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While most travelers race straight for the Panama Canal, Panama’s capital has other riches like sloth sightings in the middle of the city and islands that feel like they belong in the South Pacific, not 30 minutes from the skyline. Panama City is humid, chaotic, colorful, and it’s criminally underrated. It’s where old-world charm meets cutting-edge cool, where you can sip a $1 cup of ceviche at a fish market or a $15 cocktail in a centuries-old convent-turned-hotel. Whether you’re here for the culture, the cuisine, the biodiversity, or just a solid excuse to defrost in the tropics, this Latin American capital delivers. Here are seven things to do in Panama City that don’t involve cargo ships unless, of course, you want them to.

1. Get a panoramic view from Cerro Ancón

For the best views in the city, hike up Cerro Ancón, the highest natural point in Panama City. It’s a peaceful spot that offers sweeping views of both the historic quarter (Casco Viejo) and the shimmering towers of the modern city. The walk is paved, manageable, and the reward is panoramic.

2. Devour yuca and octopus alfresco

Mercado de Mariscos is a fish market near Casco Viejo that showcases so many things that Panamanians love: good seafood, communal eating, and really loud plena music. Don’t let the various salesmen trying to lure you into their restaurants put you off, and go to enjoy a cup of ceviche or a larger meal of something fresh.

3. Visit Frank Gehry’s museum masterpiece

The Frank Gehry–designed BioMuseo is the paintbox-bright building you’ve seen on Panama City postcards. The colourful structure beautifies the Amador Causeway and it’s one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Inside, the museum tells the story of Panama’s ecological significance — from its ancient formation to its present-day biodiversity. It’s eye-opening, family-friendly, and ideal for a rainy afternoon.

4. Try Panama’s national dish at El Trapiche

Few places feel as unapologetically Panamanian as El Trapiche in Via Argentina. The décor of this 1893-established eatery pays homage to folklore, the staff wear traditional dress, and the menu is a tribute to comfort food. Order the sancocho, which is considered Panama’s national dish. It’s a warm, healing broth of chicken, culantro, corn on the cob, and root vegetables. Locals swear by it for hangovers, heartbreak, and everything in between.

5. Stay (or sip) in style at Casco Viejo’s chicest historic hotels

At the heart of Casco Viejo’s hospitality renaissance are two show-stopping boutique hotels that do more than offer a bed; they invite you to stay inside a living piece of history. Hotel La Compañía occupies a restored 17th-century Jesuit convent and spans three wings, each telling a different cultural story: French, Spanish, and American. The hotel’s five on-site restaurants (including the fine-dining 1739) make it a worthy destination whether you’re staying overnight or just popping in for a rooftop cocktail.

Just up the road, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo sits in a grand, neoclassical building that once housed royals and Panama’s social elite in a storied social club. Now reimagined with a waterfront infinity pool and a spa overlooking the ocean, it’s a luxurious perch for sipping Panamanian Abuelo rum as the sun sets over the bay.

Even if you’re not checking in, these hotels are worth visiting for a meal, a drink, or a quick escape into old-world elegance.

6. Spot sloths in a jungle inside the city

Yes, Panama City has traffic and skyscrapers — but it also has sloths. Just 15 minutes from downtown, Metropolitan Natural Park offers the chance to see three-toed sloths, monkeys, and toucans in their natural habitat. It’s the city’s wildest secret and the perfect place to connect with nature without leaving town.

7. Stroll along Cinta Costera at sunset

For a scenic slice of local life, head to the Cinta Costera — a coastal promenade that curves along the Bay of Panama. You’ll find runners, families, street performers, the snap-worthy Panama sign, and sweeping views of the Pacific on one side and the city skyline on the other. Time your visit for golden hour, and the whole scene glows.

MUSIC TO LISTEN TO IN PANAMA CITY

Feel the Panama City vibes with this curated playlist of songs.