The Perfect Panama City Itinerary for First Time Visitors
Most travelers treat Panama City as a one-night layover before the beaches. But if you skip it, you miss a Miami-like skyline, a 16th-century old town, and an opportunity to watch the ships move through the Panama Canal. This Panama City itinerary covers the best three-day to one-week travel guide for first time visitors, including where to stay for the views, where to eat, the best day trips, and how to do it all without a rental car.
Panama City At a Glance
| Best For | City lovers who want skyline views, history, and easy jungle and beach day trips |
| Best Neighborhood | Avenida Balboa for views and high-rise stays; Casco Viejo for historic charm |
| Where We’ve Stayed | Avenida Balboa: Yoo Panama (Wanders & Yoo) El Cangrejo: Hyatt Regency Panama City Casco Viejo: Tántalo Hotel & Roofbar |
| Best Day Trips or Add-ons | Panama Canal, Gamboa Rainforest, Dreams Playa Bonita beaches |
| Where to Eat | Sama Sky Lounge, Fonda Lo Que Hay, Azahar |
| Fly Into | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) |
| Direct Flights | Copa Airlines nonstop from several US cities |
| Language | Spanish … English common in tourist areas |
| Currency | US dollar (used alongside the Panamanian balboa) |
| Best Time to Visit | December to April (dry season) |
| Do You Need a Car? | No. Uber is cheap and covers the whole city |
| How Many Days? | 3 days for the city or 4 to 5 with a few extra day trips or a beach resort extension |
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution |
Read on for the full three-day to one-week Panama City itinerary, including where to stay, the best day trips, and honest notes on safety and cost.
Why Visit Panama City?
Panama City combines a glass-tower skyline with Casco Viejo, the colonial old town, and you can be in a rainforest or on a Pacific beach in no time. I lived in Miami for years, so the high-rise-and-water look is familiar. The difference is the price. Rooftop cocktails, a high-floor apartment, and a spa day cost a fraction of what they run in South Florida. In Panama City, you’ll get:
- A real skyline plus a walkable historic center
- The Panama Canal, where you can watch container ships move through the locks
- Rainforest and Pacific beaches within a two-hour drive of downtown
- Uber everywhere, which is cheap and reliable, so you don’t need a rental car
- The US dollar is the currency, which makes budgeting easy
We first visited a decade ago and came back in April. The skyline has expanded, the dining has gotten better, and the vibe is a perfect as we remember. Also, you can’t beat Panama City as a winter escape from the cold north.
What to Do in Panama City
Wander Casco Viejo, the Historic Old Town
Casco Viejo is the colonial quarter with plazas, churches, and rooftop bars packed onto a small peninsula. Our Airbnb was a 10-minute, $5 Uber away. Spend a half day wandering the streets, then stay for sunset drinks.
Watch Ships Transit Through the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is the reason most people know the country, and it’s worth seeing in person. A round-trip Uber to the canal museum cost us $12, and entry was $14 per person. It was a great afternoon for two at about $40. Go when a ship is moving through the locks. Watching a container vessel get raised and lowered is fascinating.
Find the Best Rooftop Bars and Dinners
Panama City can be pricey in the fancier spots, but it’s a bargain next to Miami, New York, or DC. We balanced the budget across the week. Some nights we spent $30 on dinner, for others we went up to $150. One night we splurged on a sushi dinner in our building for $265, but it included top-tier nigiri, rolls, apps, wine, and port to finish. We balanced it with a $28 pizza one night, as well as a couple of instant ramen nights.
Our favorite food and drinks on the trip:
- Espresso martinis and a rooftop view at Sama Sky Lounge
- Fried chicken at Fonda Lo Que Hay
- Sushi at Azahar
Book a Spa Day for Less
For a slow day, we started with a poolside cabana and a book at our gorgeous condo building, Yoo Panama (Wanders & Yoo) on Avenida Balboa. Then we walked to the Hilton Panama Hotel for a couples massage. In South Florida this costs $500 and up. Here we paid less than half for the massages, private spa access, a bottle of bubbly, and a fruit-and-cheese platter. Dinner that night was the $28 pizza we mentioned above and a few rounds of pool for free in the Yoo lobby. Total for the day: $275.
