Panama City, PA
Panama City, when stacked up against the rest of the large Central American capitals would be considered actually a pretty great place. It's on the water, there's modern development, there are nice restaurants, hostels, touristic things to do and all that. But I wasn't personally a huge fan of Panama City. I also spent way too much time there due to a number of extenuating factors, so I may be jaded. Well, I am jaded. Panama City is crazy hot all day. Like walk outside and start sweating. It's a modern place, so as a tourist most of the places that you will go into will have air conditioning, but it's still sweltering during the day. It's also a city that very much highlights the disparity of the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'. There are luxury high-rise condominiums with ocean views built adject to oppressive slums and horrible poverty. So that for me, was a bit of a sour note on the city. There are a lot of things to do in the city from a touristic perspective though. You can go see the Panama Canal, tour the historic part of the city and learn some of the history of how it was an old military fort. A lot of it still standing. There's good international food, and some really nice views of the water. Casco Viejo is charming, and the cobblestoned streets and colonial architecture are photogenic and nice to look at and explore. With all that being said though, I personally don't think you need more than a few days in the city, — maybe 2. It's going to be a starting or an ending point for most people. They fly into Panama City, starting their trip in Central America, or they fly out of Panama City, ending their trip there. So it's more likely than not that you will go through Panama City during your visit to Panama. However, I don't think you should really make a stop or a point of interest. You're going to have to go through it. Spend a day on either end exploring the city, then make your way out. Here I will get into the things that I think are worth doing in the city. But, after about a month in this city, what I figured out most is that it's just not worth spending that much time in.
Panama city is a major city, the biggest in Central America. You shouldn't really need my help on understanding the location. I guess, for people unfamiliar with the geography of Central America, I will point out that Panama is the bottom of Central America, before, if you continue south, you end up in South America. So Panama City, a coastal major city, located on the Pacific side of the country, is the last large city in the Central.
You can fly here, which is why most people spend time here and have to come through it. The airport is called 'Tocumen' and is located here.
A little bit about Panama City itself though. It's a huge place. When it comes to all of the touristic stuff, it all pretty much happens in Casco Viejo. The old town. Where the history, the pretty cobblestone streets, and a lot of the nice restaurants and the bars are. I would recommend spending most of your time here, and this is where I would decide to sleep as well. The city is huge, but outside of Casco Viejo is just a city, with little in the way of redeeming qualities for a traveling in town for no more than a few days. That being said, if I was going to live in Panama City, there are a lot of other neighborhoods I would choose to do so in other than Casco.
HOSTELS, CAMPING, AND HOTELS (IF ANY)
For a big city that has a bunch of backpackers coming through it all the time I actually found the hostel scene here to be pretty terrible. In my opinion, the best and really only place in the city that I would want to stay as a visitor is Casco Viejo. In Casco Viejo there's really only one option from a hostel perspective. It's Selina. So for the first time in my life I think that I will recommend you, if you want a hostel, to stay at the Selina in Panama City. It also doubles as kind of the hub of nightlife in the area.
There are other hostels, but they are in kind of weird neighborhoods in the city. More residential, and not close to any of the history, or in my opinion — interesting things to do.
The other thing to do here, which I did for a while, is to get an Airbnb. They aren't that expensive, and if you are traveling with people I would recommend that as a good option.
I can't really believe I am recommending a Selina, but the one in Panama City is actually good. It's one of, if not the only hostel in Casco Viejo, where you want to be, and it also doubles as the social hub of the area. — With a nice rooftop bar that is full of travelers every night. So in my opinion, if you are a backpacker coming through Casco for a few days, just stay at the Selina.
Kind of a hostel, but more of a hotel located in Casco Viejo. I think they have a very limited number of dorm beds if you are looking for something other than Selina.
A good cheap option for people coming through the city. But like I said, it's in a weird area, and there's not going to be much to do around your hostel other than simply be at the hostel.
Popular and cheap option, similarly in a weird area — not a whole lot to do outside of sleep, but it's cheap.
