These are the best places to travel this summer

Panama City

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
The skyline of Panama City with its skyscrapers in the financial district at sunset, Panama.
1264005950

Getty Images/iStockphoto

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Panama City

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

One of the most cosmopolitan capitals in Central America, Panama City is both a vibrant metropolis and a gateway to incredible tropical escapes.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Biomuseo

    BioMuseo

    Panama City

    Celebrating Panama as the land bridge that has permitted astonishing biodiversity in the region, this world-class museum is a visual feast. Exhibits tell…

  • Museo de Arte Contemporáneo

    Museo de Arte Contemporáneo

    Panama City

    This wonderful privately owned museum features the best collection of Panamanian art anywhere, an excellent collection of works on paper by Latin American…

  • Panama Viejo Ruins, Panama City

    Panamá Viejo

    Panama City

    Founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Ávila, the city of Panamá was the first European settlement along the Pacific. For 150…

  • Panama City, Panama - 01/25/2019 People walking towards a view point in the Metropolitan Park in Panama City from which you can see the skyline of the city on a nice and sunny summer day.
Parque Natural Metropolitano

    Parque Natural Metropolitano

    Panama City

    On a hill north of downtown, this 265-hectare park protects vast expanses of tropical semideciduous forest within the city limits, and serves as an…

  • 500px Photo ID: 123398001 -

    Centro Natural Punta Culebra

    Panama City

    Ideal for families, CEM is operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). This informative marine museum features two small aquariums and…

  • Plaza De Francia, Panama, Central America

    Plaza de Francia

    Panama City

    At the tip of the southern point of Casco Viejo, this beautiful plaza pays homage to the French role in the construction of the canal. Its large stone…

  • PANAMA CITY, PANAMA, DECEMBER 19 2006.  The Golden Altar of the Church of San Jose, on December 19th 2006. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY; Shutterstock ID 157436489; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

    Iglesia de San José

    Panama City

    This Casco Viejo church protects the famous Altar de Oro (Golden Altar), the sole relic salvaged after privateer Henry Morgan sacked Panamá Viejo.

  • Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial

    Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial

    Panama City

    Housed beside the ruins of the Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo, the Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial has a collection of colonial-era religious…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or coming back for more, here’s our guide to the top things to do in Panama City, Panama.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

There’s always something exciting happening in cosmopolitan Panama City. Here’s our guide to what's happening in every season.

Read article

Things to Know

From staying safe and avoiding scams to local etiquette and how to stay on budget, here are 16 top tips you need before visiting Panama City.

Read article

Transportation

Thanks to billions of dollars and years of hard work, Panama City now boasts the finest mass-transit system in Central America.

Read article

Free Things to Do

These free (and almost free) experiences in Panama City will make your stay unforgettable without breaking the bank.

Read article

Best Neighborhoods

From the cobbled streets of Casco Viejo to the sleek skyscrapers of downtown, there is a neighborhood in Panama City to suit you no matter what you want.

Read article

Money and Costs

Budget-conscious travelers looking to visit Panama City will love these money-saving tips.

Read article

Plan with a local

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Panama City