Luxe-for-Less Tip: Many Panama City high-rises include cabana and pool access that would cost $300 extra per day in Miami. Use your building’s amenities before you pay for a hotel day pass.
Where to Stay in Panama City
On our last visit, we stayed on Avenida Balboa, the waterfront strip lined with high-rises, and booked Yoo Panama (the Wanders & Yoo building). The view alone is a reason we’d book it again, but it also included so many excellent amenities. We’ve stayed in over 70 apartments around the world, and this was one of our favorites.
The Yoo Panama pool was better than at the Hilton Panama Hotel next door, and we got it for a fraction of the price. It’s a great hotel, but we loved our apartment deal. We used the Yoo Panama gym, the on-site restaurants, and the pool all week, and paid $1,000 for seven nights. One quirk: there was no coffee maker in the unit, so we just packed instant.
Picking your base: Avenida Balboa for the skyline views and modern high-rise apartments. Casco Viejo if you’d rather walk out your door into the historic streets and explore the restaurants and rooftop bars. El Cangrejo for a lively local feel. We’d pick Avenida Balboa again for the views and the pool, especially since it’s easy to get to Casco Viejo with Uber.
These are our favorite accommodations in each Panama City neighborhood we love:
- Avenida Balboa: Yoo Panama (Wanders & Yoo), Hilton Panama Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria Panama
- El Cangrejo: Hyatt Regency Panama City
- Casco Viejo: Tántalo Hotel & Roofbar, Hotel La Compañía Casco Antigua
Best Day Trips From Panama City
Three days in the city is plenty, but the day trips are worth building in an extra day for. These are the ones we did and the ones we’re booking next time.
Gamboa Rainforest
We took a ride out to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, which was a peaceful spot for lunch in the jungle. There wasn’t a ton to do beyond that, and getting a ride back was tricky. Ask your Uber driver to wait or pre-arrange the return. There are good parks and hiking spots nearby, so research before you go.
Dreams Playa Bonita and the Beaches
We ended the trip with two nights at the all-inclusive Dreams Playa Bonita, which we booked with 40,000 Chase points. It’s not white sand or fancy, but it exceeded our expectations. The food was ok but the service was great, and everything but tips was included. If you have the points and the time, this is an excellent add-on.
Tours We’re Booking Next Time
We didn’t get to do every day trip on our list. These are the ones we’re planning for the next trip, both through Viator:
- Catamaran cruise: about $280 per couple, including transport and tip
- Private jungle excursion: about $175 per couple
Budgeting $200 to $500 for tours and Ubers is plenty. If you want to do everything, $700 to $800 gives you wiggle room to plan some private day trips and upscale dinners.
Getting to Panama City and Around
- Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Copa Airlines operates nonstop service from several US cities. We flew Copa business class round-trip from DC for $700 per person, which is a fantastic deal but realistic if you set fare alerts. Economy can be under $300 if you book early or catch one of Copa’s frequent sales.
- Use Uber once you land. It’s cheap and easy across the whole city. Rides cost us $5 to $12 in town.
- Skip the rental car. Parking and traffic aren’t worth it when Uber is this affordable.
Pro Tip: We use Google Flights to watch the calendar and set price alerts. February and the rest of the dry season are our favorite window for a winter escape, and the deals pop up if you’re patient.
How Much Does a Panama City Trip Cost?
Panama City is great on almost any budget. Here’s how the numbers broke down for us for a full one-week Panama City itinerary:
- Mid-Range: About $4,000 per couple for a week. That covers a deal on business-class flights, a high-floor apartment, the spa day, some nice dinners, and a few excursions. This is roughly what we spent by mixing splurges with cheaper nights.
- Budget: $2,500 to $3,000. Fly economy, cook some meals, skip the spa and private tours, and stay in the same apartment.
- All-Out: Plan around $5,000 for business class, rooftop cocktails, dinner out every night, private tours, and a full spa day.
A high-end grocery store called Foodie was right in our building, which made stocking up easy. It wasn’t cheap, but it beat eating every meal out. We spent about $300 for the week on wine, rum, eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt, ramen, salads, and snacks. The fruit was excellent.
