Panama City Tours & Things to Do
Panama City tours offer an incredible mix of history, culture, wildlife and one of the world's greatest engineering landmarks. Explore the historic streets of Casco Viejo, discover the modern skyline, visit the famous Panama Canal, or escape into tropical rainforest—all within easy reach of the city.
As Panama's main travel hub, Panama City is also the perfect base for unforgettable day trips. Cruise Gatun Lake in search of monkeys and sloths, visit an Embera community along the Chagres River, spend a day on the beaches of Taboga Island, or venture farther to the Caribbean coast and the San Blas Islands.
Our locally operated Panama City tours and excursions range from Panama Canal and city sightseeing experiences to wildlife adventures, cultural tours and private day trips. Whether you have a few hours, a full day or several days to explore, this guide will help you discover the best things to do in Panama City, Panama and choose the experiences that fit your trip.
Table of Contents
- Best Things to Do in Panama City, Panama
- Best Panama City Tours & Day Trips
- Planning Your Visit to Panama City
- Panama City Tours & Travel FAQs
- Discover Panama City with Tao Travel 365
Best Things to Do in Panama City, Panama
Some of the best things to do in Panama City, Panama combine the capital's modern city life, colonial history, tropical rainforest and the Panama Canal. Explore the cobblestone streets and historic architecture of Casco Viejo, walk along the waterfront at Cinta Costera, visit the Amador Causeway, or experience the city's restaurants, markets and vibrant neighborhoods.
What makes Panama City especially unique is how quickly you can leave the urban landscape behind. The Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks are just outside the city, while Gatun Lake and the surrounding rainforest offer opportunities to encounter monkeys, sloths, toucans and other tropical wildlife. Chagres National Park and Indigenous Embera communities provide another completely different experience within a day trip of the capital.
Panama City is also an excellent base for exploring farther afield. Spend a day on Taboga Island, travel to the Caribbean coast, discover the San Blas Islands, or head into the mountains of Anton Valley. With such a variety of Panama City tours, activities and day trips, you can experience history, wildlife, culture, beaches and the Panama Canal without constantly changing hotels.
Best Panama City Tours & Day Trips
Discover some of the best Panama City tours, including popular day trips from Panama City to the world-famous Panama Canal, the tropical wildlife of Gatun Lake, rainforest communities and mountain destinations. Whether you're interested in history, wildlife, culture or a private adventure, these handpicked Panama City excursions offer some of the best ways to explore the capital and its surroundings.
Most tours depart from Panama City and can be enjoyed as a half-day or full-day experience. Private options are also available for travelers who prefer a more flexible itinerary.
Panama City & Panama Canal Tour
Discover two of Panama's essential attractions on our Panama City & Panama Canal Tour. Explore highlights of the capital with a knowledgeable local guide before visiting the famous Miraflores Locks and learning how ships transit one of the world's greatest engineering achievements. This half-day tour is ideal for first-time visitors who want to experience the history, culture and modern character of Panama City together with the Panama Canal.
Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary Tour
Escape the city for a wildlife adventure on our Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary Tour from Panama City. Cruise through the Panama Canal watershed and Gatun Lake in search of capuchin, tamarin and howler monkeys before continuing to the Gamboa wildlife exhibits and Sloth Sanctuary. This popular day trip combines tropical rainforest, wildlife and the unique environment surrounding the Panama Canal.
Embera Indian Village, Chagres River and Waterfall
Travel into the rainforest on our Embera Village, Chagres River & Waterfall Tour and experience a very different side of Panama within reach of the capital. Journey along the Chagres River to an Embera community, where local hosts share aspects of their culture, traditions, food, music and daily life. The experience combines Indigenous culture, rainforest scenery and a traditional canoe journey through Chagres National Park.
Panama Helicopter Adventures
See Panama from an entirely different perspective on a Panama City helicopter tour. Depart from Albrook and fly above some of the country's most recognizable landmarks, with routes offering aerial views of Panama City, the Panama Canal, the Chagres River, Caribbean coastline and other spectacular scenery. Different flight options make this one of the most distinctive private experiences available from Panama City.
Anton Valley Day Tour from Panama City
Escape the city and spend a day exploring El Valle de Antón (Anton Valley), a picturesque mountain town located within an ancient volcanic caldera. Surrounded by lush mountains and a cooler climate, Anton Valley is one of the most popular day trips from Panama City. Our Anton Valley Day Tour from Panama City offers a chance to experience the area's nature, local attractions and mountain scenery while discovering a completely different side of Panama.
Planning Your Visit to Panama City
Planning Ahead
Panama City works well for both short stays and longer trips. Two to three days gives most visitors enough time to explore Casco Viejo, see the Panama Canal, experience the city's waterfront and neighborhoods, and enjoy at least one excursion into the surrounding rainforest. With four or five days, you can add day trips to destinations such as Monkey Island, an Embera community, Anton Valley or the Caribbean coast.
Many Panama City tours and day trips include hotel pickup, making the capital a convenient base for exploring without changing accommodations. Casco Viejo, the waterfront areas and neighborhoods around the city center also offer a wide range of hotels, restaurants and nightlife for different budgets and travel styles.
Panama City has a tropical climate year-round. The dry season generally runs from approximately December through April, while the wetter months bring more frequent tropical showers. Rain often comes in relatively short bursts, so tours and sightseeing continue throughout much of the year.
Is Panama City safe to visit?
