Panama City Vacation Packages
Founded in 1519, Panama City is the oldest Spanish settlement on the mainland of the Americas. Today, Panama City—with its famed canal, sleek skyscrapers and Old Quarter, bountiful natural beauty, and spicy cultural mix—is a thriving commercial hub and tourist destination, with tropical jungles, Pacific beaches, and dozens of other great places to visit within 2 hours of the city. We offer hotels 45 minutes - 2-1/2 hours outside the city on the Pacific beaches, as well as a hotel located in the Soberania National Park Rainforest, only 30 minutes from the city.
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Panama City Vacation Packages
A growing tourist destination, modern Panama City boasts natural beauty, a rich mix of ethnicities, and an exciting array of things to see and do. Tour sights such as the historical ruins of Panama Viejo, with its superb museum, or stroll the charming streets of the Old Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the paths of Metropolitan Park, a protected tropical forest within the city. Find indigenous crafts at the colorful Avenida Central street market and shop at one of the upscale megamalls. At the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, you could spend hours watching cruise ships and freighters moving through the Panama Canal and browsing exhibits in the first-rate museum. Head outside the city limits for remarkable excursions such as visiting Emberá Indian villages, or to spend a relaxing day at the Pacific Coast beaches, only a half hour from the city. Package Includes:- Choice of accommodations
- Roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel
- Assistance of a local destination representative
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should go?
Families
The Panama Canal, Lake Gatun, and the surrounding rainforest overflow with kid-friendly activities. Visit an Embera Village, a butterfly farm, reptile farm, or the Summit Garden & Zoo.
History Buffs
The 19th-century Art Deco, Colonial, Caribbean, and French buildings of the Old Quarter and the ruins of the original city, Panama Viejo, offer history lovers fascinating evidence of the city’s European past—and excursions to Mayan ruins or Indian villages outside the city limits take visitors even farther back into history.
Nature Enthusiasts
In the city’s Natural Metropolitan Park, nature lovers have the opportunity to view the natural burgeoning flora and fauna of the area’s rainforests, including more than 200 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Panama City is also a gateway to wild jungles ideal for hiking and other nature-oriented adventures.
Wildlife Enthusiasts
Love wildlife? Visit Soberania National Park, where you can hike the Pipeline Road, a bird-watcher's haven with more than 500 species of birds. Tour the Chagres River and Gatun Lake, keeping a lookout for monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths. Ride the cloudforest aerial tram, and bring along your binoculars for toucan and parrot sightings.
What's the climate like?
| Average High |
87° F |
89° F |
92° F |
88° F |
| Average Low |
74° F |
75° F |
76° F |
75° F |
| Average Rainfall |
.01" |
2.2" |
2.5" |
4" |
Panama City is quite humid and warm year-round, and the rainy season typically lasts from April to December.
How do I get around town?
Transfers
Roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel are included with your hotel package.
Taxi
Taxis are your best bet for getting around within the city. They charge between $1.25 to $2 to drive you to most destinations within the city. It’s always a good practice to confirm the price beforehand.
On Foot
Except for within the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo)—where walking is the best way to soak in the sights—you’ll find that it’s much easier and more efficient to get around the city via cab rather than on foot.
Rental Car
A rental car is a good option if you are staying at a beach hotel or in the rainforest, for an easy way to explore the countryside. 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.
What kinds of dining and nightlife are available?
Dining
Panama City offers a melting pot of culinary influences and loads of great places to eat, from fantastic Chinese food and fine European cuisine to Middle Eastern, Argentine, Afro-Caribbean, and of course, Panamanian restaurants, as well as fusion-style options.
- Eurasia
Serving delicious Euro-Asian Fusion cuisine and mouth-watering desserts in elegant surroundings embellished by great service, this upscale restaurant received a 5-diamond rating from the American Academy of Hospitality.
- Madame Chang
Panama is known for some of the best Chinese food outside of Asia, and this restaurant puts a shine on that reputation with delectable traditional dishes enhanced by a modern touch, from Peking duck to clams with black bean sauce.
- Market
Well-prepared chops, steaks, burgers, and delicious salads make this lively restaurant a popular choice for lunch and dinner—also serves weekday breakfast and Sunday brunch.
- Mostaza
This cozy, excellent upscale eatery in the Old Quarter serves tasty cuts of beef, fresh fish, pasta, and international specialties.
- Las Tinajas
Popular with visitors for its extensive menu of classic Panamanian dishes, spiced up by entertaining, costumed folkloric performances several evenings a week.
Nightlife
Panamanians love to dress up and go out on the town, and a happening nightlife scene caters to all ages and energy levels. You’ll find the greatest concentration of nightspots in 4 neighborhoods: Bella Vista, the Amador Causeway, Marbella, and the Old Quarter. Check out the weekend supplement in Thursday’s La Prensa newspaper for a selection of the latest clubs.
