The best things to do in Panama City in 2026 span an almost absurd range — you can watch a 300-meter cargo ship squeeze through century-old canal locks in the morning, eat a 10-course tasting menu in a colonial mansion at night, and wake up the next day on a remote Caribbean island with no Wi-Fi and no resorts. Panama City is one of the most underrated destinations in the Americas, and Casco Viejo — the cobblestoned, bougainvillea-draped historic quarter — sits at the center of it all. This guide covers 9 specific experiences, the neighborhoods you need to know, practical prices, and how to make every day count.
1. Casco Viejo: Start (and End) Every Day Here
Casco Viejo is Panama City’s UNESCO-listed historic district and the single best neighborhood to base yourself. The streets are narrow and walkable, the architecture is a mix of restored Spanish colonial grandeur and beautifully decayed French-era buildings draped in bougainvillea, and the food and nightlife scene punches well above its weight for a district of its size. Wander the Plaza de Francia at sunset, duck into the Iglesia de San José to see the famous Golden Altar (which survived pirate Henry Morgan’s 1671 raid), and grab a coffee at Café Unido on Calle 3 before doing anything else. Everything in Casco Viejo is within 15 minutes on foot.
If you’re staying in Casco Viejo, standout hotel options include the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo (rated 9.8 — one of the highest-reviewed hotels in Central America), the design-forward American Trade Hotel (a restored 1917 building on Plaza Herrera), and the intimate 8-room Amarla Boutique Hotel for a more personal experience. Browse current rates on Booking.com or Airbnb — you’ll find apartments in Casco Viejo starting around $60/night.
2. Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks
No trip to Panama City is complete without watching a ship transit the canal. The Miraflores Visitor Center is the closest locks to the city — about a $25 taxi ride from Casco Viejo — and it is genuinely jaw-dropping. You’re standing on an observation deck just meters away from ships the length of three football fields being lifted or lowered by 26 meters of water. Admission runs $20 USD for adults, $12 for children. Arrive by 9 AM to beat the lines and check the ship transit schedule in advance (ships pass only 2–3 times per day). Watch the IMAX film first — it gives the whole operation context before you head to the deck. Plan 2–3 hours total. Book skip-the-line tickets via Viator to save time.
3. San Blas Islands: The Caribbean at Its Most Untouched
The San Blas Archipelago — officially Guna Yala — is an indigenous territory of 365 islands along Panama’s Caribbean coast, governed by the Kuna people. There are no chain hotels, no Wi-Fi, and no credit card machines. What there is: water so clear you can see the bottom at 6 meters depth, white sand so fine it feels like flour, and freshly caught lobster grilled on the beach while you snorkel a shipwreck reef. Day trips depart Panama City between 5:00–5:30 AM (you need an early start for the 3-hour drive), visit 3–4 islands including Isla Perro, Isla Chichime, and a natural pool, and return by 7:30 PM. Bring cash (USD only), reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof bag. Book via GetYourGuide or Viator — all-inclusive day tours (transport, lunch, snorkeling gear) run $120–$160 per person.
4. Dónde José and Panama’s Tasting Menu Scene
Panama City has quietly become one of the best food cities in Latin America, and Casco Viejo is where the best restaurants are concentrated. Dónde José is the hardest reservation to get in Panama: only 16 diners per night at an open kitchen counter, a 10-course tasting menu ($95–$130) built entirely around ingredients sourced from small Panamanian producers. Book weeks in advance. Just as acclaimed is Caleta, chef Mario Castrellón’s flagship in a restored colonial building with sea views and a tasting menu ($85–$120). For something more casual, Fonda Lo Que Hay — widely credited with kickstarting Panama’s culinary renaissance — serves bold, affordable takes on Panamanian street food in a lively setting. And Tacos La Neta does its thing on a rooftop with sweeping views of both Casco Viejo and the modern skyline — go at sunset.
