5 best things to do in Panama City
The essentials of Panama City with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Panama City activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Panama City shortlist
- Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal — the visitor centre decks over the transiting ships; check the transit schedule before timing your visit.
- Casco Viejo walk — the UNESCO old city of balconies and rooftops; the plaza evenings are the ritual.
- Panama Canal partial transit cruise — the half-day boat that transits the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks — the bucket-list format.
- Amador Causeway & Biomuseo — the Gehry-designed museum on the causeway linking the Pacific islands; the skyline view back is free.
- San Blas or Emberá day trips — the indigenous archipelago and river-village formats need tour logistics and advance booking.
Flying in, Tocumen International Airport (PTY) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Panama City activity providers
- Klook — Panama City activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Panama City experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Panama City?
Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal — the visitor centre decks over the transiting ships; check the transit schedule before timing your visit. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Panama City attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Panama City?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Panama City?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.