History & Rainforest

Panama City: Canal, Casco Viejo & Rainforest Adventures

Watch colossal ships squeeze through the Miraflores Locks, sip cocktails on Casco Viejo rooftops, visit Embera villages by dugout canoe, and spot howler monkeys in the rainforest canopy.

Hi, I'm Diego. I'm a Panama City local who has been guiding Canal, Casco Viejo, and rainforest tours for nine years. This guide was last updated in July 2026.

7 Days / 6 Nights
Panama City, Panama
All Travelers
City & Nature Tours
$$ - Moderate
December-April (Dry Season)
Panama Canal Casco Viejo Embera Village Rainforest Ceviche

Currency & Safety Note: Panama uses the US dollar as its currency, locally called the balboa. No need to exchange money. Casco Viejo has improved dramatically in safety, but stick to main streets at night and take a taxi after dark. Uber is widely available and safe.

Why This Journey is Extraordinary

Engineering Marvel

Watch container ships squeeze through the Miraflores Locks, one of the world's greatest engineering feats

Casco Viejo Charm

Wander UNESCO-listed colonial streets where French and Spanish architecture meets rooftop cocktail bars

Embera Culture

Travel by dugout canoe up the Chagres River to visit a living Embera indigenous village

Rainforest Wildlife

Spot howler monkeys, toucans, and sloths on an aerial tram through the Gamboa rainforest canopy

Daily Journey Inspiration

1

Panama Canal & Miraflores Locks

The world's greatest shortcut

Morning
Miraflores Visitor Center
Arrive at the Miraflores Visitor Center by 9 AM to catch morning ship transits. From the observation deck, watch container vessels squeeze through the locks with just feet to spare. The museum explains how the Canal was built and how the larger Pacific Locks were added in 2016. Plan one to two hours.
Book ahead: Download the Panama Canal Transit Schedule app to see when ships pass. Transits happen in both directions daily, but mornings are most active.
Afternoon
IMAX Panama Canal Movie
Watch the IMAX documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. The film gives a bird's-eye view of the Canal's massive scale. Then browse the gift shop for Panama hats, which actually originate from Ecuador.
Evening
Ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos
Head to Mercado de Mariscos fish market for the best and cheapest ceviche in the city. A bowl costs 5 to 8 dollars with saltines. Try the mixed ceviche with corvina, shrimp, and octopus. Wash it down with a cold Atlas beer.
Local secret: Go to the upstairs restaurant at Mercado de Mariscos for a sit-down meal with the same fresh seafood and canal views. Order the sancocho, Panama's healing chicken soup.
2

Casco Viejo UNESCO Old Town

Colonial splendor and rooftop sunsets

Morning
Plaza de Francia & Metropolitan Cathedral
Explore Casco Viejo, the UNESCO old town founded in 1673 after pirates sacked the original city. Start at Plaza de Francia, dedicated to the workers who died building the Canal. Wander to the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Golden Altar Church, where the altar was painted gold to fool pirate Henry Morgan.
Afternoon
Boutiques & Cafes
Casco Viejo is a neighborhood in transformation, where crumbling colonial facades sit beside restored boutiques and galleries. Try a Geisha coffee at Café Unido, one of the world's most sought-after varietals, grown in the Panama highlands.
Why we love it: The contrast of restored and unrestored buildings gives Casco Viejo its raw, authentic charm. Take photos now, because it is changing fast.
Evening
Rooftop Cocktails at Tantalo
End the day at Tantalo, Casco Viejo's most famous rooftop bar, with views over the old town to the modern skyline. Try a cocktail made with seco, Panama's sugar cane spirit. Casa Casco is another excellent rooftop option.
Safety note: Casco Viejo is much safer than it used to be, but stick to main streets after dark. Take a taxi or Uber between Casco Viejo and your hotel at night.
3

