This year’s spring vacation took us to Panama for a week, spending the majority of our time in the capital, Panama City, with a day trip to the San Blas Islands, and a few days in Buenaventura on the Pacific Coast. Panama was beautiful and we had a relaxing time, but Panama was more expensive and more Americanized than other Central American countries that we have visited. We definitely need to return and spend time in other parts of Panama to get a better feel for it. Panama City, however, makes a wonderful winter/early spring getaway for those coming from the NYC area and looking for something different yet not too “foreign.”  This post details what we did during our time in Panama City over 5 days and how you can recreate this trip for yourself!

OUR 5-DAY ITINERARY IN PANAMA CITY

DAY 1: THE PANAMA CANAL & A DELICIOUS MEAL IN CASCO VIEJO

United flies direct from Newark to Panama City overnight, so we took that flight, leaving around midnight NYC time and arriving around 4:00 AM the following morning in Panama. We booked our hotel, the JW Marriott Panama City, for the night prior, so we were able to checkin immediately on arrival despite the early hour (you should absolutely do this if you can swing it; well worth the money). We slept for a couple hours before having breakfast in the JW Marriott’s Lounge and using its stunning pool area (featuring TWO infinity pools and a separate heated pool – it is rumored to be one of the nicest in the area!).

Somewhat rested, our first afternoon was dedicated to touring Panama’s most famous site, the Panama Canal! Well, the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks and Vistor’s Center. Visiting the Panama Canal from Panama City consists of venturing about 30 minutes outside of Panama City proper (we Ubered easily) to the Visitor’s Center at the Miraflores Locks (the oldest locks), watching a 45 minute IMAX movie about the Canal’s history narrated by Morgan Freeman (!!) and then, as long as you visit when ships are moving through the locks, watching ships pass through the Canal.

I pre-booked tickets online (recommended to avoid lines), so we were able to enter just as the late afternoon IMAX movie right as it began, which actually ended up being an interesting movie (I would watch it again, LOL). After the movie, visitors can watch ships move through the Miraflores Locks from bleachers outside. There is Spanish and English commentary, and you can buy food and drinks to enjoy on the bleachers. Dan and I drank a local craft beer – La Rana Dorada – while watching two ships pass through the canal. If this is something that interests you, be sure to time your visit for when ships are actually passing through the canal (times listed online under the Transit Schedule – usually very early in the morning and in the afternoon). I would also note that the largest ships – those huge container ships that you hear about – now pass through the newer locks, the Gatun locks, which we did not visit

We planned nothing else our first day aside from dinner at the well-regarded restaurant Fonda Lo Que Hay. This restaurant is located in the historic center of Panama City, Casco Viejo, and is loosely based on the Panamanian “fonda” (an old school, casual, roadside restaurant). Contrary to its namesake, Fonda Lo Que Hay is modern, upscale, and serves an interesting menu mixing Panamanian dishes and international dishes (for example, a Pork Belly Cacio e Pepe). That being said, I had a FANTASTIC pork sandwich here and would totally return. Separate post forthcoming.

We went to bed promptly after dinner, having Ubered back to our hotel from Casco Viejo, due to our very early arrival.

DAY 2: A FOOD TOUR AROUND PANAMA CITY & A CHIC ROOFTOP DINNER

Our second day in Panama City (and our first “full” day) began with a history and food tour through the Spanish Colonial part of Panama, Casco Viejo (where we had dinner the night prior). We met our guide in a museum, very quickly reviewing Panama’s history, and then ate our way through the Casco Viejo. We enjoyed a traditional Panamanian breakfast, stopped in Panama City’s famous seafood market, Mercado de Mariscos, for fresh ceviche and finally, drank the most well-regarded Panamanian coffee, Geisha coffee. The food on the tour was really good, and we learned a lot of history about Panama City, much more than I knew going into this trip. Again, separate review coming, but Panama has some tasty food!

After our tour, we stopped by La Casa del Habano in Casco Viejo, which is located on the famous “hat street” (its just decorative hats hanging from the street….). La Casa del Habano is an old school cigar bar offering all the best cigars and cocktails; it will absolutely make you feel like you are in Central America. We were assisted by the cutest old man who barely spoke English. I skipped the cigar and only had cocktails, which were delightful and made with real Cuban rum. Dan said his Cuban cigar was equally good. Highly recommend to cigar smokers in Panama City.

This evening, after a nap and another quick visit to the JW Marriott’s pool, we dined on one of Panama City’s swanky rooftops. And yes, rooftop dining is very popular in Panama City right now. Our dinner was at Kannibal, which offered a lovely setting atop a parking garage with views overlooking the Panama City skyline. Kannibal is known for its cocktails, and the cocktails were indeed quite delicious, as well as elaborate. The food was juuust fine, but I think people come to Kannibal to see and be seen instead of for the cuisine.

We RUSHED back to the hotel after dinner at Kannibal to watch the last episode of The White Lotus, LOL. We did make it back, but what a disappointing episode!

DAY 3: THE POOL SCENE, ROOFTOP DRINKS & A FABULOUS PANAMANIAN/PERUVIAN DINNER

After our big day out in Casco Viejo, we spent our next day largely lounging around the pool and the hotel. It was very relaxing and so lovely to be in warm weather after a very cold New York winter.

As evening set in, we Ubered across town for pre-dinner drinks at a cocktail bar that I saw earlier in the trip: Mazatlán Rooftop. It was such a cute spot on the edge of Casco Viejo that I had to return. We enjoyed cocktails at Mazatlán Rooftop while we watched the sunset. And while it looks empty in the pictures, this was a Monday evening; Mazatlán fills up on the weekends. Reservations highly recommended.