Is Panama City Safe?
Panama carries a Level 2 travel advisory from the US State Department: Exercise Increased Caution, due to crime and the potential for civil unrest. That’s the same level as Costa Rica. We felt comfortable throughout the city, day and evening.
The crime the advisory flags is mostly petty: pickpocketing, purse snatching, and occasional break-ins, the kind of thing that’s standard in any big city. The two Level 4 “Do Not Travel” zones include parts of the Mosquito Gulf on the Caribbean coast and parts of the Darién near the Colombian border, which are remote and nowhere near the tourist routes. You won’t pass through them on a normal trip.
Always keep general safety tips in mind:
- Don’t flash valuables or walk with your phone out
- Stick to well-lit, busy streets at night
- Use Uber instead of hailing street taxis
- Carry some cash, but not too much
We’ve been to Panama City multiple times and have never had any issues staying in various neighborhoods around town, including El Cangrejo, Avenida Balboa, and Casco Viejo.
Sample 3-Day Panama City Itinerary
Three days is enough to see the city without rushing. Add up to a week if you want to do extra day trips or add a beach or jungle trip on the end.
Day 1: Casco Viejo and Rooftop Sunset
Settle in, then head to Casco Viejo in the afternoon. Wander the plazas and churches, browse the shops, and end at a rooftop bar. Check out Sama Sky Lounge for espresso martinis and the view, then have dinner at Fonda Lo Que Hay.
Day 2: The Panama Canal and a Slow Afternoon
Spent your morning at the canal watching a ship transit the locks and exploring the museum. Then head back to your Panama City hotel for a pool afternoon and a cabana. If you’re staying at Yoo or Hilton Panama Hotel, book massages followed by a low-key dinner in or nearby. The Hilton’s lobby bar has great hamburgers. If you want something more elevated (and pricey), check out Azahar for sushi.
Day 3: Panama Boat or Jungle Day Trip
Pick a day trip: Gamboa Rainforest for jungle and lunch, or a catamaran cruise. If you’d rather have a more planned out trip to the jungle, consider a private tour.
Have Two More Nights? Add Dreams Playa Bonita
If you have time, tack on two nights at Dreams Playa Bonita for an all-inclusive beach finish. It’s not the fanciest resort property or beach, but it is a lovely, relaxing, and fun way to close out the trip. We did this with a 40,000-Chase-point transfer to Hyatt to cover the whole stay, including food and drinks.
Panama City Itinerary: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City Safe for Tourists?
Panama holds a Level 2 travel advisory from the US State Department, meaning Exercise Increased Caution, the same as Costa Rica. The main concern in the city is petty crime like pickpocketing. We felt very comfortable across multiple stays in El Cangrejo, Avenida Balboa, and Casco Viejo, day and night. Take normal big-city precautions, use Uber after dark, and you’ll be fine.
How Many Days Do You Need in Panama City?
Three days covers the city itself: Casco Viejo, the canal, the rooftops, and a spa or pool day. Plan a full week itinerary in Panama City if you want a rainforest day trip or a beach stay at Dreams Playa Bonita.
Is There Uber in Panama City?
Yes. Uber is widely available, cheap, and reliable across Panama City. Most rides cost $5 to $12. We used it for everything, including the airport and the canal, and never rented a car. It’s the easiest way to get around.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Panama City?
The dry season, December through April, is the best window. We’ we’ve gone in February and April and the weather was perfect each time. February is our favorite for a winter escape, and flight deals are common, especially through Copa Airlines sales, with direct flights from the US.
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Panama City?
Avenida Balboa is best for skyline views and modern high-rise apartments with pools and gyms. Casco Viejo is best if you want to walk out into the historic old town and its rooftop bars. We love El Cangrejo for a local and lively vibe. We based on Avenida Balboa and would do it again for the views and the building pool. Our favorite accommodation picks are:
- Avenida Balboa: Yoo Panama (Wanders & Yoo), Hilton Panama Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria Panama
- El Cangrejo: Hyatt Regency Panama City
- Casco Viejo: Tántalo Hotel & Roofbar, Hotel La Compañía Casco Antiguo
Have you been to Panama City? Let us know in the comments.
