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The narrowest part of Panama, where the Canal slices the country in half, is only about 30 miles (50 km) wide. According to Lonely Planet, it is technically possible to visit the city and nearby rainforests, beaches, and mountains in a single day. Although the distance across the isthmus may not seem like much, that amount of day trips from Panama City is ambitious at best.
For a full-time resident of Panama City for the past four years who doesn’t drive, I find the logistics here discouraging. Unless you are willing to bus-hop or book touristy excursions, you are left with few options for independent day trips from Panama City. Factor in waiting times and traffic, and suddenly there’s little time in your day.
The trio of low-stress day trips that I suggest here can be accomplished without your own vehicle. Without losing your sense of independence or compromising the depth of your experience, these excursions from Panama City will introduce you to the country’s history, nature, and diversity, all within a 1.5-hour radius of the capital.
3 Day Trips from Panama City Without a Car
Colón by Old Panama Railway: One of the World’s Great Train Rides
Getting there: Uber
Best for: sightseeing, unique experience
As far as day trips from Panama City go, riding the Old Panama Railway is one of the best and easiest. Plan to invest a half day in one of the greatest train rides in the world, linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The world’s first transcontinental route, it was finished in 1855 following the California Gold Rush.
Today, you can purchase a rountrip ticket and enjoy the vintage cabins as you whisk past picturesque landscapes on a route that stretches 47.6 miles (76.6 km) across the isthmus. Along the way, you’ll pass ships making their way through the Panama Canal locks and cross Gatun Lake, the largest artificial lake at the time of construction in 1913. It plays a key role in allowing ships to traverse the Canal.
The final destination is the Caribbean port of Colón, in a region known for its distinct culture, pristine beaches, cuisine, and historic fort. Unfortunately, the departure back to Panama City is immediate, so you won’t have the chance to explore it unless you travel there under a different itinerary. (The train stop in Colón is also an hour’s ride away from where the attractions of Portobello are.)
In Panama City, trains depart from Corozal Passenger Station. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure for the 1-hour 30-minute trip. You can select a seat in a cabin with regular or panoramic dome windows. About halfway through the trip, you’ll be served beverages and a snack box. Throughout the journey, you can exit onto open-air platforms between the cabins for fresh air, better views, and photos.
What to do on a train for that long? You can soak up the atmosphere, take photos, enjoy the scenery, and socialize. Bring a book to read if you are traveling solo, or pick up a deck of cards (every other souvenir shop in Casco Viejo sells them) if traveling in a group.
Where to Eat after a Day Trip on the Panama Railway?
Back in Panama City, hop in an Uber for a 10-minute ride to El Trapiche restaurant at Albrook Mall (the biggest mall in all of Latin America). Established in 1983, El Trapiche has grown into a local institution in Panamanian gastronomy and culture, with five branches across the city. This meal will be the highlight of your trip.
The service is efficient; the home-style food is fast and good. If it’s your first time trying Panamanian food, I suggest a fiesta Panameña, a platter with a wide variety of local dishes, like sancocho (chicken soup), arroz con pollo (chicken rice), and tamal de olla (tamal casserole).
The Saturday I was there, emparedados (sandwiches) were on nearly every table in the restaurant. The Patriota sandwich, which spilled a glistening egg yolk, was particularly irresistible. The waitress equated it to a breakfast burger. Rather than bread or a tortilla, choose to have it on hojaldra (fried dough). That’s the unofficial national dish of Panama, according to the chefs at La Tapa del Coco – another amazing restaurant in Panama City you must try.
SoberanÃa National Park: Historic Jungle Trails
Getting there: Uber
Best for: hiking
Located just 30 minutes away, Soberania National Park is one of the best parks so close to Panama City. Park paths trace old trading routes along the banks of the Panama Canal, through plantations and past cacao, rubber and coffee trees.
Four trails vary in length and difficulty.
- El Charco is a 20-minute trail with hanging bridges, natural swimming pools, and a picnic area.
