Panama City Travel Guide

Panama City, Panama is a vibrant cosmopolitan city and home to dozens of attractions, historic sites, and modern tourist-friendly destinations. Panama City is an idyllic location to learn about the area’s rich culture and history, enjoy some great food, and participate in one of the many events taking place around the region. The city is home to the famous Panama Canal and you can drive around the Amador Causeway to enjoy some of the scenic sights around the Panama Canal. Whether you’re taking in the nightlife scene, enjoying some good food at area restaurants, or are trying your luck at one of the casinos, you’ll find a wealth of interesting things to do and enjoy around Panama City, Panama on any given day.

Panama City is the largest city in the Republic of Panama and has a population of more than 880,000 people. The metro population is well over 1.25 million people. The city is locate at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal and is considered to be a “Beta World City” since it is one of the major hubs for international banking and commerce. Panama itself has grown to become one of the top five retirement places in the world, according to International living magazine. The city is surrounded by a tropical rainforest and is home to several highrise buildings. Travelers head to the city by flying in to Tocumen International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Central America.

Panama City is most famous for its architectural landscape and the old quarter in the city features several architectural styles. Many of the buildings around this area were built during the construction of the Panama Canal and the main city center is now a diverse mix of high-rise buildings and historic buildings. Panama City is located inside the Panama District which encompasses the region of San Miguelito and the older quarter of Casco Viejo. The urban city center around Panama City is also comprised of several neighborhoods and districts known as corregimientos: Santa Ana, Bella Vista, San Francisco, Parque Lefevre, El Chorillo, and San Felipe.

Panama City is considered to be the economic and financial center of the country and much of the economy is fueled by tourism, banking, and commerce. Many companies are also dependent on the shipping activities and trading that takes place around the Panama Canal. The city accounts for 55% of the entire country’s DGP and tourism continues to be one of the most important economic activities here. Hotel occupancy rates have always been fairly high for the city, and it’s now home to several global brands and chain hotels including Marriott, InterContinental, and Sheraton.

Whether you’re planning a luxury getaway or a relaxing, budget-friendly trip through Panama, you won’t want to miss the wealth of attractions, sites, and unique activities around Panama City. Take your time to learn about the different districts and tourist attractions throughout the city so you can make the most of your visit.

Panama City Weather and Best Time to Visit

The climate in Panama City is best described as a Koppen climate which means it is tropical but also wet and dry. The dry season in Panama City runs from January through April, while the wet season runs from May through December. The temperature here stays pretty consistent, averaging around 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak travel season here is usually during the winter months when travelers from North America and Europe head to South America to escape the colder weather. Average lows rarely dip below the mid-60s year round so you can enjoy warm and comfortable temperatures for most days of the year.

If you’re looking for deals on hotels and travel packages, consider traveling during the middle of the wet season when humidity levels are at their highest. While the weather can be somewhat uncomfortable during this time, you can take advantage of some great deals and plan on spending most of your time indoors.

Experience Panama City

One of the best ways to experience Panama City is to take a city tour with a local tour operator. These tours give you a chance to enjoy all sorts of activities such as visiting the ruins of the 16^th century city, exploring the Spanish colonial buildings, and visiting some of the modern city sites such as the skyscrapers and other buildings. You’ll also want to take a trip to the Panama Canal, considered to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The canal took more than 10 years to build and continues to be a marvel of our time. Head here to see 5,000,000-ton vessels make their way over to Panama from one ocean to the other, and take a tour of the Miraflores Visitors Center to visit exhibition halls featuring displays about Canal History, The Canal in Action, Canal of the World, and the Water the Source of Life. You’ll also find a restaurant and snack bar on site.

The city is considered to be a very multicultural place and is the home of many populations from around the world. Most people speak Spanish and English, but it won’t hurt to brush up on your Spanish-speaking skills before you head here. Yo’ull find everything from high-end shopping districts to a busy commercial and banking center. You’ll also find some bargain shopping locales in some of the smaller neighborhoods and some ethnic stores and eateries throughout the city.

The easiest way to get around the city is by taking a cab. The fares are already set so there are no metered cabs in the city. You can also rent a cab for an entire day so you can explore several sites and venues at your leisure. Again, fares are already set so this makes it much easier to plan ahead. Taking the bus is also a convenient and affordable way to explore the city. These buses are usually privately-owned and are decorated in colorful decorations to attract customers. Just keep in mind that the buses can get fairly crowded during rush hour so you will need to plan accordingly.

Panama City can be a fun destination to explore, regardless of the time of year you visit. Whether you’re interested in exploring some of the city sites, visiting the historical center, or just heading off on a sightseeing adventure down the Panama Canal, you’ll find a wealth of things to do and experience around Panama City any time of year.