AcoModo Guidebook - Panama City
Food scene
Primitivo
Calle 10B OesteLocal favorite in Casco Viejo
Mahalo
Avenida ALocal favorite in Casco Viejo
One of the best 50 restaurants in Latin America, and Casco´s best
22 locals recommend
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Calle José D. de la ObaldíaOne of the best 50 restaurants in Latin America, and Casco´s best
Nomada Eatery
Calle 9a EsteGreat for lunch and afternoon beers!
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
Best panckakes in in Costa del Este!
The best coffee store in all of Panama, located in the heart of El Cangrejo (just 2 blocks away from The Saba, Via Argentina)
14 locals recommend
Mentiritas Blancas
2B C. Gaspar O. HernándezThe best coffee store in all of Panama, located in the heart of El Cangrejo (just 2 blocks away from The Saba, Via Argentina)
Tacos La Neta
Calle 12 EsteGreat tacos with an awesome view of the city skyline!
Lula Casco
Amazing israeli street food in a restaurant environment.
Restaurante Casa Blanca
Calle 4a EsteLocated on Plaza Bolivar with a live music friday nights
Masa Santa Ana
Amazing original italian pasta.
GOZA
Great cocktail bar in Casco Viejo
Azahar Panama
Piso 7 Av. BalboaOne of the top restaurants in town
Our #1 recommended restaurant headlined by the aclaimed panamanian chef Felipe Milanes. A must-visit! (Located in San Francisco)
7 locals recommend
Restaurante Tomillo
Calle 71 San FranciscoOur #1 recommended restaurant headlined by the aclaimed panamanian chef Felipe Milanes. A must-visit! (Located in San Francisco)
Al Basha
Calle 49 EsteBest lebanese food in Panama!
BLAME KIKI
Italian cuisine with great setting
Restaurante Makoto
Calle 59 EsteTop japanese steakhouse
GOZA
Great sushi and cocktails
Mumu San Francisco
Local panamanian gastronomy with a gournet touch
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
All day breakfast!
Kaandela Restaurant
One of the top restaurants in Casco Viejo
Al Alma Café Restaurante - Casa Lefevre, Plaza Catedral
All day brunch in right on Plaza Catedral!
The best coffe store in all of Panama, where you can find the rarest coffee, located in El Cangrejo
14 locals recommend
Mentiritas Blancas
2B C. Gaspar O. HernándezThe best coffe store in all of Panama, where you can find the rarest coffee, located in El Cangrejo
One of the top coffee stores in Panama direcly sourced from Lamastus farms in the Boquete region
Bajareque Coffee House
Avenida BOne of the top coffee stores in Panama direcly sourced from Lamastus farms in the Boquete region
Sightseeing
MOLA Museum
Mola is the art crafted by the Guna indigenous people, native of Guna ("Kuna") Yala, also known as San Blas.
14 locals recommend
Museo de la Mola (MUMO)
Calle José D. de la ObaldíaMOLA Museum
Mola is the art crafted by the Guna indigenous people, native of Guna ("Kuna") Yala, also known as San Blas.
Embera Drua Villiage
Please ask us about our guided tours to the Embera village!
Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal
Please ask us about our guided Panama Canal tours!
San Blas Islands, Guna Yala Comarca, Panama
Please ask us about our guided San Blas tours!
Biomuseo
136 Calz. de AmadorBiomuseum design by the world-renown Frank Ghery
Only a short hop from Panama City, this wildlife paradise has almost guaranteed sightings of toucans, parrots, sloths, and monkeys, and is without a doubt one of the top tourist attractions in Panama. Stretching north and west from the park office, it hugs the Canal and encircles Gamboa, covering more than 190 sq km (73 sq miles). It encompasses a stretch of the majestic Río Chagres, the Canal’s lifeblood, which you can explore by boat or kayak; there are also several well-maintained trails either side of Gamboa, including a stretch of the historic Camino de Cruces and a world-renowned birding hot spot, the Camino del Oleoducto. The trails are not particularly close to each other or the park office, however, making the logistics difficult unless you have your own transportation, or you go as part of a tour. Several Panama City agencies offer hikes to the Camino de Cruces and the Sendero del Oleoducto, but you can hire a ranger from the park office as a guide if one is available – a much cheaper option, and one which helps supplement their low income. However, they are unlikely to speak any English.
