Sometimes, taking a last-minute trip can be more interesting and satisfying than you would have expected. Researching, prepping, and packing happen quickly, and you might be surprised by some surprisingly good travel deals. This is exactly what our trip to Panama City turned out to be.
Panama City (aka Panama) is the capital and the largest city of the country of Panama. The city is an interesting mix of modern and classic architecture. Sections of Panama City look like any modern American city. However, be aware that there are areas that are not as safe and, as a tourist, should be avoided. Many major airlines have direct flights to Panama City from different US cities. Once in the country, you can take Uber from the airport to your hotel, and pretty much to anywhere you want to go. Fares are reasonable and we felt absolutely safe taking Uber everywhere in Panama.
Where to stay in Panama City
There many hotels in Panama City and, based on your comfort level and loyalty programs, you will most likely have many options to pick from. However, our recommendation is to stay in the Casco Viejo neighborhood. Settled in the 17th century, this neighborhood has a mixture of architectural styles, charming restaurants, and bars. Very importantly, it is very safe and police presence is very observable.
There are plenty of hotels at different price points. Our recommendation is to stay at the beautiful Hotel La Compañia. Price is reasonable, the food is amazing (they have five different restaurants to choose from), and the architecture of the hotel is a design lovers’ dream. Plus, you will have all the amenities of a top-level hotel. Highly recommend!
What to do, where to go in Panama City
Day 1 and 2 in Panama City
Combine activities from the below suggestions with others you want to do while in Panama. Leave plenty of time to just enjoy things at a slower pace. The warm, humid, and sometimes rainy weather makes slower exploration appropriate.
Casco Viejo and Cinta Costera
Spend a bit of time in Casco Viejo. Here is our list of recommendations:
- Stroll the streets to see and enjoy the many beautifully restored buildings and churches. No plan necessary, just wander the streets.
- Go by Teatro Nacional de Panama (the National Theater) and admire its beauty and architecture (address: VXF38+4PQ, Av. B, Panamá, Panama)
- Walk by Palacio de Las Garzas – the presidential palace and office (address: XF38+H6F, Av. Eloy Alfaro, Panamá, Panama)
- Visit the Museo de la Mola – a free museum presenting the art of the Guna people. We highly, highly recommend visiting this museum to experience and learn about the indigenous people and to see their amazing molas. You will most likely see Guna people around Casco Viejo, selling their art. Read more about the Guna and their art here.
- Walk, run or bike the Cinta Costera – a 7km park which runs along Panama Bay. If you stay at the Casco Viejo, you can do the full loop near the Casco. Stop at the The Mirador del PacÃfico lookout, located at kilometer 2.6, for a truly scenic view of Panama City and great picture opportunity.
- Walk the Paseo de Las Bóvedas – a great walk to the tip of Casco Viejo with beautiful city and ocean views.
- Stop by to taste something unique to Panama – Geisha coffee! Highly recommended and so amazing in flavor. Try it at the:
- Sisu Coffee Studio (address: Calle 9na Y, Av. B, Panama City, Panama)
- Café Unido Casco Viejo (address: C. 9a Oeste, Panamá, Panama)
Day 3 in Panama City
Explore the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a must see when visiting Panama. From an engineering standpoint, it is still considered one of the wonders of the modern world. If you are staying primarily in Panama City, the Miraflores Locks are the closest to see. We used Uber to get there, and it was really a reasonable ride in terms of both time and price. The most impressive part of the canal is seeing a ship go through. Your best bet is to go early in the day and plan to spend at least a few hours there. Make sure to check the opening times as the canal’s visitor center is sometimes closed on Mondays.
Explore Panama Viejo
A World Heritage Site, the Panama Viejo ruins are what is left from the first Spanish city founded on the Pacific Coast of the Americas in 1519. There is a lot of history in this place and it is worth a visit. You can read more about Panama Viejo here.
Where to drink and eat in Panama City
In our travels, we try to explore as much of the local food scene as possible. I believe that this is one of the best ways to understand and to relate to the local people. In Panama City, the options are so many that it will take way too long to list, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar in Casco Viejo (address: XF27+MF Panama City, Panama) – a great local bar where you can try local rum, great cocktails, and enjoy a cool atmosphere.
- Casa Casco roof top bar in Casco Viejo (address: Calle 10 y #8-15, 15306, Av. A, Panamá, Panama) – great drinks and good food. Go late and take in the beautiful views of the city and its downtown.
- Nación Sushi (address Av. A, Panamá, Panama) – unique options like sushi pizza (a must try); all sushi were super fresh.
- Maito Restaurant – for a special dinner, we highly recommend Maito. The dinner and food service were outstanding, but the food was really the star of the show. The ingredients seemed very fresh and we learned a bit about the local cuisine through chef Mario Castrellón’s interpretations of Panamanian food. We highly recommend Maito. Reservations are recommended.
What we loved about Panama City
- Beautiful nature
- An interesting mixture of history and modern life
- Ease of access to places
- The people were super nice and willing to always provide assistance
What to bring
- Sunscreen is a must. We love this one.
- A hat is a must. Of course, you can always buy one of the famous Panama Hats, which are sold everywhere in Panama City.
- Loose clothing as the heat and humidity are high.
- Comfortable shoes. One pair of comfortable sneakers and a pair of sandals.
- An umbrella. We like this one for travel, but Amazon has many reasonably priced options.
In closing, we enjoyed our time in Panama City and would consider returning.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
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