Four Days in Panama City: Tropical Charms and Spectacular Urban Delights

(Last Updated On: January 15, 2024)

Located in Central America, Panama is a unique country established by the Spanish in the 1500s. It gained its independence in 1831 and has grown to a population of over four million people. Panama City, the capital city, is an enchanting city set on one of the entrances to the Panama Canal. Panama City was founded in 1519 by the Spanish conquistadors. There are many magical sites to see in Panama City and some great day trips to take to magnificent beaches. I recommend spending at least four days in Panama City.

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Panama City has many magical sites to see and great day trips to take. Visitors should spend at least four days in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Currency in Panama City

The Panama Balboa is the main currency in Panama. 1 Panamanian Balboa equals 1 US Dollar. 

When to Spend Four Days in Panama City

The dry season in Panama lasts from December to April thus making it the prime time to spend four days in Panama City. If you visit between May and December, come prepared for rainier weather. 

How to Get to Panama City

The main airport in Panama City is Tocumen International Airport (PYT). The main airline that flies into Panama is Copa Airlines. Flights transit through here from all over the world. From the United States, you can often find flights from $300 round trip.

Where to Stay for Four Days in Panama City

The most central location to stay is near Casco Viejo. However, there are not many hotels in this area. Visitors would need to stay in a hostel or Vrbo. If you do not want to stay in a Vrbo, there are many awesome hotel options in the Panama Central/Downtown area.

The following are some awesome hotel options.

Transportation in Panama City

Panama City does not have a ton of public transportation. I recommend using Uber which is widely available, very easy to use, and reasonably priced. Other than that, many areas are walkable. You could also use the Hop On Hop Off Bus or opt for a Private Tour with a Local. This Airport Transfer is good if you want to prearranged one.

What to See in Four Days in Panama City

Day 1: Explore Panama City

Panama Viejo

Cost: $10

Hours: Tues-Sun: 8:30am-4:30pm, Closed Mondays

Begin your first of four days in Panama City at Panama Viejo in order to avoid the crowds and the heat. Panama Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the ruins of the original Panama City. Established in 1519, it was the first permanent settlement on the Pacific Ocean. There is a tram that takes visitors around the site and there is also a small museum. Exploring the ruins will take an hour or two depending on how long you spend in the museum. 

Cafe Coca Cola serves delicious breakfast and lunch options in Panama City, Panama. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Eat lunch at the Cafe Coca Cola

Cost: $

Hours: 7am-11pm

After wandering around the ruins, grab some lunch at Cafe Coca Cola. This adorable cafe serves a fabulous breakfast and has superb lunch specials. The lunch special comes with chicken, rice, beans, and a soup! The prices were very reasonable and the service was quick!

A view of the Panama Canal from the Miraflores Locks. The Panama Canal is the highlight of four days in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

The Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal

Cost: $20

Hours: 8am-6pm

This afternoon, visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. The highlight of four days in Panama City is viewing the Panama Canal. It is an amazing feat of engineering to see.

At the Miraflores Center, there is an Imax theater, a museum, and an observation area. Plan to spend several hours here observing the ships going through the canal. However, make sure to check online what times the ships are going through so you can make sure you are there when ships are going through the canal. 

This Miraflores Locks and city tour is a good option if you do not want to do it yourself or check out this Miraflores Locks and Casco Viejo tour,

A view of Downtown Panama from the Cinta Costera, a walking trail along the waterfront, in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica
A view of Casco Viejo from the Cinta Costera, a walking trail along the waterfront in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Cinta Costera

Cost: Free

Hours: 24 hours

Go for an evening stroll along the Cinta Costera. This 5.5 mile coastal trail is also perfect for walking or riding bikes. It eventually connects with the local fish market and leads you to Casco Viejo. Oftentimes, locals will be out selling goods and snacks. Along the trail is also some fantastic street art. 

