Solo travel · Panama City · Panama
Solo travel in Panama City
How to enjoy Panama City at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: user:ArnoldReinhold, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Panama City is a straightforward stop for solo travellers, with hostels in Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo, easy ride-hailing and many group tours to the canal, rainforest and islands. Many solo travellers base themselves in Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa.
Key facts
- Base
- Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa
- Getting around
- Metro
- Emergency number
- 911
- Language
- Spanish
Solo travel tips
- Stay in Casco Viejo or El Cangrejo for walkable restaurants and social hostels.
- Join group tours to Gatún Lake or Guna Yala to share transport costs.
- Use ride-hailing apps at night instead of walking between neighbourhoods.
- Keep phones and wallets secure on Avenida Central and in crowded buses.
- Carry water and sun protection; the heat is intense in the middle of the day.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and solo travellers
Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa
Avenida Balboa runs along the bay from Casco Viejo towards Punta Paitilla, lined with apartment towers and hotels that face the Cinta Costera's walking and cycling paths. It offers skyline and sea views and quick access to both the old town and the business districts.
- Good
- Waterfront park on the doorstep; Central location; Many mid-range hotels
- Watch out
- Busy traffic on the avenue; Fewer neighbourhood restaurants
- Nearby
- Cinta Costera, Casco Viejo, Metro Line 1
Great on your own
Landmark · Canal Zone
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.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- History
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Historic site · Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo
Walk it in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, and stick to the restored streets after dark.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
Experience · Canal Zone
Panama Canal partial transit
Bring sun protection and a hat; most of the journey is on an open deck in strong sun.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Views
Landmark · Casco Viejo
Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
Walk the bougainvillea-covered promenade at sunset for views across the bay to the towers.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Religious site · Casco Viejo
Iglesia de San José
Visit when there is no service, and sit near the front to see the carving in detail.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Art
Religious site · Casco Viejo
Catedral Metropolitana
Sit on the plaza after visiting the cathedral and the canal museum, which is on the same square.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
Meeting people
- Ceviche at the fish market — Order cups of ceviche from the stalls at the Mercado de Mariscos and eat them by the water with a cold beer.
- Casco Viejo rooftop dinner — Several restaurants and hotels in the old town have rooftop terraces with views of the skyline across the bay, best at sunset.
- Casco Viejo — Rooftop bars, cocktail bars and live music in restored buildings around the plazas.
- Calle Uruguay — Bars, clubs and late-night restaurants popular with a young local crowd.
Sensible precautions
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded areas such as Avenida Central; in Casco Viejo, stay on the restored streets after dark, as some neighbouring areas are best avoided. The heat and sun are intense, so drink plenty of water.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Staying connected
- Mobile coverage and Wi-Fi are good across the city; local SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy at the airport.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Panama City good for solo travellers?
Panama City is a straightforward stop for solo travellers, with hostels in Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo, easy ride-hailing and many group tours to the canal, rainforest and islands.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Panama City?
Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa: High-rise seafront along the Cinta Costera park.