Panama City

Where History Meets Modern Skylines

Panama City stands as a modern gateway between continents. The capital of Panama rests along the Pacific coast, where skyscrapers rise above busy ports and historic neighborhoods tell stories from another era. Here, old colonial streets meet bustling markets filled with local food and handmade crafts. The city’s skyline reflects its role in global trade while nearby islands invite quick trips for swimming or exploring coral reefs. Panama City balances progress with tradition, offering easy access to both urban life and natural beauty within a short distance.

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City in Panama

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English proficiency varies in Panama City. In tourist areas, hotels, and upscale restaurants, English is commonly spoken. However, in local markets, smaller establishments, and with taxi drivers, Spanish knowledge is helpful for smoother communication.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Panama City Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Great for skyline views and canal visits. Explore the historic old town, watch ships pass the canal, enjoy nightlife and visit museums.

Place score

7.0

Best at:

Sea

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Markets

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Panama – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Panama, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Panama, with 10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Panama. Alcohol consumption is allowed only in licensed venues or private spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally restricted.

Independence Day (3 November)	Celebrating Panama’s independence from Colombia

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Panama is known for its Panama Canal, rich biodiversity, and vibrant culture. The country offers a mix of urban and natural attractions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Panama City, Panama

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Jan

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Feb

🔥

Mar

🔥

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

🔥

Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season mid-December to April; rainy season May to early December with heavy downpours, especially October and November

Carnival: four days before Ash Wednesday, February or early March, with many closures and big crowds

Panama Canal transits and Miraflores Locks run year-round, but book ahead in dry season

Don't miss

🚢 Watch massive ships pass through the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal
🏘️ Stroll through Casco Viejo’s colorful colonial streets and plazas
🦜 Take a rainforest boat tour on Gatun Lake and spot wildlife
🌇 Enjoy city skyline views from Amador Causeway
🍽️ Taste Panamanian cuisine at a rooftop restaurant in Casco Viejo
🏛️ Explore Biomuseo’s vibrant architecture and marine exhibits

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Why travel to Panama City?

Panama City offers an intriguing mix of experiences that few destinations can match. The historic district of Casco Viejo, with its colorful colonial buildings and charming plazas, provides a fascinating contrast to the ultra-modern skyline that has earned the city the nickname 'Miami of Central America.' The Panama Canal is a must-see engineering marvel where you can watch enormous ships navigate through the locks, while the Metropolitan Natural Park offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing just minutes from downtown. The city's coastal location also provides beautiful waterfront experiences along the Cinta Costera promenade and Amador Causeway, with spectacular views of both the Pacific Ocean and the city skyline. However, Panama City does have some drawbacks to consider. The tropical climate means high heat and humidity for much of the year, making outdoor exploration uncomfortable during midday hours. While Casco Viejo has been beautifully restored, some areas outside the main tourist zones still have safety concerns, especially after dark. The city can also experience heavy traffic congestion and public transportation options are somewhat limited compared to other major cities. During the rainy season (May-November), afternoon downpours can disrupt sightseeing plans.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Arco Chato
2 Biomuseo
3 San Felipe
4 Panama Canal
5 Panama Viejo

🎡Places for activities

1 Amador Causeway
2 Avenida Balboa
3 Cinta Costera
4 Miraflores Locks

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Metropolitan Natural Park
2 P.H. Panama Bay Tower
3 Panama Canal
4 Taboga

🛍️Shopping

1 Albrook Mall
2 Avenida Central
3 Mercado de Mariscos

🎈Events

Panama Jazz Festival
Carnival
Independence Day celebrations
Panama Film Festival
Festival de Congos y Diablos

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Miraflores Locks early morning for best ship viewing.
Explore Casco Viejo's cobblestone streets; watch for uneven surfaces and petty theft.
Walk Amador Causeway at sunset for skyline views and waterfront seafood restaurants.
Use Uber over taxis; Metro Line 1 connects modern city to historic Casco Viejo easily.

How to travel to Panama City

Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the main gateway to Panama City, located about 24 km from downtown. It serves as a major hub for Copa Airlines and receives flights from numerous international destinations in North America, South America and Europe. From the airport, taxis and rideshare services are readily available, though prices should be confirmed before departure. There's also an airport bus service to the city center. For those arriving by land, there are bus connections from Costa Rica and other parts of Panama.

Access summary

From Tocumen (PTY): Taxi or rideshare 25–35 min; bus+metro about 1 hour.
From Miami: Direct flights around 3 hours, multiple daily services.
From Colón: Direct bus about 1.5–2 hours via highway.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Panama City

Panama City offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit various budgets. Casco Viejo features charming boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings, perfect for those seeking character and walkability to historic sites. The downtown and financial district area has modern high-rise hotels with city views and business amenities. For budget travelers, there are hostels and guesthouses throughout the city. During the dry season (December-April), prices tend to be higher and advance booking is recommended, especially for properties in Casco Viejo.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Grand International Hotel

8.6

Plaza Paitilla Inn

9.2

Riande Aeropuerto Hotel Casino

Principe Hotel and suites

8.8

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Panama Punta Pacifica

9.3

Eurostars Panama City

8.4

Waymore Hotel Spa & Casino

9.2

Hotel Terranova

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Panama City

Getting around Panama City can be done through a combination of taxis, Uber and public transportation. The Metro system is clean, efficient and inexpensive, though it only covers limited parts of the city. Buses (called Metrobus) are also available but can be confusing for tourists. For exploring specific areas like Casco Viejo or the Amador Causeway, walking or cycling are excellent options. Taxis are abundant but negotiate fares before getting in, as they don't use meters.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-42 %

Daily expenses in Panama City are around 42% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£29	£84	£231
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£20	£42	£117
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£4	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.26
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£37
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£11

Safety information overview

General safety

Panama City is generally safe in tourist areas, but caution is advised in certain neighborhoods, especially after dark. Stick to well-traveled areas like Casco Viejo and the financial district. Petty theft can occur, so keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings.

Health & Medical

Healthcare in Panama City is good with several private hospitals offering high-quality care. Many doctors are US-trained and speak English. The main health concerns are mosquito-borne illnesses during the rainy season and heat-related issues year-round. Travel insurance is recommended.

Accessibility

Accessibility in Panama City is improving but still presents challenges. Newer areas have better infrastructure, while Casco Viejo's cobblestone streets and old buildings can be difficult to navigate. The Metro is wheelchair accessible, but sidewalks often lack ramps and can be uneven.

Tap water

Tap water in Panama City is generally safe to drink in most areas, but many visitors prefer bottled water to be cautious. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Stay well-hydrated, especially when exploring outdoors, as the heat and humidity can be intense.