Some ruins in Casco Viejo, the historic area of Panama City that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Casco Viejo

Cost: Free

Hours: 24 hours

Tonight explore Casco Viejo, the colorful historic area of Panama City. This area was settled in 1673 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains many shops, restaurants, and rooftop bars. Make sure to visit the cathedral, which is the main church of Panama. There is also a Panama Canal Museum visitors can visit if they do not want to go all the way to the canal. This food tour is also a great option. You will not want to miss Casco Viejo during your four days in Panama City.

Casa Bruja is a craft brewery with lots of light bites and burgers to eat in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Grab dinner at Casa Bruja Brewing Casco

Cost: $$

Hours: Tues-Fri: 5pm-11pm, Sat: 12pm-10pm, Closed Sunday and Mondays

Grab dinner at Casa Bruja Brewing. Casa Bruja is a craft brewery in Casco Viejo. This brewery also has some light bites and burgers to eat. The nachos were especially delicious! They also offer one hour tours of the brewery, just contact them ahead of time, or check their website for more information. 

Tántalo Hotel Kitchen Roofbar

Cost: $

Hours: Sunset until late

Grab after-dinner drinks and watch the sunset at Tantalo Hotel Kitchen Rooftop. This is a very popular rooftop bar in Casco Viejo and all the drinks use purified water, so they are safe to drink. The lower level contains a restaurant. The rooftop is worth a visit for some amazing views during your four days in Panama City. 

Day 2: Visit Jungleland Panama

A view from the boat going to Jungleland Panama from Panama City. This is the perfect day trip when spending four days in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Cost: Starts at $100

Hours: About 8am-5pm

Today, head to Jungleland, Panama. Jungleland is a floating lodge in the middle of Gatun Lake, which is part of the Panama Canal. Visitors head on a boat to get to this floating lodge for a day full of adventure. This part of the trip is a real-life jungle cruise (similar to the one at Disneyland). Along the way, you will spot various animals, such as monkeys and sloths, out in the wild.

Upon arrival at the lodge, there are options for various activities throughout the day. Visitors can swim, kayak/hike, or lounge around in the hammocks. Lunch is also included. If you have more time, opt to spend the night to be able to go on the night safari and see the jungles of Panama in the evening. A visit to Jungleland Panama is definitely worth the trip. 

***Note that for now, Jungleland Panama is temporarily closed. It is hopefully, it will be under new ownership and reopen soon. In the mean time, check out this Monkey Islands Tour, this Panama Canal Cruise or Panama Canal partial transit.

Day 3: Day trip to Taboga Island or the San Blas Islands

A view of Taboga Island from the Taboga Ferry. Taboga Island is the closest island to Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Taboga Island

Cost: $20 ferry, tours start at $10

Hours: Ferry began at 8am and end at 4pm (5pm in the high season)If you do not want to travel as far as the San Blas Islands, a closer and more budget-friendly option is Taboga Island. Taboga Island is the closest beach to Panama City. It is a quick 30-minute ferry ride from the Amador Causeway and therefore makes for an easy day trip.

This island was discovered by Balboa and the first settlement was founded in 1524. This island has a ton of flowers and is therefore also known as the “island of flowers.” Both John F. Kennedy and Francisco Pissaro resided on Taboga Island for a while. On the island visitors have the option of embarking on several tours, lounging on the beach, or hiking around the island. You can read more about those options in this post or check out this Taboga Island Cruise.

San Blas Islands

Cost: Tours start around $100

Hours: Tour depart around 5am and return around 7pm

The San Blas Islands are a chain of 365 islands off the coast of Panama. 49 of these islands are inhabited by the Guna people, and all of them are known for their ecotourism. It takes a couple of hours to get out to the islands. Some tours may take you to several different islands.

On the islands, visitors can relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, and take in the gorgeous views. If you want to spend longer than a day, you are able to spend the night on several of the islands. Make note that the facilities are minimalistic. 

