Panamá · Panamá Province

Panamá

"Where two oceans meet, where five centuries coexist" — the tropical megacity blending colonial ruins, mirrored skyscrapers and the gateway to the Americas.

1519 founding of Panamá Viejo
1997 UNESCO Casco Viejo
90 Copa destinations
Discover
About Panamá City

Five centuries of history, a hundred skyscrapers, two oceans in sight

Founded in 1519, Panamá Viejo was the first European city on the American Pacific — looted then burned by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. Rebuilt a few kilometers away in 1673 on the San Felipe peninsula, the "new town" became today's Old Town, listed by UNESCO in 1997 along with its ruined ancestor.

Today Panamá City plays two registers impossible to separate: a restored colonial heart with pastel facades and electric rooftop bars, and a megacity skyline of 100+ skyscrapers that earned it the nickname "Singapore of the Americas". At its feet: the Canal, two spectacular bridges (Bridge of the Americas, Centennial Bridge), and the Copa Airlines air hub serving 90+ destinations.

Our field tip: stay at least 3 nights — one for the modern shock, one to soak up Casco Viejo, one to head out to the Canal, the Soberanía jungle or the Pearl Islands. And always end on a rooftop facing the bridge.

View of the pastel colonial facades of Panamá City's Casco Viejo
📍 Panamá Province · Pacific · USD/Balboa
Landmarks

Geography & climate

The essentials to know before flying off — regional air hub, hot humid tropical climate, and the best time to enjoy the city without drowning in rain.

Map

Situation & Access

  • 📍LocalizationPanamá's Pacific coast, at the mouth of the Canal · the country's capital · 1.5 M inhabitants in the metro area
  • AirplaneAirportTocumen International (PTY) — Copa Airlines hub (90+ destinations), gateway to Central America/Caribbean/Latin America, flights from Paris via Madrid or Amsterdam
  • 🚗Tocumen → Casco Viejo30-45 min drive depending on traffic (24 km) · Uber recommended
  • HighwayKey ExcursionsMiraflores Locks 30 min · San Blas 2h30 + boat · Soberanía (jungle) 45 min · El Valle de Antón 2h
  • WarningTo knowModern 3-line metro (rare in Central America) · official currency USD + Balboa (1:1 parity)
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Climate & Season

  • ThermometerTemperature30°C day / 24°C night · hot humid tropical climate year-round
  • ☀️Dry seasonDecember → April · clear skies, Pacific breeze · high season
  • RainGreen seasonMay → November · late-afternoon tropical showers · gentler rates
  • 🎭CarnivalFebruary (4 days before Ash Wednesday) · one of the most festive in the Americas
  • 💎Sweet spotDecember–March (dry, breezy) · Carnival in February (unique atmosphere)

Month by month — when to go?

Hover over the months to identify the best windows.

January
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February
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March
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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November
Partly cloudy
December
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Sweet spot Toucan High season Green season (rainy season)
Don't miss it

The 5 experiences signature

What we systematically recommend to our travelers in Panamá City. With, under each experience, the field secret that makes the difference.

1 Colorful facades of Casco Viejo Panamá and colonial church bell towers
🏛️ UNESCO colonial icon

Casco Viejo (San Felipe) — UNESCO

The historic district founded in 1673 after Panamá Viejo's destruction by Henry Morgan. UNESCO 1997. Plaza Bolívar, Plaza de Francia, Plaza de la Independencia, Iglesia de San José with its famous golden altar saved from the looting, metropolitan cathedral. Legendary rooftop bars (Tantalo, CasaCasco) to take in the megacity across the bay.

🤫 Secret Pro : wander the district at 7am for golden light on the pastel facades, zero crowds, cafés opening their gates.
💡 Tip: CasaCasco or Tantalo rooftop at happy hour 5-7pm to watch the skyline light up facing the Bridge of the Americas.
2 Modern Panamá City skyline seen from the Cinta Costera
🌆 Tropical megacity

Modern skyline & Cinta Costera

100+ skyscrapers (Trump Ocean Club, F&F Tower, BICSA Financial Center) shimmer over the bay. The Cinta Costera is a 6 km waterfront promenade reclaimed from the sea — cycling, jogging, food trucks, and an aligned view of Casco Viejo / megacity skyline / Bridge of the Americas. The most striking visual contrast in the Americas.

👑 VIP Option: private panoramic helicopter tour to take in the entire isthmus, both oceans visible from altitude (~$300/pers).
🤫 Secret Pro : rent a bike on the Cinta Costera from 6am = Pacific breeze, local runners, no crushing heat.
3 Fresh seafood and ceviche stall at Panamá's Mercado de Mariscos
🦐 Harbor flavors

Mercado de Mariscos & ceviche

The iconic fish market at the water's edge, a stone's throw from Casco Viejo. Upstairs: stalls of ceviche at 3 USD a cup — corvina, octopus, mixed, shrimp. The morning meeting point for Casco chefs, office workers and savvy travelers. Freshness guaranteed, off the boat that very morning.

