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City guide

Panamá City, Panamá

Panama City, also known as Panama, is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a total population of 410,354 in the city proper and 1,086,990 in the Panama District, which includes the outer corregimientos of the city.

Type CityPopulation 410,354Metro Area Population 2,100,000

Why go

  • Capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama.
  • 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Panama Canal Miraflores Locks.
  • Served by San José Island Airport (SIC).

History

Panama City, also known as Panama, is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a total population of 410,354 in the city proper and 1,086,990 in the Panama District, which includes the outer corregimientos of the city. The metropolitan area has over 2,100,000 people. The city is at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of Panama. The city is the political and administrative center of the country, as well as a hub for banking and commerce.

Must-see attractions

Outdoor

Restaurants & places to go

Brunch, Restaurant · Brunch restaurant · 206 Calle Los Fundadores, Ciudad de Panamá · glavanda.com
Indoor
CerveceríA, Pizza, Restaurant · Cervecería artesanal panameña Opening hours: Fr-Sa 12:00-02:00; Su-We 12:00-24:00; Tu 12:00-01:30 Features: takeaway · SF69… · laranadorada.com
Indoor
CerveceríA, Pizza, Restaurant · Cervecería artesanal panameña Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-02:00; Su 12:00-24:00 Features: takeaway · SF69 Plaza Calle Mario… · laranadorada.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Restaurante & Vino Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:30-22:30 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · Calle Colombia, Ciudad de Panamá · marriott.com
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 17:00-22:00; Tu-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · Avenida Central España · dominospanama.com
Indoor
Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 · 46 Calle Uruguay, Ciudad de Panamá · hooters.com
Indoor
Chicken, Burger, Breakfast, Wings, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-21:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning · Ciudad de Panama · piopiolomio.com
Indoor
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 12:00-19:00; Tu-Su 11:00-21:30 · Avenida 4 A Sur, Ciudad de Panamá · fridayspanama.com
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Tocumen International Airport (PTY) 19 km to the centre
Tocumen, 8, PA — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 18 airlines (Copa Airlines, United Airlines, AeroMéxico, Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia…) · direct flights to 72 destinations incl. Miami, San Jose, Atlanta, Caracas, Amsterdam… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 18 airlines, 72 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC) 3.3 km to the centre
Albrook, 8, PA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Metro Batavia) · direct flights to 10 destinations incl. BFQ, Bocas Del Toro, Changuinola, David, OGM… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 10 direct destinations
  • Metro Batavia 7P (DHT, F50, Fokker 100, BNI) · 10 routes: BFQ, Bocas Del Toro, Changuinola, David, OGM, OTD, Puerto Obaldia, PVE, PYC, SAX

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Enrique Adolfo Jimenez Airport (ONX) 55 km to the centre
Colón, 3, PA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Raul Arias Espinoza Airport (OTD) 68 km to the centre
Contadora Island, 8, PA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor. ✈ 1 airline (Metro Batavia) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. SIC (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Metro Batavia 7P (DHT) · 1 route: SIC

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
San José Island Airport (SIC) 95 km to the centre
Las Perlas, 8, PA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor. ✈ 1 airline (Metro Batavia) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Panama (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Metro Batavia 7P (DHT) · 1 route: Panama

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Panamá Pacífico International Airport (BLB) 11 km to the centre
Panamá City, 10, PA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Panama Cruise Terminal
Ferry terminal · 8.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Playita de Amador
Ferry terminal · 8.3 km from the centre
Outdoor
Panamá - Taboga
Ferry route · Roka
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is San José Island Airport (SIC); 17 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: PAC has direct flights to 10 destinations on 1 airline (incl. BFQ, Bocas Del Toro, Changuinola, David, OGM…). By water: 2 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Panama Cruise Terminal, 8.1 km); routes include Panamá - Taboga.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Panamá City, Panamá. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Tours & experiences