Panama City in 5 Days: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Plan the perfect first trip to Panama City with this balanced 5-day itinerary. Recommending day trips, activities, and local cuisine, this guide covers the top things to do, see, and eat in Panama City, Panama.
PANAMADESTINATION GUIDEDISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS
¡Bienvenidos a Panamá! Drop off your bags, check in to your hotel, and get ready to dive into the vibrant energy of Panama City.
To get a feel for Panama City’s diverse neighborhoods and attractions, kick off your adventure with a guided sightseeing tour, or chart your own course and explore at your own pace. For a unique twist on the classic city tour, hop into a restored 1970s VW Safari car and cruise through the streets in vintage style with an expert guide as your chauffeur. If you prefer a more active way to explore, a guided cycling tour is another fun and dynamic way to cover the city's highlights.
No visit is complete without wandering through Casco Viejo, the city’s historic district. Cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and colonial architecture offer a glimpse into Panama’s past. Don’t miss key landmarks like the Panama Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, and the Presidential Palace, all showcasing Spanish and French influences. Along the way, you’ll discover quaint cafés, local galleries, and boutique shops tucked into every corner.
Day One: City Sights & Skyline Nights
City sightseeing in vintage style. Book it here!
The city’s other popular districts offer a total contrast to Casco Viejo. Sleek skyscrapers dominate the downtown skyline, showcasing the city’s rapid growth and development as a financial hub. Rooftop venues are especially popular here, offering scenic spots to relax, dine, and take in the urban views from above.
As the sun sets, make your way to El Faro de Casco Antiguo for a seafood dinner with panoramic views. Here, you can watch day turn into night as both the colonial rooftops and glimmering downtown skyline light up in the distance.
Finish your evening on a high note with a nightcap at Luna Rooftop, a stylish cocktail bar perched on the 31st floor of a downtown skyscraper.
The view from Luna Rooftop
Spend your second day exploring Panama’s most iconic landmark, the Panama Canal.
Join a local guide for an immersive canal-focused day tour, which typically includes stops at both the Miraflores Visitor Center and Gatún Lake. Having a guide adds context and depth, offering insider knowledge and fascinating stories that bring the canal’s history and operations to life.
At the Miraflores Visitor Center, get a glimpse into the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Watch massive ships pass through the locks while learning about the canal’s history, construction, and its global impact through different exhibits and interactive displays.
Next, head out on a jungle cruise on Gatún Lake. As you zoom through this man-made reservoir by speedboat, you'll pass transiting container ships and get a closer look at canal operations in action. As the boat navigates through back channels and bays, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including different types of monkeys and birds.
Day Two: Canal Crossings & Culinary Twists
Miraflores Visitor Center
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Alternatively for a more direct experience, opt for a full transit tour, where you'll board a ship and spend six unforgettable hours cruising either southbound or northbound along the Panama Canal, passing through locks and waterways that connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
In the evening, immerse yourself in more Panamanian culture through cuisine at Fonda Lo Que Hay, a trendy spot reinventing traditional fonda fare. Inspired by humble roadside eateries (fondas) known for hearty comfort food, this restaurant puts a playful, modern spin on classic Panamanian dishes, blending bold flavors, local ingredients, and contemporary culinary techniques for a dining experience that’s both nostalgic and innovative.
For your third day, venture beyond the city to experience more of Panama’s natural beauty. From island escapes to visits with Indigenous communities, there’s no shortage of day trip options. I recommend heading to Colón Province and the Caribbean coast for a day that blends history, adventure, and laid-back beach time.
Popular day trips include:
Day Three: Day Trips & Coastal Bliss
Isla Grande in Colón Province
While tours may vary in their itinerary, highlights of a Colón day trip include visiting the ruins of a Spanish fort, boating or kayaking through mangrove forests, swimming in secret lagoons and relaxing on Caribbean beaches.
After a scenic drive, your first stop may be Fort San Lorenzo, one of Panama’s most storied landmarks. Perched high above the Chagres River, this 16th-century Spanish fortress once served as a critical defense against pirate raids along the Caribbean coast.
Alternatively, your tour might take you to Portobelo, a historic colonial port town once central to Spain’s transatlantic trade routes. Wander through Fort Santiago and the Royal Customs House Museum to uncover more about the town’s storied past. Portobelo is also home to one of Panama's most important pilgrimage sites. Inside the Church of San Felipe, you'll find the Cristo Negro (Black Christ), a revered wooden statue attributed to several miracles.
