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3 Days in Panama City: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the historic neighborhood of Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin at Plaza de la Independencia, then wander the colorful streets to see the Metβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Casco Viejo
Start your trip in the historic neighborhood of Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin at Plaza de la Independencia, then wander the colorful streets to see the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Stop for lunch at Mercado de Mariscos, where you can try fresh ceviche for around $5. In the evening, enjoy the sunset from the Cinta Costera, a waterfront promenade that connects Casco Viejo to the city center.
ποΈ Day 2: Modern City
Spend your second day exploring the modern side of Panama City. Visit the Biomuseo, designed by Frank Gehry, located at the Amador Causeway (open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission $15). Then head to the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks, where you can watch ships pass through from the viewing platform (open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission $17). In the afternoon, shop or stroll along Calle 50 in the financial district, and have dinner at a rooftop restaurant in the area.
πΏ Day 3: Nature and Islands
Take a day trip to the nearby islands or rainforest for a nature escape. You can catch a ferry from the Amador Causeway to Taboga Island, just a 30-minute ride, and spend the day on its beaches (round-trip ferry costs about $20). Alternatively, visit the Soberania National Park, a 20-minute drive from the city, where you can hike the Pipeline Road to spot tropical birds and monkeys. Return to the city in the evening and enjoy a relaxed dinner in the El Cangrejo neighborhood.
π Getting Around
Panama City has a modern metro system with two lines, plus buses and taxis. The metro is cheap and efficient, with fares starting at $0.35, and it connects the main areas like the financial district and the bus terminal. For Casco Viejo and the Amador Causeway, taxis or ride-sharing apps like Uber are convenient, with typical fares between $5 and $15 depending on distance. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours (7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.), so plan extra time for transfers.
π° Money Saving Tips
Panama uses the US dollar, so no currency exchange is needed for American visitors. Eat at local fondas or street stalls for meals under $10, and take advantage of happy hour specials in bars and restaurants. Many attractions offer discounts for students or seniors, so carry a valid ID. Avoid tourist-trap restaurants near major sights; walk a few blocks for better prices and authentic food.
π Best Evening Spots
For a memorable evening, head to the rooftop bar at the American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo, which offers great views of the old town and the bay. Another option is the Causeway's seafood restaurants, where you can dine with the skyline in the background. If you want a lively nightlife scene, visit the bars and clubs in the Calle Uruguay area, which is popular with locals and tourists alike. Always check opening hours, as some venues close early on weekdays.
π½οΈ Where to Eat
Don't miss trying Panama's national dish, sancocho, a hearty chicken soup, at local eateries like El Trapiche in the Via Argentina area. For a fine dining experience, book a table at Donde Jose in Casco Viejo, which serves modern Panamanian cuisine (dinner around $50 per person). For a quick and delicious snack, grab a raspado (shaved ice) from a street vendor. Remember to drink only bottled water, as tap water is not always safe for visitors.
fwiw the sancocho rec is legit, el trapiche is a solid intro but if you want the real deal head to fonda lo que hay on av justo arosemena, it's a hole in the wall where cab drivers eat, bowl runs like $4 and they'll top off your plate with rice and plantains without asking. also for the causeway, skip the bike rental if it's a weekend, that path gets packed with joggers and families, instead walk the first kilometer past the biomuseo and you'll hit the quiet stretch where the pelicans hang out, better for photos tbh. one thing nobody mentioned is the weather, december through april is the dry season so you're likely fine, but if a rain shower rolls in around 3pm like they do in the wet months, duck into the canal museum cafe, it's got a killer view of the locks and the coffee is actually decent for a tourist spot.
The itinerary is solid, especially the Taboga day trip, but I'd swap the Biomuseo for a walk along the Amador Causeway itself if you're short on time. The building is cool, but the real payoff is renting a bike and riding the whole 6 km stretch with the bridge and skyline views, costs about $8 an hour. Also, don't skip the Miraflores Locks early, get there right at 8 a.m. to beat the tour buses, and grab a spot on the upper deck where you can actually feel the ships rumble through. For dinner in El Cangrejo, skip the tourist spots on Via Argentina and try a local fonda on Calle 46, the sancocho there is better than what you'll find in most sit-down places. One thing the guide missed: the metro doesn't reach Casco Viejo directly, so plan to walk from the Santo Tomas station or just take a $3 Uber instead of dealing with the hills.
honestly the miraflores locks tip is spot on, getting there early is the move. one thing i'd add is the canal museum inside, it's like $5 extra but worth it to see the old control room stuff. also for casco viejo, skip the fancy rooftop bars and just grab a beer at a corner kiosk near plazuela, watch the sunset with the locals for like $2. way better vibe than the overpriced spots.
Things to Do in Panama City (2026)
Begin your visit in Casco Viejo, the historic district and UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander the cobblestone streets around Plaza de la Independencia and visit the Metrβ¦ π Start with the Old Town
Begin your visit in Casco Viejo, the historic district and UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander the cobblestone streets around Plaza de la Independencia and visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is free to enter. For a panoramic view, climb the tower of the Panama Cathedral for a small fee of $5. The area is most lively in the late afternoon, so plan to stay for sunset.
