There are many awesome things to do in Panama City, Panama. We’ve made this article for those travelers to make the most out of their travels in Panama City. We always recommend our audience to check out online reviews of places you visit and if possible safety tips.
Read more: 9 Things to Do in Taboga Island, Panama
Paddle Boarding In The Pacific Ocean
One of the unique things about Panama is being able to visit both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in a day. This country is surrounded by water, so it’s no surprise that water sports abound.
You don’t have to go that far to be able to enjoy a good paddle boarding session. Stand Up Panama is located in the Amador Causeway, where anyone can take paddle boarding lessons, both beginners and experienced paddlers.
You can even request a group class if there are more than 4 people. And the younger members of the family don’t have to stay behind. Kids classes are available if they are between 10 and 15 years old.
Besides teaching you basic techniques, you’ll get your own guided tour through Panamanian waters. Suit up and don’t miss this unique experience.
Listen To Live Jazz Music
Casco Viejo is renowned for its nightlife. People might usually suggest going to the best party bar or club. But if you’re looking for a different scene… live jazz music might do the trick.
Danilo Perez is a Grammy-winning Panamanian jazz pianist and composer with his own Jazz club here in Panama City. His dream come to life is the Danilo’s Jazz Club right by the American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo, Panama.
This club hosts both local and international artists… a lot trained by Danilo himself.
Even if you’re not an avid jazz listener, this place will welcome you with its classy atmosphere and great food and drink options. Maybe you’ll come out a fan.
Cycling and Skating In The Amador Causeway
The Amador Causeway connects the continental part of Panama City with an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. This is an excellent family spot to take a stroll, bike, skate, jog, and grab a bite to eat.
This is one of the popular spots in the city where you have views of the city skyline on one side, and on the other to the entrance of the Panama Canal and the Puente de las Americas.
Kiosks to rent bikes and skates are available, for about $5 to $15 per hour depending on the type of bike you decide on.
We recommend renting from Burke Bikes in Amador for their affordable prices and wide variety of bikes and equipment.
While You’re There Visit The Biomuseo
While at the Causeway, you can’t miss The Biodiversity Museum. The formation of the Isthmus of Panama impacted enormously the ecology of the Western Hemisphere and changed the Earth’s biodiversity forever. The Biomuseo tells you this unique story.
Born from the work of renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo was first designed in 1999 and came to life 15 years later.
Learn about Panama’s natural and cultural history in this immersive experience.
Have Drinks In A Skyscraper Rooftop
The nightlife scene is not only present in Casco Viejo, but spreads throughout the whole city.
Panama has some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, and in some of those, the rooftops are transformed into modern and elegant bars. In these you can get the feeling of a luxurious life complete with a 360° view of the city.
Some honorable mentions go to BITS or Bar In The Sky, the rooftop bar on the 62nd floor of the Hard Rock Hotel… and Panaviera’s 66th-floor rooftop bar.
Try The Most Expensive Coffee In The World
The Geisha is a premium coffee bean that originated in Ethiopia. Panama, however, is currently the epicenter of the Geisha beans.
In May 2019, a record-breaking bid was placed on the Lamastus Family Estates Geisha coffee for $1,029 a pound.
In places like San Francisco, California, you can get a cup of this specialty coffee for $75 a cup. In Tokyo, Japan, for about $140 a cup.
But right at the source… you can get yours for $9 a cup in the Bajareque Coffee Bar in Casco Viejo.
If having the most expensive coffee is out of your budget, like for us mortals would be, I strongly recommend visiting Café Unido. They roast their own coffee from Boquete and have a wide range of delicious Panamanian coffee bags for you to take home. Their coffee might not be the most expensive in the world, but it is so good you can surely go home saying it is.
For more information visit their website cafeunido.com
Dive into Panama’s Small Chocolate Culture
If you are a chocolate lover you will not want to miss the experience of eating carefully handmade chocolate at Mosaico Chocolate Café.
Each piece is its own work of art. While you’re there, don’t forget to order a cup of hot chocolate or coffee to go with your bonbons.
Moreover, you can shop online and take home one of Panama’s most admirable chocolates, Bocao’. Bocao’ Chocolates uses ethically sourced and fair traded cacao for their delicious chocolates… plus those who run the company are great people too! I believe this is a great Panamanian gift to take back home. You can buy their Chocolates in their website.
Hike The Cerro Ancon
If you want an affordable activity to partake in, hiking the Cerro Ancon is completely free.
The Cerro Ancon is about a 10-minute drive from Casco Viejo. It’s a 654-foot high climb where at the top you can enjoy views of the city. The hike is fairly easy and short, taking about 30 minutes.
Join In Sunday’s Ciclovia
Every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., 21 kilometers of road are closed off to traffic to use recreationally for cycling and skating.
The route goes from the start of the Cinta Costera all the way to the Amador Causeway. If you don’t own your bike, you can rent one in the Megapolis Outlets at the start of the Avenida Balboa.
Note: The Ciclovia might be temporary closed due to unreasonable and incomprehensible Covid Restrictions.
Visit One Of The 7 Wonders Of The Modern World
You cannot leave Panama without paying a visit to the Panama Canal. This 82-kilometer waterway cuts through the Isthmus and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. I believe that one of the largest and most difficult projects in engineering history is worth a look.
If you do not want to go visit the museum or do a tour, and want an affordable option, you can drive by the Gatun locks. Although this is technically in the Colon side of the canal, you’ll be as close as possible without going through it.
If you do wish to go on a full tour, the Ocean to Ocean tour can pick you up in Panama City and first take you to Gamboa. In here you’ll enjoy an eco-adventure where they’ll take you to the Monkey Islands. At the Agua Clara Visitor Center, the newly expanded canal can be appreciated. Tours like this can go for about $140
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