Panama City has been described as the “Dubai of the Americas” and it’s not hard to see why. This exciting city has something to offer all visitors, including historic places, modern attractions, and great food.
My Posts on Panama City
Areas:
Attractions:
- Amador Causeway
- Cerro Ancón (including Mi Pueblito)
- Panamá Viejo
Introduction to Panama City
Modern with a taste of tradition. Cosmopolitan yet distinctly Panamanian. Great food and nightlife. Panama City has a little of everything and makes for both a great long weekend getaway and an extended stay.
Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila (c. 1440-1531). It quickly became a launching point for the conquest of Peru and a transit point for gold and silver heading to Spain. Merchants from Genoa controlled the port and slave trade starting in 1520.
In 1671, the city was looted by Sir Henry Morgan (c. 1635-1688) and destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt two years later in a new location 5 miles (8 kilometers) to the southwest and is now known as Casco Viejo. The ruins of the original city are known as Panamaá Viejo.
The railroad came to Panama City in 1855, greatly increasing prosperity. Shortly after Panama gained independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903, the United States resumed construction on the Panama Canal. It opened in 1914 and forever changed the fate of the country. The Canal Zone was officially transferred to Panama in 1999 after nearly a century of tensions between Panamanians and American personnel.
Panama City became an international banking center in the late 1970s but was tarnished by money laundering and illegal activity. This led to the United States’ Invasion of Panama in 1989 to depose dictator General Manuel Noriega (1934-2017).
The city continues to grow and transform today, with several high-rises popping up in the modern areas. With innovative architecture and an incredible amount of money flowing through the city, it’s earning its aspiration to become the “Dubai of Latin America”, although there’s a long way to go.
Airports in Panama City
Two airports serve the city. You’re most likely going to experience to
Tocumen International Airport
Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is an important international hub for Copa Airlines, making it easy to access from many cities in North and South America as well as the Caribbean. You’ll also find flights to some cities in Europe.
On my first few trips through Tocumen, the airport was horrible. Since then, the original Terminal 1 has been modernized while the very nice Terminal 2 opened in 2022. There’s plenty of shopping and restaurants in both terminals.
You’ll also find airport lounges. I spent 4 hours at the Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network at Terminal 1 during a long layover. It was a little crowded at first but ended up thinning out after about a half hour. The food and bar options are mediocre, but staff is friendly. They have another lounge in Terminal 2. Another option is the Copa Club but I didn’t like the attitude of the receptionist.
Tocumen is located well outside the city center. You can jump on the Panama Metro and get to the city with a connection at Corredor Sur. If you plan on taking a taxi, drivers will attack passengers as they leave the baggage claim. Make sure you agree on a price before leaving.
Albrook Airport
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport, more commonly known as Albrook Airport (PAC), serves mainly domestic destinations with Air Panama. It’s located 1.5 kilometers west of the city center and is connected via Line 1 on the Panama Metro.
Getting Around Panama City
Using buses and the Panama Metro are very easy, but many tourist areas are not directly served by bus routes. There are two metro lines which keeps it simple. A metro-bus combo card can be purchased at an automatic machine at any metro station.
Taxis in Panama City
You need to be on your toes when using a taxi as there are no meters to regulate prices. Instead prices are calculated by zone. Fortunately, the majority of driver were honest, but a select few were completely dishonest and I got into some serious shouting matches with them.
To avoid any confusion, ALWAYS agree on a price before getting into the taxi. Find out from your hotel reception what each route should cost. DO NOT let them cheat you by telling you it’s a “night rate” or a “per person rate”. I was quoted up to five times the price for some routes!!! In touristy areas, the drivers will congregate together and try to hike up the prices. Stay firm and name your price. The worst that can happen is they can say no and you find another driver a block or two away.
Long Distance Buses
If leaving Panama City on a day trip or for a long distance bus trip, you’ll have to use Gran Terminal Nacional de Transporte at Albrook. It’s connected to the metro and serves major destinations in Panama as well as some in Central America. To board your buses, you have to buy a card and pay a small fee to enter the bus area. The card is also good for use on the city bus and metro.
Where to Stay in Panama City
I’ve stayed at two different hotels during my time in Panama City.