5. Rooftop Bars: Casco Viejo After Dark
Casco Viejo’s rooftop bar scene is one of the things that makes the neighborhood genuinely special after dark. Tantalo was the first rooftop bar in the district and still draws a crowd every night — live art on Tuesdays, Latin music on Wednesdays, ladies’ night on Thursdays. Sama Sky Lounge offers some of the best views of the bay with consistent live performances. For something more elegant and calm, the rooftop at Hotel La Compañía (part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection) is worth the splurge for a sundowner. The dress code across Casco Viejo rooftops is casual chic, and the golden hour window — 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM — is when these spots are at their best. The modern Financial District (San Francisco, Obarrio, Punta Pacifica) has its own rooftop game: The Panaviera on the 66th floor of the JW Marriott offers a famously dramatic city sunset.
6. Cerro Ancón: Sloths, Toucans, and a City-Wide View
Panama City is the only world capital with a primary tropical rainforest within its city limits, and Cerro Ancón is the proof. The hill sits just 10 minutes from Casco Viejo and the hike to the top takes about 30–45 minutes through jungle — you’re likely to spot sloths hanging in the cecropia trees, toucans, white-tailed deer, and, if you’re lucky, Geoffrey’s tamarin monkeys. From the summit you get a panoramic view that captures the entire city: the glass towers of Punta Pacifica to the east, the canal mouth to the west, and the red-tiled rooftops of Casco Viejo directly below you. There’s no entrance fee. Go early morning (before 8 AM) for cooler temperatures and best wildlife sightings.
7. Panamá Viejo: The Original City
Most visitors stay in Casco Viejo and miss Panamá Viejo — the ruins of the original city founded by the Spanish in 1519, destroyed by Henry Morgan’s pirate raid in 1671, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the eastern edge of the city. The Tower of the Cathedral still stands and you can climb it for a view over the ruins and the Pacific. The site includes the ruins of churches, convents, a bridge, and residential quarters. Entry is around $15 USD. Combine it with a visit to the adjacent Mi Pueblito artisan market for handmade Panamanian crafts — Kuna molas, woven Ngäbe baskets, and hand-painted ceramics. Budget 2–3 hours.
8. Live Music in May 2026
If you’re visiting Panama City in May 2026, there are real concerts on the calendar worth planning around. Sebastián Yatra plays the Centro de Convenciones Amador on May 7 — a big Latin pop show in a great waterfront venue in the Amador Causeway neighborhood. Diego El Cigala, the flamenco and bolero legend, takes the stage at Teatro Anayansi on May 17. And Sin Bandera — the beloved Mexican duo — performs at Arena Roberto Durán on May 28. Check Bandsintown for up-to-date listings and ticket links. All three venues are easily reached from Casco Viejo by taxi or rideshare (Uber and InDrive both operate here).
9. Getting to Panama City: Flight Deals in May 2026
May is one of the cheapest months to fly into Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Roundtrip fares from the US start around $237–$312 depending on origin city: Miami from $141 one-way, Fort Lauderdale from $151, and New York/Newark from $203. Copa Airlines and Avianca consistently offer the best fares for US travelers. Compare prices across Skyscanner, KAYAK, and Google Flights. Wednesday and Thursday departures tend to be the cheapest days. The cheapest specific date to book for May 2026 is reportedly May 27. Once you land, the taxi to Casco Viejo from PTY takes about 35–45 minutes and runs $30–$35 flat. For more trip planning, Visit Panama is the official tourism authority site.
Make Your Panama City Trip Count: Get Tattooed in Casco Viejo
Almost everything on this list runs through Casco Viejo — and so does Pangea Ink, one of Panama’s premier tattoo studios, located right in the heart of the historic district. Whether you’ve been thinking about a custom tattoo that captures something from your travels — the canal, the islands, the jungle, the colonial architecture — or you simply want to work with talented artists while you’re in the city, Pangea Ink is the place. The studio works with international clients regularly and takes bookings in advance via WhatsApp. Your Panama trip deserves to leave a mark.
Book your session or ask about availability: Message Pangea Ink on WhatsApp →
