Casco Viejo (San Felipe)

Panama City, Panama

The UNESCO-listed colonial quarter of restored plazas, churches, boutique hotels, rooftop bars and the city's best dining — atmospheric and walkable. The…

Explore Panama City

Panama City — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Panama City — TL;DR

Panama City is the crossroads of the Americas made real: a dramatic modern skyline of glass towers rising along the Pacific, beside the atmospheric colonial quarter of Casco Viejo and the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal that made the city rich.

Panama City at a glance

What are the best things to do in Panama City? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Panama City trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Panama City? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Panama City — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a…
When is the best time to visit Panama City? Mid-December to April (the dry season) for the best weather.
Where should I stay in Panama City for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Panama City? Taxis and Uber are the easy, cheap way around; the Metro (Latin America's first in Central America) covers key routes.

Panama City overview

Mid-December to April (the dry season) for the best weather. The rainy season (May–November) brings afternoon downpours but is greener and quieter. It is hot and humid year-round; evenings and the sea breeze bring relief.
Taxis and Uber are the easy, cheap way around; the Metro (Latin America's first in Central America) covers key routes. Casco Viejo is walkable; the canal, causeway and rainforest are short drives. Traffic can be heavy — allow time.
US Dollar ($) / Balboa
Spanish. English is common in business districts.
EST (UTC-5)
A rising food scene led by chef-driven Casco Viejo restaurants and Panama's world-famous geisha coffee; a strong rum-and-craft-cocktail culture; boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings; and rooftop bars multiplying across the old town and skyline.

Where to eat, drink & do in Panama City

Panama City neighborhoods

Casco Viejo (San Felipe) The UNESCO-listed colonial quarter of restored plazas, churches, boutique hotels, rooftop bars and the city's best dining — atmospheric and walkable. The heart of any visit.
Marbella & Bella Vista (the skyline) The modern banking-and-business district of glass towers, malls, restaurants and nightlife along the bay. The city's gleaming contemporary face.
El Cangrejo A lively, diverse district of restaurants, hostels and a genuine local buzz, with the city's best international food. The everyday, cosmopolitan city.
Amador Causeway A palm-lined causeway of reclaimed land linking islands in the bay, with the Biomuseo, marinas, restaurants and skyline views. A breezy waterfront escape.
The Canal & Ancón The area around the Miraflores Locks and the leafy former Canal Zone of Ancón hill, with rainforest at the city's edge. History and nature combined.

Practical info for Panama City

Getting around in Panama City? Taxis and Uber are the easy, cheap way around; the Metro (Latin America's first in Central America) covers key routes. Casco Viejo is walkable; the canal, causeway and rainforest are short drives. Traffic can be heavy — allow time.
When to go in Panama City? Mid-December to April (the dry season) for the best weather. The rainy season (May–November) brings afternoon downpours but is greener and quieter. It is hot and humid year-round; evenings and the sea breeze bring relief.
What's changing now in Panama City? A rising food scene led by chef-driven Casco Viejo restaurants and Panama's world-famous geisha coffee; a strong rum-and-craft-cocktail culture; boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings; and rooftop bars multiplying across the old tow
Seek out San Blas (Guna Yala) islands in Panama City? The idyllic archipelago of the indigenous Guna people, of tiny palm-fringed islands and turquoise water, a few hours from the city. A pristine, culturally rich escape.
Base yourself in Casco Viejo (San Felipe) in Panama City? The UNESCO-listed colonial quarter of restored plazas, churches, boutique hotels, rooftop bars and the city's best dining — atmospheric and walkable. The heart of any visit. Known for colonial architecture, dining, rooftops.

Frequently asked questions about Panama City

What are the best things to do in Panama City? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Panama City trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Panama City tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Panama City? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Panama City — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Panama City? Mid-December to April (the dry season) for the best weather. The rainy season (May–November) brings afternoon downpours but is greener and quieter. It is hot and humid year-round; evenings and the sea breeze bring relief.
Where should I stay in Panama City for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Panama City? Taxis and Uber are the easy, cheap way around; the Metro (Latin America's first in Central America) covers key routes. Casco Viejo is walkable; the canal, causeway and rainforest are short drives. Traffic can be heavy — allow time.

Practical notes for Panama City

Best time to visit: Mid-December to April (the dry season) for the best weather. The rainy season (May–November) brings afternoon downpours but is greener and quieter. It is hot and humid year-round; evenings and the sea breeze bring relief.
Getting around: Taxis and Uber are the easy, cheap way around; the Metro (Latin America's first in Central America) covers key routes. Casco Viejo is walkable; the canal, causeway and rainforest are short drives. Traffic can be heavy — allow time.
Currency: US Dollar ($) / Balboa
Language: Spanish. English is common in business districts.
Timezone: EST (UTC-5)
Current trends: A rising food scene led by chef-driven Casco Viejo restaurants and Panama's world-famous geisha coffee; a strong rum-and-craft-cocktail culture; boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings; and rooftop bars multiplying across the old town and skyline.

Other neighborhoods in Panama City

Marbella & Bella Vista (the skyline) — The modern banking-and-business district of glass towers, malls, restaurants and nightlife along the bay. The city's gleaming contemporary face.
El Cangrejo — A lively, diverse district of restaurants, hostels and a genuine local buzz, with the city's best international food. The everyday, cosmopolitan city.
Amador Causeway — A palm-lined causeway of reclaimed land linking islands in the bay, with the Biomuseo, marinas, restaurants and skyline views. A breezy waterfront escape.
The Canal & Ancón — The area around the Miraflores Locks and the leafy former Canal Zone of Ancón hill, with rainforest at the city's edge. History and nature combined.

Read the full Panama City guide