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Casco Viejo, Panama City

Itinerary · Panama City · Panama

One day in Panama City

A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Panama City, not crossing it.

Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: Garcia.dennis, CC BY-SA 4.0

Quick answer

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. Day 1: Miraflores Locks and Panama Canal partial transit. Base yourself in Casco Viejo.

Key facts

Days
1
Sights covered
5
Day trips
None
Best base
Casco Viejo
Book ahead
Panama Canal partial transit

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Miraflores Locks and Panama Canal partial transit

    Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal partial transit, Ancón Hill and Metropolitan Natural Park, then Casco Viejo in the evening.

    1. Morning

      Miraflores Locks

      Ask at the entrance or check the canal authority's website for the day's transit times; ships tend to pass in batches, so time your visit around them. Allow 2 hours.

    2. Late morning

      Panama Canal partial transit

      Bring sun protection and a hat; most of the journey is on an open deck in strong sun. Allow 5–6 hours.

    3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sancocho

      Fondas and traditional restaurants throughout the city, especially at lunchtime and on weekends.

    4. Afternoon

      Ancón Hill

      Start early in the morning, when it is cooler and the wildlife is most active, and carry water. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

    5. Late afternoon

      Metropolitan Natural Park

      Follow the marked trails uphill to the viewpoint over the canal and skyline, and arrive early to avoid the heat. Allow 2–3 hours.

    6. Evening

      Casco Viejo

      Rooftop bars, cocktail bars and live music in restored buildings around the plazas.

Before you go

  • Panama Canal partial transit: Partial transits run only on some days and fill up; book well ahead, especially in the dry season.

If it rains

  • Swap in Panama Canal Museum (Casco Viejo): Visit before going to the Miraflores Locks; the history makes the locks far more interesting.
  • Swap in Biomuseo (Amador): Allow around two hours and combine it with a bike ride or lunch along the causeway.

Where to stay for this itinerary

$$$ · Best for couples, first-timers, nightlife, culture and food lovers

Casco Viejo

Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–17 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in December to 12.6 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Metro. The Metro has two lines: Line 1 runs from the Albrook bus terminal through the centre and El Cangrejo to the north, while Line 2 runs east towards the airport area.

More or fewer days

Questions travellers ask

+Is one day enough in Panama City?

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. How many days Panama City needs.

+What should I book before visiting Panama City?

Panama Canal partial transit.