Global Hotel Panama
The best place I’ve stayed is the Global Hotel Panama (formerly Grace Hotel), located in the Obarrio district. It’s a boutique luxury hotel with 60 rooms. I stayed in a double room with a couple friends for a bachelor party. I have to say the whole experience was incredible. From the very beginning, staff made sure we were happy and enjoying our stay. They always had a smile on their faces and went well out of their way whenever we needed something. The room was very comfortable and modern.
We took advantage of the small outdoor pool and workout room almost every day. The views of the city from the pool area are spectacular.
There was a Mediterranean restaurant inside the hotel that we never got a chance to try. Breakfast was included in our room rate but unfortunately it left a lot to be desired. Food was often cold and didn’t taste all that great. The breakfast is my only complaint.
Hostal Entre 2 Aguas (Permanently Closed)
Hostal Entre 2 Aguas is a bed and breakfast in the El Cangrejo area, which is safe and has several restaurants and bars within walking distance. The metro is also just a few blocks away. Staff was ok but they weren’t always around, and the facilities were excellent.
There’s a dining room and kitchen which are kept immaculate along with laundry facilities and a common area. There are dorm and private rooms. Some rooms have private bathrooms and others are shared. I stayed in a private single room. The room was simple and small but good enough. My only complaint is that it had no window and it felt like a closet. Anyway, for someone on a budget, it’s a good value.
Where to Eat in Panama City
There are so many great places to eat in Panama City that it was impossible for me to cover all the places I had hoped to visit. I wish I had more time to fit them in!
In Casco Viejo, there are several traditional Panamanian restaurants serving food at reasonable to touristy prices along with some international cuisine mixed in.
El Cangrejo is a heavily residential area with some hotels and lots of restaurants and bars to choose from. Just by walking up and down Via Argentina you’ll probably find the type of cuisine you’re looking for and on any budget.
Sugoi
If you’re looking for sushi, Sugoi in El Cangrejo was excellent. Service was a bit slow but I really enjoyed all of the rolls I ordered. My favorite was the signature Sugoi roll (pictured on the right). I also had a fried ice cream. It wasn’t a cheap meal.
Zulé
For good pasta and pizza, try Zulé. This Italian restaurant has very friendly service and even better food. I had a thick and creamy tomato soup and a delicious linguine.
Restaurante Del Prado
A greasy spoon 24 hour diner with a huge menu, Restaurante y Cafetería Del Prado serves up just about anything you can crave. Food quality was fair and service was slow and a little edgy, but if nothing else is open, this is pretty much the only choice.
Niko’s Café
Niko’s Café is a cafeteria style restaurant with Greek, Panamanian, and international food. It’s open 24 hours and there are several locations around town. I ate at the one in El Cangrejo. I ate a gyro combo and rice pudding. It was ok. I’ve had much better for a lower price in Chicago.
Bros. & Beers
Bros. & Beers has an outgoing and fun staff. There’s a good selection of beers and drinks, and food was good.
Istmo Brew Pub (Permanently Closed)
Istmo Brew Pub in El Cangrejo had no air conditioning and we weren’t too happy with the service or beer selection.
Aires del Mediterraneo (Permanently Closed)
Aires del Mediterraneo is a Spanish restaurant near the Marriott Hotel. They have very good food, especially the paella, but avoid the ceviche.
Ciao
Ciao, located in the Megapolis Hotel (formerly the Hard Rock Hotel), is a tapas and pizza restaurant. Everything was excellent, but make sure you get the burger. It’s massive and succulent.
Café Coca-Cola
Café Coca-Cola is a Casco Viejo classic. This gritty diner, complete with sassy waitresses, has been a local favorite since 1875, making it the oldest café in Panama City. It’s located in a bit of a rough area but worth a visit to get a real authentic local experience. You can get a very cheap meal there.
Manolo Caracol (Permanently Closed)
Clearly the best dining experience my group had in Panama City was at Manolo Caracol in Casco Viejo. This fixed price establishment with no set menu was a real treat.
After being seated, the waiter asked us if we had any food allergies. Shortly after, plate after plate of delicious tapas were brought to the table. There were ten courses in all, each one presented beautifully. Most of the dishes involved seafood but there were a couple meat dishes included. After each plate, we anxiously awaited the surprise that was coming next.
Our Dishes at Manolo Caracol
Our first dishes were a succulent beef bone marrow topped with caramelized onions followed by salmon spring rolls. It was a great start to the meal.
