Location: Panama City
Top Things to do in Panama City
The 10 Best Things to do in Panama City, Panama Province
A diverse multicultural city of almost 1.3 million, Panama City offers a lot more than an up-close view of the Canal. Shantytowns slink up alongside shiny high-rise condos. The Old City is an atmospheric labyrinth of churches, plazas and palaces. Fifteen miles from downtown Panama City, Soberania National Park is an excellent destination for hiking and birding. For a fascinating look at the canal, take a taxi or local bus to Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and look down on the traffic below.
Restaurants in Panama City
1. Panama Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,620 reviews
Operating since 1914 and considered one of the wonders of the world, this fifty-mile waterway transports ships by raising them from sea level to more than 85 feet via a series of gravity-powered locks.
Reviewed By royv647 - Traralgon, Australia
We went through the Panama Canal on the Norwegian Bliss and it was a great experience, marvellous to see this engineering marvel and learn more about it’s history. The early history is soo sad when thousands of workers died from Scarlet Fever when the French tried to build it many years ago but gave the idea away. It is a very slow process and takes all day to get through, once through the first lock the others are all the same so it may become boring for many. It is one of the worlds marvels so do it if you can but don’t expect too much excitement
2. Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,130 reviews
Located at the southern entrance of the Panama Canal and stretching nearly three kilometers into the Pacific Ocean, this popular causeway features many tourist-related venues and activities including hotels, restaurants, and jogging and biking trails.
Reviewed By loridharland - Brandon, Canada
A must see when visiting Panama. The Amador is a great walk/bike or drive with amazing views of Panama City and ocean. Multiple restaurants, shops and breath taking vistas are all within reach and a treat for the senses. Rent a bike and cruise the Causeway, grab an ice cream cone and watch the ships sail by. What could be better?
3. Monkey Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
Located in Lake Gatun, this island gets its name for the white-faced monkeys that inhabit it.
Reviewed By O9772BOrobertc - Los Angeles, United States
We traveled with John from Panama Day Trips on their Lake Gatun Eco Tour. We began with a fresh morning on Lake Gatun motoring along next to giant container ships as they made their way across Panama. John was knowledgeable about the animals which were occupying the little man-made islands and it was a treat to see the Tamarin monkeys come out of the trees to have a look at us. Cynthia at Panama Day Trips office was so helpful in setting up our transportation. Truly a must see for a trip to Panama!
4. Casco Viejo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,610 reviews
This charming old community’s churches, pedestrian walkways and historical plazas and palaces make it a must-see on any tour.
Reviewed By WarrenCWade - Belleville, Canada
They’re continuing to renew this old part and it is probably the most tourist packed part of PTY. Many good restaurants and bars, both ground level and rooftop for evening views especially, museums, squares with entertainment, churches, and local craftsman selling their wares. Highly recommended for a day of sightseeing/shopping local Gina wares (Mola), and food/drink.
5. Avenida Balboa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,485 reviews
Reviewed By ArtSchmall - Margate, United States
We rode on Avenida Balboa several times on our Panama vacation. We took a guided tour of of the Panama Canal, as well as two days on the hop on, hop off bus tour, and Avenida Balboa was an important part of the experience. There are numerous places to take photos of the city skyline, as well as many interesting buildings in the Casco Viejo section and the downtown part of the city. We passed several famous statues along the way that we also photographed.
6. Miraflores Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,296 reviews
Reviewed By Emibru
A visit to the Miraflores Visitor Center is an experience not to be missed. Other than seeing the ships passing through the locks, and learn about the great engineering behind it, visitors can enjoy the video presentations and the visit to the fascinating Canal history museum.
7. Biomuseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,616 reviews
Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is his only work in Latin America and the tropics. The building was designed to tell the story of how the isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents, separating a vast ocean in two, and changing the planet's biodiversity forever.
Reviewed By mayohrm50 - Warwick, United States
This is a great museum to learn about the formation of the isthmus, its evolutionary importance, and the natural history of Panama up to the present day. The exhibits on several floors are state-of-the-art. The museum not only celebrates the wonders of natural life in Panama and its two oceans, it also teaches us about man's impact on the environment, the perils of climate change, and the need to preserve and protect the natural world around us.
8. Cinta Costera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,769 reviews
Reviewed By riespoldervaart - Panama City, Panama
I walked the Cinta Costera plus Amador. Take an uber to Placa de la Democracia at Punta Paitilla. From there you can walk all the way to the end where the soccer stadium Maracaná is. Walking along Cinta Costera 3 around Casco Viejo is very nice. From Maracaná I walked along the main road for a while ( no pavement ) and then turned left towards Avenida Amador. A bit further along that road I turned right towards the Raddisson hotel. There you can start the walkway all the way to Isla Flamenco. You can take the public bus back to Albrook Metro station.
9. Panama Metro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,156 reviews
Reviewed By rasmith2018 - Halifax, Canada
The metro was very fast and very convenient, It is very easy to use with many stations located in good areas. It is also very clean and riders will get up to give seats to those they feel need them during rush hour when seating is limited.
10. Albrook Mall
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,598 reviews
Reviewed By camelley - Montego Bay, Caribbean
This Mall is the place to shop! It has so many stores, you can't walk it out in a day. A wide variety of cafes, restaurants, clothing stores plus a huge food court. Great for family or friends adventure.
