Panama City
Explore Panama City Tours | Best Tours & Guides for 2024
Explore Panama City, the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America, with our Panama City tours. A Panama vacation offers something for everyone. Being both a vibrant metropolis and gateway to tropical escapes, visitors will be assured to stay busy and intrigued during their stay. In this guide, we will help you navigate through the many things to do in Panama City Panama, including Panama City tours, Panama tours, and the iconic Panama City Panama Canal tour.
The first time we visited Panama City, we knew that this place will keep us in its spell forever. Having travelled all around the world, we have never found a place that holds so much diversity in both culture and nature, all reachable with a day trip from Panama City. According to Statistica, in 2022 over 2 million visitors flock to this beautiful country to explore the rich culture and biodiversity. Ranging from the rainforests of the Darien, the the island paradise of San Blas, to the mountain regions of Anton Valley and Boquete, Panama offers something for everyone’s taste and liking. We started offering Panama tours to show the world the beauties of this country.
Why Visit Panama City
Many worlds coexist here. Welcoming both east and west, Panama is a regional hub of trade and immigration. The resulting cultural cocktail mix leads to a refreshing 'anything goes' attitude, more dynamic and fluid than that of its neighbors.
Unflinchingly urban, the capital rides the rails of chaos, with traffic jams, wayward taxis and casinos stacked between chic clubs and construction sites. A center of international banking and trade, it has a sultry skyline of shimmering glass and steel towers that is reminiscent of Miami. In contrast, the colonial peninsula of Casco Viejo has become a hip neighborhood where cobblestones link boutique hotels with rooftop bars and crumbled ruins with pirate lore.
Escape is never far away. Go on a day trip from Panama City to sandy beaches (both on the Pacific or the Caribbean Sea), admire the Canal, explore lush rainforests of howler monkeys, toucans and sloths on Monkey Island Panama, or discover many more sights with our Panama tours.
Our Top 5 Panama City Tours
While we find it very hard to choose amongst the treasures of Panama, we have assembled our top picks that we feel should not be missed on a Panama vacation. Arriving in this beautiful country, visitors will quickly feel overwhelmed with the many things to do in Panama City Panama.
All of our tours are handpicked and carefully curated to guarantee that your Panama vacation is filled with unforgettable memories and new impressions.
Our friendly Tao Travel 365 team will be happy to put together a Panama City travel package that fits your needs, preferences, and time schedule.
Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary tour
During this tour you will get to visit Monkey Island Panama, having close encounters with up to 3 species of monkeys. Guests also visit the gorgeous Gamboa Rainforest Resort, housing the newly updated Sloth Sanctuary, Orchid Exhibition and Ranarium with different varieties of poison frogs. We are confident that our Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary tour will delight you and give you many perfect photo opportunities.
Panama Helicopter Adventures
Experience the beauty of Panama from a new perspective with our safe and comfortable Panama Helicopter Adventures. Departing from Albrook airport, our knowledgeable pilots will guide you over iconic sights such as the Panama Canal, Rio Chagres, and San Lorenzo fort. Choose from various flight options and capture breathtaking views of the Panama Canal, the Caribbean ocean, Isla Taboga, and Panama downtown. It's an unforgettable bird's-eye-view experience you won't want to miss.
Embera Indian Village, Chagres River and Waterfall
The Embera tribe still maintains to this very day a very authentic, primitive way of life. During our Embera Indian Village, Chagres River and Waterfall tour, guests will have the opportunity to meet them and learn about their traditions, dances and food. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful village, which we believe to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Panama Canal Tour
A definite classic is our Panama City & Panama Canal Miraflores Locks tour. Visit Panama City highlights and marvel at the famous Panama Canal. Join our knowledgable English-speaking guides on this 5-hour tour and learn about Panama’s intriguing culture, history and traditions.
Whale Watching Panama & Las Perlas Day Pass
Experience the thrill of whale watching in Panama, home to thousands of humpback whales. With warm waters and strict wildlife protection, Panama is a hotspot for these magnificent creatures. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat during our Whale Watching Panama & Las Perlas Day Pass tour and spend a relaxing day on the beaches of Las Perlas Islands.
How to Prepare for the Panama City Tour
Planning ahead
During the high season lasting from December until May, we recommend our guests to book as early as possible, as most of our tours get booked out fast. The same goes for hotels in Panama City. We find that a one-week stay in Panama City is sufficient to see most of the highlights. Those who want to explore some of the other beautiful areas in Panama, should plan for a minimum of 2 weeks. A two to three night stay in San Blas should be on every visitor's bucket list, while visiting Panama.
