If visiting Panamá isn’t on your bucket list, it’s time to put it right at the top! Panamá is such a diverse country that has a lot to explore. Panama City is the capital and largest city in the country, and where the majority of flights in and out of the country go through. It is home to a bustling metropolis with huge skyscrapers, and also a beautiful old town with charm and history. Not too far out of the city you will also find dense rainforests, wildlife, and huge cargo ships passing through the canal. This city has it all, and it’s possible to squeeze a whole lot into your day! Here is how to spend one day in Panama City, Panamá!
Read More: Top 8 Tips for Visiting Panama City
Stay at the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
The absolute best way to start your one day in Panama City is to wake up at the Sofitel Legend Hotel! The Sofitel Legend hotel is a five star luxury hotel right in the heart of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s old town. This little corner of the city is the perfect home base. It’s very safe, walkable, and so beautiful.
I was obsessed with the Sofitel Legend hotel from the moment I entered. There is such attention to detail and everything is meticulously decorated. In fact, when I told some locals where I was staying, many of them replied with gasps telling me it was the most beautiful hotel in the country. And I believe it! The rooms were spacious, clean, and so beautiful. I would tell people that the trip to Panamá is worth it alone just to stay in this hotel! Start your day off right by waking up in your cozy robe and slippers, stepping out onto your private balcony, and taking in the warm air while looking over the ocean.
Breakfast at Caleta
Located inside the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo hotel is Caleta, which serves an absolutely killer breakfast! Whether or not you are staying at the hotel, breakfast at Caleta will not only provide fuel for the big day of exploring ahead, but will also give the greatest vibes and the best service. They are open for breakfast each morning from 6:30 am – 11:00 am, but you shouldn’t have any problem getting a table whatever time you visit. To be safe, reservations can be made on Open Table, by clicking here.
Breakfast starts with a coffee drink of your choice (I went for a hot mocha). Then, you’ll have your choice of French pastries and a platter of fresh fruits. You also get to choose an entrée from a list of about 10 items and a side dish to accompany. The entrée options have a lot of variety. Some are local Panamanian dishes, while other options include American classics like pancakes and waffles. Cold, filtered water is complementary and they’re constantly refilling your glass!
Read More: Why Your Next Trip Should be to Panamá
Morning Coffee at Vera Café
Located right next door in Casco Viejo you will find Vera Cafe. Hit up this shop for an iced coffee drink to sip while you explore and get the much needed caffeine jolt for the day! Vera Café is attached to the Sofitel Legend hotel, and can make almost anything you wish! The menu board appears to be limited, but the barista told me those are just their “highlighted” drinks and they can make all of the classics. I of course went for my iced mocha and it was made perfectly. They also had an assortment of fresh pastries, sandwiches, and desserts if you’re still peckish from breakfast! You cannot go wrong with the coffee or vibes here. It’s just waiting to grace your IG feed!
Casco Viejo & Panama Canal Museum
After fueling up, spend some time strolling through the old town of Casco Viejo. At this time of day, you’ll feel like you have the city to yourself. The crowds have yet to roll in and you can explore before the heat really sets in. There’s really no set path, you truly can just wander and zig zag through the streets! They all offer brightly colored buildings and vibes for days. Some of my favorite places to walk by though were the National Theatre, Independence Square, Museum of Panamanian History, Arco Chato and the Saint Francis of Assisi Church. You can also walk out onto this path here for great photo ops of the city’s skyline
Don’t miss visiting France Square for some local shopping! The vendors set up along the pathway that circles the peninsula and are usually all up and running by 9:30 am. You can get up to them by walking up the stairs to the right of the Panama Canal Monument, or by circling around and entering here, at the corner of Av. Central and Paseo las Bovedas. You’ll get to view and shop for everything from art, to bags, to authentic souvenirs made by local artists.
Read More: How to Spend One Day in Casco Viejo, Panama City
Finally, make your way over towards Independence Square and the Panama Canal Museum! The museum is three floors and the exhibits completely cover floors 2 and 3. The museum gives you a really in-depth view into all that went into the creation of the canal (both from the French and Americans), all the way through present-day when they did an expansion in 2016.
