Where to stay · Panama City · Panama
Where to stay in Panama City
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Casco Viejo. Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels. Best alternatives — families: Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa; budget: El Cangrejo.
Key facts
- First visit
- Casco Viejo
- Families
- Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa
- Budget
- El Cangrejo
- Nightlife
- Casco Viejo
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Casco Viejo | Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels |
| Families | Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa | High-rise seafront along the Cinta Costera park |
| Couples | Casco Viejo | Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels |
| Budget | El Cangrejo | Restaurants and cafés around Vía Argentina |
| Luxury | Marbella and Calle Uruguay | Bars, clubs and business hotels near the financial district |
| Nightlife | Casco Viejo | Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels |
| Food lovers | Casco Viejo | Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels |
| Solo travellers | Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa | High-rise seafront along the Cinta Costera park |
| Shopping | Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacífica | Towers, ocean views and the Multiplaza mall |
| Quiet stays | Amador | Island causeway with canal views and seafood restaurants |
Panama City neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for couples, first-timers, nightlife, culture and food lovers
Casco Viejo
The old town on its small peninsula has been largely restored, with 17th- to early 20th-century buildings around Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza Bolívar and Plaza Herrera now holding boutique hotels, restaurants, rooftop bars and cafés. It is the most atmospheric base and walkable to the Cinta Costera and the fish market.
- Good
- Most characterful area of the city; Restaurants and bars on foot; Sea views from the promenade
- Watch out
- Bar noise at weekends; Some neighbouring streets are best avoided after dark; Traffic and parking are difficult
- Nearby
- Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza de Francia, Mercado de Mariscos, Cinta Costera
$$ · 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
$$ · Best for food lovers, budget and solo travellers
El Cangrejo
A walkable, mid-century neighbourhood around Vía Argentina with restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and small hotels, close to the Vía España Metro stations. A large sculpture of Albert Einstein's head stands in one of its small plazas. It is popular with long-stay visitors and budget travellers.
- Good
- Walkable with many places to eat; Good Metro access; Good-value hotels and apartments
- Watch out
- No sea views; Taxi or Metro to Casco Viejo
- Nearby
- Vía Argentina, Vía España, Metro Line 1
$$$ · Best for nightlife, luxury and solo travellers
Marbella and Calle Uruguay
Between Avenida Balboa and the banking district of Obarrio, Marbella has many international hotels, while the Calle Uruguay area is one of the city's main strips for bars, clubs and late-night restaurants.
- Good
- Nightlife on the doorstep; Large choice of hotels; Central for business travellers
- Watch out
- Noisy at weekends; Less historic character
- Nearby
- Calle Uruguay, Cinta Costera, Obarrio
$$$$ · Best for luxury, shopping and families
Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacífica
At the eastern end of the bay, these headlands are a forest of luxury apartment towers and upscale hotels, with the Multiplaza mall and major private hospitals nearby. Views across the bay towards Casco Viejo are excellent, especially at night.
- Good
- High-floor views of the bay; Upscale hotels and malls; Quieter at night
- Watch out
- Car-oriented streets; Taxi needed for most sights
- Nearby
- Multiplaza, Cinta Costera, Coastal Beltway
$$$ · Best for families, quiet stays and couples
Amador
The Amador Causeway runs out into the Pacific at the canal's entrance, linking three small islands. Hotels, marinas and restaurants here have views of ships queuing for the canal and of the city skyline, and the Biomuseo stands at the causeway's start.
- Good
- Sea breezes and canal views; Bike paths; Ferry to Taboga
- Watch out
- Taxi needed to reach the city; Limited evening options
- Nearby
- Biomuseo, Taboga ferry, Flamenco marina
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and luxury
Costa del Este
A planned district east of the centre, closer to Tocumen airport, with corporate towers, wide avenues, a waterfront park and modern hotels. It suits business travellers and those with early flights, but is far from the historic sights.
- Good
- Closer to the airport; Modern, quiet and orderly; Waterfront park
- Watch out
- Little character; 30 minutes or more to Casco Viejo
- Nearby
- Tocumen airport, Panamá Viejo, Corridor Sur
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Casco Viejo | $$$ | Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza de Francia, Mercado de Mariscos, Cinta Costera |
| Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa | $$ | Cinta Costera, Casco Viejo, Metro Line 1 |
| El Cangrejo | $$ | Vía Argentina, Vía España, Metro Line 1 |
| Marbella and Calle Uruguay | $$$ | Calle Uruguay, Cinta Costera, Obarrio |
| Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacífica | $$$$ | Multiplaza, Cinta Costera, Coastal Beltway |
| Amador | $$$ | Biomuseo, Taboga ferry, Flamenco marina |
| Costa del Este | $$$ | Tocumen airport, Panamá Viejo, Corridor Sur |
Getting to your hotel
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is about 24 km east of the centre; allow 30–60 minutes by road depending on traffic. Taxis from the official desk and ride-hailing cars are the usual options. Albrook's Marcos A. Gelabert airport (PAC), near the centre, handles domestic flights.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Panama City for first-time visitors?
Casco Viejo. The old town on its small peninsula has been largely restored, with 17th- to early 20th-century buildings around Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza Bolívar and Plaza Herrera now holding boutique hotels, restaurants, rooftop bars and cafés.
+Where should families stay in Panama City?
Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa: Waterfront park on the doorstep.
+Which area of Panama City is best for a budget stay?
El Cangrejo ($$): Restaurants and cafés around Vía Argentina.