12 locals recommend
Soberanía National Park
Only a short hop from Panama City, this wildlife paradise has almost guaranteed sightings of toucans, parrots, sloths, and monkeys, and is without a doubt one of the top tourist attractions in Panama. Stretching north and west from the park office, it hugs the Canal and encircles Gamboa, covering more than 190 sq km (73 sq miles). It encompasses a stretch of the majestic Río Chagres, the Canal’s lifeblood, which you can explore by boat or kayak; there are also several well-maintained trails either side of Gamboa, including a stretch of the historic Camino de Cruces and a world-renowned birding hot spot, the Camino del Oleoducto. The trails are not particularly close to each other or the park office, however, making the logistics difficult unless you have your own transportation, or you go as part of a tour. Several Panama City agencies offer hikes to the Camino de Cruces and the Sendero del Oleoducto, but you can hire a ranger from the park office as a guide if one is available – a much cheaper option, and one which helps supplement their low income. However, they are unlikely to speak any English.
Ancon Hill, Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama
Best view of the city!
Get stuff done
Our guests can enjoy free access anytime! (must request prior)
Selina Casco Viejo Panama City & Cowork
Our guests can enjoy free access anytime! (must request prior)
Neighborhoods
Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, or the ‘old quarter,” is Panama City’s historic district. Considered a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, the district dates back to 1673, and features vibrant plazas and picturesque brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings. The area is ideal for walking, discovering history and enjoying a variety of fine cuisine. Come for some of the city’s best gastronomy, culture and photo ops, and stay to mingle with the locals in the heart of the nightlife scene.
Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, or the ‘old quarter,” is Panama City’s historic district. Considered a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, the district dates back to 1673, and features vibrant plazas and picturesque brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings. The area is ideal for walking, discovering history and enjoying a variety of fine cuisine. Come for some of the city’s best gastronomy, culture and photo ops, and stay to mingle with the locals in the heart of the nightlife scene.
When it comes to life in El Cangrejo, one thing everyone agrees with is that there is always plenty to do. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Andrés Bello Park, where you’ll find residents walking their dogs, getting some exercise, or visiting with friends and family.
Foodies rejoice! El Cangrejo has an abundance of great eateries to choose from. There are also plenty of options for grabbing a cheap and delicious Panamanian meal at one of a number of restaurants run by locals.
When the sun sets, you can often find El Cangrejo residents spending time with friends at one of the dozens of bars in the area. Most of the bars are located on or around Via Argentina, making it easy to spend an evening hopping from one place to the next. From casual beer gardens to cocktail bars or even karaoke, El Cangrejo residents have plenty of options when it comes to nighttime outings.
As far as shopping goes, El Cangrejo offers tons of options for whatever you need to buy. The El Rey on Via España is the biggest one and will be the one-stop-shop for all of your needs. There are dozens of other smaller scale grocery stores located throughout El Cangrejo. At the other end of the spectrum, the nearby Grand Deli Gourmet is a great place to go for specialty food and drink options of a more gourmet variety.
As far as other purchases you’ll need to make, El Cangrejo offers plenty in the way of shopping. El Cangrejo is known for its walkability because there are plenty of banks, pharmacies, gyms, shops, and restaurants within a relatively compact area. Small boutiques and shops can be found around the neighborhood for those looking to buy clothing or gifts. Additionally, some of the city’s best malls are within walking distance from the heart of El Cangrejo.
El Cangrejo
When it comes to life in El Cangrejo, one thing everyone agrees with is that there is always plenty to do. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Andrés Bello Park, where you’ll find residents walking their dogs, getting some exercise, or visiting with friends and family.
Foodies rejoice! El Cangrejo has an abundance of great eateries to choose from. There are also plenty of options for grabbing a cheap and delicious Panamanian meal at one of a number of restaurants run by locals.
When the sun sets, you can often find El Cangrejo residents spending time with friends at one of the dozens of bars in the area. Most of the bars are located on or around Via Argentina, making it easy to spend an evening hopping from one place to the next. From casual beer gardens to cocktail bars or even karaoke, El Cangrejo residents have plenty of options when it comes to nighttime outings.
As far as shopping goes, El Cangrejo offers tons of options for whatever you need to buy. The El Rey on Via España is the biggest one and will be the one-stop-shop for all of your needs. There are dozens of other smaller scale grocery stores located throughout El Cangrejo. At the other end of the spectrum, the nearby Grand Deli Gourmet is a great place to go for specialty food and drink options of a more gourmet variety.
As far as other purchases you’ll need to make, El Cangrejo offers plenty in the way of shopping. El Cangrejo is known for its walkability because there are plenty of banks, pharmacies, gyms, shops, and restaurants within a relatively compact area. Small boutiques and shops can be found around the neighborhood for those looking to buy clothing or gifts. Additionally, some of the city’s best malls are within walking distance from the heart of El Cangrejo.
Costa del Este is a newer area of Panama, located just east of Panama City's heart. It is home to several new, planned residential communities, commercial shopping and office areas and an industrial park.
Costa del Este is designed with convenience in mind. If you need to walk somewhere, you can use many of the fine sidewalks throughout all the area. Perhaps you like to ride your bicycle for transportation or exercise. Special lanes just for bicycles make the experience safe and enjoyable. The region hosts excellent shopping and recreational facilities, and offers excellent schools for children.
Just about every luxury amenity one can imagine may be located in this area. The amenities include commercial shopping plazas, super markets, stores, restaurants, banks, schools, gym, clinic, air mail, parks, a local industrial park and easy highway access. You can work and live in the same vicinity, and this provides maximum convenience with no long commuting.
Costa del Este
Costa del Este is a newer area of Panama, located just east of Panama City's heart. It is home to several new, planned residential communities, commercial shopping and office areas and an industrial park.
Costa del Este is designed with convenience in mind. If you need to walk somewhere, you can use many of the fine sidewalks throughout all the area. Perhaps you like to ride your bicycle for transportation or exercise. Special lanes just for bicycles make the experience safe and enjoyable. The region hosts excellent shopping and recreational facilities, and offers excellent schools for children.
Just about every luxury amenity one can imagine may be located in this area. The amenities include commercial shopping plazas, super markets, stores, restaurants, banks, schools, gym, clinic, air mail, parks, a local industrial park and easy highway access. You can work and live in the same vicinity, and this provides maximum convenience with no long commuting.
City/town information
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Home of the best Geisha coffee in the world
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Taboga Island
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Taboga Island
Isla Taboga, or the Island of Flowers, is a volcanic island characterized by rich tropical plant life, as well as beautiful beaches and soft sand. Located on the Pacific side of the country in the Gulf of Panama, this majestic island is a short 20 kilometers from the capital, making it the best one-day getaway from Panama City.
Take in the beauty of the island by starting your trip with a hike to one of Isla Taboga’s highest points, Cerro Vigia or Cerro de la Cruz. Next, explore the colorful and historic Spanish-founded town, which is also home to the second oldest church in the Western hemisphere. After all that exploration, take a load off at one of the laid-back Taboga Island beaches, or grab a drink at one of the quaint beach bars nearby.
Taboga Island, Panamá Province, Panama
29°
CURRENT CONDITIONS
29°
Sunny
TOMORROW
32°
23°
EN
open
menu
Search
VISIT
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Visit Home
Places To Visit
Things To Do
Beaches
Nature & Parks
Places To Stay
Plan Your Vacation
learn about our
Travel Requirements
Ancon Hill Panama City
Taboga Island
Visit /
Places To Visit
Share
Taboga Island
Isla Taboga, or the Island of Flowers, is a volcanic island characterized by rich tropical plant life, as well as beautiful beaches and soft sand. Located on the Pacific side of the country in the Gulf of Panama, this majestic island is a short 20 kilometers from the capital, making it the best one-day getaway from Panama City.
Take in the beauty of the island by starting your trip with a hike to one of Isla Taboga’s highest points, Cerro Vigia or Cerro de la Cruz. Next, explore the colorful and historic Spanish-founded town, which is also home to the second oldest church in the Western hemisphere. After all that exploration, take a load off at one of the laid-back Taboga Island beaches, or grab a drink at one of the quaint beach bars nearby.
Home to one of the best surfing beaches in Panama, amazing nightlife, and ecotourism!
31 locals recommend
Playa Venao
Home to one of the best surfing beaches in Panama, amazing nightlife, and ecotourism!
Nighlife
Emotions Restaurant Theater & Sushi Bar
Best Live Performance restaurant in the city!
Tántalo Hotel / Kitchen / Roofbar
Avenida BGreat rooftop in the heart of Casco Viejo
CasaCasco
Avenida AOne of the best views of Casco from Casco!
Tacos La Neta
Calle 12 EsteThe hottest nighlife in Casco on Selina's rooftop!
Amano Bar
Calle 76 EsteMANGLE
Excellent bar located in Calle Uruguay
Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar
El Apartamento y El Sótano
Bar with live bands. It can get crazy here!