Panama City and its surrounding region boasts distinct experiences for travelers — from historic sites and tropical rain forests to indigenous villages and mesmerizing engineering feats. Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the man-made Panama Canal, this vivacious metropolis is a gateway to an authentic, tropical escape.
A short distance from Panama City is the engineering masterpiece, the Miraflores Locks, and the area known as the Panama Canal Zone. Here, you can learn firsthand how this man-made water passage across the Isthmus of Panama was constructed, and what makes it an international navigation marvel.
- Panama City Canal Slide 1 of 3: The Panama Canal will amaze you with its engineering and relevance in connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
- Casco Viejo Slide 2 of 3: Also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe, Casco Viejo is the historic district of Panama City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Cathedral Tower Slide 3 of 3: Dating back to 1626, Panama City's Cathedral Tower hints at the former grandeur of European’s oldest settlement along the Pacific Coast in the Americas.
Panama City boasts a wide array of cultural attractions and the best shopping in the country. Step into the past with a visit to the Panama Viejo Visitor Center, or head over to Casco Viejo, the city’s historic Old Quarter, to stroll along centuries-old streets. Shop for a Panama hat, dine on delicious Panamanian cuisine, or sip a drink while listening to Latin music. For nightlife, see an original play at the National Theater, or visit a traditional dance hall, where salsa rhythms and Afro-Caribbean beats take center stage.
Love wildlife? Venture north of the city to Natural Metropolitan Park to explore a tropical rain forest that’s home to more than 200 species of birds, reptiles and mammals, including Geoffroy’s tamarin monkeys. Plan a visit to Soberania National Park, where you can hike the Pipeline Road. Tour the Chagres River and Gatun Lake. Ride the cloud forest aerial tram, and bring along your binoculars for toucan and parrot sightings.
Delta Vacations packages include round-trip airfare aboard Delta to Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Round-trip transfers between the airport and your hotel are included. A car rental is also a good option for an easy way to explore the countryside, if you are staying at a beach hotel or in the rain forest. In downtown Panama City, traffic is very heavy, and parking is almost impossible. So, driving is not recommended if you are staying in a city hotel.