💡 Tip: go between 10am and 12pm for maximum freshness, ask for the copa mixta (octopus + shrimp + corvina) with a plantain patty.
🤫 Secret Pro : order the ceviche with leche de tigre on the side — drink the cold citrus juice after the pieces, pure tropical euphoria.
4 Colorful architecture of Frank Gehry's Biomuseo in Panamá City
🦋 Architecture & biodiversity

Biomuseo (Frank Gehry)

On the Amador Causeway, the only Frank Gehry work in Latin America — a roof of dazzling colors shaped like fragmented origami. Inside, 8 galleries tell how the formation of the Panamá isthmus 3 million years ago transformed planetary biodiversity and global ocean currents. Short, dense, brilliant.

🤫 Secret Pro : combine Biomuseo + Amador Causeway stroll + sunset at the Mirador Pacífico = the perfect half-day.
💡 Tip: French-language audio guide available at reception, allow a full 2h to enjoy it.
5 Ruins of the Panamá Viejo cathedral, first European city on the Pacific
🏚️ Founding ruins

Panamá Viejo — UNESCO

East of the city, the ruins of the first European city on the Pacific, founded in 1519, burned by Henry Morgan in 1671. The cathedral tower, the remains of the Santo Domingo and San Francisco convents, and the Casa Alarcón standing in stone at the ocean's edge. Underrated by hurried tourists, fundamental to understanding the Panamanian story. UNESCO 1997 jointly with Casco Viejo.

🤫 Secret Pro : visit in late afternoon (4-6pm) — heat gone, golden light on the stones, few visitors, sublime photographs.
👑 VIP Option: French-speaking historian guide via Dynamics covering Panamá Viejo + Casco Viejo in a single "5 centuries" themed day.
Urban Geography

Panamá City & its key zones

The city is divided into very different neighborhoods — understanding the map helps avoid pointless areas and stay where you'll truly enjoy it.

Casco Viejo & historic heart

For: couples · culture · gastronomy · rooftops

  • Classical building San Felipe (Casco Viejo) UNESCO 1997 · colonial plazas, boutique hotels, rooftop bars Tantalo, CasaCasco, Lazotea
  • ⛪ Iglesia de San José golden baroque altar saved from Henry Morgan, one of Central America's most beautiful
  • Derelict house Panamá Viejo UNESCO ruins 1519, 15 min east, pair it in the same themed day
  • 🦐 Mercado de Mariscos at the water's edge between Casco and Cinta Costera, fresh ceviche at 3 USD
  • 🌅 Plaza de Francia lookout over the bay, monument to the French engineers of the Canal

Modern districts & surroundings

For: business · luxury · leisure · urban jungle

  • 🏢 Marbella & Obarrio financial CBD, corporate headquarters, skyscrapers, 4-5★ chain hotels
  • 💎 Punta Pacífica residential luxury, Trump Ocean Club, Hospital Punta Pacífica international hospital (Johns Hopkins)
  • 🏡 San Francisco upscale residential, fine-dining restaurants, Omar park, calm
  • ⛵ Amador Causeway 6 km causeway on artificial islands, Biomuseo, marinas, cycling, restaurants with bay views
  • 🌳 Parque Natural Metropolitano jungle in the city (265 ha), trails, sloths, toucans 15 min from downtown
Bestiary

Nature that you attend

Panamá City's craziest quirk: you're in a megacity, and you can see toucans, sloths and monkeys in under 30 min. The continental land bridge concentrates a biodiversity unique in the world, where North and South American faunas meet.

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Three-toed sloth
Brown-throated sloth
Year-round · Parque Metropolitano
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Capuchin monkey
Cebus imitator
Year-round · Soberanía 45 min
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Keel-billed Toucan
Keel-billed Toucan
Year-round · Soberanía jungle
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Blue Morpho Butterfly
Tropical Morpho
May → October · surrounding forests
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Black caiman
Caiman crocodilus
Year-round · Gatún Lake (Canal)
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Common bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Year-round · bay + Pearl Islands
Gastronomy

Flavors of Panama mixed-race

A global crossroads obliges: Panamanian cuisine blends Spanish, African (Caribbean coast), indigenous Ngäbe and Chinese heritage (the Canal's massive impact). Panamá City is the laboratory where it all converges — from street food to World's 50 Best-awarded fine dining.

