Best Things to Do in Panama City

Why Panama City belongs on your itinerary

Panama City is a rare combo: Pacific skyline, Spanish-colonial streets, and rainforest trails all inside one metro area. You can watch mega-ships climb the Panama Canal, stroll Casco Viejo for golden-hour rooftops, bike the Amador Causeway for canal views, and wake up to howler monkeys in Metropolitan Natural Park.

If you’re searching “what to do in Panama City, Panama” or “nightlife in Panama City,” this single guide covers the lot—neighbourhood by neighbourhood, with practical timings so you don’t waste a minute.

The essential sights

Panama Canal – Miraflores Visitor Center
Time your visit late morning or early afternoon to catch transits. The viewing terraces and exhibits make the engineering story easy to grasp; the IMAX adds context if you’re keen. Plan for 2–3 hours, door-to-door.

Casco Viejo.
The old quarter is a full-day canvas: morning churches and plazas, afternoon galleries and coffee, sunset rooftops, and after-dark cocktail dens. Wander Plaza de la Independencia, the sea-wall at Paseo de Las Bóvedas, and the narrow lanes that link them. Many buildings hide courtyards—step inside when doors are open.

Cinta Costera & the Fish Market
Panama City’s waterfront park strings together skyline views, playgrounds, and bike lanes. End the night at Mercado de Mariscos for a plate of fried corvina or a ceviche sampler; it’s casual, lively, and affordable.

Amador Causeway + Biomuseo
A 6-km ribbon tying four small islands to the mainland, with breezes and long views back to downtown and the Canal. Rent a bike or e-scooter, then tour Biomuseo to learn how the isthmus reshaped global biodiversity.

Metropolitan Natural Park & Ancón Hill
Both are inside the city limits. Hit the trails early for sloths, toucans, and shade, then climb Ancón for a panorama that stitches canal, rainforest, and skyline into a single frame.

Panamá Viejo (Old Panama Ruins)
The 1519 site was sacked by Henry Morgan in 1671. Climb the cathedral tower, then connect the story to Casco’s 1673 rebirth. If you’re a history buff, do Panamá Viejo in the morning and Casco after lunch.

When to Visit & How to Plan Your Days

Dry season (Dec–Apr) delivers blue skies, easy sunsets from Amador Causeway, and busier weekends.
Rainy season (May–Nov) means greener parks and quick afternoon showers—front-load outdoor plans before 11:00 and save museums/rooftops for later.

For Canal ship-spotting at Miraflores, late morning to early afternoon usually catches transits; pair it with Casco Viejo at golden hour.

Free (or Almost-Free) Panama City

• Cinta Costera walk or bike for skyline views ending at the Fish Market.
• Casco Viejo self-guided church plazas + sea wall (Las Bóvedas).
• Ancon Hill morning hike for city/Canal panoramas (go early; take water).
• Amador Causeway promenade for bridge/canal vistas; bring a camera at sunset.

These staples appear across top guides for good reason—and cost little or nothing.

Smart Tickets, Tours & Day Trips (that actually add value)

• Panama Canal: Miraflores Visitor Centre (DIY) or a partial/full Canal transit if you want the “in the locks” experience.
• Monkey Island (Gatún Lake): boat safaris deliver close wildlife without leaving the metro for long.
• Taboga Island: 30-minute ferry from Amador; beaches + mellow hikes; easy day trip.
• San Blas: consider an overnight vs. ultra-long day tour to maximise beach time.

Pick tours with free cancellation and precise pickup times; several roundups compare options side-by-side.

Neighbourhood Cheat Sheet (Where to Base Yourself)

Casco Viejo (San Felipe)
Boutique hotels, rooftop bars, tasting-menu restaurants, and photogenic streets. Nights start mellow and trend late on weekends. If you like walking to everything, this is home base.

Obarrio / Marbella / Punta Pacifica
Central, modern, and practical for malls and fine dining. Minutes from the Calle Uruguay club cluster and a short ride to Casco.