Day 4: Explore Panama City

Metropolitan Natural Park

Cost: $4

Hours: 6:30am-4:30pm

Start your morning at the Metropolitan Natural Park. This nature park is located in the middle of Panama City. There are three main trails that loop around the park. I found that they were all very well maintained. We chose to take the one that had amazing views of Panama City. Plan to spend a couple of hours hiking around the park and make sure to bring plenty of water. 

Cerro Ancón (Ancon Hill)

Cost: Free

Hours: Dawn until Dusk

Next, head over to Cerro Ancón for some more views of Panama City. Cerro Ancón is the highest point in Panama City and now a reserve. This area used to be used for the administration of the Panama Canal. Although it is about a 30 minute hike to get to the viewpoint, it is worth it for the spectacular views. The trail is also nicely paved. Make sure to be on the lookout for birds.

Mahalo is perfect outdoor retreat with a ton of vegan, vegetarian, and healthy options in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Have lunch at Mahalo

Cost: $$

Hours: 9am-10:30pm

After a couple of hikes, you will be very hungry and ready for a break. Mahalo is a great lunch choice and has a ton of vegan, vegetarian, and healthy options. Their fresh juices were amazing and refreshing after a hike. I had a delicious burrito that was much-needed fuel after hiking around. This restaurant has a tropical theme that makes you feel like you are in a tropical paradise. 

Riding a scooter along The Amador Causeway in Panama City is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica
A view of Downtown Panama City from the Amador Causeway, a walking trail. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Amador Causeway

Cost: Free, or $18/hour to rend a scooter

Hours: Causeway open 24 hours, Scooter Rental: Mon-Tue: 4pm-11pm, 

Wed-Thu: 1pm-11pm, Fri-Sun: 11am-11pm

This afternoon, explore the Amador Causeway. This two-mile strip of land was created with the earth pulled to make the Panama Canal. At the end of the causeway are boats that leave to various islands. The Causeway is a fantastic place to take a stroll, ride bikes, or rent a scooter.

We opted to rent an electric scooter from Coastway SQters and it was the perfect way to get around the causeway. The causeway also has some restaurants and shops. Make sure to grab a delicious fruit popsicle as a snack!

Along the Causeway, make sure to stop to see the Bridge of the Americas which marks the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. It transports over 35,000 vehicles a day. You can also opt to walk across the bridge, just make sure to use caution as there is a ton of traffic. 

The BioMuseo focuses on natural history and ecology in Panama. It is one thing to see in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

BioMuseo

Cost: $18

Hours: Tuesdays-Fridays 10 am-4 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-5 pm, closed Mondays

If you feel up to it, visit the BioMuseo. This interestingly designed museum is located on the Amador Causeway. The BioMuseo focuses on the natural history and ecology of Panama. There is also a small botanical garden located right next to the museum. 

The Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar distills their own rum and makes amazing tropical drinks. It is a great stop in Panama City. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar

Cost: $

Hours: Mon-Thus: 4pm-1am, Fri-Sun: 12pm-1am

Pedro Mandina distills their own rum that they use in delicious tropical drinks. This bar was a great place to take a break from the heat and people-watch. They also have some light bites. We had their grilled cheese and tomato soup and it was one of the best I have ever had. It will be a much needed break after wandering around the Amador Causeway.

Eat dinner at Tacos La Neta

Cost: $$

Hours: Sun-Wed: 10am-11pm, Thus-Sat: 10am-11pm

Grab dinner at Tacos La Neta. This taco place in Casco Viejo serves a variety of tacos. It is a great place for a quick meal and also affordable! There is a small outdoor patio in a courtyard or a larger upstairs outdoor sitting area. The tortillas are handmade daily and all the ingredients are fresh. The tacos are a steal at three for $10. 

CasaCasco is a 5 story restaurant that contains 3 different restaurants, a rooftop bar, and a club. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

CasaCasco

Cost: $

Hours: Sun-Wed: 12pm-1am, Thurs-Sat: 12pm-3am

After dinner, head to CasaCasco for some after-dinner drinks. This 5 story restaurant contains 3 different restaurants, a rooftop bar, and a club. The rooftop bar offers amazing views of the ocean as well as Casco Viejo. They use purified water, so all of the drinks are okay to drink. It is the perfect way to end four days in Panama City. 

