Things to Do in Panama City
Plan your days in Panama City, your way
Panama City gives you a bit of everything, starting with ships climbing the Miraflores Locks before the crowds thicken.
Spend midday wandering Casco Viejo's plazas, ducking into churches, coffee shops, and shaded arcades as the mood takes you.
Lunch is ceviche and patacones at the Mercado de Mariscos, eaten at the counter with the regulars.
The Cinta Costera offers an easy waterfront walk with the skyline on one side and the bay on the other.
A short climb up Ancon Hill ends with the whole city spread out below, jungle included.
The Biomuseo adds a burst of color and an hour of genuinely fascinating natural history.
Evening belongs to a Casco rooftop: one good drink, warm air, the city lights coming on.
If energy remains, the Amador Causeway at sunset is a gentle, beautiful way to close the day.
Nothing here demands extremes; every experience sits comfortably within reach.
It is a city that meets an open mind exactly halfway.
Top attractions and places to eat in Panama City
Miraflores Visitor Center
The Pacific-side visitor center is the clearest place to watch ships rise and fall through the Panama Canal locks, with viewing terraces and an IMAX film. The Panama Canal Authority lists non-resident adult admission at US$17.22; modernization work continues through late 2026, so allow extra time.
attraction · 4.6 rating · $17.22
Casco Viejo
Panama City’s UNESCO-listed historic quarter combines colonial churches, restored plazas, sea walls, cafés, rooftop bars, and layers of living neighborhood history. Walking the district is free; explore by day and return for dinner or sunset.
attraction · 4.8 rating · Free
Amador Causeway
This palm-lined road links four small islands at the canal entrance, with skyline views, cycling, restaurants, and access to the Biomuseo and Punta Culebra. The causeway itself is free; bike rentals and attractions cost extra.
attraction · 4.8 rating · Free
Maito Restaurante
Panama’s internationally acclaimed flagship restaurant explores the country’s Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, Asian, and canal-zone influences through creative tasting and à-la-carte dishes. Reserve well ahead. Typical price tier: $$$$.
bar
Fonda Lo Que Hay
A celebrated Casco Viejo restaurant serving chef-driven Panamanian comfort food in a lively, unfussy room. Expect bold flavors and popular walk-in demand. Typical price tier: $$.
restaurant
Panama Canal Museum
Set on Plaza de la Independencia, this museum explains the canal’s French and U.S. construction eras, labor history, sovereignty, and modern expansion. The museum’s official non-resident adult ticket is US$15.
attraction · $15
Donde José
An intimate reservation-only tasting counter interprets Panamanian ingredients and regional stories through a focused multi-course menu. Typical price tier: $$$$.
restaurant
Restaurante Makoto
A polished Japanese restaurant known for sushi, robata dishes, and a stylish rooftop terrace in Obarrio. Typical price tier: $$$.
restaurant
Biomuseo
Frank Gehry’s vividly colored museum connects the formation of the Panamanian isthmus with global biodiversity through immersive galleries. The official non-resident adult admission is US$20.
attraction · $20
Riesen
A small contemporary restaurant centered on Panamanian ingredients, careful technique, and an intimate chef-led experience. Reservations are strongly recommended. Typical price tier: $$$$.
restaurant
Panamá Viejo Archaeological Site
The ruins of the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast include the cathedral tower, convent foundations, a museum, and internal transport. Official foreign-adult admission is US$17 and includes the archaeological site and museum.
attraction · $17
La Tapa del Coco
A standout Afro-Panamanian restaurant serving coconut-rich Caribbean dishes, fried chicken, seafood, and plantain-based comfort food. Typical price tier: $$.
restaurant
Íntimo
A creative tasting-menu restaurant presenting modern Panamanian cuisine in a small, reservation-focused dining room. Typical price tier: $$$$.
restaurant
Metropolitan Natural Park
A protected tropical forest inside the capital offers signed trails, monkeys, sloths, birds, and a skyline viewpoint. The park’s official foreign-adult general admission is US$5.
park · $5
Azahar Panama
A glamorous waterfront-facing restaurant with globally influenced plates, seafood, sushi, cocktails, and an energetic dinner scene. Typical price tier: $$$.
restaurant