The Hub of the Americas Is Brimming with Opportunity
A skyline full of skyscrapers, a highly photographed bridge and a historic city center — sounds like New York City or maybe New Orleans, right? But such is the picture of beautiful and exotic Panama City, Panama — the Hub of the Americas.
Panama’s capital city bridges the divide between North and South America, merging cultures and customs as it’s done throughout history. It also bridged the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans with the construction of the Panama Canal, allowing ships to cross much quicker between the two oceans and making trade easier and more affordable. But while the Panama Canal must be Panama City’s most famous attraction, you can expect a wide variety of things to do in Panama City, just as you would in any major cosmopolitan city.
From parks to museums to shopping malls, there are plenty of exciting attractions that are ripe for exploring whether you’re a solo traveler, couple or family. Indulge in the Carribean-influenced sights and sounds of the city and its diverse cultural offerings.
Historic districts and old city ruins provide a glimpse into Panama City as it once was and are full of intriguing sights. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the nature parks, hiking trails, boardwalk, beaches and the unique Biomuseo on the Amador Peninsula. Even foodies will have a field day as Panama City has become an urban hot spot for culinary creativity with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and eateries scattered throughout the city’s many neighborhoods.
No matter if you only have 20 hours or a few weeks to kills, for the best Panama City attractions, look no further.
Panama Canal
One of the seven wonders of the modern (engineering) world, the impressive 50-mile-long Panama Canal allows ships to pass between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, through a series of three sets of locks, lifting ships 85 feet above sea level. It’s a sight to behold and one of the top things to do in Panama City.
To have the best Panama Canal experience, you have two options: either you can visit the Miraflores Visitor Center, which houses an interactive museum and viewing dock of the Miraflores Locks, or you can take a canal boat tour to experience the canal’s mechanics firsthand.
If you go for the boat tour, choose one that gives you a glimpse into the local culture like the Monkey Island and Indian Village Tour. This ecotour visits Lake Gatun and the Panama Canal before heading through the jungle of Monkey Island and the authentic village of an Indian tribe that still lives in the rainforests of Gamboa.
Parque Natural Metropolitano
As the only protected wildlife refuge within city limits, the Metropolitan Natural Park tops the list of things to do in Panama City. Three main trails snake their way through the rainforest, passing lush vegetation and native wildlife, which you might see if you’re lucky. Forty-five species of mammals and 254 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians call the park home — including the Panamanian white-faced capuchin, three-toed sloth and tapeti (a cottontail rabbit species).
Some of the principal features of the park are the miradors, or lookouts, which provide some of the best views of Panama City. The two best lookout points are Los Caobos — with views of El Dorado Mall and two other nearby national parks: Soberania and Camino de Cruces — and Cerro Cedro, the highest point in the park with views of Taboga Island, the canal and the Bridge of the Americas.
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Casco Viejo (Antiguo)
For a taste of colonial Panama, make sure to visit the Casco Viejo (or Antiguo, as it’s sometimes called) neighborhood — Panama City’s old town district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking amid the mix of restored Spanish-style buildings, boutique hotels and sidewalk cafes, you’ll instantly feel like you’ve been transported to another time and place. It’s a sharp contrast to the high-rises and skyscrapers that make up most of Panama City’s skyline.
Although you can stick to admiring the historic old buildings and churches like the 200-year-old Metropolitan Cathedral, you’ll also find a vibrant bar and club scene in Casco Viejo. Pub crawls and disco parties happen nightly or you can day drink and sip on artisanal rum at Pedro Mandinga, a rum distillery with weekly mixology classes, live music and domino tournaments.
Multiplaza Pacific Mall
If it’s shopping you’re after, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the massive Multiplaza Pacific Mall. One of the most luxurious malls in Central America, you can shop for familiar upscale brands like Hermes, Gucci, Versace, and Tory Burch along with European and Latin American exclusives such as Liu Jo, Pineda Covalin and Sacha Cosmetics.
Three stories tall and home to over 500 shops, restaurants, cafes and a multiplex movie theater, you can easily spend an entire day at Multiplaza. If you’re traveling with kids in Panama City, stop off at Jumping Up, an indoor playground complete with multiple trampolines, a giant ball pit and spiral slide. Or come during one of their seasonal events like an Easter egg hunt or video game tournament.
Cinta Costera
A long strip of waterfront park complete with bike and walking paths runs along the coast of Panama Bay. Known as Cinta Costera, to make the most of the trail, you can run, walk, bike, or skate the three-and-a-half-mile stretch or use the basketball, soccer, volleyball or gymnastic facilities. Benches are also positioned every few feet or so in case you get tired or just want to enjoy the outdoors.
Cinta Costera has a number of excellent photo spots if you want to capture the city skyline or boats coming into the bay. Midway, you can take a photo with the colorful Panama sign, which is also situated near a playground for kids. Recently, an additional causeway was added that loops around Casco Viejo for an unobstructed view of the old town and Ancon Hill behind it.
