El Chorrillo

Understand

Panama City serves as the administrative and economic hub of the Republic of Panama and is among the busiest urban centers in Central America. It combines areas of recent buildings and tall skyscrapers with well-preserved historic neighborhoods, reflecting the urban evolution since its founding in 1519. Spanish is the official language and the most widely used in everyday life, although English is frequently used in tourism and business. Commercial offerings range from major international brands to popular markets and small local shops, such as those clustered along Avenida Central. You can also find establishments specializing in products from various ethnic communities, particularly those of Chinese and Indian origin. Despite the differences in customer service that may occur, service in shops and restaurants is generally friendly. The city also has nearby parks and natural areas that allow for alternating urban activities with outdoor activities.

Climate

Panama City has a tropical climate with warm temperatures along all the year. Panama City has two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The best time to travel to the country is during the dry season, which lasts from December to April, allowing visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. The rainy season, from May to November, comes with afternoon showers, but the landscape is greener and there are fewer tourists. Panama City has average high temperatures ranging from 75°F to 90°F throughout the year. Here's a brief monthly weather guide:

January to April: Dry and warm weather, ideal for beach holidays and other outdoor activities. May to August: Expect some afternoon rainfall, while mornings are typically sunny and fairly warm. September to November: Characterized by heavier rains, but there are still plenty of sunny hours for sightseeing. December: The dry season begins to strengthen, with pleasant days and moderate temperatures.

History

Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519, when Pedro A

Getting there

By plane Panama City used to be the de facto headquarters of the US control over the Panama Canal and as the canal was and is of vital strategic and military importance, there were a bunch of military airfields built to defend the canal. The Americans have greatly reduced their presence, and Panama turned its former military airports over to civilian use, giving Panama City three airports:

1 Tocumen International Airport (PTY IATA) (in San Miguelito, 32 km northeast of Panama City; there is a Panama metro station near the terminal). Most visitors arriving by air will arrive at this large hub airport. See the airport article for full information. (updated Jul 2025) 2 Gelabert/Albrook Airport (PAC IATA). Also known as Albrook Airport, is located just a few minutes from the city center, within the metropolitan area. It handles domestic and some regional flights, mainly to destinations within the country such as David, Bocas del Toro, Chitré, and other cities in the interior. It serves as a convenient alternative for continuing travel from the capital to other regions of Panama. (updated Feb 2019) 3 Pacífico Airport (BLB IATA). It is located at the southwestern end of the former canal zone on the west bank of the canal. Regional scheduled services are provided by Wingo Panama.

By train

The only train service is between Panama City and Colón on the Panama Canal Railroad. It's mostly a freight train, but it has a very nice passenger car. The train ride offers excellent views of the Panama Canal and the tropical rain forest. In a way it is the only "transcontinental commuter rail line" in the world as some people live in Colon and work in Panama City or vice versa and commute using this train. Trains arrive at 4 Corozal Passenger Station (Estación de Pasajeros de Corozal) (in western suburbs near Albrook Airport). As of February 2024 the train has been reopened for service, but only for passengers on excursions from cruise ships.

By bus Panama City has one o

Getting around

By metro A Metro opened in 2014, and is by far the preferred method to get to the places it serves. However, there are still many places of interest not served by it. Line 1 is roughly equal parts elevated and underground with the part from Albrook to El Ingenio being the underground section. Line 2 , serving the northern suburbs, opened in 2019. There is a grand plan for many further lines which are hopefully going to enter service as the 2020s and 2030s progress. A single ride is 35 cents regular price in Line 1 with discounts for the elderly and students. The last train leaves at 22:00 all week, with the first train leaving M-Sa at 05:00 and Su at 07:00. A ride in Line 2 costs 50 cents.

By taxi One of the easiest ways to get around town is by taxi. Taxis do not have a meter. Fares are set by the authorities and are determined based on what section of the city you are starting at and what section of the city you are going to, with a surcharge for every additional person. The cab driver should have a table (which may include a map) that will show the costs for the fare, and they are required to show it to you if you ask or you can check Autoridad del Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre. Fares are around $1.25 for travel within one zone, and the longest fares within the city at about $5. The former Canal Zone is in a different section, and it will be at least a $5 fare. The surcharge for additional passengers should be $0.50/additional passenger, and there's also a $0.40 surcharge if you call a cab (at least these were the prices a few years ago). A taxi to or from the international airport typically costs $30 including tolls if you take the Corredor Sur highway. A taxi to the Amador Causeway costs $5-10. Cab drivers do not expect tips, and they may pick up additional passengers along the way. The rule is that unless there's little to no deviation from the first person's route, the first person picked up is the first person dropped off, otherwise, they will

See

Panama Canal. Not only one of the world's most important shipping connections, but also the very reason for which the modern country of Panama was created, the canal is probably the single most iconic thing to visit in Panama. There are different ways to explore the canal: the easiest but pricey way from Panama City is to visit the Miraflores Visitor Center/Miraflores Locks. In addition, it is also possible to book a luxury train ride along the canal, or a boat ride on the canal. 1 Miraflores Visitor Center/Miraflores Locks (from platform 'D - Via España' at Albrook, there is a direct Albrook-Miraflores metrobus line for $0.25, which stops right in front of the visitors center; a one-way cab to Miraflores Visitor Center should cost around $6). daily 09:00-18:00. The most visited place along the canal is the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Miraflores Locks. It consists of an air-conditioned museum, a movie theater, an expensive restaurant, a gift shop, and a viewing platform from wher