The Best Parks in Panama City: Your Ultimate Guide

When I first moved to Panama City, it didn’t strike me as particularly walkable compared to other cities I’d lived in. But once I began exploring, I found more and more parks in Panama City that I wish I’d known about from day one.

Yes, there are a few neighborhoods with decent sidewalks, but the real joy lies in the city’s parks, promenades, and trails. After all, Panama City borders the jungle, so nature is always just around the corner. 

Some come to these outdoor spaces for sightseeing, to enjoy panoramic skyline views, spot wildlife, or tick off must-sees. Others just want a place to get their steps in, clear their head, or catch up with a friend over coffee. Either way, the city has more options than you’d expect.

This is the guide I was searching for when I first arrived. The only one you’ll need for the best parks in Panama City, Panama, free outdoor spaces, and the top hikes near the city.

Bonus: every urban park is paired with a nearby attraction and a food stop. Because every walk needs a view and a treat at the end.

Best Parks in Panama City and Pairings on a Map

The Best Urban Parks in Panama City

Cinta Costera

Best For: walking, running, cycling, recreational activities
Combine with: Mercado de Mariscos
The Reward: brunch at La Vasquita | Frozen desserts

Cinta Costera (Coastal Belt) is a 7km (4.3 mi) promenade that stretches along the coast, allowing for a walk from Casco Viejo to Marbella and Punta Pacifica. There are free courts, jungle gyms, playgrounds, lookouts, and open-air pavilions that host everything from dance classes to martial arts. It’s a popular place to stroll, run, cycle, play tennis, and admire the iconic Panama City skyline. 

If you’re in Panama City on a Sunday, take advantage of the cyclovía, when part of Cinta Costera is closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to noon, turning the highway into a car-free zone. You can rent a bicycle in Casco Viejo or at Rali on Avenida Balboa. This is just one of many iconic ways to experience Panama City.

If it’s your first time in Panama City, combine your walk with a stop at Mercado de Mariscos, conveniently located on Avenida Balboa.

With little shade along the route, it’s best to start early to beat the midday heat. Bring sun protection, and keep an eye on the solmaforo, which measures UV intensity. By the time you’re done, you’ll have earned a well-deserved brunch or a frozen dessert.

Grab a brunch at La Vasquita, which has locations in both Marbella and Casco Viejo, so it doesn’t matter where you start your walk. Be sure to order the Spanish omelette and Basque cheesecake.

If you’re in the mood for something frozen instead, Marbella has plenty of sweet options:

• Pinkberry for classic frozen yogurt,
• Keene’s Ice Creams for local flavors using Panamanian ingredients,
• Maru Korean Desserts Café for bingsu, a light and fluffy shaved milk-ice dessert.

Amador Causeway

Best For: walking, running, cycling, and recreational activities
Combine with: Museum of Biodiversity (Bio Museo)
The Reward: Raspado | Coffee & pastries at Deli Gourmet

The Amador Causeway is a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile), rock-lined strip connecting four small islands to the mainland. With ships passing on one side and the city skyline on the other, it offers one-of-a-kind viewpoints and a refreshing ocean breeze. 

In the mornings, the causeway doubles as a training ground for marathoners and triathletes, but it welcomes every kind of outdoor fun. First-timers in Panama should pair their visit with the Museum of Biodiversity, which takes about two hours to explore. Just before the museum, you’ll find a bike rental shop offering scooters, rollerblades, and even quadracycles for the whole family.

Thanks to its prime location, Amador Causeway is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Panama City. As the sun dips, street food pushcarts roll out and the small amusement park at the end of the causeway comes alive. Cool off with a raspa’o (shaved ice cup) while you take in the view.

If you fancy a long walk, arrive early and bring sun protection—there’s no shade along the way. Once you’re done, hop in an Uber to Casco Viejo to refuel at Deli Gourmet, right on Plaza Herrera. Pssst… their spanakopitas are bomb. While in the neighborhood, be sure to visit some of the must-see museums in Casco Viejo.

Parque Omar Torrijos

Best For: walking, running, recreational activities
Combine with: Panama Viejo Archaeological Site
The Reward: endless options in Panama City’s San Francisco foodie neighborhood

Located on the northern edge of the hipster San Francisco neighborhood, Parque Omar is Panama’s version of Central Park. It’s genuinely one of the best parks in Panama City. Originally a 1950s golf course, the area was transformed in 1982 into 55 hectares of lush parkland featuring open-air concert spaces, playgrounds, cycling ramps, and walking paths.

I’ve watched the park change with the seasons and concluded I love it most in October and November, when the rainy season transitions to dry. The greenery is at its most vivid, and at 5 p.m., a delicious breeze rolls in. That remarkable Panama sunset arrives at 6:30 p.m. 

Grab a pipa fria (cold young coconut) from the juice shop at the back of the park and join the sunset-watching crew in front of the amphitheater. Then, stick around for a fiery Zumba class at 7 p.m. at the park’s main entrance (just $2 Mon to Fri), or head to San Francisco for dinner at the iconic Tapa del Coco, an easy walk from the park.