Just like the others outside of Casco Viejo, it's a cheap option. You have a pool and everything you need, but it's not near any of the "things to do" or "things to see" in Panama City.
EATS
Just like any big international city, Panama City has a lot of good options when it comes to eating. Food from all over the world, renowned chefs, etc., etc. You can find good sushi, good pasta, good pizza, good Middle-Eastern food. Really, whatever you want. The city is obviously giant, so I am not going to get into more than a few of the places in Casco Viejo that I liked, considering I pretty much spent all of my time there.
Restaurants
Probably the coolest place to eat in Panama City. It's been around for decades, and has been visited by famous people. It's right in the middle of Casco, it's got cheap local food and great breakfast. 100% you should go here while you are in town.
My favorite spot for dinner in Panama City. It's a little speakeasy spot behind a barber shop. They have excellent sushi and cocktails.
— Not super cheap.
Good little restaurant with nice vibes, serving a lot of seafood.
Decent place to go and get some lunch or dinner. They've got a bunch of different types of food like pad thai and stuff. Nice little patio as well.
A brewery that also has nice food, like burgers and stuff. What you would expect from a brewery?
Cute little spot that has like bowls and sandwiches and stuff. Nice option for lunch.
Great little sandwich place in the heart of Casco.
Great little coffee shop that also has good food. If you need to come chill, get some work done, and want to get some food as well, this is it.
Right outside of Casco is the fisherman's market. It's a fun and kind of crazy place to come and get dinner.
NIGHTLIFE
There is certainly nightlife in Panama City, but I could never really figure it out to be honest. Like I tried and I would walk around at night with the goal of going out, but at least me personally I was never able to figure it out. There are bars and clubs but they are rather sporadically and randomly placed, without a dedicated nightlife district. At least not one that I could ever find.
So the nightlife is kind of random, but you can find it. The places that I went out when I was here are below, primarily Casco Viejo. In my opinion the nightlife scene in Panama City is not great.
Bars and Clubs
The rooftop of the Selina is kind of the hub of nightlife in the Casco Viejo neighborhood. There are DJ's and stuff up on the rooftop every night. Then late night, they have a club in the basement that goes really late. But most nights people start on the rooftop of Selina.
Little club/bar that is right around the corner from the Selina. Probably my favorite place to go out in Panama City, but that's not saying much.
Brewery in Casco that's a nice spot to just grab some beers. Outdoor seating as well that is nice.
Cool little cozy spot to come and get some rum cocktails. Feels like it's been there a while, and you can drink some traditional rum.
— Kind of upscale place that has a nice rooftop to get drinks at for sunset.
One of the best rooftops that I went to here in Panama City. More mellow vibes, and a good view.
SIGHTS
There's lots to do in Panama City from a tourism perspective actually. Walking tours, history of Casco Viejo, going to see the Panama Canal. Yada Yada.
The place is actually nice if you like being a tourist, cause there is a lot of history with the colonial ties and all that. So below are some of the things you can do from a tourism perspective.
JUST WALK CASCO
Just go out and walk around Casco Viejo. The streets and buildings are colorful, and it's just generally interesting everywhere. A simple walk and get lost (but not too lost, things can get sketchy fast).
TAKE A HISTORIC WALKING TOUR
Go take a walk around Casco with a guide. There's a walled, old military-fort part, and the history is pretty cool.
This is in the food section as well, but the fish market near Casco Viejo is a cool thing to see.
Go and see the famous Panama Canal. In my opinion, it's kind of unimpressive and it's just a big giant man-made scar in the landscape. But it's certainly a bucket-list item.
There's a very mediocre island off the coast of Panama City. You can get on a catamaran and ride out there for the day. It also includes a bunch of booze. It was touristy, but I had fun. The picture makes it look a LOT cooler than it actually is.
SURFING
If you ask some people they will tell you that there are little surfable waves around Panama City. But I don't think any of them are worth even mentioning. If you have a hankering to go surf some shitty waves in shitty waters, then be my guest but in my opinion there is no surfing in Panama City.