Read More: Top Tips for Visiting the Panama Canal Museum
Poolside Lunch at the Sofitel
For lunch, escape the mid-day heat by returning to the Sofitel for lunch and pool time. The pool here is remarkable and so refreshing and clean. It is an infinity pool that stretches out to the ocean. During high tide, you can see the waves crashing on the break wall beneath you. During low tide, you can see the emergence of large rocks which gives a totally different view.
You can order your lunch from any of the attendants at the pool or by walking up to their open air bar. The menu surprised me with quite a large variety. Food took about 20 minutes to arrive, which wasn’t bad at all, seeing as you could keep cool in the pool while you waited. Over the deck chairs were large umbrellas that they can put up that cover your entire lounger. It’s nice to be outside but completely out of the sun! Take some time here to refuel for the rest of the day!
Speedboat Tour on the Panama Canal
After a big morning of solo exploration, it’s time to get out of the city and see what else Panama has to offer! And what’s more famous than the Panama Canal?! There are lots of tour companies that offer similar experiences, but I opted for the Lake Gatun Wildlife Tour by Almiza Tours. The tour was about 4.5 hours round-trip and being out on the water was a nice way to beat the mid-day heat.
You will be picked up directly at your hotel and brought out to a bus to start your drive out to the town of Gamboa. Along the way, you’ll drive along the canal and get to see big ships and the famous Miraflores locks! Once you arrive at the docks, you’ll load up on a speedboat and start your journey up the canal and the Chagres River. You’ll cruise past huge cargo ships making their way from one ocean to the other. It’s truly a surreal experience!
Read More: Panama Canal Boat Cruise with Almiza Tours
Visit Monkey Island
After about a 20-minute ride on the canal, your boat tour will then take you out to Gatun Lake for some wildlife viewing! Gatun Lake is a man-made lake tasked with providing enough water for the canal and locks. The lake is huge and is really in the middle of the Panamanian rainforest, so you’ll feel like you’re really getting an authentic experience!
While the term “Monkey Island” suggests there is only one island, you’ll actually stop at several different islands throughout the lake to view the monkeys. The boat will pull right up to the shores and allow them to come right up to you. The white-faced monkeys ate peanuts right out of our hands, while the Titis ate fresh mango that we lined along the edges of the boats. The last stop was to see the Howler monkeys. These didn’t come up to the boat, but we could watch them swing in the trees!
Along the ride, the guides will also point out other wildlife. We saw tons! Crocodiles, bats, and iguanas to name a few! Thankfully the guides know exactly what to look for because these animals really blend in to their surroundings.
Dinner at Mahalo Snack Shack
After a busy day of exploration, time to relax with a delicious meal in a beautiful space. Mahalo Snack Shack is just the place! Walking in, you’re greeted with gorgeous tile work and an open air kitchen where you can smell the fresh food being cooked. Seating is all in their courtyard, where you can be outside while also in the shade. Big, lush, green plants surround the entire courtyard and there is a tiki bar straight back that makes all types of drinks and also some delish smoothies! It truly is such a vibe and has such an adorable aesthetic.
I ordered the peanut butter banana smoothie to go along with my sandwich and it totally hit the spot. Everything on the menu is made from fresh ingredients and was so delicious. It can get a little busy during peak times, but you can make a reservation on Open Table here!
Tip: If you can help it, it would be best to avoid going if it is raining. Although there is a covering over the patio, it isn’t a proper roof and you may get wet.
Night City Tour with Tomi Tours
One great, safe way to end your one day in Panama City is a tour of the city with Tomi Tours! Tomi, who moved to Panama from the UK in 2016, takes tourists on a ride around the entire city in his lime green 1971 VW Safari convertible. It is so much fun to cruise through the city in this fun car. Locals and tourists love it, and we’ll get honks and cheers all throughout the city! You’ll definitely feel like a celeb.
Pick up and drop off is either in Casco Viejo (near Plaza Simón Bolívar) or by arranging a pickup from whatever hotel you are staying at in the city! He will take you on a cruise down the Armador Causeway (all the way down to Flamenco Island), all through downtown among the skyscrapers, and then back through Casco Viejo. It’s a great way to see all the city has to offer in a safe, fun way!
Read More: Sightseeing in Panama City with Tomi Tours
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