Ginés's Guidebook
Neighborhoods
San Felipe
Food scene
Great Tapas, the owners Nino and Geraldina are wonderful hosts, the place is always packed, you should make reservations.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Restaurante Santa Rita
Avenida Eloy AlfaroGreat Tapas, the owners Nino and Geraldina are wonderful hosts, the place is always packed, you should make reservations.
Classy place, located on top of an old theatre, great service and great food, the bar is well tended, good for date night.
Caliope
Classy place, located on top of an old theatre, great service and great food, the bar is well tended, good for date night.
The best street food in casco viejo prepared by young aspiring chefs. A must go! Just walk in, be prepared to wait a bit.
22 personas locales recomiendan
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Calle José D. de la ObaldíaThe best street food in casco viejo prepared by young aspiring chefs. A must go! Just walk in, be prepared to wait a bit.
Very hip, very good food, expensive. Ask for a rooftop table, try to get there before sundown.
12 personas locales recomiendan
Salvaje Restaurante y Rooftop
Very hip, very good food, expensive. Ask for a rooftop table, try to get there before sundown.
Very small, quaint place, great for breakfast, natural food, wonderful pastries, reasonably priced.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Dodó
Calle 1a OesteVery small, quaint place, great for breakfast, natural food, wonderful pastries, reasonably priced.
Very very hip, you will meet young people from Panama City and from around the world. The rooftop is always packed, noisy, lively. Very Affordable.
Selina Casco Viejo Panama City
Avenida BVery very hip, you will meet young people from Panama City and from around the world. The rooftop is always packed, noisy, lively. Very Affordable.
This is a historic building that is now a boutique hotel. The food is very good, and you should visit Cafe Tiempos for perhaps the best coffee in the world.
American Trade Hotel & Hall
Avenida Central EspañaThis is a historic building that is now a boutique hotel. The food is very good, and you should visit Cafe Tiempos for perhaps the best coffee in the world.
Great coffee, they select the best local coffee and roast it in house. Strongly recommend.
Café Unido
Calle 9a OesteGreat coffee, they select the best local coffee and roast it in house. Strongly recommend.
Sightseeing
The history of the Panama Canal. Very well curated exhibit with unique photos and memorabilia from the construction and early days of the canal.
50 personas locales recomiendan
Museo del Canal de Panamá
Calle 5a EsteThe history of the Panama Canal. Very well curated exhibit with unique photos and memorabilia from the construction and early days of the canal.
The oldest and grandest theater in Panama. Check if they have performances while you are visiting.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Teatro Nacional
Avenida BThe oldest and grandest theater in Panama. Check if they have performances while you are visiting.
Consejos para la ciudad
Cómo moverse
A very unique neighborhood
Everything in Casco Viejo is at walking distance. The original city was built in the XVII century, some of the buildings of that era still persist. The building of the French Canal brought an economic boom to the city in the late XIX century. You will find french colonial architecture to be dominant in the buildings of the city, just look at the balconies. The city is safe and you may walk at any hour.
Cómo moverse
Going to Panama City or the Panama Canal
For moving around Panama City and nearby areas, I recommend Uber. The fares are reasonable, even if you request Uber Black (suggested), taxis are rickety and the fare is unpredictable.
Reserva antes de ir
Restaurant Reservations
The best restaurants will ask for reservations, but don’t be afraid to just walk in, specially during week days. In Degusta.com (in Spanish) you will find the best reviews and you can book your reservations in most restaurants.
Qué empacar
Rain
From march to December expect daily rains. Rain showers are short but very strong. There are umbrellas in the apartment, check the weather before going out and bring your umbrella.