PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

With nearly 2 million residents, Panama City is the second largest city in Central America (surpassed only by Guatemala City). And while it has features you would expect a large city to have (captivating skyline, historic city center, etc.), it is also very unique given its close proximity to some of the most beautiful islands in the entire country! Additionally, Panama City is the only capital in the world that has rainforest space in its city limits. Talk about a stellar résumé!

Attractions:

  • Casco Viejo: Also known as San Felipe, Casco Viejo is a fantastic blend of old and new. This UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty of notable plazas, historic architecture, world-class restaurants, and a great nightlife scene! Be sure to cool off with some flavored shaved ice (known as raspao).

  • Hike Cerro Ancon: Just a 30-minute walk from Casco Viejo, this hike gives you an incredible, commanding view of the entire city! The hike starts a few steps from Mi Pueblito, is free, and will take 1 hour round-trip. You’ll know you’ve reached the top when you see the huge Panamanian flag waving in the breeze!

  • Panama Canal: Great place to visit if you are a history buff. For $20, you can explore the Miraflores Visitor Center and learn all about how the Panama Canal changed the world’s history!

  • Escape to the Islands: There are many groups of islands in the surrounding area, but the San Blas Islands take the cake! They are located off the Caribbean coast and easiest to reach if you book a tour through your hostel or online. Round-trip travel, food, and accommodation are included; tours vary in price from $120-$370 based on how many nights you stay. I highly recommend visiting! You can also visit the Taboga Islands in the Gulf of Panama. From the Isla Flamenco dock, the ferry is 30 minutes and costs $24 round-trip; ferries run 4-5 times daily. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance online. There are hostels here if you’d like to stay overnight!

  • Panama Viejo: This area is arguably the most historic in all of Panama City. Here, you can see ruins of the old city that are still in tact from the city’s inception over 500 years ago! A combined ticket to visit the ruins and museum costs $10.

  • Traverse the Amador Causeway: This 4-mile land bridge is a favorite among tourists for its colors and activities. Rent a bike, check out the Biodiversity Museum and its unique architecture, and/or paddle board in the bay. There is a lot to do here!

  • Metropolitan Natural Park: This park is 10 minutes from the city center and a great place to see wildlife! There are three main trails (Cienequita, Momotides, and Los Caobos) and the entrance fee costs $4. The park is open daily from 6:30am-4:30pm.

  • Other attractions include: Bridge of the Americas, Panama Canal Museum, Camino de Cruces National Park, and Recreational Park Omar Torrijos.

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Accommodation:

  • Mamallena Backpackers: This hostel has a great environment with very helpful staff members who can assist in booking tours all over Panama. It is located very near to the city center and a quick 10-minute taxi ride from Albrook Bus Terminal.

Transportation:

Panama City’s main bus station is Albrook Bus Terminal; all buses below leave from here. I recommend purchasing tickets in-person versus online.

  • The San Blas Islands are 3-4 hours by car from Panama City and cost $53. Unfortunately, no buses run this route; you must either rent a car or book a tour from Panama City. If you book a tour, transportation to and from the islands is included.

    • If you rent a car, the drive from Panama City to Puerto de Carti is 2-3 hours. There will be at least three police checkpoints along the way so have your passport and license ready. To pass the final checkpoint and to get into Guna Yala Territory, you will pay $10 per person. Upon reaching the port, you will pay $5 for your car and an additional $3 to park. The boat ride from Puerto de Carti to the San Blas Islands is 30 minutes and costs $35.

  • Boquete is 8 hours by bus from Panama City (indirect; via David) and costs $22. The first bus from Panama City to David is 7 hours and costs $20. The second bus from David to Boquete is 1 hour and costs $1.75.

    • The flight from Panama City (PTY or PAC) to David (DAV) is 1 hour and costs $75-$125. The taxi from David’s Airport (Enrique Malek International Airport) to Boquete is 1 hour and costs $15-$20.

  • Bocas del Toro is 11-12 hours by bus and ferry from Panama City (indirect; via David and Almirante) and costs $34. The first bus from Panama City to David is 7 hours and costs $20. The second bus from David to Almirante is 4 hours and costs $8. The final leg is a 30-minute ferry ride from Almirante to Bocas del Toro; tickets cost $6 and can be bought at the dock.

    • The flight from Panama City (PAC) to Bocas del Toro (BOC) is 1.5 hours and costs $100-$150.

  • San José, Costa Rica is 15 hours by bus (indirect; via David and Paso Canoas) from Panama City and costs $40. The first bus from Panama City to David is 7 hours and costs $20. The second bus from David to Paso Canoas is 1 hour and costs $2.25. The final bus from Paso Canoas to San José is 7 hours and costs $18.

    • At Paso Canoas when crossing the border of Panama into Costa Rica, there are a lot of restrictions. See my Costa Rica page for more information on what you need to have prepared to cross; they are strict!

    • The flight from Panama City (PTY) to San José (SJO) is 1.5 hours and costs $150-$200.

Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is 22km (14 miles) from the city center and accessible via bus or taxi.

  • Bus: The ride is 60-90 minutes and costs $1.25. Ask anyone (besides taxi drivers) where to find buses heading towards Albrook Bus Terminal and they will point you in the right direction. Be sure to board a bus in which someone hanging from the side is screaming “Terminal”!

    • Chicken buses (or diablos rojos - the multi-colored buses famous to Panama City) no longer service the airport but they are common inside the city limits.

  • Taxi/Uber: The ride is 30-60 minutes and costs $25-$35 depending on the time of day.

Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport (PAC) is Panama City’s secondary airport and the main hub for domestic travel. It is 1.5km (1 mile) from the city center and accessible via bus, metro and taxi.

  • Bus: The ride is 25 minutes and costs $0.25 (board one of the buses labeled C641, C941, or V531).

  • Metro: The ride is 10 minutes and costs $2.25 ($2 for a metro card and $0.25 for the metro fare)

  • Taxi/Uber: The ride is 15-20 minutes and costs $15-$20 depending on the time of day.

Thanks, Roger, for snapping the photo of me and Freddy with the skyline in the background!