Biomuseo & Amador Causeway

Frank Gehry architecture and island cycling

Morning
Biomuseo
Visit the Biomuseo, Frank Gehry's only building in Latin America. The colorful roof panels echo Panama's biodiversity, and exhibits explain how the isthmus rose to connect two continents. The architecture is as much a reason to visit as the displays.
Pro tip: The museum has limited hours, typically 10 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. Buy tickets online to skip the line.
Afternoon
Cycling the Amador Causeway
Rent a bike and ride the Amador Causeway, a 6-kilometer breakwater connecting four islands to the mainland. The Canal is on one side and the skyline on the other. Stop at the Smithsonian Marine Center on Culebra Island for sea turtles and touch tanks.
Local secret: Rent bikes at the beginning of the causeway for about 4 dollars per hour. Go in the late afternoon when the breeze picks up and the light is golden.
Evening
Dinner on the Causeway
Eat at Mi Ranchito on Naos Island, a local favorite for fried whole fish and patacones. The terrace looks back at the city skyline lighting up across the water.
4

Embera Indigenous Village Tour

Journey up the Chagres River

Morning
Dugout Canoe up the Chagres
Drive 90 minutes from Panama City to Lake Alajuela, where you board a motorized dugout canoe piloted by Embera guides. The ride up the Chagres River takes 30 to 45 minutes through dense rainforest, with birds and monkeys along the banks.
Book ahead: Book through a reputable tour operator like Embera Village Tours or Panoramic Panama. The tour includes transport, canoe, lunch, and a cultural presentation for about 90 to 120 dollars per person.
Afternoon
Village Visit & Cultural Presentation
Arrive at the Embera village, where the community welcomes you with music and dance. The chief explains Embera history. Women demonstrate basket weaving and body painting with jagua fruit dye. A lunch of fresh fish wrapped in banana leaves is cooked over an open fire. You can purchase baskets directly from the artisans.
Evening
Return to Panama City
Return to the city by late afternoon. Have dinner at Fonda Los Caminos in Casco Viejo, serving elevated Panamanian home cooking like arroz con pollo and carimañolas.
5

Ancon Hill & Cinta Costera

Howler monkeys and waterfront biking

Morning
Hike Ancon Hill
Hike up Ancon Hill, a 200-meter natural preserve in the city. The paved trail takes 45 minutes to the summit, with a 360-degree view of the Canal, Casco Viejo, and the skyline. Howler monkeys, sloths, and toucans live in the trees. Go early when animals are active.
Why we love it: Ancon Hill is one of the only places in the world where you can see rainforest wildlife and a modern skyline at the same time. Bring binoculars.
Afternoon
Cinta Costera Bike Ride
Rent a bike and ride the Cinta Costera, a waterfront park curving along the bay from Casco Viejo to Paitilla. The bike path is flat and busy with locals jogging and skating. Stop at the fish market for more ceviche.
Evening
Dinner at Casa Casco
Book dinner at Casa Casco, a multi-level dining venue in Casco Viejo. The rooftop has panoramic views, and the menu blends Panamanian and international cuisine. Try the corvina ceviche with a passion fruit twist.
6

Taboga Island Day Trip

Island of flowers and whale watching

Morning
Ferry to Taboga Island
Take the 30-minute ferry to Isla Taboga, the Island of Flowers, just offshore. The island has a car-free village, a sandy beach, and hiking trails. It was once a staging point for Spanish gold shipments and home of painter Paul Gauguin.
Book ahead: The Taboga Express ferry runs once in the morning and returns in the afternoon. Buy round-trip tickets at the dock or online. Bring sunscreen and cash for the beach restaurants.
Afternoon
Beach & Whale Watching
Relax on Playa Honda, the main beach, or hike to the second-oldest church in the Western Hemisphere. From July to October, humpback whales migrate past the island, and boat operators run whale watching trips for about 50 dollars.
Evening
Return & Dinner in Casco Viejo
Take the afternoon ferry back and celebrate with dinner at Intimo, a cozy farm-to-table restaurant in San Felipe. The tasting menu changes weekly and showcases Panamanian ingredients with modern technique.
7

Rainforest Aerial Tram & Farewell

Canopy views and final tastes

Morning
Gamboa Rainforest Aerial Tram
Drive 40 minutes to Gamboa Rainforest Resort and ride the aerial tram through the canopy. The gondola glides above the treetops for 1.2 kilometers, reaching an observation tower with views of Soberania National Park. Guides point out sloths, toucans, and howler monkeys.
Book ahead: Book the tram tour online or through your hotel. The morning slot has the best wildlife activity. Wear insect repellent and closed shoes.
Afternoon
Final Shopping & Coffee
Return to Casco Viejo for souvenirs. Buy Geisha coffee from Café Unido, a handwoven Embera basket, and a mola, the reverse-applique textile made by the Guna people. Have a final pour-over and reflect on your week.
Evening
Farewell Dinner at Donde Jose
End your Panama journey at Donde Jose in Casco Viejo, a tiny restaurant serving a daily-changing tasting menu of Panamanian classics with a creative twist. Chef Jose Carles is one of Panama's culinary pioneers. Reservations are essential. Raise a glass of seco to the Canal, the rainforest, and Casco Viejo.