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Mercado de Mariscos
The Mercado de Mariscos is Panama City’s fish market, located between Casco Viejo and the lower half of Cinta Costera. You can watch local fisherman come in from the docks at the restaurant level or shop their catches at the stalls below in the market. Both restaurants and the public buy their fish from here, which is caught fresh each day from the Gulf of Panama and the Pacific Ocean.
Considered the best place to buy fresh fish in Panama City, you can cook your selection at home or try one of the seafood specialties at the restaurants that share the building. If you’ve never tried ceviche (essentially a cold, raw or cooked fish dish cured in lime juice) or are already a huge fan, this is the place to go for some of the cheapest and most delicious versions around.
Avenida Central
Just a few blocks inland from the Cinta Costera you’ll find the city’s pedestrian-only street, Avenida Central. The classic stretch of avenue can be experienced from Plaza Santa Ana to Plaza 5 de Mayo with many street vendors and open-air shops hawking everything from candy to haircuts. In contrast to the modern, upscale Multiplaza Pacific Mall, Avenida Central is a mecca for bargain hunters where you can get many items for around $1.
This is where the locals shop and is one of the best places to see how many Panamanians live. It’s also a great place to people-watch. Guna Indians come in from the Guna Yala islands on the north shore of Panama, where there aren’t very many shops. You’ll recognize the women by their photogenic and colorful skirts, headscarves and plastic bags full of goods.
Biomuseo
For a must-see museum within Panama City, visit the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, which is dedicated entirely to Panama’s natural history. The first of its kind, the museum is a tribute to biodiversity and was developed in part by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which studies wildlife in the Metropolitan Natural Park.
The multi-colored building houses eight different galleries, including a room filled with 10 screens (including one you can stand on), fully immersing you in the ecology found during your stay in Panama. One of the screens depicts a variety of stampeding native animals arranged in a crude sort of sculpture, while another features huge stained glass windows depicting various flora and fauna.
Aside from the museum, its grounds are also home to a biodiversity park, which serves as a living extension of the exhibits in the Biomuseo. Many native plants are on display in addition to a pond, gazebo and public square of sorts. Architectural and botanical tours are available and the park also has fairs and free weekend activities throughout the year.
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Panamá Viejo
As the oldest monument in Panama City, Panamá Viejo is a must-visit attraction for tourists and locals alike. Built in 1519 by a Spanish conquistador, Panamá Viejo was once the city center of old Panama. Destroyed in the late 1600s by the pirate Henry Morgan, the city was abandoned for over 200 years before conservation began. Now all that remains are rocky ruins and archaeological sites from the once great buildings, which were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
On a visit to Panamá Viejo, you can enjoy walking around, exploring the ruins and learning what was once there — including a convent, cathedral, public square and hospital. You can also climb to the top of Cathedral Tower for a panoramic view of the ruins and Panama City. There’s also an onsite museum at the southwestern end of the complex, where you can see artifacts excavated from the ruins.
Geisha Coffee
Have you ever wondered what the most expensive coffee in the world tastes like? Well, you’re in luck if you’re visiting Panama City. Coffee companies, roasters and shops from all over compete for sacks of Geisha coffee at auction, even paying as much as $803 per pound for a variety in 2018. Grown at high elevations, Geisha coffee beans frequently win competitions like the Cup of Excellence for their unique flavor profile, which has been called a “fruity, silky and tea-like.”
Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or are just curious about what all the fuss is about, you can try a cup of Geisha coffee at one of Panama City’s specialty coffee shops. You can get this highly sought-after, pour-over style black coffee that will wow your taste buds for around $9. If you’re in Casco Viejo, try Bajareque Coffee House, whose proprietors also own the farm where the coffee beans are grown.
Palace of the Herons
Originally used by the Spanish government during their occupation of Panama, the palace has since been used as the home of Panama’s presidents throughout the years. Located in Casco Viejo, on the Bay of Panama, the palace got its name from the African herons that reside there, brought over by Panama’s president, Belisario Porras, in 1922.
Renovations have restored the crisp, white building to its former glory, which includes rooms full of painted frescos, crystal chandeliers and ornate antique furniture. Although it’s generally closed to the public, free tours of the palace are available Tuesdays and Thursdays through tour companies or by emailing gbernal@presidencia.gob.pa.
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Danilo’s Jazz Club
Opened in 2014 by Grammy-winning Panamanian pianist and composer, Danilo Perez, Danilo’s Jazz Club has become a hip spot for live music and culture in the heart of Panama City. Located next to and owned by the American Trade Hotel (which is also worth a look or stay), the 50-seat club hosts local and international musicians, many who have trained with Perez himself.
Open Wednesdays through Sundays, music normally starts around 8:30 p.m. with a $15 entrance fee. However, the club also participates in the annual Panama Jazz Festival (also founded by Perez) — an internationally renowned, week-long music festival. Multiple stages are set up within the city, in addition to venues like the Jazz Club and various theaters, making Panama City a musical destination of sorts for lovers of jazz music.