Trip highlights
- 1Panama Canal Miraflores Locks
- 2Casco Viejo colonial old town
- 3Causeway de Amador
- 4San Blas Islands day trip
- 5Panamanian sancocho and ceviche
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
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15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Casco Viejo
Friday, January 15
Est. spend
$160
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive Tocumen International Airport
Tocumen International Airport, Panama City
PTY is about 25 minutes from Panama City. Official airport taxis run fixed rates by zone; ride-hailing apps also operate reliably.
Panama uses the US dollar alongside its own balboa coins — no currency exchange needed for US travelers.
☀️ Afternoon
Casco Viejo walking tour
Casco Viejo, Panama City
A UNESCO World Heritage colonial district of restored Spanish facades, plazas, and rooftop bars, built after the original Panama City (Panamá Viejo) was destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671.
Climb to a rooftop bar at sunset for a view that frames Casco Viejo's church towers against the modern skyline across the bay.
🌙 Evening
Plaza Francia and the sea wall
Plaza Francia, Casco Viejo
An evening walk along Casco Viejo's restored sea wall (Las Bóvedas), with views across the bay to the financial district's skyscrapers.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Panamanian/Continental · $12
Diablo Rosso café
Panamanian/International · $16
Casco Viejo rooftop restaurant
Panamanian fusion · $32
Panama Canal & Causeway de Amador
Saturday, January 16
Est. spend
$170
per person
🌅 Morning
Miraflores Locks Visitor Center
Miraflores Locks, Panama City
A multi-level viewing platform overlooking the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks, where container ships and cruise liners are raised and lowered between sea levels — a genuine engineering marvel with a museum explaining the canal's century of history.
Check the ship transit schedule online before going — timing your visit to see an actual ship pass through the locks makes the visit far more memorable.
☀️ Afternoon
Causeway de Amador
Causeway de Amador, Panama City
A scenic causeway built from canal excavation rubble, connecting four small islands to the mainland, popular for cycling, walking, and views back toward the city skyline and canal entrance.
Rent a bike at the causeway entrance — it's the easiest way to cover the full 6km length comfortably.
🌙 Evening
Causeway sunset dinner
Causeway de Amador, Panama City
A relaxed evening at one of the causeway's waterfront restaurants, watching ships queue at the Pacific entrance to the canal as the sun sets.
🍽️ Meals
Miraflores Locks café
Panamanian · $14
Mi Ranchito, Causeway de Amador
Panamanian · $28 · Known for sancocho (chicken and root vegetable stew) and patacones.
San Blas Islands Day Trip
Sunday, January 17
Est. spend
$210
per person
🌅 Morning
Drive to Carti and boat to San Blas Islands
Carti, Guna Yala
An early-morning, roughly 2.5-hour drive from Panama City over the mountains to the Caribbean coast port of Carti, then a boat transfer into the San Blas archipelago — 365 islands governed autonomously by the indigenous Guna Yala people.
Bring cash in small bills — the Guna Yala community charges a small entry fee per island and per camera, separate from your tour cost.
☀️ Afternoon
San Blas Islands beach hopping and snorkelling
San Blas Islands, Guna Yala
Postcard-perfect, palm-covered islets with white sand and clear water, several barely large enough for a few huts — a full day of island hopping, snorkelling, and observing traditional Guna Yala life and mola textile crafts.
Buy a hand-stitched mola (traditional Guna textile panel) directly from the women who make them — a meaningful, authentic souvenir.
🌙 Evening
Return drive to Panama City
Panama City
An evening drive back over the mountains to Panama City after a long, rewarding day on the islands.
🍽️ Meals
Island lunch (included)
Guna/Panamanian seafood · $0 · Most San Blas day tours include a fresh fish or lobster lunch on the islands.
Late dinner, Panama City
Panamanian · $18
Panamá Viejo & Departure
Monday, January 18
Est. spend
$110
per person
🌅 Morning
Panamá Viejo ruins
Panamá Viejo, Panama City
The ruins of the original Panama City, founded in 1519 and destroyed by pirates in 1671 — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a tower offering views over the ruins and modern skyline beyond.
☀️ Afternoon
Mercado de Mariscos and final shopping
Mercado de Mariscos, Panama City
Panama City's seafood market on the waterfront, with cheap, excellent fresh ceviche stalls on the upper floor — a fitting last meal before departure, plus craft stalls for last-minute souvenirs.
The ceviche stalls upstairs are cheaper and just as good as nearby sit-down restaurants.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Panamanian/Continental · $12
Mercado de Mariscos ceviche stall
Panamanian seafood · $12
Airport restaurant
International · $16
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
Mid-December to mid-April: dry season, sunny, less humid. May–November is the rainy season with frequent but short afternoon downpours.
🛂 Visas
Visa-free entry for up to 90-180 days (varies by nationality) for US, UK, EU, and Canadian citizens with a valid passport and onward ticket.
💱 Currency
US Dollar (USD) is legal tender alongside the Panamanian Balboa (PAB), which is pegged 1:1 and used mainly for coins — no currency exchange needed for US travelers.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 104
ambulance: 911
fire: 103
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Sancocho (chicken and root vegetable stew) is considered Panama's national dish — order it at a traditional fonda rather than a tourist restaurant for the best version.
- The Guna Yala region (San Blas Islands) is self-governing and charges small entry/camera fees separate from tour costs — bring small USD bills.
- Panama City has a striking contrast between the colonial Casco Viejo and the modern skyscraper skyline across the bay — both are worth daytime and nighttime visits.
- Check the Panama Canal's ship transit schedule before visiting Miraflores Locks to time your visit with an actual transit.
- Tipping 10% is standard in restaurants and often added automatically as a service charge — check your bill before tipping twice.
One thing worth not skipping
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