🦐 Ceviche de corvina
~$3 — cup
Raw corvina (Pacific sea bass) marinated in lime, red onion, cilantro, mild chili. At the Mercado de Mariscos, the ritual of every traveler arriving in Panamá.
Chicken Sancocho
~$8 — dish
The national dish. Hearty free-range hen soup with ñame (yam), culantro coriander, corn, plantain. Traditionally served in the morning to cure hangovers.
Fried plantains
~$3 — support
Slices of green plantain crushed and twice-fried, ultra crispy. Served with garlic-cilantro sauce. The mandatory side for grilled fish.
🌽 Carimañolas
~$2 — room
Cassava croquettes stuffed with spiced ground meat, fried. Morning street food, after a Casco Viejo night out or as a local brunch.
☕ Geisha Coffee from Boquete
~$5 — espresso
One of the most expensive and awarded coffees in the world, grown at 1,500 m on the slopes of Volcán Barú. Floral notes, jasmine, citrus. Taste it at Bajareque or Cafés Unidos.
🥃 Ron Abuelo 12-year Centenario
~$12 — glass
Premium Panamanian rum aged 12 years in American oak barrels. One of Latin America's finest rums, ideal to end a Casco Viejo rooftop dinner.
Our field selection

Where sleep in Panamá City?

3 hotels tested and validated by our field team — from restored historic luxury to rooftop boutique, via intimate colonial charm.

5 stars
American Trade Hotel
Casco Viejo luxury · restored 1917 former bank · Plaza Herrera · live jazz
Couples · Honeymoons · Art Travelers
⚡ Book Dynamics
4 stars
Tantalo Hotel Kitchen Roofbar
Casco Viejo boutique · the city's most famous rooftop · urban design vibe
Trendy couples · First trip · Solo
⚡ Book Dynamics
4 stars
Las Clementinas
Intimate colonial charm, 7 suites · restored 1930 house · gourmet café
Couples · Slow travelers · Authenticity seekers
⚡ Book Dynamics
Field expertise

Tips Experts Toucan

The real tips guidebooks don't give you. 8 field shortcuts to save time, money and frustration in Panamá City.

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Photo

Casco Viejo at 7am, skyline at sunset

Before 7am, pastel facades in golden light, deserted streets. For the megacity skyline: Lazotea/Tantalo rooftop between 5:30 and 6:30pm, just before night swallows the contrasts.

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Currency

USD everywhere, Balboa in coins

The Panamanian Balboa exists only as coins (1:1 parity with USD). Banknotes used are USD. No need to change money on arrival — Banistmo / Banco General ATMs reliable, fee-free.

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Transportation

Uber excellent, clean metro, avoid taxis

Uber fares very low (Tocumen → Casco $15-20). Modern 3-line metro ($0.35 a ride). Traditional taxis: no meter, negotiate beforehand. Avoid except in emergencies.

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Security

Casco Viejo safe, avoid El Chorrillo

Casco Viejo + tourist zones + modern districts: very safe day and night, tourist police present. Avoid El Chorrillo and Curundu some evenings — briefing at check-in by your hotel or our Toucan team via Dynamics.

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Budget

Mercado de Mariscos vs Casco fine dining

Ceviche at the market $3, the same in a Casco restaurant $12. Sancocho in a Cinta Costera comedor $6, in gastronomic San Francisco $18. Alternating both registers = the right travel balance.

Airplane
Hub airport

Tocumen (PTY), Copa hub, 90+ destinations

Copa Airlines (Star Alliance) makes PTY the "Hub of the Americas": 90+ direct destinations across Central America, Caribbean, Latin America, USA, Europe. Ideal for combining Panamá with Costa Rica, Cuba, Colombia, Bocas.

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Formalities

No EU visa for stays under 180 days

Passport valid 6 months after return. No visa for tourist stays. Proof of funds ($500 minimum) and return ticket may be requested on arrival.

Rain
Weather

Dry Dec-April, green May-November

Hot humid tropical climate year-round. Dry season Dec-April = crisp skies, Pacific breeze, ideal for the city. Green season = late-afternoon showers but superb mornings, gentler rates.

⚠️ Avoid — classic pitfalls

  • ❌ Staying only in Marbella: efficient for business, but you miss Panamá's soul. At least 1 night in Casco Viejo.
  • ❌ Skipping Panamá Viejo: the 1519 ruins are the key to the city's history. An overlooked UNESCO site, you're already there — a big waste not to go.
  • ❌ Walking El Chorrillo / Curundu in the evening: districts bordering the Casco, not for visitors, local briefing essential.
  • ❌ Going to the locks without booking a boat: Miraflores with a ship transit = magical, without = a museum visit. Check transit schedules.
  • ❌ Eating only at the hotel: Panamanian gastronomy (street food + fine dining) is one of Central America's most creative.
  • ❌ Underestimating Heat: 80% humidity, sweating guaranteed. Light cotton/linen clothing, water everywhere, no tight jeans.
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Take the Panamá City guide everywhere

Full PDF version with map, climate, experiences, hotels, and expert tips. Ideal for preparing your trip offline or slipping into your suitcase.