My second favorite dish of the night, the patacón topped with shrimp, was next. Then came a fish soup that I didn’t care for. It wasn’t bad but I could’ve done without it.
My absolute favorite dish came fifth. It was a perfectly grilled octopus with a whole egg yolk.
Delicious ceviche, tasty salad, and hearty ravioli dishes followed. They were all excellent, but after the octopus it felt like a slight step down.
The second to last dish was a plate of tamales filled with rice and beef. I didn’t care much for them, either. We finished the meal with a nice bread pudding.
My Thoughts on Manolo Caracol
Overall, I was happy with every dish except the fish soup and tamales. The rest were better than I could have imagined. It’s best to go into the experience having no expectation at all. The offerings change nightly, so I can imagine being pleasantly surprised during every visit.
I highly recommend visiting Manolo Caracol. If you have one restaurant to choose in Panama City, especially as a seafood lover, this should be it. The food and service were both excellent. The meal had a steep price but it was well worth it.
Super Gourmet
For a great lunch of gourmet soups, salads, and deli sandwiches, Super Gourmet in Casco Viejo is the place to go. They also have all day breakfasts and free WiFi. I had one of the best sandwiches I could imagine and a good drink. This is a good place to go if you’re on a budget but still looking for quality food.
Ego y Narciso (Permanently Closed)
Ego y Narciso is a laid back establishment for a romantic dinner. Service is very friendly. To be completely honest, the air conditioning is the only reason we went in for a few beers, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. The menu looked interesting and I’m sure it’s worth a try for dinner.
Mi Ranchito
Mi Ranchito, located on the Amador Causeway, is a popular Panamanian restaurant. Reasonably priced seafood and meat dishes populate the menu. Service is excellent and the food is delicious.
Nightlife in Panama City
Panama City has great nightlife for all kinds of tastes and budgets. Whether you’re just looking for a few beers with friends or want to dance all night, you’ll find what you’re looking for. During a bachelor party, my friends and I had the chance to visit several places around the city.
La Rana Dorada
La Rana Dorada is a small brewery with a selection of beers brewed on site. We were greeted with a sample and explanation of each of the beers. It’s got a nice relaxed atmosphere with happy servers. There are a few locations, but we only visited the original one in Casco Viejo.
Tántalo
Tántalo is a hotel and restaurant with a rooftop bar. Go early to avoid the rooftop bar’s cover charge. The rooftop has excellent views and a DJ, and is a great place to enjoy a few drinks.
Red Lion (Permanently Closed)
Red Lion was suggested by many locals as well as staff at our hotel. It has a wide selection of beers from all over the world as well as hookah. There are a few locations. Both we went too were a good time. I was especially happy to find one of my favorite beers, Fix, which has not been easy for me to find outside of Greece.
Bits Rooftop Lounge (Permanently Closed)
The Hard Rock Hotel’s Bits Rooftop Lounge is one of the most popular spots to spend a Friday or Saturday night in Panama City. This club on the 62nd floor of the hotel has incredible views of the city, good music, and a hot young crowd. Expect to pay a hefty cover. (Note: The Hard Rock is now the Megapolis Hotel and the rooftop bar, Elevate, is open only for private events (as of October 2025).)
El Karaoke 50
El Karaoke 50 was a karaoke dive bar that was pretty entertaining at 3am. They have a huge book full of just about any song you can imagine in Spanish and English.
Casinos in Panama City
The Royal Casino at the Marriott and Veneto Wyndham (permanently closed) had casinos with sports books. Beware the unbearable amounts of “professional” ladies that roam around the Veneto, although they make the people watching more exciting.
Shopping in Panama City
For shopping, I visited, Albrook Mall, Megapolis Outlets (Multicentro), and Los Andes Mall. All three have several great stores to choose from and food courts, but Albrook is just massive with about 900 shops, kiosks and restaurants. The only thing that turned me off about Albrook was the fact I had to pay to use the bathroom. For a place where an incredible amount of money changes hands, it seems tacky.
Weather in Panama City
Panama City is hot and extremely humid. It will drain your energy. Stay hydrated, especially when the sun is beating down.
Safety in Panama City
As far as safety is concerned, if you’re in a touristy area near lots of hotels, bars, and restaurants, you’ll be safe almost all hours of the day. You’ll be able to tell very quickly when you’re in a sketchy area. Take normal precautions, such as not flashing cash or valuables and not wearing expensive jewelry.