When travelers find themselves running short of time in Panama City, we at panamacity-hotels.travel recommend our top things to do in Panama City. Because we believe that travel is about quality as much as quantity, we have chosen the top five activities in Panama City based on the following question: if one of our friends was coming to visit us for a few days, what would we do together? Here is our answer.

1) Try a Monkey Island Tour

As beautiful and surprising as the skyline is, it is not the only wonderful thing about Panama City; the lush green jungle is definitely worth a visit. The Monkey Island Tour allows you to immerse yourself in the luxury of the Panama rainforest and to observe vessels passing through the Panama Canal. 

Why do we love this tour? Because it combines the best of what Panama City has to offer: exuberant wilderness and the Panama Canal, all in one tour! If you enjoy the idea of seeing howler monkeys, of feeling tiny next to huge container-carrying boats, and of discovering corners of the jungle, then this Panama tour is worth every penny.

2) Take a tour on the Panama Canal

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Panama? The Panama Canal of course! No list of the top things to do in Panama City would be complete without this tour. While it’s one thing to observe the locks from a gallery, it’s quite another to transit them and witness for yourself their opening. Even the toughest to impress will feel a little bit of awe before this modern marvel of engineering. Transiting the canal is akin to reliving the early 20^th century and witnessing the sheer power and incredible capacity of the human mind. Need more be said?

3) Stroll the canal on the Amador Causeway

The Amador Causeway (or Calzada de Amador) was built by the Americans to protect the Panama canal from strong waves. The Causeway is a stretch of road that connects the coast to four small islands: Naos, Culebra, Perico and Flamingo. Nowadays it is a very touristic area, where people come to enjoy the view of the skyline, practice sports, sip a coffee or enjoy a nice meal. Rent a bike, walk the length of the causeway, picnic with your loved one, savor an ice cream cone: the possibilities are endless.

We love this Panama Canal tour because it’s perfect for both romantic and family outings. For the younger crowd, Zona Viva (located at the beginning of the stretch) is a street dedicated exclusively to Panama city nightlife, with several discotheques and bars.

4) Discover the colonial neighborhood of Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is home to locals, foreigners, bohemians, businessmen, young adults and the young at heart. Part of UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites since 1997, Casco Viejo is a neighborhood that many people have come to claim as their own. It is a place where history stands proudly and tourists marvel; a place where locals enjoy quiet afternoons; a place where business is conducted; a place where people come to enjoy life.

There is much to do, and even more to see in Casco Viejo: people watching, discovering the story behind the Panama Canal in the Interoceanic Canal Museum, strolling the streets, lazing the afternoon away. The choice is yours; that is the beauty of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial neighborhood. No trip to Panama City is complete without this local favorite.  

5) Shop

For shopaholics, shopping in Panama City is paradise. Luxury is wildly available in high-end fashion malls such as MultiPlaza and MultiCentro, as well as in many small and exclusive boutiques. Unbelievable bargains can be easily found at the artisan markets and more accessible Panama City malls such as Albrook Mall, El Dorado Mall and MetroMall.

For those with sumptuous tastes, look out for renowned brands such as: Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co., Hermés, Jimmy Choo, etc.

Bargain hunters will be glad to find everything and anything, from everyday items to clothes and souvenirs, all at unbelievable prices. Many times, you’ll find yourself asking if the USD2.99 price tag is a joke. Rest assured, it is not.

In short, Panama City is a place where you can find that coveted and lavish silk scarf while also renewing an entire wardrobe (shoes, accessories, pants, shirts, formal wear) with less than USD250. Those with in between tastes will be glad to see Zara and other familiar chains, such as Collin’s, Steven’s, Felix B. Maduro, etc.

In Panama City, you have the luxury of shopping till you drop for great bargains, or shopping until your funds run out in the fabulous high-end boutiques. Sometimes, you don’t even have to choose.