For a more low-key evening, try one of the city’s hotel bars—the Decapolis, the Peach Monkeys Lounge at the Sheraton Panama, and the Veneto Hotel’s bar are popular choices.
Every major hotel in the city has an adjoining casino, where you can pick your game: slot machines, video poker, gaming tables, and sports betting.
Where should I go shopping?
You’ll want to take home some indigenous handicrafts as a souvenir of your time in Panama City. The most popular items are molas, the reversed appliqué panels made by Kuna Indian women; figurines carved of vegetable ivory; embroidered dresses; and Emberá Indian baskets and masks. The Mercado Nacional de Artesanías, in Panama Viejo next to the visitor center, is a huge, covered, permanent structure that sells handicrafts from around the country.
You’ll also find spacious shopping malls offering international brands, with prices comparable to those in the United States. One of the major shopping streets is Vía España, while shops selling designer goods can be found in the World Trade Center's Centro de Comercio.
If you like a more traditional and colorful shopping experience, visit the Mercado de Mariscos to buy freshly prepared seafood snacks just off the boat, or check out the brand-new Mercado Público next door—a covered farmer's market with a food court serving Panamanian fare.
When are the local events?
Panama Jazz Festival
January. International and local jazz artists perform 5 days of swinging concerts in the Parque Catedral in the Old Town neighborhood.
Carnival in Panama
January or February. Panama City’s huge annual party kicks off the Friday before Ash Wednesday and proceeds through festivities that involve traditional fancy dress, grand parades and floats, concerts by national and international artists, Latin dancing, tossing of flowers, the symbolic burying of sardines, and round-the-clock celebrations.
Panama Restaurant Week
March & September. Two weeks a year, in spring and fall, Panama City's top restaurants feature 3-course fixed-price menus throughout the city, to the delight of culinary adventurers.
What are my sports and recreation options?
Bird-Watching
Within the city limits, you’ll be excited to glimpse parrots, toucans, and numerous other avian species—more than 250—in the Natural Metropolitan Park. Pipeline Road, perhaps Panama’s most famous birding destination, is situated inside lush Soberania National Park along the Panama Canal, about a 40-minute drive from Panama City. This protected tropical rainforest shelters a reputed 500 bird species.
Hiking
Natural Metropolitan Park, the city’s own rainforest, tempts nature lovers with 5 trails of varying difficulty that cover about 3 miles. You'll be rewarded with great views after a 40-minute trek to the top of Cerro Ancón, a landmark 654-foot hill that overlooks the city. Twenty minutes from the city lies Soberania National Park, with miles of trails through scenic habitat home to monkeys, coatis, and other creatures. Less than an hour west of the city you’ll find Parque Nacional Altos de Campana, offering dramatic mountain scenery, hiking trails, and panoramic views.
Panama Canal
You’ll find much to see and do at the famed canal. Visit the viewing platform at Miraflores and watch a megaship pass through the locks, enjoy a jungle cruise on the canal, or take a partial transit tour by boat and experience going through one of the locks.
Beaches
Watersports and deep sea fishing abound on the Pacific Ocean, which is within 45 minutes of the city. You’ll also find 3 seaside golf courses in the area.
Travel tidbits
Multi-Day Tours
To see more of Panama, consider taking a fascinating multi-day tour. Destinations include the town of Bocas and Bastimentos National Park; the Chiriqui Cloud Forest, the city of Boquete, and Baru Volcano; or the San Blas Islands, where you can stay in a traditional Kuna Indian-style hut.
Taxi Etiquette
Taxis will often stop for another passenger if he or she is headed in your general direction—but the driver will usually deliver you to your destination first.
Credit Cards
Although they are widely accepted at upscale hotels and many restaurants, credit cards can be problematic elsewhere, so carry enough cash to get you to the next bank or ATM.
Good to Know:
Tocumen International Airport
PTY |
| Mid-December –Mid-April |
| June– November |
| U.S. dollar |
| Spanish, English |
| U.S. Eastern Time Zone |
| Government legislation requires all people traveling via air to and from the United States and Canada to have a valid passport. For details on passports, visas, and health requirements, see Entry Requirements. |
| The standard tipping rate in Panama is around 10% of the bill, though in small cafés and more casual places, tipping is not necessary. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. |
| Lightweight, stylish or smart-casual clothing will take you through the day and evening, plus a wide-brimmed hat for daytime hours in the sun. |
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Panama City Vacation Packages
The following options are available when you book your vacation package to Panama City:
Car Rentals
We feature rental cars from Alamo Rent A Car offering you the flexibility and convenience to travel when and where you want.
