Panama is a great place in Central America that is definitely worth visiting at least once in your lifetime! Here is a list of things you should definitely do in Panama during your first visit.
Our list covers everything from local history and interesting places in the capital to local Panamanian cuisine and unforgettable adventures!
Explore the colonial Old Town of Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo has become our favourite area in Panama City. The town was settled in 1673 and is characterised by beautiful old-world Spanish architecture. The local poor were once the only inhabitants of the buildings slated for demolition, but today, active commercial development is transforming the once-dilapidated buildings into trendy hotels, bars, and restaurants.
Try Geisha coffee
Geisha coffee is one of the best coffee beans in the world, with an aromatic and floral aroma. You may have heard of Kopi Luwak from Indonesia or Blue Mountain beans from Jamaica, but Geisha beans from Panama are even more valuable than these two varieties. Although this variety was not originally produced in Panama (it is believed to have originated in Ethiopia), it was later brought to the mountainous region of Boquete in Panama, and now Panamanian coffee plantations produce some of the best Geisha coffee in the world. A little tip: Café Unido (next to the American Trade Hotel) is one of the few cafés in Panama that offers exclusively local coffee. Unido offers Geisha in addition to standard cold drinks, espresso and pastries.
Intriguing games here – Lucky Lady’s Clover
Visit the Panama Canal
You can’t visit Panama without seeing the Panama Canal! The Miraflores Visitor Centre is about a 20-minute drive from Panama City. It is a four-storey interactive museum offering visitors a short film and an open observation deck overlooking the Miraflores locks.
Time your trip to coincide with the passage of a cargo or cruise ship and watch as the locks fill and lower to allow transit! It’s a fascinating sight. The museum also details the history of the Panama Canal, how it was built and how it is managed.
Take a day trip to the San Blas Islands
If you are looking for beautiful uninhabited islands with white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, take a day trip to the San Blas Islands! The archipelago has more than 365 islands and was traditionally called the Guna Yala Islands in honour of the indigenous Guna people who live there.
San Blas is located on the northern coast of Panama, about a 2-hour drive from Panama City. Be sure to bring your passport, as all citizens are required to undergo a security check before entering the port. Although it is a rather challenging trip, the San Blas Islands are surprisingly sunny, and diving enthusiasts will appreciate the coral reefs.
Sipping rum at Pedro Mandinga Bar
We stumbled upon this delightful pink building while walking around Casco Viejo and were delighted to discover that it is Panama’s first rum distillery! At the end of the day, this place comes alive when many tourists come here to taste local cocktails, hang out with friends and have a great time.
A little tip: Here are a few other places we liked in Casco Viejo: Casacasco, a recently renovated white building on Plaza Herrera (it used to be a hostel). Climb up to the roof to enjoy the epic views. Tantalo is another great place for nightlife: during the day it’s a restaurant serving excellent sandwiches for lunch, and at night it turns into a rooftop club.