- Plantation Road is a moderate, 8.7-mile (14 km) return trail that winds through jungle and an old plantation popular with mountain bikers.
- Camino de Cruces is a 5.6-mile (9 km) section of a former colonial trading route across the isthmus with 500 years of history.
- Pipeline Road, located across the Chagres River, stretches 10.5 miles (17 km) and is known as one of the best places for birdwatching in Panama. (This route is more challenging to do without a car.)
El Charco is free, while Plantation Road costs $5 for foreigners, $1.50 for students and retirees, and $3 for residents. The trailhead guards do not accept cash, but instructions for online payment are provided, so make sure you have mobile data.
Where to Eat after a Panama City Day Trip to SoberanÃa National Park?
On the way back from SoberanÃa Park, ask your Uber driver to swing through Clayton, a residential area near the business-and-technology hub known as City of Knowledge. Stop for treats at Gamboa Baking Company, which offers a display of mouthwatering pastry. For more options of excellent coffee, pastry, or brunch, read my guide to Panama’s cafe culture.
Tagoba Island: Island of Flowers
Getting there: Uber + Ferry
Best for: beaches, hiking
It’s a common misconception that Panama City has beaches. You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that, as the city is washed by the Pacific Ocean all along its southern limit. Sadly, those waters are polluted, and crocodiles patrol the estuaries. If you’re looking for beaches near Panama City, then a day trip to Taboga Island is the best nearby alternative.
Known as the island of flowers, Taboga sits in the Pacific, a 30-minute ferry ride from Panama City. It’s far enough from the Canal traffic to leave it with pristine water, but close enough that you can see the city skyline from the island’s spectacular hiking viewpoints. I recommend Cerro El Vigia, whose panoramic views are accented by a mountaintop World War II bunker.
Before you plonk down on the sand, stroll through Taboga’s colorful narrow streets, pass by the second-oldest church in the Americas dating back to 1685, and maybe take a hike. Refuel at any of the modest waterfront seafood eateries.
To embark on this island day trip from Panama City, take an Uber to Flamenco Island Port on Amador Causeway. You can purchase a ticket directly at the port, but double-check the times and cost in advance. I recommend going on a weekday to avoid crowds and parties.
Bonus Day Trip from Panama City With a Car
Cajones de Chame: Canyon Lazy River
Getting there: car
Best for: hiking, swimming
In case you’re on the fence about renting a vehicle during your Panama visit, I’ve added this unique natural option – a canyon eroded by the Rio Chame, which flows lazily at the bottom of its polished rocks.
It’s hard to get to without a car and save for a few signposts, easy to miss without keeping an eye on the GPS. Though it might be an off-the-beaten-track attraction for tourists, that’s definitely not the case for locals.
At midday on a weekend, you’ll find groups of families and friends strategically stationed on the rocks, jumping into the water and enjoying the contents of their coolers. Each group listens to their music of choice from color-changing speakers, creating pockets of reggaeton, folk, and salsa along the canyon.
Two privately owned parking lots near the entrance charge $5 (cash only). Before jumping in the water, take a short hike to the end of the canyon to enjoy the views, being careful not to slip on wet rock.
Where to Eat on a Day Trip to Cajones de Chame?
Drive 15 minutes to Altos del Maria, a mountainous residential area veiled in clouds and surrounded by tall pines. The Buena Pizza Social Club is the last place you’d expect to find the best New York-style pizza in Panama. But there it is, on the side of a mountain, surrounded by forest and private homes, recognizable by its colorful exterior that bodes well for what’s to come.
Place the order and before you’ve finished inspecting all the atmospheric diner paraphernalia, as you gaze upon the Pacific coastline through the window, your sourdough thin-crust pizza arrives with slices the size of your head. With every bite, we congratulated ourselves for making the drive. As the first customers through the door, we made the classic mistake of overordering, so one entire pizza came home with us in the back seat. One is plenty for two.
I Have to Ask
Which of these day trips from Panama City did you take and what did you think of it? I’d love to read about it in the comments.
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