyatt Hotel La Compana, we recommend popping into the hotel to walk through the courtyard and grabbing a bite at one of the many restaurants attached or affiliated with the hotel. Here’s a snapshot of what to do while exploring Casco Viejo:

• Grab a coffee from Casa Sucre Coffeehouse
• Walk through Plaza Simon Bolivar and Independence Square
• Grab lunch (with a reservation) at Fonda Lo Que Hay
• Pop into the Church of Saint Joseph to admire the gold altar
• Walk down Av. A to admire the colonial era housing and shop facades
• Walk along Paseo las Bovedas for views of Panama City and souvenir shopping
• Stop by France Square to admire the historical statues
• Enjoy an experience – Peruvian Nikkei cuisine dinner at Hari’s within Hotel La Compana
• Grab a drink or two at a local rooftop bar

4. Amador Causeway: A Scenic Escape

On a tiny little peninsula jutting out into the ocean, you can escape the urban hustle with a visit to the Amador Causeway, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Panama City skyline. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride or walk, and explore the array of restaurants and shops along the way.

5. Mirador de las Américas: Panoramic Vistas

For awe-inspiring panoramic views of Panama City, a visit to Mirador de las Américas is a must. This is an observation deck that sits across the “Bridge of the Americas” – the giant bridge that stretches across the waterway leading to the Panama Canal.

Perched atop Cerro Ancón, this viewpoint offers a breathtaking perspective of the city skyline and the Pacific Ocean.While the viewpoint is spectacular at any time, consider visiting during sunset when the city is bathed in warm hues, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for your photos. This spot is easily accessed via taxi or Uber.

6. Biomuseo: Where Science Meets Art

For a unique experience for museum lovers, head to the Biomuseo, an architectural masterpiece dedicated to showcasing Panama’s incredible biodiversity. The exhibits seamlessly blend science and art, providing a thought-provoking journey through the country’s natural wonders.

Outdoor Activities

7. Lake Gatun and Monkey Island: Wildlife Wonderland

Outside of the Panama Canal, Lake Gatun and Monkey island are the next TOP things you MUST SEE on a visit to Panama City. The best way to experience Lake Gatun is through this tour, that takes you to the canal and the lake with the monkeys. If you only have a half day or already did the Panama canal, then we highly recommend this tour.

This was by far our favorite experience in all of Panama. And what really made it special was getting out on the lake early. The earlier, the quieter things are and the more likely the monkeys are to come out. Booking a really good tour, like the ones above, is also key. A good guide will bring the right foods and know the right spots to bring the monkeys down onto your boat. They even climbed on us!

8. Bike Panama City Panama and the Cinta Costera

A really cool way to see Panama, and see it quickly, is by biking around through the city. There are a bunch of bike shops to rent bike’s from, we recommend grabbing a coffee and bike from Amara Coffee and Flowers – their espresso is amazing! This is a great way to see the city, ride along the coast, see Cinta Costera – the waterfront trail that loops around Casco Viejo for some spectacular views, and stop by Mercado de Mariscos for a lunchtime seafood bite!

10. Hiking Adventure at Ancon Hill

For panoramic views of the city and a dose of nature, you can hike up Ancon Hill. The summit rewards you with unparalleled vistas, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors. Consider making this a picnic lunch if you have time!

Savor the Local Cuisine

11. Mercado de Mariscos: Seafood Extravaganza

No visit to Panama City, Panama is complete without a trip to the Mercado de Mariscos. This is the place to be to immerse yourself in the seafood life and culture of Panama City. You’ll get the full harassment treatment from all the food vendors who want you to eat at their food stall. Make sure you pick one with plenty of people there already. This also makes a great lunch spot for a bike ride along Cinta Costera! We highly recommend the butter-smeared yucca fries to pair with your seafood of choice.

12. Dine at a Top 50 Best Restaurant in Latin America

Did you know Panama City, Panama boasts some of the Best Restaurants in all of Latin America? Given that Panama City is such a central hub for so much business, food and culture has naturally gravitated to the area, lending itself to many exquisite restaurants. And of course, you have to try one or two while you’re there. A perk of traveling in November during the shoulder season was getting a reservation at these high-end restaurants was easy. If you’re traveling during peak season, definitely book in advance. Here are some restaurants you’ll want to check out:

• Maito – get whatever your server recommends. We loved the fried sea bass and black risotto.
• Intimo
• Cantina del Tigre
• Azahar – not technically on the list, but a fine-dining spot and one of the best restaurants in Panama City that serves bread in a mini wooden chest. Their known for the twist on their sushi.

For the full list check out Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Don’t forget to also eat at Fonda Lo Que Hay while you’re in Casco Viejo. The green curry squid and pork rind stew were to die for.

13. Enjoy the Local Panamanian Cuisine

Outside of the fine dining, you’ll definitely want to eat some authentic Panamanian Cuisine while you’re in Panama City. There are two places we found that are MUST tries:

• El Trapiche: You can go for lunch or dinner. They serve a variety platter so you can try all the Panamanian foods. You’ll also want the traditional chicken soup they serve as an appetizer. The papaya drink was also very good.
• Concolon Panamanian Street Food: you want the plantain lasagna and their version of a tamale. Unforgettable.

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