Panama City Sights: Canal, Old Town, Gehry, Ruins

Panama City has four sights that visitors remember: a canal lock, a colonial quarter, a Gehry building and a ruined city. This is how to rank them, with the hours that matter.

1. Miraflores Locks

Nothing else in town compares with watching a 950-foot ship float into a chamber with little room to spare. The locks are open daily 08:00 to 18:00, and the ticket office closes at 17:00. Non-resident tickets are tiered from $7.22 to $17.22, and the IMAX film is part of the highest. Locks and rates are listed at Visit Canal de Panamá .

2. Casco Viejo

The 1673 quarter is a UNESCO site, and you can see most of it free on foot. Highlights include the Palacio de las Garzas, where herons roam the courtyard, the 1796 cathedral with towers inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and Iglesia de San José, famous for its golden altar. Dress modestly for churches. Evening walks are pleasant inside the restored core.

3. Biomuseo

Gehry’s design uses folded, brightly painted roofs. Inside, galleries explain how the land bridge between the Americas changed life on Earth. Adults pay $20 as non-residents. It opens Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 15:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 15:00, and it is closed on Mondays. Visit Biomuseo for current information.

4. Panamá Viejo

Founded in 1519, this is the original Pacific city, about 10 km east of Casco Viejo, and it is open Tuesday to Sunday 08:30 to 17:30. Foreign adults pay $15, with the ticket office closing at 16:30. The cathedral tower is the highlight, and you can climb it for views over the bay. Official details are at Panamá Viejo .

Free extras

  • Cinta Costera, a 7 km waterfront park.
  • Ancón Hill, a 199 m summit reached in 30 to 45 minutes.

Where to stay for sights

Casco Viejo puts the plazas on your doorstep and gives easy rides to Miraflores and the causeway. Downtown hotels near the Cinta Costera suit travelers who want pools and a view. Either way, the distance to Panamá Viejo is the same trip of about 25 to 30 minutes by taxi, so choose by atmosphere rather than distance.

Planning

  • A rainy afternoon suits the Biomuseo; a clear morning suits the locks.
  • Use Uber between sights; a short hop costs $3.50 to $6.
  • Metro Line 1 costs $0.35, Line 2 costs $0.50 and both need a cashless card.
  • For a guide, browse city tours on GetYourGuide .
  • Plan around closures with the two-day itinerary .

Verdict: do the locks first thing, the old quarter at sunset, and keep Monday for sights that are open.