Another summer, another Central American country 🙂 This time, it’s Panama.

I just came back from my trip to Central Asia when a couple of travel friends told me they’re going to this all day party in Panama. They asked me if I’d like to join them. I checked out flights, they’re fairly cheap on the dates they’ve mentioned, so I said yes. Hey, I’m easy as long as flights are affordable lol.

Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is the country’s main international gateway, so if you’re visiting the country, chances are Panama City would be your first stop. As soon as I stepped out of the jet bridge and into the airport terminal, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a huge, modern airport— the kind of airport you’d see in many western capitals. It’s definitely way different from the other airports I’ve seen elsewhere in Latin America. Wow.

If you plan on buying a SIM card, they do sell them at the airport, but these SIM cards are much more expensive (USD 30 for unlimited data). It’s easy to get to the city center via the Panama City Metro, so I’d suggest just hopping on the Metro and buy a SIM card once you reach the city. There are small shops selling SIM cards around 5 de Mayo Station. This is where you’ll get off if you plan on visiting the old town. The Albrook Metro Station is right across the main bus station — you can also purchase SIM cards here. Close to Iglesia Del Carmen station which is at the city center, there’s also a small cellphone shop selling SIM cards. I’m guessing there are also shops selling SIM cards near the other Metro Stations.

As I’ve mentioned, it’s so easy to head to the city center via train from the airport— yet another testament on how developed the country is compared to its neighbors. These are modern air-conditioned trains too, and each metro station is well maintained. The Tocumen Airport Metro Station is an extension of Line 2 of the Panama City Metro. You can easily purchase a metro card at any station. There are many kiosks dispensing these cards, and you need to pay with cash. Some kiosks cannot dispense change, so make sure you have the exact amount. There’s no English translation in the kiosks I’ve used, but there’s a ticket booth in each station where you can purchase metro cards if you have no small bills and if your Spanish isn’t too good. Yeah most of the staff do not speak English, but it would be easier to purchase a metro card if you’re talking to an actual person. A metro card costs USD 2… that’s right, they use US Dollars in Panama— real convenient if you’re coming from the States, you don’t have to worry about exchanging money. The local currency is the Panamanian Balboa, but these only come in small coin denominations with an equal rate to US Dollars. There are no Balboa paper bills, all paper bills are US Dollars. The fare for line 2 is 50 cents, while the fare for line 1 is 35 cents. If you’re heading to the city center from the airport, you’re gonna be using both lines, so this will set you back 85 cents. If you have a Visa or Mastercard that has a tap to pay feature, you don’t even have to purchase a metro card, just tap your credit card as you enter. I still purchased a metro card though— I like keeping these things as souvenirs heh.

Heading to the city from the Metro, I saw lots of skyscrapers along the city’s skyline— I haven’t seen those in other countries in Central America. My initial impression was, Panama City seemed to be a western city that’s been magically transported to Central America. Honestly, seeing the city from afar seemed surreal.

If you’re spending a couple of nights in the city, I’d recommend staying in the Marbella area, which is an affluent part of the city. There are lots of restaurants and shops, it’s centrally located, and it’s safe to walk around even at night. You don’t have to break the bank if you stay in Marbella. The Metro is fairly accessible via the Iglesia del Carmen Station (about a 20 minute walk), and there are a number of cheap hostels in the area. I highly recommend Bodhi Hostel. It has a huge common area, breakfast is included, the staff are friendly, rooms are airconditioned, and there’s a pool. The last two are quite essential because it gets really humid in Panama City. That swimming pool is the perfect way to cool off and socialize after walking around the city all day! Sure lots of restaurants in this area are pretty pricey, but if you look around there’s a number of cheap places to eat. “Cheap” is relative though— compared to neighboring countries (aside from Costa Rica), it is expensive in Panama.

As for the sights, the old town or Casco Viejo is a must visit. Yeah I know, once you’ve seen one colonial town in Latin America you’ve seen em all, but this one is worth checking out because of how well maintained it is. Several hotels and hostels are also located here. The area is pretty safe so this is also a good area to stay at aside from Marbella if you prefer to stay at the old part of town. To get here via Metro from the airport, get off at the 5 de Mayo Station. Casco Viejo is about a 20 minute walk away. That’s quite a long walk if you’re carrying a lot of stuff, especially with the humidity— good thing Uber is cheap. It shouldn’t cost more than 3 dollars to get to Casco Viejo from 5 de Mayo station. If you’ve already been to Marbella, you’d notice the contrast between several areas in the city. 5 de Mayo isn’t at the modern part of town. Lots of buildings are old and dilapidated— this actually looks like your typical Latin American city. In contrast, the Marbella area makes you feel like you’re in a major city in the States. During the day time, it’s pretty safe to walk around anywhere. There are neighborhoods consisting of shanties which are pretty close to the modern parts of the city. Walk a few miles and your surroundings could change abruptly. the social divide can indeed be glaring.

The other main attraction is the Panama Canal. Well it’s not in the city, but it’s pretty close— about 40 minutes away by bus or taxi. You can book a tour for convenience. Hostels and hotels can hook you up with a tour group, but if you’re traveling on a budget it’s easy to get there on your own. First take the Metro to Albrook Station. Once there, head to the Albrook bus terminal and ask where the bus to “Miraflores Locks” is (it’s bus number C810, a single journey would set you back 25 cents). This is the main bus terminal in the city, and this is where regional buses within the country depart. Most of the locals don’t speak English, but just say “Miraflores Locks” and they’ll point you to the right direction. You’ll be dropped off close to the visitor center where you can buy a ticket. A single ticket for adult tourists costs $17.22, and this includes a short 3D IMAX movie about the canal. Personally, I didn’t think this was worth it. There’s just so many people, and I didn’t see the appeal of watching ships passing through… but hey, whatever floats your boat (pun intended).

As for day trips, if you can spare an entire day and if the weather is great, I would highly recommend booking a day trip to the San Blas Islands. These islands are Panama’s crown jewels, and once you’ve seen these islands in person, it’s not hard to see why. I’ve been to a lot of beaches during my travels, and the San Blas Islands are way up there. A lot of travelers book multi day trips. A popular option is the multi day tour of the Islands from Panama City all the way to Cartagena in Colombia. This is a good option for travelers who are heading to Colombia. For people who only plan on staying in Panama and who don’t have much time, I believe a day trip would suffice. Admittedly this tour isn’t cheap, but if you could afford it, I’d suggest booking a tour— you won’t regret it. At sites like Viator or GetYourGuide, it would set you back 170 bucks. I contacted the tour provider listed and booked directly through them, so I only paid $119. That’s one travel hack right there. 🙂 These third party sites list their tour providers. Search for their websites online and check if there’s a way to book directly. The tour provider was Tao Travel 365 and I was able to make a reservation via WhatsApp. We were picked up at the hostel at around 5 AM, reached the port at around 8AM, then we were hopping between islands from 9AM to 4PM. They brought us back to the hostel at around 9PM. Lunch was included. I’d say it’s worth the price I paid. Chilling on those beautiful islands was the perfect way to spend the day.

Some travelers would advice skipping Panama City and head directly elsewhere in the country. I’d say the city has a certain appeal and it’s worth spending a night or two so you can check out what the city offers. Heck, I’m not a fan of cities in general but I kinda liked it. 🙂