Guide to Panama City for Families
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From its famous canal to its rich history and culture, Panama City is an ideal place to visit for families traveling in Central America.
9 Places
3 City Tips
9 Places
Panama Canal
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Miraflores Visitor Center
Visitor Centres
Casco Viejo
Historic Walking Areas, Neighbourhoods
Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitan)
Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites
Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama
History Museums
Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador)
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Bridge of the Americas
Bridges
Avenida Balboa
Historic Walking Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks
Panama La Vieja
Ancient Ruins
sarahafrica's City Tips
- The Summit Garden & Zoo is a great place for the kids to get acquainted with monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, and Panama's many other animals.
- While visiting the Panama Canal, hire bicycles and experience surrounding rainforest up close.
- The easiest way for families to get around Panama City is by taxi or rental car.
- Panama CanalPoints of Interest & LandmarksSee more photossarahafrica Says:
You can't visit Panama City without visiting the Panama Canal! This historic sight and engineering wonder will fascinate visitors of all ages, and there are a wide range of tour options (at a variety of price points) available. Pick one that includes a trip through the locks for an awe-inspiring first-person view.
Tips- Half- and full-day tours are available, so you may choose based on the ages of your children.
- To really marvel at the canal, try to watch a ship pass through. There is no fixed schedule, but ships usually cross before 10am or after 2pm. Call the info center before your arrival to see what's expected for the day.
Plan to stay: More than 3 hoursFrom the communityRanked #1 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Must See 18/09/2018
- Fascinating 17/09/2018
- Panama Canal
▼ - Miraflores Visitor CenterVisitor CentresSee more photossarahafrica Says:
An interesting way to explore the Panama Canal is to check out the Miraflores Visitors Center, located just outside Panama City. Here you'll find a large, four-floor interactive museum with a viewing platform on the top floor.
Tips- Stay for lunch at the delicious international restaurant on site.
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #12 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Canal 16/09/2018
- Miraflores Visitor Center 15/09/2018
- Miraflores Visitor Center
▼Phone:+507 276-8325Other: - Casco ViejoHistoric Walking Areas, NeighbourhoodsSee more photossarahafrica Says:
Casco Viejo is the historic section of Panama City. Take a wander through this carefully restored area to appreciate the beauty of the colonial architecture. You will find plenty of quaint little shops, restaurants, and cafes along the way.
Tips- Casco Viejo is a neighborhood under continuous construction and restoration, so walk carefully and always be mindful of what's happening around you.
- Kids will love a stop at one of the many shaved ice (or "raspao") vendors in the area.
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #2 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Colonial gem 17/09/2018
- Casco Viejo 16/09/2018
- Casco Viejo
▼ - Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitan)Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious SitesSee more photossarahafrica Says:
The Metropolitan Cathedral is located on the Plaza Catedral in Casco Viejo and is a beautiful example of Panama’s colonial architecture.
Tips- The cathedral is easily accessible on foot when walking around Casco Viejo.
Plan to stay: Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #55 of 189 things to do in Panama City- Very impressive 30/03/2018
- BEAUTIFUL CHURCH 29/05/2017
- Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitan)
▼Address:Av Central 7-30 EPanama CityPanama - Museo del Canal Interoceanico de PanamaHistory MuseumsSee more photossarahafrica Says:
Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum tells the story of the construction of the Panama Canal through a series of colorful displays that both adults and kids will enjoy. You'll find the museum in a historic building-turned-museum very near the grand Plaza de la Independencia.
Tips- On Sunday mornings, admission is free for residents of Panama, and the museum can get quite crowded at this time.
Plan to stay: Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #18 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Great Place to Learn About the History of the Canal 16/09/2018
- Very informative, great primer on Panama. 09/09/2018
- Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama
▼Address:Avenida CentralPlaza de la Independencia. San FelipePanama City 0816PanamaPhone:+507 211-1649Hours:Tue - Sun09:00 - 17:00Other: - Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador)Points of Interest & LandmarksSee more photossarahafrica Says:
The six-kilometer Amador Causeway links four small islands at the entrance to the Panama Canal. The strip is always bustling with pedestrians and bikers, and shops and restaurants provide plenty of places to stop along the way. Kids will love exploring this area by bike or on foo.
Tips- Enjoy a meal on one of the islands and take in the views of Panama City.
- Bring along bathing suits. This is also a popular place to swim!
Plan to stay: 2-3 hoursFrom the communityRanked #22 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- A paradise to walk by. 17/09/2018
- Favorite 11/09/2018
- Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador)
▼Address:Av AmadorPanama CityPanamaOther: - Bridge of the AmericasBridgesSee more photossarahafrica Says:
The Bridge of the Americas was built in 1962 along the Pan-American Highway. It effectively connects North and South America, where the Canal cut the continent in half. Take a moment to appreciate the historic importance of this impressive structure.
Tips- Drive over the bridge for another unique and interesting view of the Panama Canal.
Plan to stay: Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #30 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Amador Causeway 15/09/2018
- Possibly unavoidable 22/08/2018
- Bridge of the Americas
▼Address:BalboaPanama CityPanama - Avenida BalboaHistoric Walking Areas, Points of Interest & LandmarksSee more photossarahafrica Says:
Avenida Balboa is the biggest and most luxurious development in downtown Panama City. Here, you'll find plenty of real estate to admire, as well as a wealth of shops and restaurants.
Tips- Avenida Balboa is a great place to choose as a base for your stay in Panama City, as it's easy to move around from here.
Plan to stay: Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #14 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Very good location 04/09/2018
- A beautiful highway with lots of great scenery 29/08/2018
- Avenida Balboa
▼Other: - Panama La ViejaAncient RuinsSee more photossarahafrica Says:
This important archeological site is what remains of the original Panama city, which was founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila. Panama La Vieja is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and makes for a nice outing for the whole family.
Tips- The trek to the top of the lookout might not be suitable for very young children.
- Plan to spend around two hours visiting the monuments and the small museum nearby.
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #29 of 189 things to do in Panama CityCertificate of Excellence 2014- Interesting Museum and nice park 16/09/2018
- Take a trip back through time 30/08/2018
- Panama La Vieja
▼Address:Via CinquantenairePanama CityPanamaPhone:+507 226-8915Hours:Tue - Sun08:30 - 16:30Other:
