Panama City, Panama, at a glance
This page is about Panama City, Panama, the capital on the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. It is not Panama City, Florida. The city is compact enough to combine an old town, a museum and the canal in one trip, and the Miraflores Locks sit on its western edge.
The 12 experiences below are an editorial selection, not a ranking. The first six are in the city. The last six lie along the canal or a short trip beyond the city limits.
12 Best Experiences in Panama City, Panama
In the city: old town, museums, the waterfront and a hill.
1. Walk Casco Viejo
The historic district has the cathedral, Plaza de Francia, Plaza Herrera and the Paseo Esteban Huertas. Plan two to three hours on foot. Daylight is the better time, and the UK government advises against walking poorly lit streets alone at night.
Casco Viejo guide →2. Visit the Museo del Canal Interoceánico
It stands on Plaza de la Independencia in the old town and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00. The canal authority lists nonresident admission between $5 and $15, depending on the category. Check the exact price at the door.
3. Explore the ruins of Panamá Viejo
The first Spanish settlement lies about 5 miles (8 km) from the old town. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30 to 17:30, with the ticket office closing at 16:30. It is closed on Mondays. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, and bring water and sun protection. Do not climb on the ruins. Check the current adult price before you go.
4. See the Biomuseo
The colorful museum stands on the Amador Causeway. Nonresident adults pay $20 and children aged 5 to 17 pay $12 (2026). Children under 5 are free. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 15:00 and weekends 10:00 to 15:00. It is not open on Mondays. The MiBus route C850 runs between Albrook Metro station and Amador.
5. Stroll the Cinta Costera
This public waterfront path is about 4 miles (7 km) long. It links Paitilla, Casco Viejo and El Chorrillo and has gardens, bike paths, sports areas and viewpoints. It is a place for walking and cycling, not for swimming.
6. Climb Cerro Ancón
The hill is a short, easy climb of about 1.2 miles (2 km) on a concrete road, gaining roughly 394 feet (120 m). The summit is 653 feet (199 m) above sea level. The tourism board rates it easy. Check current opening hours and fees before you go.
Our picks: Panama City
A half day with the canal, a walk through Casco Viejo and a village visit.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Panama City and canal half-day tour
A bilingual guide, air-conditioned transport, water and snacks, and a walk through Casco Antiguo. Canal visitor centre entry is only included with the matching option (the official Miraflores ticket costs $17.22 for non-residents), and BioMuseo is seen from outside.
Check availability →
Emberá village and waterfall day trip with lunch
Hotel transfer, a guide, lunch, fruit, water and soft drinks, and body painting. Community and Chagres park fees of $35 per adult and $15 per child are paid in cash.
Check availability →
Casco Viejo history and culture walk
Two and a half hours with a local guide and a bottle of water. Church entry is not included.
Check availability →Panama Canal and Panama City tours
Canal boat trips, lock visits and city tours starting in Panama City, with live prices and availability.
Along the canal and beyond
Experiences 7 to 12 need a half day or a full day. Colón and the Chagres river are outside the city.
7. Cross the Amador Causeway
The causeway links Naos, Perico, Culebra and Flamenco and was built with rock excavated from the Culebra Cut. It is a good place for a walk or a bike ride, with the bay on both sides. Several boat tours start from marinas in this area.
Partial transit →8. Watch ships at the Miraflores Locks
Nonresident adults pay $17.22 and children aged 6 to 12 pay $7.22 (2026). Children under 6 are free. The center is open daily 08:00 to 18:00, with ticket sales until 17:00. The ticket includes a 45-minute 3D film. MiBus route C810 runs from Albrook.
Miraflores guide →9. Visit the Agua Clara Locks
On the Caribbean side near Colón, the visitor center shows the expanded canal. Nonresident adults pay $10 and children aged 6 to 12 pay $5 (2026). It is open daily 08:00 to 17:00 and takes about 3 hours. Colón is not Panama City, so plan the return trip too.
Map and locks →10. Take a boat on Gatun Lake
Boat trips on the lake combine canal scenery with a stop at the monkey islands. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and a lake trip is not the same as passing through the locks. Do not feed the animals.
Gatun Lake guide →11. Hike in Soberanía National Park
The park is open daily 06:30 to 16:00. Register at the park office or online, stay on the trails and leave pets, alcohol and fire at home. The visitor center reopened in May 2026 after renovation.
12. Meet an Emberá community
Emberá families host visitors on the Chagres river. The national park charges its own fee, $5 for foreign adults, and children under 12 are free. Boat trips and cultural programs are organized by the host communities. Ask before taking photos.
Emberá village visit →Quick comparison
Opening hours and nonresident adult prices as of October 2026.
| Place | Open | Adult price |
|---|---|---|
| Miraflores | Daily 08:00 to 18:00 | $17.22 |
| Agua Clara | Daily 08:00 to 17:00 | $10 |
| Biomuseo | Tue to Sun, from 09:00 or 10:00 to 15:00 | $20 |
| Panamá Viejo | Tue to Sun 08:30 to 17:30 | – |
| Museo del Canal | Tue to Sun 10:00 to 18:00 | $5 to $15 |
| Soberanía National Park | Daily 06:30 to 16:00 | – |
Getting around Panama City
The Metro is the cheapest way to cross the city: $0.35 on Line 1 and $0.50 on Line 2 as of 2026. Using both lines costs $0.85, and a travel card is $2 at the machines. The operator changed its payment system in September 2026 and reported queues at first, so allow extra time at rush hour.
MiBus buses cost $0.25 on the main trunk routes and $0.75 on the corridor routes, and you need a card. Useful routes are C810 to Miraflores, C850 to Amador and C790 to Gamboa. The Panama Canal Railway runs special and charter trains, mostly on weekends. Check its current schedule before you plan a trip around it.
Safety and entry basics
The UK government lists theft and robbery risks in Casco Viejo, Panamá Viejo, Calidonia, Vía España, Avenida Central, Albrook Mall and Colón. Avoid poorly lit places at night and do not walk alone. The US State Department rates Panama at level 2, exercise increased caution, as of August 2026, mainly because of crime. Its separate level 4 warnings cover Mosquito Gulf and parts of Darién, not the city or the canal corridor.
A preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake was reported on 9 October 2026, about 24 miles (39 km) west of Tonosí, and the first tsunami warnings were lifted. Check the status of a sight before you go. Entry rules differ by nationality. Check passport validity and any vaccination requirement for your own country before you book. Read more in our where to stay guide and the best time to visit.
Panama City, Panama: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Panama City, Panama?
Two days cover the old town, the Miraflores Locks and one museum. Three or four days leave room for Panamá Viejo, the Amador Causeway and a boat trip on the canal.
Is Panama City, Panama, safe for tourists?
Most visits pass without problems, but theft and robbery do happen, including in Casco Viejo. Stay in lit, busy streets after dark, keep valuables out of sight and avoid walking alone at night.
Which sights should I book ahead?
Partial transit boat tours run on set days only, so book those first. The visitor centers and museums sell tickets on site. Check hours before you go, since Monday closures are common.
Do I need cash?
Yes, carry some small US dollar notes for the Metro machines, taxis and small shops. Panama uses the US dollar, and the balboa coin equals $1.
Can I see the canal on a short stay?
Yes. The Miraflores Locks are on the edge of the city and open daily. Partial transit tours take 5 to 6 hours and run on specific days.