El Cangrejo & Vía Argentina
Walkable, mid-budget, and Metro-connected. Ramen joints, gastropubs, cafés with Geisha coffee, and easy bar hopping without dress-code fuss.

Amador Causeway
Water views, family-friendly restaurants, Biomuseo, cycle paths. Sunsets are stellar; book dinner with a terrace.

Coffee, Food & Nightlife Highlights

Do ceviche at the Fish Market after a Cinta Costera walk; reserve tastings or rooftops in Casco Viejo for sunset; keep the late-night push for Calle Uruguay (dress codes) or a casual crawl along Vía Argentina (craft beer, ramen, karaoke).

Panama’s Geisha coffee is brewed by the cup in speciality cafés—ask for pour-over.

Rain-Plan Playbook (May–Nov)

Morning: Metropolitan Natural Park trails or Ancon Hill before showers.
Midday: BioMuseo, Casco museums/shops, coffee tastings.
Late: Amador for sunset windows between showers; rooftops afterwards.

This rhythm aligns with how locals and repeat visitors dodge storms and keep the day intact.

One Perfect Night (City Lights Edition)

Start on Cinta Costera for dusk skyline photos → taxi to Casco Viejo for dinner + rooftop cocktails → rideshare to Calle Uruguay if you want a club main room → late bites back in Casco or Vía Argentina. It’s the highest-yield loop with minimal transit friction.

Kid-Friendly Panama City

• Punta Culebra Nature Center (sloths, iguanas, touch tanks).
• Amador Causeway (rent bikes/e-scooters; wide paths).
• Miraflores exhibits + IMAX while waiting for a transit.

All three come up consistently in family roundups.

Quick Transport & Safety Tips

Uber/DiDi are inexpensive and reliable at night; Metro works well for Vía Argentina/El Cangrejo.
Carry small bills for markets; keep phones pocketed when you’re not using them; stick to lit streets after dark—standard big-city common sense.

48-Hour Sample Itinerary (Copy/Paste)

Day 1: Miraflores late morning → Cinta Costera → Fish Market lunch → Casco Viejo afternoon → rooftop sunset → nightlife hop.
Day 2: Metropolitan Park hike → BioMuseo → bike the Amador Causeway → sunset at Flamenco Marina → dinner back in Casco or Obarrio.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Banking on perfect weather in the rainy season—build flexible afternoons.
• Expecting walkable distances between every zone—use rideshares.
• Booking a San Blas day trip and regretting the 14-hour slog—go overnight if you can.

Nightlife: rooftops, clubs, and late bites

Nights in Panama City naturally split into three zones.
Casco Viejo is the rooftop and cocktail crawl—show up around sunset, bounce between terraces, and keep going into speakeasies and DJ lounges behind unmarked doors.

Calle Uruguay concentrates the higher-energy clubs used by locals and visitors who like a late main room and a dress code.

Vía Argentina is your casual bar corridor: craft beer, karaoke, student-friendly prices, and snacks until the small hours. Weeknights are easygoing; weekends run late, and lines start after midnight. Use Uber or DiDi for every jump—they’re inexpensive and quick.

Food and coffee highlights

If you eat one thing, make it ceviche at the Fish Market—classic corvina, octopus, or shrimp.
For sit-down Panamanian plates, look for sancocho, carimañolas, ropa vieja, and arroz con mariscos.

Casco’s dining scene runs the spectrum from upscale tasting menus to humble fondas tucked down side streets.

Coffee is a must; Panama’s Geisha is world-class, and city cafés brew it by the cup.
Save room for a rooftop nightcap—nothing pairs with skyline views like a rum old-fashioned or a maracuyá sour.

Easy day trips from the city

Taboga Island.
30-minute ferry from the Amador Causeway gets you to beaches, seafood lunches, and mellow hikes. July–October is whale-watching season.

Portobelo & Isla Mamey (Caribbean)
Spanish fortresses, calm turquoise water, and sandbar stops called Piscinas Naturales. It’s the Caribbean without a domestic flight.

