Getting around Panama City

Public transport

The super-efficient Metro De Panamá (tel: +507 504 7200; www.elmetrodepanama.com) was built with suburban commuters in mind and is incredibly cheap. The modern MiBus (tel: +507 800 9393; www.mibus.com.pa) buses (accessed via top-up cards) are almost as crowded as their characterful predecessors, the Diablos Rojos, which were such a vital part of the city's fabric with their colourful paintwork and loud music (not to mention nerve-wracking driving).

Taxis

You can hail taxis on the street. They are relatively cheap; though make sure the driver switches the meter on. Taxis are yellow and clearly marked with the name of the taxi company. Yellow Car Taxi (tel: +507 369 9999; www.yellowcartaxi.com) are reputable and reliable.

Driving

Parking is widely available throughout the city centre, though it is recommended that you only use guarded lots as car theft and vandalism remains a problem.

Car hire

You must be at least 23 years old to hire a car. Recommended car hire companies in Panama City include Avis (tel: +507 238 4037; www.avis.com), Thrifty (tel: +507 238 4955; www.thrifty.com) and National (tel: +507 238 4144; www.nationalpanama.com).

Bicycle hire

The city itself is neither easy nor pleasant to cycle, being entirely too hilly and congested. However, there are several bike hire places along the scenic 6km (4-mile) Amador Causeway. Try Bikes and More, just past the Figali Convention Centre (tel: +507 211 8600).

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Toscana Inn Hotel

A modestly-sized boutique hotel in Downtown Panama City, Toscana Inn comes equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi in every room. Café Los Girasoles restaurant serves up Panamanian cuisine for dinner and a complimentary buffet-breakfast spread in the morning.

The Westin Playa Bonita Panama

A luxury, beachfront hotel with six restaurants, a full-service spa, business centre, kids club and three infinity pools, each kitted out with a swim-up bar. Located approximately 20 minutes outside of the city centre, flanked by rainforest, the resort has 611 luxury rooms and suites, many offer views of the Pacific.

El Machico Hostel

Situated in Panama City's Marbella district, this lively hostel fosters a laid back atmosphere with courtyard swimming pool, open air cinema nights, pool games and a small bar.

Hotel DeVille

This is one of Panama City’s top-end boutique hotels, located in one of the city's most romantic spots. Each of the 33 rooms are individually (and impeccably) decorated. The difference here is in the details right down to the antique furniture that graces each handsome room. Beautiful and classy, with rooms and suites available at rather high prices but you won’t be sorry.

Hotel Riande Continental

Centred on a palm tree-fringed swimming pool, this sophisticated Panama City hotel is an excellent choice if you're searching for low-key luxury. Spacious rooms offer modern furnishings and sweeping views of the Panama City skyline. All rooms have a mini-bar and cable TV, and there is a surcharge for the Wi-Fi which is available all over the hotel.

Las Clementinas

Las Clementinas is another Casco Viejo charmer, in a fully-revamped colonial building in the most beautiful part of town. They have gone for understated elegance and style here, and have definitely succeeded. Furnishings are either original antiques or perfect replicas. Las Clementinas also has a bar and cafe with great food.

Introducing Panama City

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