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Transfer - Private Nonstop Roundtrip
Upgrade your arrival experience by adding private nonstop roundtrip transportation between the airport and your hotel. Private nonstop transfers are provided exclusively for the members of your booking in a dedicated air-conditioned vehicle. Special signage will be displayed upon arrival at the airport. Vehicle type will vary based on the number of travelers on your booking and will include a car or bus with capacity of up to 20 passengers. The upgraded private nonstop transfer option will provide you with personalized convenience, additional comfort, and save you time vs. the shared ride transportation.
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Tour - Birding at Pipeline Road
Enjoy an early morning hike through Soberania National Park as you observe a variety of exotic tropical birds and the surrounding trees and plants of the area. Pipeline Road, a dirt road that leads through the heart of Soberania National park, offers views of some of the most diverse bird life in Central America. The second part of the tours brings you to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, an ecotourism and environmental education facility along Pipeline Road. Here you will have the chance to stop at the Visitor Center, and hike the trails that extend into the surrounding forest. Nearby is a 100-foot tall observation tower, which offers 360-degree views of the canal and the surrounding watershed. Spiral stairs lead to the top of the tower, with 4 platforms for resting along the way. For a more vigorous activity, take to the forest trails. A circuit of trails provide a mild to moderate level of difficulty, with 2 rest areas along the path. Enjoy your time here as you listen to the many unique sounds of the rainforest. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Services of a bilingual naturalist guide
Other information:- Tour operates daily and is approximately 5 hours from Panama City, 3 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, and 5.5 hours from Intercontinental Playa Bonita
- Pick-up time is approximately 5:45am
- Book for date you choose
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents.
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Tour - Boqueron River Rafting
The Boqueron River is a natural marvel, considered to have been a witness to the Spanish invasion and plunder of the native treasures. Exuberant tropical jungles and beautiful waterfalls surround the historic sites. Characterized by big pools followed by rapids, this river tour is very exciting, and provides a great opportunity to see lush flora and fauna. The river runs mostly through plains and small hills, and is classified as having Class II-III rapids, so be prepared to get a bit wet and have a lot of fun. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Use of inflatable kayaks and gear
- Services of a bilingual river guide (trained in white-water navigation skills, first aid, and CPR)
- Box lunch and bottle of water
Other information:- Pick-up time is approximately 8:00am from Panama City, Gamboa Rainforest, and Playa Bonita hotels and 6:00am from Playa Blanca hotels
- Tour operates daily, May November, and is approximately 8 hours from Panama City, 9 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, 9 hours from Intercontinental Playa Bonita, and 12 hours from Playa Blanca
- Recommended for those 5-70 years of age and in good health
- Book for date you choose.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents
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Tour - Emberá Indigenous Village
This enchanting journey will take you deep into the dense jungles of Chagres where the Emberá Indians have lived for centuries. The adventure begins with a 1-hour boat ride up the Chagres River in dugout canoes, the traditional Emberá hand-carved boats. Upon arrival to the village, you will be welcomed and swept back in time as you are immersed in the ancient Emberá cultural dances and music. The Indians will invite you to explore the area's abundant variety of birds and wildlife during a trek through the untouched jungle. During your visit, the Emberás will give you a glimpse into their mystical rituals and amazing knowledge of medicinal plants and other natural remedies. Emberá women are known as some of the world's finest basket makers, and you will be able to watch them create these beautiful objects made of palm leaves dyed with natural materials. You will also have a chance to have your body painted with the natural dye called Jagua. Before returning back to civilization, the Emberá Indians will offer a traditional meal of fresh fish and plantains, and you will be able to purchase some of their beautiful handicrafts. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Boat transportation
- Services of a bilingual naturalist guide
- Park entrance fee
- Traditional Emberá lunch
- Bottle of water, fruit, and soft drinks
Other information:- Tour operates daily, except national holidays and is 7.5 hours from Panama City, 7 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, 8 hours from Playa Bonita,and 9 hours from Playa Blanca
- Pick-up time is 8:30am from Panama City, Gamboa Rainforest, and Playa Bonita and 7:00am from Playa Blanca
- There is an optional 5-mile hike
- Book for date you choose
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents
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Tour - Gamboa Resort Day Trip
Spend a day in the lush rainforest of Gamboa, located just 45 minutes outside of Panama city. You will have the chance to experience all the sights and sounds of the rainforest, from the shadowy forest floor, through the dense undergrowth, to the sun-drenched canopy 280 feet above the ground. An aerial tram takes you from the forest floor up through the dense foliage, as a naturalist guide educates you about the many species of plants and animals that call this rainforest home. Once at the top, you will have the opportunity to climb the observation tower (wheelchair accessible), from where you will have uninterrupted views of the vast rainforest of Soberania National Park. Watch from the top of the tower as giant cargo ships maneuver through the Panama canal, below. At the end of the tour, you will head to Gamboa Rainforest Resort for a delicious lunch at Los Lagartos restaurant, whose inviting terrace extends out over the canal. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Services of a bilingual naturalist guide
