Panama City Walking Routes: Casco to Ancón

Panama City walks well in short bursts. Four routes cover the colonial quarter, the waterfront, a rainforest hill and the seafood market, each doable in one to two hours.

Casco Viejo plazas

Start at Plaza Herrera and move to Plaza Bolívar, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Francia, about 90 minutes at a gentle pace. Along the way: the Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua, the Iglesia de San José with its golden altar, the monument to the French canal builders and the sea wall at Paseo Esteban Huertas. A local guide-led version takes two hours and costs about $15 to $25 per person. Start at 08:00 to avoid heat, or at 16:30 for sunset.

Cinta Costera

This 7 km coastal park links the old quarter to the downtown skyline. Fishermen cast nets from the rocks, runners fill the path at dawn, and the photography at sunrise over the Pacific is excellent. Walk a section and return by Uber, which costs about $3.50 to $6 for a short hop.

Ancón Hill

A paved trail takes 30 to 45 minutes to the 199 m summit and the huge Panamanian flag. It is free. Go at 07:00 for sloths, toucans, agoutis and coatis; the shade on the lower stretch helps, but bring water. For a longer forest walk, the Metropolitan Natural Park has seven trails of about 5 km, $4 for foreign adults and daily hours of 06:00 to 16:30.

Mercado de Mariscos

The municipal seafood market is lively in the morning. Eat a cup of corvina ceviche at the outdoor tables for about $3 to $6. Take an Uber there and back rather than walking, since the market sits beside neighbourhoods that are not for strolling.

Walking safety

  • Stay inside the restored Casco Viejo core. Do not walk west beyond it, especially after dark.
  • Use Uber between Casco Viejo and downtown or the causeway after sunset.
  • Carry little: a phone, a card and a small amount of cash.
  • Tap water is safe, so refill your bottle at the hotel.

Timing and what to wear

Mornings from 06:30 to 10:00 are the coolest. Wear shoes with grip for the cobbles and the hill, and carry a light rain layer between May and November.

Extras

Two other places are worth separate trips: the 6 km Amador Causeway, which is flat and breezy, and the 1519 ruins at Panamá Viejo , about 10 km east, a separate outing by taxi. If you want company, look at Casco Viejo walking tours on GetYourGuide .

Next, try the sightseeing page for the ticketed sights.

Verdict: walk Casco Viejo twice, once at 08:00 and once at sunset, because the same streets look like two different places.