Districts · Panama City
Panama City by district
Casco Viejo is a small peninsula on the south-east side of the bay, with the cathedral square in the middle and the sea wall at the tip. North of it are Santa Ana and Avenida Central, and beyond them the modern towers of Bella Vista, Punta Paitilla and Costa del Este. The Amador Causeway runs south-west into the bay, the Miraflores Locks are 30 minutes north-west, and Panamá Viejo is 20 to 30 minutes east.
About these names
Walk inside Casco Viejo; use ride-hailing or licensed taxis between areas, and do not walk the edges of the old town at night.
- Casco ViejoCasco AntiguosleepseeeatSuits: Old streets, plazas and restaurantsCobbles and heat; the edges are unsafe at night.4 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Bella Vista and Avenida BalboaBella VistasleepeatSuits: Modern hotels and a shorter ride to the business districtsTowers and traffic.1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Amador CausewayCalzada de AmadorseeeatSuits: The Biomuseo and a flat seaside pathOpen and shadeless at midday.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Miraflores LocksEsclusas de MirafloresseeSuits: Ships in the CanalNorth-west by car; go early.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Panamá ViejoseeSuits: The ruins of the first cityEast by car; open and hot.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Costa del Este and Punta PaitillaCosta del EstesleepeatSuits: Malls and modern towersA car city.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Costa del Este and Punta Paitilla. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Casco Viejo (Casco Antiguo): Cobbles and heat; the edges are unsafe at night. Suits: Old streets, plazas and restaurants. Price band $$.
- Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa (Bella Vista): Towers and traffic. Suits: Modern hotels and a shorter ride to the business districts. Price band $$$.
- Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador): Open and shadeless at midday. Suits: The Biomuseo and a flat seaside path.
- Miraflores Locks (Esclusas de Miraflores): North-west by car; go early. Suits: Ships in the Canal.
- Panamá Viejo (Panamá Viejo): East by car; open and hot. Suits: The ruins of the first city.
- Costa del Este and Punta Paitilla (Costa del Este): A car city. Suits: Malls and modern towers.
- Sleep area Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa: suits Modern hotels and a shorter ride to the business districts, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Casco Viejo: suits Old streets, plazas and restaurants, price band $$.
- Tocumen International Airport (PTY), about 21 km13 mi from the centre, 45–75 min by the usual route.