- Ride on an aerial tram
- Lunch at Los Lagartos Restaurant (beverages not included)
Other information:- Pick-up time is 7:30am from Panama City, Gamboa Rainforest, and Playa Bonita hotels and 6:45am from Playa Blanca hotels
- Tour operates Tuesday Sunday and is approximately 5 hours from Panama City, 3 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, 5.5 hours from Intercontinental Playa Bonita, and 9 hours from Playa Blanca
- The 100-foot observation tower is only moderately difficult to climb
- Book for date you choose
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents
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Tour - Gatun Expedition Boat Tour
Take a boat ride through the Panama Canal and the many waterways of Gatun Lake. You will have the chance to see Monkey Island, the place where hundreds of Cappuccino and Howler monkeys call home and where they can be seen leaping in the trees above. Occasionally, their curiosity will bring them down to the boat for a closer look at visitors. Other animals you may see include sleeping sloths, stoic alligators, and peaceful turtles, all native to the lake. Floating down the Panama canal on your way to and from the islands gives you the chance to share the waterway with large container ships as they journey across the world. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Services of a bilingual tour guide
Other information:- Tour operates daily and is approximately 3 hours from Panama City, 1 hour from Gamboa Rainforest, and 3.5 hours from Intercontinental Playa Bonita
- Book for date you choose
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents
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Tour - Half-Day Panama City Tour
Enjoy a morning tour of Panama City. During the tour, you will visit Casco Viejo, the oldest part of Panama City, which dates back to the late 1600s. Casco Viejo is home to monuments to Ferdinand de Lesseps and other Frenchmen who were instrumental in the ill-fated attempt to construct the famous canal through Panama. You will have the opportunity to see monuments such as the Plaza Bolivar, the San Francisco de Asis Church, Bolivar Palace, the National Theater, and the beautiful gold-plated altar of the San Jose Church. Your tour also includes a visit to the Panama Canal Museum. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Services of a bilingual tour guide
- Admission to museums or any related fees
- Bottle of water
Other information:- Tour operates daily and is approximately 4 hours from Panama City, 5 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, and 8 hours from Playa Blanca hotels
- For passengers traveling from Playa Blanca hotels, there will be 1 ½ hours allowed for lunch on your own in Panama City before returning to your hotel, or you can return directly to your hotel
- Book for date you choose.
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents
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Tour - Kayaking on the Panama Canal
Enjoy a one-on-one experience with the rainforest as you cruise down the Panama canal and around the islands of this nature preserve in your own personal kayak. Specialized staff will take you in a motorized boat up the canal to the best places to view wildlife and where you can get into your kayak. During this experience, you will have the freedom to make it as athletic or as leisurely a ride as you wish. Gliding through the water at your own pace, listening to the sounds of native birds, and searching the jungle for howler monkeys, tucans, sloths, eagles, and many other species of wildlife, is both a peaceful and exhilarating experience. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Services of a bilingual naturalist guide
- Use of kayak equipment
Other information:- Pick-up times are 6:30am, 7:30am, 9:30am, and 12:30pm from Panama City, Gamboa Rainforest, and Playa Bonita hotels and at 7:00am from Playa Blanca hotels.
- Tour operates daily and is approximately 5 hours from Panama City, 3 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, 5.5 hours from Playa Bonita, and 9 hours from Playa Blanca
- Participants must have arm strength
- Book for date you choose
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
- Full details will be included in your travel documents
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Tour - Panama Canal Partial Transit
This exciting tour down part of the Panama Canal begins in the town of Gamboa, where you will board the boat to start the water portion of the tour. The boat enters at the Gaillard Cut, the narrowest part of the canal, where the Chagres River meets the canal. The Gaillard Cut is one of the most historic points of interest because it was here where the canal was carved through the Continental Divide. The boat will then enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side. Here the boat is lowered 21 feet, before entering Miraflores Lake. This small, artificial body of fresh water separates Pedro Miguel from the Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks, the boat is lowered another 55 feet, in two steps. Once you reach the Pacific Ocean, you will sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina where you will disembark. At the end of the tour, transportation will be provided back to your hotel. Tour Inclusions:- Transfers to and from your hotel
- Services of a bilingual guide/narrator
- All Panama Canal transit fees
- Lunch on board plus unlimited soft drinks and water
Other information:- Pick-up time is approximately 9:00am from Panama City, Gamboa Rainforest, and Playa Bonita hotels and 8:00am from Playa Blanca hotels
- Tour operates Thursday – Saturday, January - March, and on Saturday, April – December, and is approximately 5 hours from Panama City, 6 hours from Gamboa Rainforest, 5.5 hours from Intercontinental Playa Bonita, and 9 hours from Playa Blanca
- Book for date you choose
- Program is subject to change without notice due to weather or other local conditions
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