Best Places to Stay in Panama City
Best Places to Stay in Panama City
Where to stay in Panama City comes down to one choice more than any other: Casco Viejo’s colonial charm and walkability, or the modern towers near the business district with easier transit access. Here’s how the neighborhoods and the actual verified properties stack up.
Casco Viejo: the obvious first-trip base
The restored colonial old town puts nearly everything on a typical itinerary within walking distance or a short Uber: rooftop bars, boutique hotels, and the Miraflores and Panama Viejo day trips both starting from here. The American Trade Hotel, a restored 1917 building and part of the Small Luxury Hotels group, is the standout name in the neighborhood. Las Clementinas and Central Hotel Panama are two other real Casco Viejo properties worth checking, though confirm current room offerings and rates directly before booking. Check current rates and availability since restored colonial-building rooms book out faster than the modern towers elsewhere in the city.
Marbella and El Cangrejo: where locals actually eat and drink
Less postcard-pretty than Casco Viejo, but this is the modern banking and business core, and the dining and nightlife scene here is the one locals go to on a Friday rather than the one built for tourists. A practical base if you want easy Metro access and want a break from the old town’s tourist density in the evenings.
Punta Pacifica: for the Waldorf Astoria and quiet
The Waldorf Astoria Panama, opened in 2013, anchors this glossy high-rise district near Multiplaza mall. It’s quieter and more residential than anywhere else on this list, a solid pick if you want a five-star base with easy mall access and don’t mind a short Uber into Casco Viejo for the sights.
Amador Causeway: for the Taboga ferry and waterfront
Fewer hotel options here, but staying near the causeway puts you steps from the Biomuseo, the marinas, and the ferry dock for Isla Taboga, worth considering if an island day is the centerpiece of your trip rather than an afterthought.
Booking timing
December through April is peak season, and Casco Viejo’s restored-building rooms are the first to sell out citywide. Book that neighborhood at least a few weeks ahead if your dates fall in the dry season. Outside of Casco Viejo, competition for rooms in Marbella and Punta Pacifica eases up considerably, so those two neighborhoods are more forgiving for last-minute planning.
Read more: Panama City Travel Guide 2026 for how each neighborhood fits into a full trip.