Panama’s capital is a cosmopolitan cityscape with a skyline dominated by gleaming skyscrapers and streets stuffed with tradition, unimaginable meals and attractive sights.

Discover on foot and take a stroll alongside the bay whereas the Pacific breeze retains you cool, earlier than exploring Panama Metropolis’s totally different neighborhoods and discovering its colonial historical past etched on each road.

Vacationer crime right here is low and most are of the low-key, opportunistic kind you may encounter in any main metropolis. Maintain your wits about you, keep away from the extra rough-and-tumble elements of city and you will be simply positive. 

From planning your journey to native etiquette, right here’s what you want to know earlier than touring to Panama City.

1. The place you keep depends upon your funds and desires

Every neighborhood has its benefits and downsides. With cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial structure, the historic quarter of Casco Viejo is probably the most memorable and romantic a part of town.

It has plenty of high-end eating places, luxurious lofts and swanky rooftop bars, however a dearth of budget-friendly locations to eat and its public transport hyperlinks aren’t one of the best.

The Calidonia district within the southern a part of town occupies a grid of streets from Plaza 5 de Mayo to Calle 42 Este. Avenida Central bustles with market stalls, and the roads to the south are dotted with budget-friendly motels.

The district can also be close to loads of Metro trains and buses. You possibly can decide up low-cost road meals in the course of the day when kitchens open for native hospital employees and civil servants. After darkish, nonetheless, Calidonia turns into shady and downbeat with restricted eating choices.

To the east of Calidonia, the so-called banking district is a patchwork of a number of districts or corregimientos, together with fashionable and rising neighborhoods that host the lion’s share of high-end lodgings and Airbnb leases.

There are a number of hostels and never practically sufficient economical motels. Many first rate eating places are dispersed all through the banking district however usually are not at all times inside strolling distance.

When you’re on the town to social gathering, the Marbella and Bella Vista neighborhoods have nice entry to the bars and golf equipment on Calle Uruguay. El Cangrejo is an leisure zone with a on line casino, good Metro prepare hyperlinks on Vía España and a parade of eating places on Vía Argentina. 

2. Time your go to for budget-friendly offers and nice climate

The high season coincides with the dry season – mid-December to early April – when costs are typically greater. The main festivals of Christmas, New 12 months, Carnival and Semana Santa see a value enhance within the capital, however not as a lot as the beaches, the place most city-dwellers spend the vacations.

Mid-April to early December is the most cost effective time to go to Panama Metropolis, so long as you don’t thoughts getting soaked by the rain.

Most deluges final solely an hour or two within the afternoon, however the season will get wetter because it goes on. Within the depths of it, the skies could be overcast for days, however the rains are often intermittent and the cloud cowl can deliver reduction from the relentless Panamanian solar.

3. You are higher off with a Metro card than a automobile

Though a automobile is sweet for day journeys out of city, don’t plan on driving a lot within the metropolis. The one-way highway system is baffling, metropolis thoroughfares are sometimes congested, and diversions are par for the course.

As a substitute, use Panama City’s public transport system, which features a fleet of air-conditioned buses and Central America’s first-ever Metro prepare. Purchase a three-in-one “RapiPass” upon arrival and achieve entry to Metro trains and buses, and the departure gates at Albrook bus station. 

4. All the time maintain a stash of low-denomination payments

You will want to point out your ID and signal a register in the event you pay for something with a better invoice than US$20. Counterfeit cash is a matter within the nation, so all $50 and $100 payments will probably be scrutinized in Panama.

5. Don’t smoke in public

Laws launched in 2008 banned smoking in public locations. Individuals who smoke in non-designated areas are topic to fines of $25–100.

6. Costume for consolation however look sharp

Panamanians like to decorate up and look their greatest. The ostentatious shows of style on show in Obarrio embrace stiletto heels that in some way survive the assault course of town’s pavements.

When socializing, informal apparel is ok, however keep away from carrying shorts and sandals to good eating places or social capabilities.

7. Tip resort cleansing employees

When you keep in a resort, depart a tip for the one that cleans your room – US$2–3 a day is ok. A ten% tip is commonly added in good eating places, however not at all times – verify the invoice earlier than paying.

In low-key native eateries, chances are you’ll depart some unfastened change for the server. Until they assist with baggage, taxi drivers don’t anticipate a tip.

8. Don’t use medication

Though Panama Metropolis is steeped in narco {dollars}, Panamanian society frowns on drug use, and the legislation doesn’t tolerate it. If the police discover you in possession of even small portions of marijuana, you may spend a number of years in a Panamanian jail.