Pacific beach day-passes
Resorts at Santa Clara and Playa Blanca sell day access to pools, beach clubs, and buffets.

Gamboa & Gatún Lake
Combine a rainforest aerial tram, boat to Monkey Island, and canal ship-spotting into a half-day that feels far from the city but isn’t.

Vía Argentina spotlight

Locals love Vía Argentina because it’s effortless. You can step off the Metro, grab a coffee, linger over ramen or arepas, and spend the rest of the evening moving between gastropubs and small live-music rooms.

Prices are friendlier than in Casco, sidewalks are wide, and everything is close together. If you want “nightlife in Panama City” without velvet ropes, start here, then hop to Casco or Calle Uruguay when you’re warmed up.

One- and two-day itineraries

One perfect day
Canal at Miraflores late morning; walk Cinta Costera and eat at the Fish Market; spend the afternoon in Casco Viejo for churches, shops, and coffee; end with a rooftop sunset that blends into cocktails and a club run.

Two days
Do day one, then add a morning Metropolitan Park hike, Biomuseo at midday, and a bike loop on the Amador Causeway. After dinner, choose your flavour: Casco rooftops again, Calle Uruguay’s high-energy main rooms, or a Vía Argentina bar crawl.

Practical tips

When to go Dry season (December–April) brings blue skies and busier weekends; rainy season (May–November) means greener parks and short afternoon showers—carry a light shell and keep your mornings free for outdoor plans.

Money USD is the currency; cards are widely accepted; carry small bills for taxis and markets.

Transport Uber/DiDi work well; the Metro is clean and cheap; yellow cabs are fine if you agree on the fare first.

Safety Use rideshares at night, keep your phone pocketed when you’re not using it, and stick to lit streets.

Water & heat Hydrate. Tap water in the capital is generally potable; if you have a sensitive stomach, go bottled.

Dress codes Rooftops and clubs often require smart-casual on weekends—closed shoes for men, no beachwear.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Panama City, Panama?

Visit the Panama Canal (Miraflores), explore Casco Viejo, walk the Cinta Costera, bike the Amador Causeway and tour Biomuseo, then hike Metropolitan Natural Park or Ancón Hill before a rooftop sunset.

Where to go for nightlife in Panama City?

Casco Viejo for rooftops and cocktail dens, Calle Uruguay for high-energy clubs, and Vía Argentina for a casual, walkable bar crawl.

Is Panama City LGBTQ+ friendly?

Yes. The city has inclusive mixed venues plus rotating gay-club nights and drag shows across Casco, the Financial District, and El Cangrejo. Rideshare between spots and bring ID for door checks.

Is Vía Argentina worth it?

Absolutely. It’s a central dining-and-nightlife corridor in El Cangrejo with pubs, cafés, late bites, and easy access via the Metro.

What is the best day trip from Panama City?

Taboga Island for the fastest beach fix; Portobelo + Isla Mamey for calm Caribbean water; Pacific beach day-passes at Santa Clara/Playa Blanca for resort pools and loungers.

When’s the best time to visit?

Dry season (Dec–Apr) = blue skies and busier weekends.
Rainy season (May–Nov) = greener parks and short afternoon showers; plan outdoor stuff early.

Is Panama City safe at night?

Stick to well-lit areas, use Uber/DiDi after dark, keep your phone pocketed when not in use, and follow venue dress codes. Common-sense city rules apply.

Do I need cash?

USD is the currency. Cards are widely accepted; carry small bills for taxis, markets, and tips.

How do I see ships at the Canal?

Aim for late morning or early afternoon at Miraflores Visitor Centre; check the day’s transit windows and give yourself 2–3 hours door to door.

What’s a simple 1-day plan?

Canal → Cinta Costera/Fish Market lunch → Casco Viejo afternoon → rooftop sunset → nightlife hop (Casco, Calle Uruguay, or Vía Argentina).

Sources & Foot Notes

[1] Tripadvisor - Panama City Attractions
[2] Tourism Panama
[3] Wikipedia - Ciudad de Panamá