Fort Santiago
Next, head to the docks to board a small speedboat or kayak and venture into the lush mangrove forests. Glide through narrow waterways, marveling at the tangled roots and vines of the mangroves, before pulling into secluded lagoons for a quick swim.
After a refreshing dip, hop back in the boat and continue cruising along until you reach nearby islands for a relaxing beach break.
Spend the rest of the day floating in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, lounging on sandy beaches, and soaking up the Panamanian sunshine. Popular stops include Isla Mamey and Isla Grande, but Colón offers plenty of other stunning beaches and islands to enjoy. Depending on the location, you may find amenities such as cabana rentals, umbrellas, jet skis and other equipment to enhance your beach day.
After a full day in the sun, return to your hotel and treat yourself to some well-deserved rest and room service to cap off the day in comfort.
Isla Grande and Isla Mamey
On your fourth day, dive deeper into Panamanian culture by learning more about the country’s rich biodiversity and conservation efforts.
If you’re up for another adventure, consider taking a guided day trip to Soberanía National Park. Choose between a guided hike through the rainforest or an aerial tram ride through the canopy with a visit to a sloth sanctuary. With either option, you’ll get the chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitats and learn how Panama works to protect its ecosystems and native species.
If you would prefer to stay closer to the city, begin at the Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador), a scenic stretch of road connecting the mainland to four small islands. Originally built using rocks excavated during the construction of the Panama Canal, the causeway once served as a breakwater protecting the canal’s Pacific entrance. Today, it’s a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, offering sweeping views of the ocean, city skyline, and passing ships.
Soak in the sea breeze by renting bikes, going for a jog, or taking a leisurely stroll along the palm-lined paths.
Day Four: Conservation Tracks & Island Paths
The map of the Punta Culebra Nature Center
CasaCasco's rooftop overlooks the center of Casco Viejo
From there, take time to explore either the Biomuseo or the Smithsonian Institute’s Punta Culebra Nature Center. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo features engaging exhibits highlighting Panama’s unique role as a land bridge between continents, their importance in global biodiversity, and the environmental challenges they face.
The Smithsonian’s Punta Culebra Center offers a more hands-on look at marine life, amphibian conservation, and tropical ecology with interactive science activities and displays. The Center also includes two short trails through a tropical dry forest, which zig-zag through a refuge for sloths, iguanas, birds and other creatures.
After another full day of outdoor discovery, treat yourself to dinner at the nightlife hotspot CasaCasco. This lively multi-level venue in Casco Viejo houses three distinct restaurants, a nightclub, and a rooftop lounge. For the best views and vibes, cap off your evening on the rooftop, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Casco Viejo and buzzy beats from the DJ. From here, you can dance the night away!
Ocean views from Culebra Island
For your final day in Panama, start by savoring some local favorite flavors.
No visit to Panama City is complete without experiencing its vibrant Chinese cuisine. Home to one of the largest and oldest Chinese communities in Latin America, Panama’s Chinese heritage dates back to mid-1800s immigrants who came to work in railroad construction. Today, roughly one in five Panamanians can trace their roots to this community, which remains an important cultural pillar.
A tradition that’s become a favorite amongst all Panamanians is enjoying dim sum for a weekend brunch. Colloquially known as desayuno chino (Chinese breakfast), Panamanian dim sum includes classic Cantonese small plates like shrimp and pork dumplings, steamed buns, sticky rice in lotus leaves, and more, all served with tea.
Experience the tradition at Palacio Lung Fung or Wah Kee, but be sure to arrive early — dim sum service usually ends by early afternoon.
Day Five: Steamed Buns & Setting Suns
Dim sum dishes from Palacio Lung Fung
Spend the rest of your day relaxing by the hotel pool or browsing for souvenirs in charming Casco Viejo.
For your final evening, take in stunning skyline views one last time, either aboard a sunset catamaran cruise along the coast or from the rooftop at Sama Sky Lounge, the highest rooftop bar in Casco Viejo. Either way, enjoy a cocktail or two, and toast to your amazing time in Panama!
Skyline views from Sama Sky Lounge