9. Don’t anticipate folks to talk English

Panama Metropolis Spanish is Caribbean Spanish – extraordinarily quick and closely laden with jerga (slang). If Spanish shouldn’t be your first language, chances are you’ll battle to catch it.

Don’t anticipate finding many English audio system throughout your day-to-day transactions. English is extensively spoken within the enterprise neighborhood, however not a lot exterior of it, and mastering a number of primary Spanish phrases will provide help to get round.

10. It is secure to drink faucet water

The faucet water in Panama Metropolis is completely secure to drink. Save on plastic waste by refilling water bottles at a faucet. When you want purified water, you may refill on the 20-liter garrafones in most resort lobbies.

11. Put together for environmental hazards

Panama Metropolis is an city hothouse scratched out of the jungle. The weather are fierce – humidity is commonly 100%. It is best to take a day or two to calm down and acclimate to the warmth in the event you come from a cold-weather nation.

All the time apply sunscreen earlier than going exterior and maintain an sufficient water provide helpful. Put on gentle garments and a hat to maintain the solar off your face. Convey a sturdy umbrella in the event you go to in the course of the moist season.

Panama Metropolis suffers from flash floods throughout heavy downpours. When you get caught in a storm, you may find yourself wading by way of deep puddles. Visitors is usually heavy, and lots of elements of town usually are not pedestrian-friendly. Folks dwelling with bronchial asthma could discover their signs are aggravated by fumes.

Sadly, the Bay of Panama is a dump for industrial effluence and untreated sewage, so the oceanfront malecón generally reeks.

12. Pay attention to widespread scams

Scammers function in all massive cities and a few goal vacationers. Be cautious of strangers who inform unlucky and earnest tales that finish with them asking for cash. If it appears suspicious, it most likely is. Be careful for faux tour guides who ask for fee upfront after which stand you up.

Outdated-school taxi scams that contain going across the homes to extend the fare can occur anyplace on the planet, however in Panama Metropolis, it’s widespread for taxis to easily overcharge. There aren’t any meters within the cabs.

Fares are imagined to be primarily based on zones, however in apply, they hardly ever are. When you look international, taxi drivers will bump up the fare. It is best to barter and agree on the value beforehand.

13. Solo ladies vacationers could obtain undesirable consideration

Panama Metropolis is usually secure for solo ladies vacationers, however it’s greatest to keep away from strolling alone at night time in Casco Viejo, Santa Ana or Calidonia. Girls could obtain consideration from chatty males on Metro trains or buses. If a person received’t depart you alone, ask a close-by older girl to help.

14. Keep away from sketchy neighborhoods

Thirty years in the past, Casco Viejo was dicey. At present, issues have considerably improved, however there are nonetheless pockets of the outdated neighborhood the place it is best to train warning.

When you’re staying in Casco Viejo, the 20-minute stroll from the closest Metro prepare station, 5 de Mayo, is dangerous at night time. Use a taxi or an Uber as a substitute. To the west of Casco Viejo, the neighboring El Chorrillo district may be very harmful and uncared for. It is best to keep away from this neighborhood fully.

The district of Santa Ana, north of Casco Viejo, is bisected by the pedestrianized peatonal, a full of life procuring road that’s secure to stroll in the course of the day; keep alert within the crowds. The facet roads east of the peatonal are sketchy, and also you shouldn’t wander round them.

At its north finish, the peatonal connects with Plaza 5 de Mayo, the Nationwide Meeting, a Metro station, a bus terminal and a dirty confluence of roads and flyovers. The realm is full of life into the night, however keep alert and use a car after 11pm.

North of 5 de Mayo, Avenida Central strikes into Calidonia district with road distributors and hustle. It is positive to discover within the day, however don’t flaunt costly tools or jewellery. Calidonia is spooky and seedy after darkish. Keep away from run-down or poorly lit streets.

15. Maintain your paperwork helpful

Everyone seems to be legally required to hold a photograph ID always in public in Panama. Vacationers ought to carry their passport or a photocopy of their passport with the photograph web page and immigration entry stamp.

16. LGBTIQ+ vacationers are welcome

Attitudes in rural Panama are considerably conservative however much less so in Panama Metropolis. LGBTIQ+ vacationers are unlikely to come across prejudice, and discrimination primarily based on sexual orientation and gender id is prohibited by Panamanian legislation. There’s a full of life homosexual scene in Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo.