Panama City: Exploring the Jewel of Central America -

Why visit Panama City?

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a cosmopolitan city nestled in the heart of tropical paradise, look no further than Panama City. This vibrant city has a captivating blend of culture and innovation with its magnificent skyline and uniquely shaped buildings.

While Panama City has an abundance of attractions and activities. It also boasts having one of the most incredible pieces of engineering work in the world – the Panama Canal. Be sure to delve into the history of Panama and the Canal through its fascinating museums, as well as enjoying the the local cuisine Panama City has to offer.

Plan your trip using our Panama: Ultimate 7-day Itinerary through Tropical Paradise

How to get to Panama City?

There are 3 airports in Panama City that you can fly into from international or local locations: PTY – Tocumen International Airport, BLB – Panama Pacific International Airport, and PAC – Albrook Gelabert Airport.

You can also take buses across the land border from San Jose, Costa Rica or take a boat from Columbia to arrive in Panama. The land border is dangerous between Panama and Columbia and you should not take this route.

Panama City is well-connected with other cities in Panama so you will be able to travel here by public transport. Additionally, there are tourist shuttle buses available at a higher cost for a more comfortable experience.

How to travel around Panama City?

The cheapest and the most convenient way to travel around Panama City is by using public transport. To do so, you will need to purchase a travel card. You can obtain this from either PTY airport or from the main bus station (Albrook bus station). At the airport, there is a machine located next to the SIM card counter and it dispenses the travel cards and there are similar machines at Albrook bus station.

The card will cost you $3 and you can top up the card with however many dollars you need. Most bus journeys cost $0.25 but some journeys cost more, for example $1.25 or $0.75.

You can top up your card using the machines at the bus station or at the airport. There are also machines in supermarkets and pharmacies so just ask around for the nearest one.

Taxis

You can take taxis around Panama City as Uber is available. You can also take a taxi from the street but these are usually more expensive.

Top things to do in Panama City:

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is the most renowned feature of Panama. No trip to Panama would be complete without a visit to the canal. You might wonder, what is so special about a canal? Well, this impressive piece of engineering has been artificially made and is 82km long. It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America.

Constructing the canal was one of the most challenging engineering projects ever undertaken and it first opened in 1914. Over time, it has been expanded to accommodate larger ships.

To visit the canal, the best place to head to is the Miraflores Visitor’s Centre. Here there is an iMAX show included in your ticket price ($20). You can learn about the history of the canal and then you can watch the ships as they pass through the canal after. It is best to arrive here after midday as the ships often pass through in the afternoon.

To get here, you can take a bus from Albrook bus station and this will only cost $0.75. You will have to use your Travel Card to pay for this. Google Maps shows the bus and route you should take to travel here.

Biomuseo

The Biomuseo focuses on the natural history of Panama. There are several different exhibitions that explain the emergence of Panama and how the world has changed over the last 3 million years. There is also a pretty biodiversity garden with plaques explaining the various plants and animals you may see in the gardens. It is free to walk around the gardens and $18 to visit the exhibitions.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in learning about the natural history of Panama, the museum’s architecture is fascinating. It has vibrant colours and a unique design making it worth a visit to admire the exterior. Just a short walk away from the Biomuseo, you will find a pleasant pathway lined with palm trees. This offers stunning views over Panama and the surrounding mountains.

Old Panama

Located in the north of Panama City is the remaining part of the original city. It was mostly destroyed in 1671 by Henry Morgan and now is a World Heritage Site. Founded in 1519, the city served as a starting point for expeditions into Peru and played a crucial role in the transportation of gold and silver to Spain.

The’re only a few ruins to see here and it may not be the most impressive archaeological site you’ve visited. It is though important to appreciate Panama’s important history.

Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria

This catholic church was consecrated in 1796 and is situated in the old town of Panama City. It was designed by Nicolas Rodriguez and took 108 years to construct. The beautifully designed building is located in a popular touristy part of Panama City. Visitors are welcome to explore the interior for free. If you find yourself in this part of the city then be sure to see this.

Casco Antiguo

This historical, vibrant neighbourhood is often referred to as the Old Quarter in Panama City. Recognised as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site dating back to 1673, it showcases colourful buildings and picturesque brick-paved streets.

This area is perfect for fine dining, immersing yourself in Panamanian culture and capturing stunning photos of Panama City’s skyline. You could also go shopping here as there are lots of souvenir shops. Allow enough time to wander around this beautiful part of the city.

Panama Canal Museum

Located in Casco Antiguo, the Panama Canal Museum was established in 1997 and provides information about the construction of the Panama Canal during the various stages such as when the French attempted to construct it, to when it was taken over by the United States.

The building itself dates back to 1874 and is a fine piece of architecture which originally served as the headquarters of both the French and US companies which were involved int the construction of the canal.

Panama City Skyline

One of the most famous things about Panama City is its beautiful skyline. Offering magnificent views over the Pacific Ocean and impressive views of the skyscrapers which line Panama City’s coastline. It reminds you of the status of Panama as one of the wealthiest countries in Central America.

Take a stroll along the promenade to appreciate these views and to embrace the local culture. Throughout Panama City, you will also notice the unusually shaped buildings which are fascinating to see as you may never see buildings like this again.

Where should you stay:

Budget – Bodhi Panama City – This hostel is located right in the centre of Panama City and as well as having an excellent location it also has a swimming pool and a breakfast included for a brilliant price

Medium – Nomada Republic Container Hotel Panama City – This hotel has an excellent location right in the heart of Panama City and has beautifully furnished rooms with a delicious breakfast included for a great price

High – Tsarevets Design and Spa – located just 10 meters from the Tsarevets fortress, this beautiful SPA hotel will provide the relaxation that you need

Author

Katie

Full-time doctor, part-time traveller. I am the kind of traveller who travels on a shoestring and somehow manages to pack two weeks worth of clothes, a tripod and all my books into a little rucksack.