Panama City · Panama
Panama City Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best Panama City tours, the dynamic crossroads of the Americas: the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal and its Miraflores Locks, the colourful colonial streets of UNESCO Casco Viejo, jungle wildlife on Gatún Lake and monkey island, the indigenous Emberá villages, and idyllic island escapes to Taboga and the San Blas archipelago. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Panama trip.
870 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Panama City
Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Hidden Gems with Panama Vibes Tours
from$37/ person
via Viator
Panama City
Panama City Visit an Indian town Embera and waterfall with lunch
from$49/ person
via Viator
Panama City
Black History: Shadows & Lights- Afro Panama heritage experience
from$60/ person
via Viator
Sunset tours in Panama City
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Panama City
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Panama City by interest
Whatever brings you to Panama City — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Panama Canal
Engineering marvel.
ExploreCasco Viejo
Colonial old town.
ExploreSan Blas Islands
Caribbean paradise.
ExploreJungle & wildlife
Monkeys and sloths.
ExploreEmberá village
Indigenous culture.
ExploreTaboga Island
Island of Flowers.
ExploreMiraflores Locks
Watch ships transit.
ExploreCity highlights
Old and new Panama.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Panama City
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Panama Canal
Engineering marvel.
250+ toursView tours
Casco Viejo
Colonial old town.
200 toursView tours
San Blas Islands
Caribbean paradise.
150 toursView tours
Monkey Island
Gatún Lake wildlife.
200 toursView tours
Emberá Village
Indigenous culture.
120 toursView tours
Miraflores Locks
Watch ships transit.
120 toursView tours
Taboga Island
Island of Flowers.
100 toursView tours
Panama Skyline
Modern city views.
120 toursView tours
2 days
Panama City in 2 days
- 1Day 1: canal & old town
- 2Day 2: jungle & monkeys
- 3Gatún Lake safari
- 4Rainforest
3 days
Panama City in 3 days
- 1Day 1: canal & old town
- 2Day 2: jungle & monkeys
- 3Day 3: San Blas or Emberá
- 4City, jungle & islands
With kids
Panama City with kids
- 1Monkey island
- 2Miraflores Locks
- 3Casco Viejo
- 4Taboga beach
Full day awaySan Blas Islands
Caribbean paradise.
from $120View trips
Gatún Lake awayMonkey Island
Jungle wildlife.
from $50View trips
1.5 hrs awayEmberá Village
Indigenous culture.
from $70View trips
1 hr awayTaboga Island
Island of Flowers.
from $60View trips
Near city awayPanama Canal
Watch the locks.
from $25View trips
2 hrs awayPortobelo
Caribbean fort.
from $80View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Panama City visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
December to April is the dry season, with the sunniest weather — the prime time for islands, the canal and city tours.
Dry season (Dec–Apr)
Warm and mostly sunny, ideal for San Blas, Taboga, the canal and outdoor activities; the peak season, so book ahead.
Green season (May–Nov)
Lush and quieter with afternoon showers and lower prices; mornings are often clear and the rainforest is vibrant.
Year-round warmth
Panama City is hot and humid all year, with temperatures around 30°C; stay hydrated and dress light.
For the canal
The canal and Miraflores Locks can be visited year-round; mornings and early afternoons usually see the most ship traffic.
For the islands
The dry season offers the calmest seas and clearest waters for San Blas and Taboga.
One day
The canal and Casco Viejo.
Two days
Add a Gatún Lake jungle safari.
Three days
The sweet spot: canal, jungle and San Blas or Emberá.
Four to five days
Add an overnight in San Blas and more nature.
Gateway to Panama
The city launches trips across the country.
Travelling with kids
Mix monkeys, ships and island beaches.
Metro
Panama City’s clean, modern metro connects parts of the city quickly and cheaply, handy for some areas.
Ride-hailing
Uber and taxis are affordable and the easiest way to get around; agree taxi fares in advance.
Tours & transfers
Day trips to the canal, jungle, Emberá villages and islands include transport and pickup, the easiest option.
On foot
Casco Viejo and the Cinta Costera waterfront are pleasant to explore on foot.
