Panama City
Travel Guide > Central America > Panama > Panama City
Introduction
Panama City is the capital of Panama and is the largest city in the country with about 1.1 million inhabitants. It is the economic heart of the country and located at the Pacific coast near the Panama Canal. People have been living here since almost 500 years ago.
Nowadays the skyline is comparable to some of the cities in the United States with high-rise office buildings and apartments. There is however an old quarter (Casco Viejo) which is the main focus point for travellers wanting to see the historical buildings in this part of town. Old Panama is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as well. The city has a wide range of places to stay and excellent nightlife if that is what you are looking for. From the capital, you can easily explore the rest of the country with good connections by plane and bus to most of Panama.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
- Casco Viejo - the old part of the city
- Nearby Panama Canal
- Plaza de la Cathedral
Events and Festivals
Weather
Panama City is hot and humid year round but the dry December to April period is the best time for a visit, although temperatures are even higher during these months.
Getting There
By Plane
Copa Airlines is the national carrier of Panama with its base at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), 24 km from the city. It operates flights to most major cities in Central and South America, including a few in the United States. Other destinations include Toronto, Montreal, Madrid.
KLM operates direct flights from Amsterdam while Air Caraibes flies to Guadeloupe and Martinique. Aero Perlas offers flights to about 15 domestic destinations, including Bocas del Toro and David. Air Panama offers about the same, but focuses on the San Blas Islands as well.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Eat
Drink
Work
Learn
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