Panama City, Panama- Local Guidebook
Panama City, Panama- Local Guidebook
Restless Pursuits
My husband and I did the Peace Corps in Panama. We were sent to the Bocas Del Toro region far from Panama City, but we visited the city frequently. Another Peace Corps volunteer, who we are really good friends with, met up with us in Panama City in 2023 for a reunion of sorts. She has lived in Panama City with her husband and kids for over 11 years. We talked about the many things to see and do in the city and she helped me write this guidebook.
Included in the guide are:
🏔️ - Honest Opinions of Top Attractions
👨👩👦👦 - Family-Friendly Activities
🏝️ - Day or Overnight Trips near the City
🍽️ - Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
🏨 - Places to Stay
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Top Attractions
Explore Casco Viejo
Anyone coming to Panama needs to take a day and wander around Casco Viejo. In the last decade, Cisco Viejo has been restored a lot and is full of restaurants, bars, shops, and lots of other things to do. This is a must do!
Casco Viejo
@amandasmith
There are many streets to walk around and explore. Peak into the areas where the buildings haven't been refurbished to get a historical perspective. Check out the community garden and a small park near the waterfront that is nice for small children.
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See the Ships Pass through the Panama Canal
If you are interested in the Canal and its history, you will like this. If you don’t care as much, it’s okay to skip this. Panama is so much more than the Canal!
Miraflores Visitor's Center
@amandasmith
View the ships passing through. Most ships only pass through in the mornings between 8:30-10am and after 3pm. Since most visitors come to see the ships, arriving early is best to get a good view. The visitor's center is open from 8am - 5pm. There’s an IMAX film that you can watch there that describes the history and it is fairly well done.
The very large ships that pass through in the new section of the canal are hidden behind a section of trees. You can still see the tops of them, but you can’t really see the Canal’s locks work their magic.
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Soberania National Park
Highly recommend a visit to Soberania National Park! This is a great place to hire a guide for either birding or a nature walk.
Parque Nacional Soberanía
@amandasmith
Contact Panama Road Trips to arrange a tour.
Another idea is to arrange a boat tour from the Chagres river early in the morning to see monkeys in Lake Gatun!
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Gamboa Discovery Center
The Gamboa Discovery Center is a fun place to visit for the morning where you can climb a canopy tower.
Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
@amandasmith
Good place for birding and nature observation. You can easily walk through the park as the trails are well-marked. If you prefer, you can also request a guided tour through the reserve.
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Family Friendly Activities
Visit the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway
Biomuseo
@amandasmith
Great place to go as a family where you will learn about the migration of species over the isthmus and learn about Panama’s natural history.
Bonus: It’s a unique architectural building by Frank Gehry!
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Take a Tour to Monkey Island in Lake Gatun
Gatun Lake
@amandasmith
The Monkey Island tour on Lake Gatun in Panama takes visitors on a boat ride to an island inhabited by several species of monkeys, including howlers, capuchins, and spider monkeys. Visitors can observe and interact with the monkeys while learning about their habitat and behavior from knowledgeable guides.
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Ziplining in Gamboa
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
@amandasmith
Ziplining in Gamboa offers a thrilling and adrenaline-filled experience as visitors fly through the air high above the rainforest canopy taking in the stunning views. Kids must be at least 5 years old.
Also an option for your lodging if you are looking for a unique place to stay.
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Go for a Walk or Bike Ride in the City
Go in the morning or evening to avoid the mid-day heat!
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Amador Causeway
@amandasmith
Popular for biking and walking. There are playgrounds on the Causeway and the Biomuseo. There are also many restaurants where you can stop and enjoy a snack or drink.
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Ancon Hill
@amandasmith
Perfect place to walk and enjoy a view of the Canal and the city. There are also opportunities to see toucans, monkeys and ñeques on the trail.
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Day or Overnight Trips near the City
San Blas Islands
San Blas Islands
@amandasmith
San Blas day trips are fun and the islands are beautiful, but they can be exhausting with lots of island hopping. I recommend going to San Blas and staying a few days to fully enjoy the beauty that they offer!
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Pearl Islands
Pearl Islands
@amandasmith
Gorgeous islands to visit. You can take a ferry to get there. It takes a little time to get there so doing it as a day-trip would feel rushed. I recommend staying a few nights.
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Taboga Island
Taboga Island
@amandasmith
A great island choice if you only have time for a day-trip from Panama City. There are so many different water sports that can be done on the island. I would recommend Sailing Club Panama for water activities. Plenty of vacation rentals on the island if you decide to stay the night.
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Chame
Chame District
@amandasmith
Chame is located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Panama City. The town is situated along the Pacific coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Playa Chame and Playa Malibu. It’s also a popular destination for surfing, fishing, and other water sports.
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El Valle de Anton
Anton Valley
@amandasmith
El Valle de Anton is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Panama City. The town is located in the crater of an extinct volcano and is known for its natural beauty, cooler climate, and ecological diversity. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and hot springs.
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Top Restaurants
Best Place to Catch the Sunset
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Delicious Local Cuisine
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Top Breakfast Joint
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American Trade Hotel & Hall
@amandasmith
Check out the Dining Room for a great breakfast. Located in Casco Viejo.
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Best Lunch Spots
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Fonda Donde Francis - Rio Abajo (Please note that this isn't the safest neighborhood, but a small group for lunch should be fine.)
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Mercado De Marisco Cinta Costera
@amandasmith
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Notable Dinner
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Esa Flaca Rica - San Francisco
@amandasmith
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Places to Stay
The Westin Playa Bonita Panama
@amandasmith
Luxurious with a beach and pool. Please note that it is located a little bit out of the city!
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Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino
@amandasmith
For a fun hotel in the middle of everything with a pool and stylish rooms.
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Hotel La Compañia - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
@amandasmith
For a beautiful colonial style hotel in Casco Viejo.
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Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
@amandasmith
Ziplining in Gamboa offers a thrilling and adrenaline-filled experience as visitors fly through the air high above the rainforest canopy taking in the stunning views. Kids must be at least 5 years old.
Also an option for your lodging if you are looking for a unique place to stay.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Restless Pursuits
Hi! I am Amanda and the voice behind Restless Pursuits.
👨👩👦👦 I specialize in family travel. We are an adventurous family of four that loves to travel all over the world. We seek out captivating locations that are fun for the whole family.
🏔️ When traveling we enjoy hiking and being in nature.
🌮 We are always in search of a delicious meal, snack or coffee.
📍We enjoy popular attractions at times, but really seek out the off the beaten path locations.
✈️ We slow traveled full-time for 8 months and have recently moved to Europe to continue our journey taking shorter trips on school breaks. During our 8 month trip we visited Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Spain, Paris, Belgium, Netherlands and Portugal. In the United States we have lived in various places in Michigan; Denver, Colorado; Estes Park, Colorado; and Bozeman, Montana.
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