Panama City, Edited: The Best Bits for a First Visit

It’d be a huge miss to just see Panama City, Panama as a stopover place. Instead, you should jump headfirst into this urban landscape. My own three days in the heart of this buzzing city left me pleasantly surprised, with a perfect mix of deep history, hearty local dishes, and plenty of lounge time with iconic views. And everyone was so gracious with my remedial Spanish, encouraging me to practice!

It’s ideal for a girlfriend getaway, with chic options to stay and rooftop bars ready to welcome you with the fruitiest cocktails. There’s also plenty of ‘pica pica’ and a rich culture of coffee, shopping, and so much more.

Extend your stopover for a few extra days and pack your itinerary with some of these Panama City highlights I tried and tested personally. 

Where to stay: Downtown as your home base

Especially if it’s your first visit, you’ll want to stay downtown for the best access to walkable attractions and a fun, local vibe. You can easily get to places like Casco Antiguo/Viejo (Old Town), try city center restaurants, and even take a wildlife day tour if you want to get out of the city.

Our base was the beautiful Renaissance Panama City Hotel, a comfortable, convenient, modern option. Not only was our accommodation wonderfully cozy, the onsite amenities are top-notch, from the gorgeous urban pool, lively cocktail bar, and tasty onsite restaurant. 

What I loved the most about the property were the nods to modern art and indigenous talent. The main staircase is adorned with local wildlife murals as well as symbols and art from some of the seven main indigenous peoples who have called Panama home for centuries. The details are incredible: look down at the lobby stools to find beautiful seed bead designs along the wood made by local women, and a row of funky street-art-style bears from up-and-coming artists in the city.

Through Marriott Bonvoy, you can book some special experiences without ever leaving the property too, but more on that later. They have an incredible staff ready to help you plan out amazing days in Panama City.

If you’d like to try a different neighborhood, here are a few other options:

• JW Marriott Panama: A super modern hotel among the high-rises of Panama Bay.
• La Concordia: A beautiful hotel in the historic city center with a sauna and classic décor. The Geisha Experience coffee bar is attached StreetSide.

The classics in Panama City that are worth it

The Panama Canal (do it once, do it right)

You can certainly do the Panama Canal visit in an afternoon, and if you’ve made it to the city, it’s a must-do. There’s stadium-style seating along the manmade waterway, so hopefully you’ll catch a barge passing in action. The one we saw was MASSIVE.

You could go with a group for sure and have a guide, but there’s plenty of info and commentary once you get there, if you Uber or take a taxi, or rent a car (it’s 20-30 minutes from downtown). Buying tickets or a tour in advance can save some time, especially if a cruise ship crowd lands the same time you arrive.

The IMAX-style film (with Morgan Freeman narration!)

If you make it to see the boats slowly pass at the canal, don’t miss the chance to take a quick history refresher at the IMAX theater next door. They have an amazing film that outlines the history of the canal: I learned way more than I thought I would! Who knew the French tried to make the canal first and failed? Or how vaccines saved the lives (and the project itself) of workers who fell victim to the mosquitoes? It is a great story of human triumph.

Casco Antiguo/Viejo (or San Felipe)

In the historic center of Panama City lies the true soul of what used to be and what is lovingly preserved. Cafes have strong, savory coffee to share, and stores are happy to help you pick out a classic Panama hat. Don’t miss the chance to take home a few chocolate bars too, the best ones are infused with fruit.

We found no big crowds in the morning and most of the area was walkable (although streets are uneven, just to keep in mind for footwear and accessibility). There are some stunning art galleries such as Diablo Rosso, scenic spots like Plaza Bolivar, and lovely churches to admire.

Rooftop bars and bites worth the elevator ride

This was a trip for the ladies, and one away from my young kids. So as much as I loved learning about Panamanian details, I also just wanted a big drink with pretty views and some quiet time. Luckily, there’s countless spots to do this all over the city: while Panama Bay has some gorgeous options, we liked to be closer to Casco Antiguo to look out over the high-rises. Here are my favorites:

• Lazotea: Head here right at sunset for an easy seat and view of the skyscrapers across the water. There’s also a beautiful bar and restaurant inside. The crowd came in quickly afterwards though, so if you plan to dine as well I’d make a reservation.

• Tantalo: The funkiest spot for a drink and people-watching from their rooftop sanctuary. We went early, but it was already lively and buzzing with fun. Grab some ceviche and a passion fruit mojito.

• Azahar: Over on the bay side is this swanky, sophisticated speakeasy-style restaurant with some of the best sushi I’ve ever had (it’s tucked behind a fake flower shop). There’s a bit of whimsy with some dishes, from drawers full of treats and salmon ‘pizza’ appetizers that arrived super fresh. It’s not Panamanian food but it is a wonderful, elevated place for chic cocktails and tasty, modern bites.

Pro tip: communication was not an issue, but knowing some Spanish was helpful. We ordered a very pricey Champagne topper by mistake that was delicious, but unexpected!

