Discovering Panama City on a Canal Cruise.
Discovering Panama City in 2 Days-Day 1
Discovering Panama City: Where Modernity Meets History
If you’re looking for a destination that blends vibrant culture, rich history, and sleek modernity, Panama City deserves a top spot on your list. This Central American capital offers more than just a stopover between oceans—it’s a dynamic city with something for every traveler and this is where our adventure starts with 2 days in Discovering Panama City with a half day Panama City/Canal Tour.
Day 1: Half Day Panama City/Canal Tour
For the first time since we began cruising, we booked our flights and hotel through the cruise line. This time, we chose Norwegian Cruise Line on the Jade. We decided to fly into Panama two days before the cruise to explore the area. Norwegian booked us on an airline we had never flown with before, Copa Airlines. They offered a direct 8-hour flight that left at 12:55 AM on February 7, 2025. This timing worked well for us, as we could sleep on the flight and arrive the same day at 10:15 AM (thanks to the time difference), giving us a whole day to explore.
Copa Airlines was an acceptable choice. The plane was older, but it was adequate for our needs, and they served a snack followed by breakfast. Would I fly with them again? Sure, if it’s a short flight.
One of the best aspects of booking everything through the cruise line is that you don’t have to worry about a thing. A representative from Norwegian met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel, the Hilton Panama, which is located about 10 to 15 minutes from the pier. Upon our arrival at the Hilton, another Norwegian representative greeted us and assisted with check-in. This allowed us to make our 1:15 PM Panama City/Canal Tour without any hassle.and we were able to make our 1:15 pm Panama City/Canal Tour.
Panama City, is a city where the old world meets the new, where dense rainforests brush against gleaming glass towers, and where every corner tells a story of conquest, commerce, and culture. A tour around this dynamic metropolis is a journey through time, nature, and innovation.
Tour Starts with the NEW
Our tour started with a started with a drive around the “NEW” with its skyscrapers, greenways, parks, malls. The city is built for the people, we loved that on Sunday morning’s the Main Street was closed down for families to walk, jog or ride their bikes around the parks.
Next Stop the OLD
Then it was on to Casco Viejo, the city’s charming colonial district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cobblestone streets wind through a mix of restored churches, boutique hotels, lively plazas, and rooftop cafés This part of the tour was a walking tour so we walked by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace), then a walk around the center plaza with it’s restaurants, shops and churches.
One thing that will always put a smile on your face in Panama City is these cute little guys. Panama is home to the Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth (Brady-Pus Pygmaeus) these sloths are critically endangered species. We all got out to take pictures while our tour guide told us about them.
Last Stop of the Tour
Last stop on our tour was the MiraFlores Locks which are on the Pacific side of the canal. The Miraflores Visitor Center is the prime spot to observe the Panama Canal’s operations and can get very busy with bus loads of tourist stopping. It does features multiple observation decks, providing front-row views of massive cargo and cruise ships navigating the locks, but I would suggest getting there early for a good spot. To witness cargo ships in the locks the best time is Morning Transit: from 8:00 am to 10:00 am Pacific to Atlantic direction and Afternoon Transit from 1:00 pm to 4:40 pm from Atlantic to Pacific direction.
The center also houses a four-floor interactive museum detailing the canal’s history, operations, and ecological significance. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a 3D IMAX theater showcasing the canal’s story.
When discovering Panama City you must try the food so for the first evening we decided to stay close to our Hilton since it was a very long day so we ate at all the hotel and we couldn’t have been any happier with our dinner at the Hilton, the dinner was excellent, sitting outside on the patio with an evening view of the city.
We started with one of my favorites Empanades.
One of the true highlights of Panama City is its incredible seafood—fresh, flavorful, and deeply tied to the local culture. Our next course was grilled octopus, and it was nothing short of exceptional. Perfectly charred on the outside, tender on the inside, and served with a citrusy twist—it was easily one of the best I’ve ever had.
We finished dinner with a dessert that looked like a mango, but once you broke into it, you found a creamy white chocolate mango filling. What a wonderful way to end a delicious meal and our first of wonderful meals to come
As the sun begins to set over Panama City, there’s no better way to end the day than with a walk along the Cinta Costera, where ocean breezes and skyline views create the perfect backdrop for reflection. The city lights start to flicker on, casting a golden glow over the bay, while locals jog, bike, and gather along the waterfront. Whether you unwind with a cocktail at a rooftop bar or simply sit by the water watching ships drift toward the canal, the energy of the city gently fades into a calm, tropical night, but for us it was a long day of travel and touring so it was time for us to say goodnight and get ready for day 2.