We then drove across town (like to the OTHER side of town from where we stayed) for dinner at Mai Mai.  Mai Mai is a well regarded restaurant located on the upper level of a new strip mall. Don’t let that fool you – Mai Mai is AMAZING. By far the best restaurant we ate at in Panama City. Mai Mai, short for Maido-Maito, is the “powerful combination” (per the website) of Maido restaurant in Lima, Peru and Maito restaurant in Panama. And honestly, Mai Mai’s food and cocktails are incredible. Don’t miss eating here (review coming!).

DAY 4: CASCO VIEJO MUSEUMS, LEBANESE FOOD & A PANAMANIAN DISTILLERY

The following day was dedicated to museuming, and there are a couple of good ones in Casco Viejo. First, was the Panama Canal Museum. Located in Casco Viejo, the Panama Canal Museum is a museum dedicated to the history, people and culture that sprung up around the Panama Canal during its construction, both good and bad.  It was super interesting, as for years and years many foreigners (from wealthy ex-pats to slave labor) lived and worked the Panama Canal area, resulting in foreign enclaves in Panama. Today, Panama fully owns and operates the Panama Canal, almost exclusively with Panamanians. I enjoyed learning about the Canal’s history and seeing the historic artifacts (like Panama Canal yearbooks and advertisements for the canal).

After the Panama Canal Museum, I visited the small but mighty Mola Museum. Mola is a form of fabric art done by the Kuna (Guna) people who live on the San Blas Islands (where we would go the following day). The Mola Museum shares history relating to the “mola” and the Kuna people, and showcases some fabulous molas. The Mola Museum is easy to navigate, free and well air conditioned.

We also spent some time simply walking around Casco Viejo. It’s an easy area to “waste away time”.

This evening, per Dan’s choice, we dined at a Lebanese restaurant called Beirut. Beirut is a small chain of Lebanese restaurants in Panama. We dined outdoors, and Dan smoked shisha. The food was actually pretty tasty, although certainly not the best Lebanese food I’ve ever tried (this place in Dubai is SO GOOD). It was quick and inexpensive.

After dinner, we went back into Casco Viejo for drinks at one of Panama’s own distilleries, Pedro Mandinga. Pedro Mandinga has two locations in Panama City, including this one in Casco Viejo. The drinks at Pedro Madinga were excellent. I tried an Espresso Martini made with Panama’s famous Geisha coffee! Definitely recommend a visit to Pedro Mandinga!

DAY 5: A DAY TRIP TO THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS

Our final day was spent on a FULL day trip to the San Blas Islands. We left at 5:00 AM and returned around 7:00 PM. While the San Blas Islands were gorgeous, the day was looooong. We were exhausted when we arrived home and simply went to sleep. I am going to write a post on our day trip to the San Blas Islands, but I probably wouldn’t do it again due to the time involved. That being said, I also would not want to stay overnight in San Blas, so if you really want to visit, a day trip could be your best bet. Despute the long day, the San Blas Islands were very beautiful and have a lot of interesting history as home to the Kuna people (of Mola fame).

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

1. Uber is easy and inexpensive.
2. While Uber is inexpensive, we found Panama City to be more expensive than some cities in its Central and South American neighbors (such as neighbors Guatemala and Colombia). Something to keep in mind if you are on a budget.
3. Almost everywhere accepted credit card.
4. The currency of Panama is the US dollar.
5. Not a tip, but a fun fact, the Panama Canal runs north to south (not east to west)!
6. Be sure to visit the Panama Canal when ships are going through (they one go a couple hours per day).
7. Most people we encountered spoke English, but knowing Spanish will help.
8. I suggest restaurant reservations. Restaurant culture is big in Panama City.
9. Panama City has numerous running paths, and we saw lots of people running.
10. The airport is not too far from Panama City proper, making a layover doable.

STEAL OUR TRIP

JW Marriott Panama City: Corregimiento de San Francisco, Cl. Punta Colón, Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama. Pool on site. Executive lounge on site.

Miraflores Panama Canal Visitor’s Center: $17.22 per person in May 2025. Website suggests spending 1.5 hours here.

Fonda Lo Que Hay: Edificio el Colegio, C. José D. de la Obaldía. Open Wednesday – Monday 12:00 – 11:00. Closed Tuesday. Reservations recommended.

10 Tastings of Panama’s Old Quarter (with Daly): $83.10 per person.

La Casa del Habana: C. 1a Oeste, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama. Open daily 10 – 6.

Kannibal Panamá: Av. B, Panamá. Located on the rooftop – take the elevator in the parking garage to the top floor. Open daily 5 PM – late.

Mazatlán Rooftop: Av. Eloy Alfaro, Panamá. Open daily 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM. Reservations suggested on weekends.

Mai Mai: Panamá Design Center (PDC, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama. Open Monday – Saturday 5 – 11:30.

Panama Canal Museum: Plaza de la Independencia, C. 5a Este, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday – Sunday 9 – 6. $15 per adult.

Mola Museum: Planta baja y nivel 200, C. José D. de la Obaldía, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10 – 4:30. Free entry.

Beirut: Ricardo Arias St, Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama. Open daily 11 – 2 AM. Shisha available.

Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar: Calle Avenida A. Casco Antiguo, entre Plaza Herrera y Calle 8va, Panamá, Panamá, Panama. Open daily 4 – 11:30, opens at 12 Friday – Sunday.

San Blas Ialands Day Trip via Viator: $150 per person, included all transportation and lunch.