Our trip to Panama & Costa Rica started in Panama City. In this blog, we give you our 5 favourite Panama City highlights. 

​​

1. Cinta Costera & Skyline

They sometimes call Panama city the Miami of Central America. Rightly so, the skyline is impressive! From the Cinta Costera boulevard, you can take in the skyline. Along the Cinta Costera you will find several stalls and, if you are lucky, you will come across some wildlife such as raccoons.

2. Casco Viejo

As far as we are concerned, there is only one place that does justice to your stay in Panama City and that is Casco Viejo, aka the old town. In this neighbourhood you will find a mix of Panamanians, expats and tourists. We stayed at hostel Selina. From Selina, they offered a fun free walking tour where we explored the neighbourhood with a guide. The district has nice boutiques and restaurants where you can eat delicious food. Read our restaurant tips in this blog.

​

Casco Viejo also has some worse parts. As long as you stay in the parts with red stones on the ground you'll be fine.

​​

3. Metropolitan Natural Park

You don't have to leave the city to enjoy beautiful nature and some wild life. In fact, in Panama City you will find Metropolitan Natural Park. For four dollars you can buy an entrance ticket and do several hikes. Along the way, we spotted howler monkeys among other things in addition, the view upstairs is fantastic.

 

Tip: Combine your visit with the Miraflores Visitor Centre where you can see ships sailing through the Panama Canal.
​​

4. The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is world-famous! So of course you can't skip a visit during your time in Panama City. Seventeen dollars buys you access to the viewing platform and a ticket for the IMAX movie, in which Morgan Freeman tells you more about how the canal works. Keep in mind that ships do not pass through the canal all day. Between two and three in the afternoon, you are most likely to see them.  

​

5. Day trip to Lake Gatun

Not far from Panama City you will find Lake Gatun! This lake is home to several islands with very special inhabitants, namely monkeys! Via GetYourGuide we booked a tour with Almiza Tours. Our enthusiastic guide Daniel introduced us to three monkey species; titi's, howler monkeys and white-faced monkeys! We also saw a caiman and crocodile. 

​

From Panama City, there are countless other day trips to think of. Consider a day trip to the San Blas islands or a visit to one of the tribes.