Panama City, the capital of Panama, brings together vegetation, Indigenous communities and vibrant urban life. When planning your trip, it helps not to reduce the city to a single theme: a walled colonial city, the history of the Panama Canal, Indigenous art and Panama’s ecosystems offer different cultural perspectives. There are also routes to explore on foot, by bike or, along the Calzada de Amador, on inline skates. You can tailor your stay to your interests and balance culture with activity.

Colonial City, Canal History and Art

Casco Antiguo is a walled colonial city within Panama City. This description combines a specific architectural form with the area’s historic character. The Museo del Canal de Panamá offers a different perspective: visitors can learn more about the history of the Panama Canal there. This gives you two distinct cultural themes to choose from: the historic cityscape and the history of the canal.

The Museo de La Mola (MuMo) displays Indigenous art from the Guna people. At the Mercado de Artesanías in Panama City, visitors can buy handcrafted goods. This offers two distinct options: a visit to a museum focused on a specific theme and the purchase of handicrafts.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is located on the Calzada de Amador and features eight galleries. One of them is Panamarama, a three-story projection of Panama’s ecosystems. Other galleries include Vitrina de la biodiversidad, El puente surge, El gran intercambio and La huella humana. The Biomuseo complements the art and canal themes with its own perspective on the country’s ecosystems. The gallery titles span biodiversity, exchange and human impact.

Routes and Ways to Explore

The Calzada de Amador connects four islands using rock excavated during construction of the Panama Canal. Along with linking the islands, this gives the area a specific connection to the canal’s construction history. Visitors can also walk, inline skate and cycle along the Calzada.

You can explore the Cinta Costera on foot or by bike. Comparing the two locations by mode of transport, walking and cycling are possible at both; inline skating is an additional option on the Calzada de Amador. The Recreovía runs from the Paitilla neighborhood to the end of the Calzada de Amador. Its route is defined by two named points: the Paitilla neighborhood and the end of the Calzada.

When looking for a hotel in Panama City, it helps to have a clear focus: first consider whether history, Guna art, ecosystems or activity should shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: San Cristobal, Lagarterita, Pueblo Nuevo, San Carlos, Boca Corona, Campana, El Cacao, Nuevo Emperador.

For the broader travel overview: Panama.