I've been manifesting this trip to Central America since last summer when I quit my job and decided to take what I coined an "adult gap year", given I was taking it aged 28, instead of the typical gap year age of 18.
I went back and forth for months on exactly when I would go, which countries I would visit, for how long I wanted to travel, with whom I wanted to go - if anyone... and now this trip has materialized and I can hardly begin to express my excitement levels for the stories itching to be told and the memories begging to be documented.
Although it was a lot of work, I made daily vlogs on Instagram reels of every single day of this trip which I branded "the backpacking series".
→ Check out my episode of the Backpacking Series from Panama City!
My Central America trip would turn out to cover five countries in five weeks; the first three (Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua) with my partner Tobi and the last two (Guatemala, Belize) with Ina, one of my best friends from Salzburg. Our first stop was in Panama City, the furthest east we would be, from where we would then start making our way northward through the continent.
I can wholeheartedly say that Panama City is one of my new favourite cities in the whole world; it's clean, safe, vibrant, beautiful and full of so much life and culture. We only had 24 hours to spend in the city, what with our limited travel timeframe, but would happily come again and spend much more time discovering the city's secrets.
By flight: We flew into Tocumen International Airport (PTY), Panama City's main airport. Located just east of the city, it's the best way to arrive in Panama City. Our connecting flight from Munich, Germany was through Newark, USA which brought us straight to Panama City on an overnight stretch.
From Tocumen International Airport, you can take a taxi for the half-hour ride into Panama City; taxis are available right outside departures.
However, I recommend following the clearly marked signs in both Spanish and English for the public bus and catching the S480 bus (exact bus stop location on Google Maps) for a mere fraction of the price and in the same timeframe. You'll need to purchase a Metro Bus card inside the airport for USD $2 and then top it up with funds; a bus ride from PTY to Panama City costs just USD $0.75. You can only pay for buses in Panama City using this Metro Bus card; they don't accept cash or card payments on board.
→ Check out my episode of the Backpacking Series of flying from Germany to Panama via the USA!
By car: If you have decided to travel through Panama or Central America by car, you can also travel to Panama City with your own wheels. The infrastructure in Panama is generally excellent; it is the wealthiest country in Central America thanks to the flow of income from the Panama Canal and the roads reflect this. I don't have any experience with driving or parking in Panama City so please do your own research here.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Panama City.
By bus: We left Panama City by public bus and made our way west across the country towards our next destination of Santa Catalina via Sona. Albrook is the main bus terminal servicing both city routes within Panama City and the national routes across the country. The Albrook bus terminal is exceptionally well organized, clean, welcoming and easy to understand. Toilets (for USD $0.25), shops, restaurants and Metro Bus top-up machines can be found throughout.
National bus tickets can be purchased inside the Albrook bus terminal; look for the booth with the name of the city you're trying to reach.
→ Check out my episode of the Backpacking Series of taking the bus from Panama City to Santa Catalina!
Albrook bus terminal
Panama City is quite a spread out city with a number of distinct neighbourhoods.
I recommend exploring the city on foot, meandering through the colourful streets, feeling the tropical warm sun on your skin and hearing the shouts of the locals going about their day.
You might also want to join a walking tour of Panama City to get a good insight of the history and learn a bit more about the city.
To travel further distances between neighbourhoods or get out to the Panama Canal, the metro and bus system in Panama City is excellent. To use metros or buses, you'll need to purchase a Metro Bus card at any metro station, the airport or the Albrook bus terminal for USD $2 and then top it up with funds; single bus and metro rides are less than USD $1 each. You can only pay for public transport in Panama City using this Metro Bus card; they don't accept cash or card payments on board.
→ Check out my episode of the Backpacking Series of taking the bus and metro in Panama City!
Yellow taxis are also readily available. We didn't take any taxis but if you choose to take one, this guide might be useful.
There are a number of neighbourhoods to stay in when you visit Panama City. I recommend staying in the gorgeous old town of Casco Viejo or somewhere along the waterfront between Casco Viejo and Ca. 53 Este.
This Central America trip is a backpacking so we're staying in hostels throughout the trip. For Panama City, we booked into the Bodhi Hostel, a clean, comfortable and quiet space away from busy streets. It was in walking distance to great restaurants and the metro system.
The neighbourhood of the Bodhi Hostel
If we were to visit Panama City again, we'd stay directly in Casco Viejo.
→ Check out other places to stay to suit your budget and accommmodation type.
Arguably the most luxurious and well-known hotel in the Casco Viejo is the exquisitely designed American Trade Hotel. We stopped in at their cafe for lunch and would love to stay here one day!
American Trade Hotel
For breakfast you absolutely must go to Mentiritas Blancas where we ate arguably the best açai bowls of our lives.
Later, while wandering through Casco Viejo, we stopped for lunch at the Tiempo's Coffee inside the American Trade Hotel for delicious chai lattes and avocado toast.
I can't recommend the place we had for dinner - it unfortunately might have been the worst meal we've ever had...!
Mentiritas Blancas
Açaí bowls and avocado toast at Mentiritas Blancas
Tiempo's Coffee
Check out the San Felipe Neri Mercado
I can wholeheartedly say that Panama City is one of my new favourite cities in the whole world; it's clean, safe, vibrant, beautiful and full of so much life and culture. We only had 24 hours to spend in the city, what with our limited travel timeframe, but would happily come again and spend much more time discovering the city's secrets.
Wander the colourful streets of Casco Viejo
The old town of Panama City, also called San Felipe, is seriously beautiful. Colourful colonial streets fill the promontory into the ocean, surrounded by the Cinta Costera 3 road. We loved getting lost in these streets, turning down whichever caught our eye and stepping into boutiques, cafes and churches as took our fancy.
Church of the Mercy
Casa de la Municipalidad
C. 10 Este
Plaza Simón Bolívar
National Theatre
C. 2a Este
Climb to the best viewpoint of the entire city at San Francisco de Asis Church
In the heart of Casco Viejo, you'll find the beautiful white plaster San Francisco de Asis Church on one edge of the Plaza Simón Bolívar. Visiting the main part of the church is free but I absolutely recommend paying the USD $5 to climb up to the viewpoint. It's arguably one of the best viewpoints of a city I've ever been to, with 360-degree views in every single direction including the skyscrapers of the new city, beautiful angles of the houses of Casco Viejo, looking out toward the Amador Causeway stretching into the ocean and even the majestic Bridge of the Americas gracing the skyline near the Panama Canal.
COMING SOON → A complete guide to visiting the best viewpoint in Panama City!
→ Check out my reel of the best viewpoint in Panama City!
Outside the church
Visit the most beautiful market
At the edge of the Casco Viejo overlooking the ocean, with birds chirping in colorful flowers, you can find sweet little craft and souvenir vendors. The exact location is at the Paseo Esteban Huertas on Google Maps.
Spot the Panama hat display
Althouh initally from Ecuador, Panama hats are an iconic fashion item and this display shows that off wonderfully, especially when they twirl in a sunny breeze. Search for La Calle De los Sombreros on Google Maps for the exact location.
Visit the world famous Panama Canal
Of course, no visit to Panama City is complete without a trip to visit the world famous Panama Canal. Located just outside the city, you can reach it with a direct bus from the Albrook bus terminal in under half an hour.
The experience includes access to the viewing deck - and you might get lucky with timing to watch boats using the locks - as well as a beautiful IMAX documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman which does an excellent job explaining the sometimes tumultuous history of the Panama Canal, how it functions today and growth plans.
COMING SOON → A complete guide to visiting the Panama Canal!
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