More Than Four Days in Panama City?

Have more than four days in Panama City or need more to do? Add these things into your itinerary. 

El Tornillo in Downtown Panama City. This unique office building is 796 feet high. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

El Tornillo (F&F Tower)

This office building is popular for its unique architecture. This office building was completed in 2011 and is 796 feet high. In 2011, it ranked as one of the top ten skyscrapers in the world.

Iglesia del Carmon is a gothic Church in Panama City. It dates back to 1855. #panamacity #panamaitinerary #panama #centralamerica

Iglesia del Carmen

Iglesia del Carmen is a gothic Catholic Church in Panama City. It is popular for its beautiful exterior and offers daily mass. It dates back to 1855 and was built in phases throughout the years. In 2001, an earthquake damaged the church and it had to be rebuilt.

Pearl Islands

The Pearl Islands are another chain of 200 islands off the coast of Panama. Contadora Island is known for its resorts. It was once used by the Spanish Conquistadors to stop and account for their goods. Isla del Rey is the largest of the chain. This island has several towns on it and is larger than all the other Pearl Islands combined. Visitors can opt to take a day trip here or spend multiple nights on the islands.

Panama is an amazing country that has so much more to see than four days in Panama City. If you have more time, head out to Boca del Toro or Colon after Panama City. Cities in Colombia such as Cartagena are also a quick hop from Panama or grab a bus and head north to Costa Rica or Belize. If you only have three days, opt to leave out Taboga Island/San Blas or Jungleland Panama.

Panama City has many magical sites to see and great day trips to take. Visitors should spend at least four days in Panama City. #panama #panamacity #centralamerica
Panama City has many magical sites to see and great day trips to take. Visitors should spend at least four days in Panama City. #panama #panamacity #centralamerica

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Fiona
4 years ago

We love Panama City. Our favourite place to eat was the seafood market. Nothing beats fresh ceviche and an ice cold Balboa beer! Panama City has the BEST ceviche! We also loved Cafe Nelson on Avenida Central – a canteen style/steam table. Cheap and Yummy!

Mayuri Patel
4 years ago
Reply to  Fiona

This is quite good guide to explore the panama city.Iglesia del careman seems stunning in architecture and the coastal walk seems good for evening.

Soujanya
4 years ago
Reply to  Mayuri Patel

I’ll admit I haven’t heard of Panama. I like the name of Cafe Coca Cola though. The food looks delicious!

Ann
Ann
4 years ago

Oh wow, that city seem to have everything 🙂

Amanda
4 years ago

Panama City is on my bucket list. Thanks for posting this Panama City Study Guide!

Sneh
4 years ago

Loved your blog!! And the colorful pictures.. awesome

Neha Kulshrestha
4 years ago

Great guide. The F&F tower has a stunning architecture. Also causeway would be a great place for stroll.

Anisa
Anisa
4 years ago

So I went to Panama City about 15 years ago! Looks like there are a few new things that I need to go back and see. I love the architecture of the museum and office building!

Rosemary
4 years ago

I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Panama, especially in the context of booming tourism and real estate investments. Unfortunately, have not had a chance to visit, but would love to check out the great architecture and World Heritage sites. The F&F Tower is pretty cool and I’d love to check out the Bio Museo as well. The Panama Viejo is a cool historical site I’d like to visit as well. Great weather and tasty looking food. Great article about Panama.

Lynn
4 years ago

I have only ever stopped in Panama for one day (Cruise ship stop), but it seems like Panama has so much to offer! I will have to make an effort to stay longer next time. The craft brewery looked amazing!!

Unta
4 years ago

I must admit I didn’t imagine Panama like this, looks so much fun. Love your photos. 🙂

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