Panama surprised us. It is the last country in Central America before you hit South America, and Panama City packs a glittering modern skyline, a centuries-old Spanish quarter, and one of the engineering wonders of the world into a single, walkable day. We only had 24 hours, so we made them count: Old Town, the Panama Canal, rooftop dinners, and views for days. Here is how to do it.
Is 24 hours enough in Panama City?
It is enough to hit the highlights. In one well-planned day you can tour Casco Viejo (the historic Old Town), see the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks, cruise the Amador Causeway for skyline views, and eat extremely well. To go deeper, give it two or three days, but a day gets you the greatest hits.
Where we stayed
We based ourselves at the Waldorf Astoria Panama, right in the financial district with sweeping skyline and ocean views. It made a luxurious, central home base, and we did a full room tour in a separate post. From there, almost everything was a quick drive or walk.
Casco Viejo (the Old Town)
The heart of any Panama City visit is Casco Viejo, the old quarter, with brick-paved streets and original Spanish architecture mixed with boutique hotels and cafes. Our guide picked us up in the morning, and it quickly became our favorite part of the city.
A few stops worth your time:
Iglesia de San José (St. Joseph's Church) and the Golden Altar. This is the famous one. The altar looks like solid gold, but it is actually carved mahogany covered in gold leaf. Legend has it that when the pirate Henry Morgan was about to sack the city, a priest painted the altar black to disguise it and convinced Morgan it had already been stolen. The church is free to tour, with donations accepted.
The Metropolitan Cathedral. Right on the main plaza, with another stunning altar and a large second-story organ.
The plazas and the bougainvillea market. We walked past the historic convent and orphanage to an open-air market set under a living archway draped in bougainvillea that blooms all year in Panama's climate. It is the place for authentic handcrafted goods from local and indigenous artisans.
La Casa de Sombreros (the Street of Hats). Near the French embassy and a skyline lookout, this little street pays homage to the traditional Panama hat, with colorful hats swaying in the sea breeze. It honestly felt like a movie set.
From the edge of Old Town, you can look back across the water and see the whole modern skyline, including our hotel.
The Amador Causeway and the Panama sign
Next we drove out along the Amador Causeway, a scenic strip reaching out into the bay, to the marina on Flamenco Island. We strolled past luxury yachts with passionfruit popsicles in hand and snapped the obligatory photo at the colorful Panama sign, with the skyline and boats behind it. It is free, it is public, and it is one of the best skyline views in the city.
The Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks
You cannot come to Panama and skip the Canal. We finished the tour at the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, where you can watch ships pass through the locks from observation decks and catch an IMAX film on the history and construction of the canal, including the contributions of the French, Americans, and Chinese laborers who built it. While we were there, we watched a small passenger ship and a shipping barge move through the locks from Miraflores Lake out toward the bay. Seeing it in person, the scale really lands.
Where we ate
Panama City eats well:
Brutal Smokehouse, a short walk from the hotel, for a heavy, satisfying barbecue dinner the first night.
Yoli Rooftop Bar, on the third floor of a shopping mall, for rooftop barbecue with perfect views of the bay and the sun setting behind the skyscrapers. Aaron had beef ribs and a cheeseburger, and it was excellent.
We also worked off dinner with walks through the local city parks, which come alive in the evening with people walking, playing basketball, hitting the playground, and bringing their dogs to the dog park. It is a great way to see how locals actually enjoy the city.
Honest tips for Panama City
It is hot and humid. Like, all-time-high sticky. If you sweat easily, dress light, drink plenty of water, and plan indoor or shaded breaks.
You can drink the tap water. Panama City has good water quality and hygiene standards, so the tap water is generally safe. Bottled is fine too if you prefer.
Hire a guide for Old Town. Ours made Casco Viejo and the Canal far richer with the history and the logistics handled.
Evenings are magic. It cools off after sunset, and the city comes alive with people heading out to dinner and dancing.
FAQ
Is Panama City safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas like Casco Viejo, the Amador Causeway, and the Canal are popular and well-trafficked. Use normal city travel sense, and a guide helps for getting around comfortably.
What's the must-see in Panama City?
The Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks and the historic Casco Viejo are the two you cannot miss.
Can you drink the tap water in Panama City?
Yes, the city's tap water is generally considered safe to drink.
How do you get around?
We used a guide and car for the day, which made hitting Old Town, the Causeway, and the Canal in one day easy.
The Verdict
Panama City is a city of contrasts, gleaming skyscrapers on one side of the water and a 300-year-old Spanish quarter on the other, with one of the world's great engineering feats just up the road. We packed it all into 24 hours and left wishing we had more time, which is exactly the sign of a place worth returning to. If you get the chance, go, and save room for a rooftop dinner at sunset.
Curious what we had up our sleeve in Panama? Watch the full day on YouTube: 24 Hours in Panama City, and check out our Waldorf Astoria Panama room tour. Subscribe to Finding Our Forte for more.