What to pack for the trip
Panama is located in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, meaning that the weather can be variable. It is usually warm with occasional showers. The online weather forecast cannot be trusted. Oftentimes the forecast can show rain and thunderstorms for the entire week, while in reality the weather is calm and sunny. Packing shorts, shirts, bathing suits, sandals, sunglasses and sunscreen is a must when visiting Panama City. Most importantly don't forget to bring a good attitude and remember that Panamanian culture and ways of doing things ca be different than what you are sued to from home. Everything moves slower here, people are louder and trash can often be seen on the side of the road. We find that those who arrive with the right expectations usually return home with unforgettable happy memories.
Health & Safety Tips
Panama, the safest country in Central America and a vital trade hub due to the Panama Canal, offers a secure travel experience. Health conditions are generally good, with no reported cases of yellow fever since 1974, polio since 1972, diphtheria since 1981, and cholera since 1993. Clean drinking water is widely available, and medical facilities are well-stocked.
Food & Water: Enjoy local fruits and vegetables safely, and drink tap water with confidence, especially in developed areas. Exercise caution with bottled water in less developed regions like Bocas del Toro.
Beach Safety: While Panama's beaches are excellent for surfing, be cautious when swimming. Tourist-friendly areas are safer, but be mindful that lifeguards may not be present.
Insects & Snakes: Protect against insect bites, especially in rural areas. Mosquitoes are not a significant issue in urban areas. Exercise caution in encounters with snakes and follow basic safety advice.
Do I need a vaccination for Panama?
Before traveling, consult a travel doctor for necessary vaccinations. Routine vaccinations, including tetanus-diphtheria and measles-mumps-rubella, are essential. Depending on your destination, consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid fever, rabies, and yellow fever. Antimalarial medication may be needed, particularly in risk-prone areas.
Doctors, Clinics, and Hospitals
Panama boasts excellent medical facilities, particularly in larger cities like Panama City and David. English-speaking doctors are common, and pharmacies are well-equipped. Seek treatment for serious medical issues in Panama City.
Is Panama City safe to visit?
Panama is generally safe, with friendly citizens and low violent crime against tourists. Exercise caution against nonviolent crimes, theft, and scams, especially in tourist areas. Avoid certain areas like Colón, El Chorillo, Curundu, and parts of the Darién near the Colombian border.
Stay informed about travel advisories from reliable sources, and exercise sensible precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Panama. If in doubt our friendly Tao Travel 365 team will gladly advise you on where to go and what to do.
FAQs about our Panama Tours
What is the best time to visit Panama City?
The dry season, from December to April, offers the most favorable weather with less rainfall and sunny days. However, Panama City is generally accessible and enjoyable throughout the year.
How do I get from Tocumen International Airport to the city center?
Tocumen International Airport is approximately 25 minutes away from the city center. Taxis, airport shuttles, and ride-sharing services are readily available for convenient transportation. The metro train will open in 2024, which allows travelers to conveniently reach the city center.
What are the travel requirements for Panama?
Travel requirements for Panama include a valid passport with at least six months of validity, a return or onward ticket, and proof of funds for the duration of your stay, are usually not enforced.
Are there beaches in Panama City?
While the city itself is on the coast, the best beaches are found on nearby islands or along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Taboga Island and the beaches in Coronado are popular choices.
Is Panama City expensive?
Panama City offers a range of options to suit various budgets. While luxury accommodations and upscale dining can be relatively expensive, there are plenty of affordable alternatives. Local markets, street food, and public transportation provide cost-effective choices. Overall, with careful planning, visitors can enjoy Panama City without breaking the bank.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Panama City?
It is recommended to drink bottled or filtered water to avoid any potential health issues. Most hotels and restaurants provide safe drinking water.
What is the currency in Panama City?
The official currency is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB), but the U.S. Dollar (USD) is widely accepted and used interchangeably.
How can I experience the Panama Canal?
Visit the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center for an up-close view, take a partial or full transit tour of the canal, or explore the Canal Museum for a comprehensive understanding of its history. We recommend booking the Panama City & Panama Canal Miraflores Locks tour.
Where can I experience Panamanian cuisine in Panama City?
Casco Viejo and the Mercado de Mariscos are excellent places to savor local dishes like ceviche, sancocho, and plantain-based treats.
What outdoor activities are available in Panama City?
Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in Metropolitan Park, exploring the Amador Causeway, strolling along Avenida Balboa or booking one of our many tours.
Conclusion
We are certain that our Panama City tours will allow our guests to fully experience Panama. Whether going on a day trip from Panama City or spending several nights in San Blas, we have the perfect Panama vacation package for you.
To this day we are still learning new things about Panama, finding new exciting Panama tours for our guests and making friends with travelers from all over the world who choose to return after witnessing the beauties they have experienced.
