City · Panama · Central America
Colonial Casco Viejo, a skyline of towers and the Panama Canal on the doorstep
Photo: Eliécer Gómez / Pexels
Panama City combines a colonial old quarter, Casco Viejo, with a modern skyline and the Panama Canal. Backpacker hostels cluster in Casco Viejo and in business districts such as Bella Vista, with metro and airport links.
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Best for: Colonial atmosphere and walkable sightseeing
The historic quarter on a small peninsula has cobbled streets, restored colonial buildings, churches, plazas, cafés and rooftop bars. Hostels here are within walking distance of each other and of the waterfront promenade. It is a short taxi or ride-hail trip to the metro, as no station is directly in the quarter.
Best for: Restaurants and nightlife
A central district of apartment towers, restaurants and bars, with a busy nightlife scene along and around Calle Uruguay. It is within reach of the metro and a taxi ride from Casco Viejo. A good option for travellers who want more local dining and late-night options, with a bigger-city feel than the old quarter.
Best for: Cafés, international food and easy transport
A central district near the University of Panama, with international restaurants, cafés and shops, and metro access nearby. Hostels and budget guesthouses are scattered here. It is less picturesque than Casco Viejo but practical for onward bus trips and for travellers who prefer a residential, everyday city feel.
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Panama City is a hub for flights and overland routes across the Americas, and it is also a destination in itself. The old quarter, Casco Viejo (also called Casco Antiguo), has colonial architecture, plazas and rooftop bars beside the bay. A short taxi or metro ride away, glass towers line the Pacific waterfront and the city's business districts.
The Panama Canal is a major draw. Visitors can watch ships pass through the locks from visitor centres on the edge of the city, and day trips and transit experiences are available through local operators. The Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá also promotes the city's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status, which dates from 2017.
Hostels are concentrated in Casco Viejo and in central districts such as Bella Vista and El Cangrejo, which have more restaurants and nightlife and better transport links. The city has a modern metro, and the airport is connected by road and by a metro branch. The FCDO lists some districts, including San Miguelito, El Chorrillo and Colón, as areas needing extra care; read its advice before you go.
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the main hub, roughly 25 to 40 kilometres from the centre depending on destination, around 30 to 60 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. Metro Line 2 has an airport branch, and the city also has Line 1; check current routes on the Metro de Panamá website. Long-distance and domestic buses use the Albrook terminal, near the metro. Taxis and ride-hailing apps serve Casco Viejo and other hostel areas, and traffic can be heavy at rush hour.
Panama City has a dry season from around mid-December to April and a wet season from around May to November. January to March are typically the driest and sunniest months, and the busiest. The wet season brings humid heat with frequent afternoon downpours. It is hot and humid year round, so air conditioning matters in dorms. Check forecasts if you plan to take a canal tour or day trips.
Most backpackers choose Casco Viejo for its colonial streets, plazas and walkable cafés and bars, or central districts such as Bella Vista and El Cangrejo for restaurants, nightlife and metro access. Casco Viejo has no direct metro station but is a short taxi ride from one. Your choice depends on whether you value atmosphere or transport connections.
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is typically 30 to 60 minutes from the centre by taxi, depending on traffic and destination. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available, and Metro Line 2 has an airport branch, with connections to other lines. Hostels in Casco Viejo can usually arrange pickups. Check current metro routes and hours on the Metro de Panamá website.
Yes. Visitor centres on the edge of the city, such as the Miraflores Locks, let you watch ships pass through the locks, and local operators run canal tours and partial transits. The Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá also describes crossing from the Pacific to the Caribbean through the canal in around two hours. Check opening times and ship schedules with the visitor centre.
Two to three days is enough for most visitors to see Casco Viejo, watch ships at the canal and sample the city's food scene. Add more time if you plan day trips or are waiting for onward transport. Many travellers pass through on the way to Boquete, the Caribbean coast or Colombia, so even a short stop can be worthwhile.
The dry season, from around mid-December to April, is typically the sunniest and most comfortable period, and the busiest for hostels. The wet season, from around May to November, brings heavy afternoon downpours and humidity, but generally fewer visitors. It is hot all year, so check that dorms have air conditioning.
Reviewed by the HostelConnect editorial team on 8 November 2026. Check entry rules, transport and conditions with official sources before you travel.