π See the Miraflores Locks
Watch massive ships transit the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Visitor Center, located on the east side of the canal. The center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and admission is $17.22 for adults. Arrive before 10:00 a.m. to catch the most ship traffic, and don't miss the IMAX film about the canal's history. The viewing platform offers a close-up look at the lock operations.
πΏ Explore the Rainforest
Take a short taxi or Uber ride to Parque Natural Metropolitano, a 573-acre urban rainforest with hiking trails. The Sendero de la Cieneguita trail is an easy 45-minute walk that leads to a lookout with views of the city and canal. Entry costs $5 for foreigners, and the park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring insect repellent and water, as the humidity is high.
π΄ Taste Local Flavors
For authentic Panamanian food, head to the Mercado de Mariscos, the city's fish market, where you can try fresh ceviche for around $5. In Casco Viejo, dine at Donde Jose, a popular spot for modern Panamanian cuisine, with mains starting at $18. For a quick bite, grab a 'hojaldre' (fried dough) from a street vendor near the Cinta Costera. Most restaurants in the city accept credit cards, but carry cash for market stalls.
ποΈ Walk the Cinta Costera
The Cinta Costera is a scenic waterfront promenade that stretches for several kilometers along the Bay of Panama. Rent a bike from one of the many rental stands for about $3 per hour and ride from the old town to the modern skyline. The path is popular with joggers and families, especially on weekends. Stop at the Mirador del PacΓfico for a great photo of the city's skyscrapers.
π€ Island Day Trip
Take a 30-minute ferry from the Amador Causeway to Isla Taboga, a small island with two beaches and a relaxed vibe. The ferry costs $17 round-trip and departs several times daily from the causeway's dock. On the island, you can swim, snorkel, or hike to the top of Cerro VigΓa for a view of the bay. Bring your own snorkel gear, as rentals are limited.
π Nightlife in Casco Viejo
As the sun sets, Casco Viejo transforms into the city's nightlife hub. Start with a rooftop cocktail at the American Trade Hotel's bar, where drinks range from $10 to $15. For live music, check out the jazz sessions at the Danilo's Jazz Club, which start around 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Many bars close around 2:00 a.m., so plan your evening accordingly.
π Getting Around
Panama City's Metro system is clean, safe, and cheap, with a single ride costing $0.35. The Metro Line 1 connects the city center to the bus terminal, while Line 2 reaches the eastern suburbs. For most tourist attractions, Uber is convenient and affordable, with fares starting at $3. Taxis are also available, but agree on the fare before getting in. Avoid driving in the city, as traffic can be heavy during rush hours.
the mirador locks tip is solid, but honestly the real move is going to the visitor center on the pacific side, not the atlantic one. the miraflores one gets packed with cruise people by 9am, so if u can swing it, go on a weekday and grab a spot on the upper terrace, the ships are so close u can wave at the crew. also, skip the imax film, it's dated and eats up time u could spend watching the actual locks work.
for casco viejo, don't just stick to the main plazas. wander down calle 3 and calle 4, the street art back there is way cooler than the touristy stuff, and there's a tiny spot called cafe de la calle that does a mean cortado for like $2.50. way better than the overpriced hotel bars if u need a caffeine break.
one thing the guide missed: the cinta costera is great but the section near the fish market gets super windy in the afternoon, so if u rent a bike, do it in the morning or bring a light jacket. and for taboga, the ferry from the causeway is fine, but the last one back leaves at like 5pm, so don't get stuck on the island with just a beach towel, u'll be eating overpriced fried fish at the one restaurant that stays open late.
honestly the metro tip is underrated, i take line 1 from 5 de mayo station all the time, it's like $0.35 and way faster than sitting in traffic on via espaΓ±a. just avoid it during 7-9am and 5-7pm rush, it gets shoulder to shoulder packed.
for the rainforest, skip the metropolitano if you're short on time and do the pipeline road instead, it's a bit further out but the birdwatching is unreal, toucans and tanagers everywhere. you can grab a colectivo from the albrook terminal for like $1.50 and the driver will drop u at the trailhead, just tell them "pipeline road" and they know.
also the mercado de mariscos is legit but go early, like before 11am, when the catch comes in. the ceviche spots at the back near the water are cheaper than the ones by the entrance, same fish, half the price. and don't be shy about asking for extra lime and onion, they'll hook u up.
one thing nobody mentioned: the old french quarter ruins behind the santo domingo church, free to walk around and way less crowded than the main plazas. nice spot to sit and people watch with a cold balboa from the corner store.
Solid list, the Casco Viejo sunset advice is spot on. One thing I'd add is to grab a drink at the rooftop of the Tantalo Hotel instead of the American Trade, it's a bit cheaper and the view over the old town roofs toward the bay is hard to beat. For the Miraflores locks, if you have a rental car, the parking lot fills up fast on weekends, so get there right at 8am and head straight to the third floor viewing deck before the tour groups arrive.
Also, don't skip the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway, the building alone is worth the trip, Frank Gehry designed it. It's about $15 for admission and the exhibits on Panama's biodiversity are surprisingly engaging, plus the causeway itself is a nice walk after, especially if you grab a raspado from one of the carts near the end. If you're doing Taboga, book the first ferry out and the last one back, that gives you the quietest hours on the beach before the day-trippers pile in.