On the water
Boats and ferries reach Taboga, San Blas and the canal’s partial transits.
From the airport
Tocumen International Airport is about 30–45 minutes from the city by transfer or ride-hailing.
US dollars
Panama uses the US dollar (locally called the balboa); cards are widely accepted, but carry small bills for taxis, tips and islands.
Start San Blas early
San Blas day trips involve an early start and a long 4x4 and boat journey, so be ready for a pre-dawn pickup.
Beat the heat
It’s hot and humid year-round — bring sun protection, water and light clothing, and plan island and outdoor time for the morning.
Canal timing
Check transit schedules to time your Miraflores visit for when ships are passing through the locks.
Respect Guna culture
In San Blas, respect the indigenous Guna’s rules and fees, and ask before photographing people.
Pre-book popular tours
San Blas, the canal and Emberá tours fill up in dry season — book ahead.
San Blas tours
Island day trips have limited spots — book ahead.
Canal partial transits
Boat transits run on set days — reserve early.
Emberá village
Cultural tours fill up — pre-book.
Jungle safaris
Gatún Lake monkey tours are popular — book ahead.
Taboga cruises
Catamaran day trips sell out — reserve early.
Dry-season peak
December–April is busy — plan ahead.
Canal & city
Around $30–70 for a Panama Canal and city tour.
Jungle safari
About $45–80 for a Gatún Lake monkey-island safari.
Emberá village
Roughly $70–120 for an Emberá village tour.
San Blas
Around $100–160 for a San Blas islands day trip.
Taboga cruise
About $60–110 for a Taboga catamaran tour.
How to save
Combine the canal with a city tour, join group trips, and travel in the green season.
When to visit
Panama City through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Dry (Dec–Apr)
Dec–Apr
- Best for
- Islands, canal, sun.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal; book ahead.
Green (May–Jul)
May–Jul
- Best for
- Lush, fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Afternoon showers.
Green (Aug–Oct)
Aug–Oct
- Best for
- Value, vibrant jungle.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wettest months.
Shoulder (Nov)
Nov
- Best for
- Green, quieter.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rains easing.
People also ask
Panama City travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Panama City?
The highest-rated Panama City experiences are a Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks visit, a Casco Viejo old town tour, a Gatún Lake monkey-island safari, an Emberá village visit, and a San Blas or Taboga islands day trip.
What should I book in advance in Panama City?
Book San Blas islands, canal and Emberá village tours ahead, as they sell out, especially in the December–April dry-season peak.
How many days do I need in Panama City?
Two to three days covers the canal, Casco Viejo, a jungle safari and a San Blas or Emberá trip; add days for an overnight in San Blas and more nature.
Is Panama City worth visiting?
Yes — Panama City rewards with the world-famous Panama Canal, the colonial charm of Casco Viejo, jungle wildlife on Gatún Lake, immersive Emberá culture, and idyllic island escapes to San Blas and Taboga.
What are the best day trips from Panama City?
Top trips are the stunning San Blas Islands, the Panama Canal, an Emberá village, the Gatún Lake monkey islands, and the historic fort of Portobelo.
When is the best time to visit Panama City?
December to April, the dry season, brings the sunniest weather and the calmest seas for the islands; the green season (May–November) is lush and quieter with afternoon showers.
How do you get around Panama City?
A modern metro, affordable Uber and taxis, and tours with transport cover the city and day trips, with boats reaching Taboga, San Blas and the canal; the airport is about 30–45 minutes away.
What are the best excursions in Panama City?
The top-rated Panama City excursions are the Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks, a walking tour of UNESCO Casco Viejo, the Gatún Lake monkey-island boat safari, Emberá indigenous village visits, and island day trips to Taboga or San Blas. City-and-canal combos cover the two biggest highlights in half a day.
How much do Panama City excursions cost?
Typical prices: city and canal combo tours $40–$70, Casco Viejo walking tours $25–$45, Gatún Lake wildlife boats $60–$90, Emberá village trips $90–$130, partial canal transits $150–$200, and San Blas day trips $120–$180 per person. Compare exact prices on Excurgo.
870 Panama City experiencesfrom $25 · free cancellation
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