Cultural and food experiences that feel like the “soul” of the city

I’m no connoisseur, but I definitely think these three places are well worth a visit when you’re in Panama City.

Geisha Experience coffee tour

I will gladly immerse myself in any coffee culture that’s a passion for the people and country. Panama is no exception, and also boasts one of the rarest and most expensive beans. You can find out all about Geisha coffee and, of course, sample some at this hub of flavor and fun. 

They are widely knowledgeable about the coffee in Panama and are happy to share it. Fun fact: your hot coffee will be served in a wine glass, and paired with a few sweet treats. You’ll also learn the name is somewhat of a typo from the mountain ‘Gesha’ in Ethiopia where it originated.

El Trapiche for “pica pica”

It was so fun to connect with our tour guide who took us to the Panama Canal as an introduction to the city. But then we started chatting about our kids, our pets, and even politics. It’s fascinating to hear how others depict us outside the U.S. (spoiler alert, they think we’re all cuckoo bananas!) And at the end we asked where she’d recommend we eat later and I think something got lost in translation! She took us to El Trapiche: a spot a bit outside downtown where she goes with friends and we all ate together, which was fine by me. 

Order the ‘pica’ (appetizer-ish) plate of yucca, empanadas, chicken wings, maize fritters, and fruit smoothies to wash it down. It’s a great intro to casual Panamanian comfort food and a great “first meal” spot.

Concólon (downtown)

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Renaissance Panama City Hotel was this gem of a place that instantly made me feel at home. Women-owned and operated, it’s an indoor/outdoor restaurant featuring fabulous traditional Panamanian dishes. I just said bring me whatever you like best! So I had a great spread of:

• Changa con queso: A delicious savory corn tamale, traditionally boiled in a corn husk and generously stuffed with cheese.

• Concolón con ropa vieja: An iconic dish of Panamanian cuisine, known for serving shredded meat on a base of crispy, toasted rice.

• A fresh pina colada served in a pineapple: You know what this is!

And to start, they offered a hot mug of beef broth that was transformative. I honestly thought it was tea at first and it turned out to be a delightful surprise.

Bonus: Built-in experiences if you’re staying at the Renaissance

I don’t want to miss the chance to mention how I had the privilege of enjoying some hands-on demonstrations and classes right on the Renaissance property. It gave me a chance to connect with some of the chefs, bartenders, and other staff on a personal level and learn a bit more about the flavors of Panama. The hotel has a “Navigator” onsite who’s happy to arrange all sorts of experiences as a personal ‘cheerleader’ for the area who knows all the best tricks. If you just need a day by the pool, a quick cocktail class at Jota, and a rainy day plan, this can be just the thing.

Some sample “first visit” flow itineraries

Here’s a few ways you can lay out your trip to Panama City:

If you have 2 days in Panama City:

Day 1: The big classic + a rooftop victory lap

• Morning or early afternoon: Head to the Panama Canal (give yourself time to actually see a ship pass, because when it happens, it’s a true “whoa” moment).
• Right after: Walk next door for the IMAX-style film narrated by Morgan Freeman, because it makes the Canal story come alive.
• Evening: Back downtown to reset, then make it a rooftop night in the historic center:
  • Lazotea at sunset for those skyline views, then stay for a drink (reserve if you want to dine).
  • Or go straight to Tantalo if your group wants something lively and fun.
    

Day 2: Old Town wandering + the best kind of eating

• Morning: Take your time with a Casco Antiguo wander, with plenty of photo stops and a slow, curious pace.
• Lunch: Grab an Uber, go casual and happy at El Trapiche and order the pica pica plate with smoothies.
• Late afternoon: Choose your own vibe:
  • Coffee culture moment: Geisha Experience for a splurge-y sip and a little story with your cup.
  • Or downtown comfort: Concólon for a soul-warming meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
• Nightcap: Rooftop round two, because why not. If you want swanky, do Azahar for sushi and chic cocktails.
  

Or, if you have 3 days in Panama City:

Day 1: Canal day, done right

• Panama Canal (give it an afternoon if you can)
• IMAX film next door for the full story
• Dinner + rooftops: Start with Lazotea at sunset or Tantalo for people-watching and a passion fruit mojito

Day 2: Casco Antiguo, but slow

• Morning: A slower Casco Antiguo morning (wander, browse, linger)
• Lunch: El Trapiche for pica pica comfort food
• Afternoon: Hotel downtime if you’re staying at the Renaissance. Pool time, then a cocktail demo or chef experience on property if the timing works
• Evening: Azahar for a “treat yourself” night (and double-check what you’re ordering, learn from your champagne topper moment!)

Day 3: Coffee culture + one last perfect meal

• Morning: Geisha Experience coffee tour (the wine-glass coffee tasting alone is a memorable detail)
• Afternoon: Keep it easy, enjoy downtown, and fit in anything you skipped
• Dinner: Close strong at Concólon, order with your heart, and say yes to whatever they recommend

Can’t get enough of this corner of the world? I’ve got plenty more guides and itineraries waiting for you!