Panama City, at the crossroads of two oceans and two continents, is a city of astonishing contrasts: modern skyscrapers, historic districts, lush jungle and traditions. The city offers a wide range of activities in just a few days, perfect for a long stopover before heading back to your main destination, or thanks to Copa Airlines’Stopover Panamaprogram , which adds a stopover of 1 to 7 days at no extra cost for travellers to Latin America with a stopover in Panama.
Panama: an easy destination to combine
No need to get bored here! And if Panama isn’t your first destination, it fits in perfectly with a combined trip to neighboring Costa Rica, Colombia or Nicaragua, where the Terra Panamerica network is also present. Thanks to TocumenInternational Airport (PTY), the region’s air hub, many travelers take advantage of a stopover to discover the capital and its treasures.
The Stopover by Copa Airlines
Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines makes it easy to discover the country with its Stopover Panama program . Specifically, if you’re flying with Copa to another destination in the Americas, you can choose to stop over in Panama for 1 to 7 days, at no extra charge on your ticket.It’s an ideal opportunity to turn a simple connecting flight into a mini-adventure. Imagine: instead of waiting in a terminal for a few hours, you can explore Panama City, visit the Canal, stroll through Casco Viejo… or even head for the beaches of the Pacific or the islands of the Caribbean!
What to do in Panama City
From Panama City, the possibilities are endless. For those who don’t have the time to visit the rest of the country, the capital already offers a taste of Panama’s richness. Here, you can sample exceptional coffee from the Boquete highlands, explore marine wildlife in interactive museums, hike in a national park, spend a day or two on a nearby archipelago or immerse yourself in the culture of an indigenous community. A true showcase of the country, concentrated in a single city.So, what to do if you’ve got a few days to spare? Here’s our selection of 5 must-do experiences in Panama City (and believe us, it wasn’t easy to choose!)
1. Get lost in the narrow streets of Casco Viejo and El Chorrillo
The Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an enchanting place, with its cobbled streets, colonial churches and colorful facades. With its museums, cafés and trendy rooftops, it’s a must-see if you want to feel the soul of Panama City. Right next door, the working-class district ofEl Chorrillo reveals another facet of the city, more raw and authentic, with a marked history and vibrant local life. We recommend exploring this district with a guide, who will tell you all about its evolution and its role in Panama’s history, while putting you in touch with its inhabitants.
2. Admire the mythical Panama Canal
A true feat of engineering, the Canal is the symbol of the country. There are two main options
- From Panama City (Pacific coast): at the Miraflores Locks , you can watch huge ships pass by and discover the fascinating history of the Canal thanks to a 45-minute film (English, with Spanish and English subtitles).
- From Colón (Caribbean coast): at the Agua Clara locks , the experience is more intimate and less crowded. A film is also shown here, but is less comprehensive than at Miraflores.
The Miraflores locks are easy to organize on your own. For Colón, on the other hand, we recommend going with a driver and guide. You can also combine this excursion with a visit to Fort San Lorenzo, a colonial relic listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Tip: Before visiting the locks, visit the Canal Museum in Casco Viejo. It’s very well done and entertaining. The visit combines very well with the canal tour and is not at all redundant.
3. Discover Parc Métropolitain
Just a few minutes from downtown, Metropolitan Park offers total immersion in the jungle. This 232-hectare green lung is home to howler monkeys, sloths and tropical birds. A hike up to the mirador affords a breathtaking view of the skyline and even the canal: a contrast unique in the world.Fun fact: Panama City is the only capital city in the world to have a tropical forest within its walls: the Metropolitan Park.The visit can be made independently: the trails (5 km in total) are well marked. For a richer experience, it’s also possible to go with a naturalist guide. Tip: go early in the morning, when the wildlife is most active. Tickets can be purchased directly at the park entrance.
4. Going back in time at Panamá La Vieja
Remains of the city’s first foundation in 1519, Panamá La Vieja bears witness to the colonial past and pirate attacks that have marked the region’s history. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers a fascinating tour of church ruins, convents, watchtowers and a modern museum tracing the city’s evolution.We highly recommend visiting the site with a guide, who will bring the stones to life and share fascinating anecdotes about the birth of the capital. For history buffs, it’s the perfect complement to a visit to Casco Viejo, and for those who already want to know more about Panama’s history, go here!
5. Immerse yourself in the Emberá people
Just a few kilometers from the capital, meet the Emberá indigenous community. After a car journey and a pirogue trip on the Chagres River, you’ll arrive on Emberá soil, where you’lldiscover their handicrafts, traditional dances, way of life and intimate relationship with nature.The Emberá are an indigenous people originally from the Darién rainforests. Today, certain communities also live along the Chagres and near the Canal, while actively preserving their language, traditions and spiritual relationship with nature.From Panama City, it’s best to book a driver to the port; afterwards, the community takes over organizing the tour. A guide is not essential, but there are excellent English- and French-speaking guides to enhance the experience.