Panama City is generally considered a safe destination for tourists, particularly in popular areas such as Casco Viejo, the Amador Causeway, Punta Pacifica and the city center. As in any major city, visitors should take normal precautions with valuables and be aware of their surroundings, especially at night.
Some neighborhoods are best avoided by visitors unfamiliar with the city. When exploring beyond the main tourist areas, joining one of our guided Panama City tours is an easy way to discover the city with an experienced local guide.
Panama City Tours & Travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Panama City?
The best time to visit Panama City is generally during the dry season from December through April, when there is less rainfall and plenty of sunshine. This is an excellent time for Panama City tours, Panama Canal visits and day trips to destinations such as San Blas and Anton Valley. However, Panama City is a year-round destination, and the greener rainy season from May through November can also be a great time to visit, with fewer visitors and typically short tropical showers rather than continuous rain.
How do I get from Tocumen International Airport to the city center?
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is approximately 20–25 kilometers from central Panama City. Depending on traffic and your destination, the journey typically takes around 25–45 minutes, although it can take longer during rush hour. Taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber are widely used for transportation between the airport and the city. Public transportation is also available, but for most international visitors with luggage, a taxi, ride-share or prearranged airport transfer is the most convenient option.
Are there beaches in Panama City, Panama?
Panama City sits directly on the Pacific coast, but the city itself is not known for swimming beaches. For a quick beach escape, visitors can take a short trip to Taboga Island. Travelers looking for more tropical beaches near Panama City can head to Panama's Caribbean coast, where islands such as Isla Grande, Isla Mamey and Isla Linton offer clear water, tropical scenery and island-hopping opportunities. The San Blas Islands are another spectacular Caribbean option and can also be visited on a day trip from Panama City.
Is Panama City expensive?
Panama City can accommodate a wide range of travel budgets. Local restaurants, public transportation and some accommodations can be relatively affordable, while upscale hotels, international restaurants and private experiences can be comparable in price to major cities elsewhere. Taxis and ride-sharing services are generally reasonably priced, making it easy to explore different parts of the city. Your overall cost will depend largely on your choice of accommodation, restaurants and activities.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Panama City?
Tap water in Panama City is generally considered safe to drink and is treated through the city's municipal water system. However, temporary service interruptions or local building plumbing can sometimes affect water quality. If you are unsure about the water at your accommodation, ask your hotel or host. When traveling outside Panama City to remote, rural or island destinations, water conditions can vary and bottled or properly filtered water may be recommended.
What is the currency in Panama City?
Panama uses both the Panamanian balboa (PAB) and the U.S. dollar (USD). The balboa is fixed at the same value as the U.S. dollar, and U.S. dollar banknotes are used throughout Panama City and the rest of the country. Panama issues its own coins, which circulate alongside U.S. coins. Credit cards are widely accepted in Panama City, but carrying some cash is useful for small purchases, local markets and day trips outside the city.
How can I experience the Panama Canal?
The Panama Canal can be experienced in several ways from Panama City. The Miraflores Visitor Center is the easiest place to see ships passing through the locks and learn about the history and operation of the Canal. For a more immersive experience, boat tours on Gatun Lake take you onto the Panama Canal itself, where you can travel alongside large ships while exploring the surrounding rainforest and wildlife.
Travelers can also experience the Canal on a partial or full transit through the locks, or combine a Canal visit with Panama City sightseeing, Monkey Island or historic sites along the Canal Zone. Our Panama City & Panama Canal Tour is a convenient option for visitors who want to experience the Miraflores Locks together with the highlights of Panama City.
Where can I experience Panamanian cuisine in Panama City?
Panama City has an excellent food scene ranging from traditional Panamanian restaurants and neighborhood fondas to seafood markets and modern fine dining. The Mercado de Mariscos is a popular place to try fresh ceviche and seafood, while Casco Viejo offers everything from traditional dishes to contemporary Panamanian cuisine. Local foods worth trying include sancocho, carimañolas, arroz con pollo, patacones and fresh Caribbean and Pacific seafood.
What outdoor activities can I do near Panama City?
Panama City is surrounded by rainforest, rivers, islands and the Panama Canal, making it an excellent base for outdoor activities and adventures. Popular experiences include wildlife boat tours on Gatun Lake, hiking in nearby national parks, kayaking, fishing, cycling along the Amador Causeway and visiting Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary. Travelers can also take day trips to Anton Valley for hiking and nature, explore Caribbean islands near Portobelo, or travel to San Blas for snorkeling, swimming and island hopping.
Many of these experiences are possible as day trips from Panama City, allowing visitors to combine city sightseeing with rainforest, wildlife, beaches and outdoor adventures without changing hotels.
Discover Panama City with Tao Travel 365
Panama City is much more than a stopover on the way to Panama's beaches and islands. Within the city and its surroundings, travelers can experience the Panama Canal, historic Casco Viejo, tropical rainforest, wildlife, Indigenous cultures and some of the country's best day trips.
Planning your itinerary? Read our guide to the best tours from Panama City to compare wildlife, cultural, island, mountain and Panama Canal experiences and find the best day trips for your stay.
Whether you want to explore the Panama Canal, encounter monkeys and sloths on Gatun Lake, visit an Embera community or escape the city for a day in Anton Valley, our Panama City tours make it easy to experience more of Panama from one convenient base. Choose from small-group excursions and private tours, or contact our team for help finding the right experience for your trip.