Want more restaurant recommendations? I got you!
Best Restaurants in Panama City: Panamanian and International Cuisine

If visiting the park as a second stop after the Panama Viejo Archaeological Site, Brew Coffee Company is a convenient spot between the two. It has a cozy alfresco section, a well-stocked mini library, and serves specialty Panamanian coffee and tasty sandwiches.

In the morning, coffee and pastries at Athanasiou Greek Bakery, located across the road on Via Porras, make a perfect follow-up.

Malecon in Costa del Este

Best For: walking, running
Combine with: Recreational activities | Pilates Class
The Reward: coffee and sourdough at Krume Backer

Costa del Este is a residential and corporate neighborhood that feels like a separate town due to its secluded location, away from major attractions and the city center – one reason I consider it off the beaten path. Unless you’ve been to Panama City before or have a very flexible itinerary, it’s not a typical stop. Yet it’s the most walkable neighborhood and home to some of the best outdoor spaces in Panama City.

The Malecon is a promenade stretching along the mangroves and high-end real estate. It’s one of my favorite urban walks in Panama City, with minimal traffic and lookout points perfect for birdwatching and fresh takes on the city skyline.

Visiting this corporate-expat-residential village is especially worth it when combined with the wellness and dining scene. The neighborhood has some of the trendiest workout studios, cafes, and restaurants in Panama City. Many popular spots open second branches here to serve residents who prefer to stay local.

My ideal morning in Costa del Este would start with a sculpt class at Saha Studio, followed by a walk along the Malecon, and coffee with sourdough toast at Krume Backer. If you have kids, they’ll love Costa Skate & Bike Park. Or have a family match at the padel club, finishing with a treat at Charlie’s Cream.

Felipe Motta Park

Best For: walking, picnic
The Reward: picnic with goods from Casa de Jamón

Felipe Motta Park, named after a Panamanian businessman, features two lakes, walking trails, and sports courts. But the main attraction is the resident family of ducks: plump, confident, and completely unbothered by people on their paths. They are the bosses here! 

The park is framed by Flamboyan trees, which burst into fiery red blooms in late spring and summer. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, connect with nature, and find creative angles for photography. Stop at La Casa de Jamón on the way to pick up Panama City’s most delicious Spanish bocadillos, a punnet of fruit, and have a picnic in the park.

Cerro Ancón

Best For: incline walking

Panama takes pride in the abundance of national parks, and two of them are right within the city limits. One offers a proper hike—more on that later—and the other, Cerro Ancon, is more of an uphill walk. 

Rising above the city, Cerro Ancón is topped with a giant Panama flag, the symbol of Panama’s independence. The climb to the top is a 30-minute walk on pavement, with sweeping views: Cinta Costera curving along the coast, Casco Viejo’s rooftops, shiny skyscrapers, and the Bridge of the Americas overseeing ships entering the Panama Canal. 

Wildlife often makes an appearance on Cerro Ancón, especially during the dry season. My first visit was uneventful, but on my second, I spotted a group of toucans and…not one, but two sloths up close! Your best chance of spotting wildlife is in the morning, between 8 and 10 a.m.

Since I tend to sweat buckets on this incline walk in the heat, I prefer to return to my accommodation before heading back out for a treat. You can check my recommendations for the best cafes and bakeries in Panama City to find the perfect pick-me-up for you.

The Best Parks for Hiking near Panama City

Metropolitan Park of Panama City

Best For: hiking

Spanning 265 hectares, Metropolitan Park is the largest park in Panama City, a giant green lung within city limits that’s not to be missed.

Entry costs $5 and gives you access to a variety of trails, with the highlight being the 4.8-kilometer (3-mile) loop. This route winds along gravel paths, dirt trails, and stairs formed by tree roots, leading to the stunning Mirador Cerro Cedro, where tree canopies frame downtown Panama City. 

Along the way, you’ll see turtle-filled ponds, busy worker ants, monkeys, and even sloths, plus a variety of beautiful plant species.

Soberanía National Park

Best For: hiking

Located just 30 minutes away, Soberania National Park offers the best hikes near Panama City, featuring stunning historic trails. The park sits along the banks of the Panama Canal, and its paths trace old trading routes through plantations and past tropical plants, including cacao, rubber, and coffee trees. 

There are three trails to choose from, varying 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, 14km (8.7 miles) return trail that winds through jungle and an old plantation. Be cautious of bikers, as this is a popular mountain biking route, especially on weekends. Camino de Cruces is a 9 km (5.6 mile) section of a transisthmian route with 500 years of history as a colonial trading route. Lastly, Pipeline Road, located across the Chagres River, stretches 17 km (10.5 miles) and is one of the best spots for birdwatching in Panama.

El Charco is free to enter, while Plantation Road requires a fee: $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.

On the way back from Soberanía Park, swing through Clayton, a primarily residential area neighboring City of Knowledge, a hub for business and technology. Clayton has a suburban feel and is worth a stop if you’re in the area to pick up post-hike treats at Gamboa Baking Company. Sit outside to spare the comfort of others…if you know what I mean.

The Best Parks in Panama City: Final Thoughts

Now that you’re armed with this list of the best parks in Panama City, Panama, you’ll have no shortage of places to stretch your legs. So lace up your walking shoes and go claim your daily dose of fresh air and maybe even a sloth sighting.