Things to do in Panama City

Why go to Panama City

• Panama Canal - Miraflores Locks

  Watch colossal container ships squeeze through one of humanity's greatest engineering feats from a four-story viewing platform.

• Casco Viejo (Panama Viejo Historic District)

  A UNESCO-listed colonial quarter of crumbling churches, rooftop bars, and vibrant street art perched on a peninsula over the Pacific.

• Biomuseo

  Frank Gehry's only Latin American building tells the wild story of how the Isthmus of Panama changed life on Earth forever.

• Metropolitan Natural Park

  The only protected tropical forest within a capital city in the Americas - monkeys, sloths, and toucans minutes from downtown.

• Amador Causeway & Panama City Skyline

  A breezy waterfront promenade connecting three islands with jaw-dropping views of the Canal and the glittering Punta Pacífica skyline.

Good to know in Panama City

• The Panama Metro (lines 1 & 2) costs $0.35 per ride and connects El Cangrejo, Albrook, and key transfer hubs - use a reloadable Metro card to avoid queues.
• Tipping is appreciated but modest: 10% at restaurants is generous; taxi drivers and street vendors are not typically tipped.
• Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City - it meets international standards, so skip the bottled water and save money.
• The Biomuseo offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month; Parque Natural Metropolitano is always free to enter.

Trip essentials