Destination
Panama City, Panama
Panama City pairs a skyline of glass towers with a UNESCO colonial quarter, the canal on its doorstep and rainforest in the city limits, all on the US dollar.
Trips to Panama City from every city
No live trip to Panama City right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | fine |
| September | fine |
| October | avoid |
| November | avoid |
| December | best |
- January: Panama Jazz Festival in mid-January.
- February, March: Carnival, biggest in Las Tablas, in the days before Ash Wednesday.
October, November: The wettest months of the rainy season.
Where to stay in Panama City
- Casco Viejo: The restored colonial quarter of rooftop bars, boutique hotels and the main restaurant scene.
- El Cangrejo: Central, walkable district with mid-range hotels, cafés and nightlife.
- Punta Pacífica and Paitilla: Skyscraper waterfront with international chains and the Multiplaza mall.
- Amador Causeway: Resort hotels on the islands at the canal's Pacific mouth, near the Biomuseo.
- San Francisco: Residential district with good restaurants near Parque Omar and the Cinta Costera.
What to do in Panama City
- Watch ships pass through the Miraflores Locks
- Rooftop sunset drinks in Casco Viejo
- The Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway
- Partial canal transit by boat
- Day trip to the Guna Yala (San Blas) islands
- Spot sloths on the trails of the Metropolitan Natural Park
Good to know
| Airports | Tocumen International (PTY) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | mid-range |
| Time zone | America/Panama |
| Kind of trip | city, history, food, nightlife, nature |
Questions about Panama City
When is the best time to visit Panama City?
December, January, February, March and April. October, November: The wettest months of the rainy season.
Do US citizens need a passport for Panama City?
Yes. Panama City is in Panama; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Panama City on the ground?
Panama City is mid-range by US standards: plan about $90 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.