Practical Tips

Getting There

Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY), about 30 minutes from downtown. Taxis cost 25-35 dollars. Uber is available and slightly cheaper.

Transportation

Use Uber for safe, inexpensive rides. The Metro has two lines covering the city center and is clean and air-conditioned. Buses are cheap but crowded.

Visa Requirements

Visitors from the US, Canada, EU, and UK get 180 days visa-free. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months and show proof of onward travel.

Budget Tips

Ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos costs 5-8 dollars. Local beer is 1-2 dollars. Embera village tours run 90-120 dollars. Casco Viejo restaurants are pricier but worth it.

What to Pack

Light, breathable clothing for the tropical heat. A rain jacket for afternoon showers. Comfortable walking shoes for Casco Viejo's cobblestones. Insect repellent for rainforest trips.

When to Go

The dry season runs December through April, with sunny days and low humidity. The rainy season from May to November brings afternoon showers but fewer crowds. July to October is prime for whale watching.

Photo Gallery

Panama City modern skyline over the ocean
Panama Canal Miraflores Locks with cargo ship
Casco Viejo colonial architecture and tiled roofs
Biomuseo Frank Gehry colorful building in Panama
Embera dugout canoe on the Chagres River rainforest
Fresh ceviche bowl with corvina and shrimp at Mercado de Mariscos

Traveler Reviews

Carlos V.

Carlos V.

Madrid, Spain | January 2026

★★★★★

Watching a container ship squeeze through the Miraflores Locks was jaw-dropping. The margin for error is inches. The IMAX film gave me chills. The ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos was the best I had all week, fresh corvina for 6 dollars with a cold Atlas.

Sarah J.

Sarah J.

Austin, TX | March 2026

★★★★★

Casco Viejo stole my heart. The mix of crumbling facades and restored boutiques is photogenic. The Geisha coffee at Cafe Unido was the best cup I have ever had. The rooftop sunset at Tantalo with a seco cocktail was perfect.

Michael R.

Michael R.

Boston, MA | February 2026

★★★★★

The Embera village tour was the most meaningful experience of the trip. The dugout canoe ride felt like going back in time. The chief spoke about their connection to the land and it was humbling. The fish lunch in banana leaves was simple and delicious. I bought a basket from the weaver.

Elena M.

Elena M.

Buenos Aires, Argentina | December 2025

★★★★★

The Biomuseo is a work of art. Gehry's colorful panels look like they exploded from the ground. The exhibit about Panama rising from the sea was fascinating. Cycling the Amador Causeway that afternoon was blissful. Sunset from Mi Ranchito. Perfect day.

Daniel K.

Daniel K.

Toronto, Canada | April 2026

★★★★★

Ancon Hill was incredible. We saw three howler monkeys, a sloth, and toucans within 45 minutes of the city center. The view of the Canal, old town, and skyline is unbeatable. The sancocho at Mercado de Mariscos was the best hangover cure ever.

Yuki S.

Yuki S.

Osaka, Japan | January 2026

★★★★★

Taboga Island was a perfect escape. The 30-minute ferry felt like another world. We hiked to the old church and had the beach to ourselves. We saw whales from the ferry in August. Donde Jose that evening was the best meal, inventive and delicious.

Brian T.

Brian T.

London, UK | February 2026

★★★★★

The aerial tram at Gamboa was magical. Gliding above the canopy, spotting sloths and toucans, felt like a nature documentary. Our guide had eagle eyes and pointed out things I would never have seen. The butterfly farm was a bonus.

Aisha B.

Aisha B.

Cape Town, South Africa | March 2026

★★★★★

The USD tip was so helpful, I did not need to exchange money. Uber was cheap and safe everywhere. Casa Casco rooftop was the best night out, the views over Casco Viejo are stunning. The seco cocktail took getting used to but by the second I was a fan. Panama City exceeded all expectations.

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