Download the PDF sheet
Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions, our answers

The 6 questions we're asked most often about Panamá City & Casco Viejo.

How many nights should you plan in Panamá City?
3 nights minimum to combine Casco Viejo + modern skyline + one excursion (Miraflores Canal, Soberanía or Panamá Viejo). 4-5 nights if you add Amador Causeway, Biomuseo and a Pearl Islands day. Beyond that, the city becomes a base for San Blas, El Valle or Boquete via domestic flight.
Is Panamá City family-friendly?
Very much so. Pedestrian, secure Casco Viejo, Biomuseo fascinating for kids, accessible Parque Metropolitano (sloths 15 min from downtown), clean and fun metro, Pearl Islands beaches as a day trip. For very young children, watch the humid heat and the Casco's cobblestones (baby carrier rather than stroller).
Is Panamá City dangerous?
Casco Viejo, Marbella, San Francisco, Punta Pacífica and Amador are very safe day and night, with a strong tourist police presence. Overall safety better than the Latin American average. Areas to avoid without a guide: El Chorrillo (bordering the Casco) and Curundu some evenings. Our Toucan team systematically briefs travelers via Dynamics.
What budget should I plan for?
From $140-220 USD/night in a 4★ Casco Viejo boutique, $280–450 USD/night in luxury (American Trade, Bristol Buenaventura). Local comedor $5-8/meal, Casco Viejo restaurant $25-40, fine dining (Maito, Donde José) $80-140. Uber Tocumen-Casco $15-20, metro $0.35, Canal excursion $80-120, Soberanía jungle $90.
Should you visit the Panamá Canal from the city?
Yes, it's a must. Two options: Miraflores Locks (30 min from Casco, visitor center, observation deck, ship transit every hour) or partial transit by boat (half-day, you physically pass through a lock, the experiential version). See our dedicated Canal guide.
What's the difference between Casco Viejo and Panamá Viejo?
Panamá Viejo = ruins of the original city founded in 1519, burned by Henry Morgan in 1671, east of the city. Casco Viejo (San Felipe) = the "new town" rebuilt in 1673 on the peninsula, beautifully restored, where you live, sleep, eat. Both sites are listed UNESCO 1997 jointly and can be visited in the same themed day.
Build your itinerary

Combining Panamá City with.

Panamá City is the perfect base for exploring the country — Copa air hub, short domestic flights, paved roads. Here are the 5 destinations to chain together for a complete 10-15 day Panamá trip.

Panama Canal locks with a container ship in transit
Panama Canal
30 MIN · 15 km
Miraflores Locks, partial transit, Gatún Lake and Soberanía jungle
Discover
Paradise islands of San Blas Guna Yala seen from the sky
San Blas / Guna Yala
2H30 · 80 km
365 paradise islands self-governed by the Guna people, turquoise water
Discover
Caribbean beach in Bocas del Toro with turquoise waters
Bocas del Toro
16 hours · 373 miles
Caribbean archipelago, deserted beaches, reef diving, Afro-Caribbean vibe
Discover
Coffee plantations and Barú volcano in Boquete, Panamá
Boquete & Volcán Barú
1 HOUR FLIGHT · 480 km
World-renowned Geisha coffee, highlands, Barú hike, both oceans visible
Discover
Spanish colonial forts of Portobelo on Panamá's Caribbean coast
Portobelo
2 hours · 100 kilometers
UNESCO colonial forts on the Caribbean side, Cristo Negro, Afro-colonial Congo culture
Discover
Ready to go?

plan your trip Panama City

Build your stay in a few clicks with Toucan Dynamics — real-time Casco Viejo hotel availability, negotiated rates, secure payment. Or let us prepare everything for you: a French-speaking advisor based in Central America supports you from A to Z, from the PTY-Casco transfer to the Miraflores locks transit.

Plan my trip Request a custom quote

You are travel agent or tour operator Is Toucan Discovery also your local receptive in Central America — B2B access on Dynamics, net rates, French-speaking support on site, field expertise Panamá / Costa Rica / Nicaragua / Guatemala / Mexico.

Accompanied voyage

Want to discover Panama City & Casco Viejo in a small group?

This region is featured in our guaranteed departure escorted tours, guided in French. Book your spot:

Panama: City, Canal, and Guna Yala10 days · guaranteed departureCosta Rica & Panama: The Essentials of Both Countries12 days · guaranteed departureCosta Rica & Panama: The Great Adventure17 days · guaranteed departureCosta Rica & Panama: The Grand Discovery19 days · guaranteed departureCosta Rica & Panama: The Grand Tour24 days · guaranteed departure
See all accompanied tours