How Many Days in Panama City Do You Really Need? My Honest Recommendation

How Many Days in Panama City Do You Need? My Quick Answer

For Panama City itself, I think one full day is enough.

If you only have one day, I’d spend the morning exploring Casco Viejo and then get out of the city in the afternoon for the Panama Canal, Monkey Island and wildlife tour.

With 2 days in Panama City, I’d use the second day for either the San Blas Islands or the Embera village and waterfall tour.

And with 3 days, I’d do both.

So my answer is pretty simple:

• 1 day: Enough for Panama City itself
• 2 days: Panama City + one full-day trip
• 3 days: Panama City + San Blas + Embera village
• More than 3 days: Only if there are other trips around Panama you specifically want to do or you want to travel much slower

Is 1 Day in Panama City Enough?

Yes. That’s how much time I had, and for the city itself, I’d choose one day again.

I’d do my day differently now because ours was completely unplanned and spent mostly walking around in the rain, but I don’t think I’d make it longer.

If I went back, my day would look like this:

Morning: Explore Casco Viejo
Lunch: Fonda San Felipe
Afternoon: Panama Canal, Monkey Island & Wildlife Tour
Evening: Rooftop bar in Casco Viejo

That’s enough for me to see some of Panama City without spending the entire day going from one tourist attraction to another, and the afternoon tour gets you onto the Panama Canal while also getting you out into the rainforest.

I’ve already put together the full itinerary with everything I’d do, so if you only have 24 hours, read my Panama City in One Day guide.

Are 2 Days in Panama City Enough?

Two days gives you time for Panama City and one of the full-day trips I’d really want to do if I went back.

I’d keep the first day exactly as above.

For the second day, I’d choose between:

San Blas Islands

If beaches and islands are more your thing, I’d use the second day for a San Blas Island hopping tour.

This would probably be one of the first things I’d look at when deciding whether to add another day around Panama City because you’re not just finding more things to do in the capital. You’re using the extra day to see somewhere completely different.

→ Book here: San Blas Island Hopping Day Tour

Embera Village & Waterfall

The other option I’d seriously consider is the Embera Native Village & Waterfall Tour.

Again, this is exactly why I think the answer changes depending on what you mean by “How many days do I need in Panama City?”

You don’t necessarily need the second day for Panama City. You might want it because you’re already there and it gives you access to experiences elsewhere in Panama.

→ Book here: Embera Native Village & Waterfall Tour & Lunch

Are 3 Days in Panama City Enough?

If I had three full days available, this is where I’d do both.

Day 1: Panama City + Panama Canal/Monkey Island
Day 2: San Blas Islands
Day 3: Embera village + waterfall

That would give me three completely different days without needing to manufacture three days worth of sightseeing in Panama City itself.

And that’s the important distinction.

When someone says they’re spending three days in Panama City, that doesn’t mean all three days have to be spent walking around the capital.

Where to Stay in Panama City

I stayed at Casa Areka when I visited Panama City. We were backpacking through Central America on a budget, and it worked well for the short time we were there.

If I went back now, though, I’d probably stay at Viajero Casco Viejo Hostel. I’ve stayed at Viajero in Medellín, Colombia, before and really liked the chain. Their hostels are social, they organize activities and they’re the kind of place I’d choose when traveling solo and wanting to meet people.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Panama City, these are the options I’d pick depending on your budget:

→ Backpacker: Viajero Casco Viejo Hostel

→ Budget: MARINN Tropical Vibes Hotel

→ Mid-Range:Hyatt Regency Panama City

→ Luxury:Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama City

If you’re backpacking, I also have a full guide to the best hostels in Panama City with more options.

What If You Want to See the Panama Canal Locks?

There’s one thing I’d factor in separately: the Panama Canal locks.

The Monkey Island and wildlife tour I’d personally choose for my first day gets you onto the Panama Canal, but it doesn’t visit the locks.

So if seeing the locks is one of the main reasons you’re coming to Panama, don’t blindly follow my itinerary and then realize you’ve missed the thing you actually wanted to see.

I’d either change the first day to include them or give myself enough time to visit them separately.

For me, Monkey Island and the wildlife experience sound more interesting. But that’s my trip, not yours.

Is It Worth Spending More Than 3 Days in Panama City?

I wouldn’t personally add a fourth or fifth day because I thought I needed more time to explore Panama City.

If there were other day trips I wanted to do, that would be different. And if you like traveling slowly, obviously you don’t need to move at the same pace I do.

But on my own trip, Panama City was the beginning rather than the destination. After our day there, we took the night bus and continued toward Bocas del Toro, which was somewhere we were much more excited to reach.

If I had extra days in Panama again, I’d still want to use them to see more of Panama, rather than automatically giving all of them to the capital.

How Many Days Would I Spend in Panama City If I Went Back?

One day for Panama City itself.

That’s still my answer.

If I went back with more time, I’d add days for San Blas, the Embera village and potentially the Canal locks.

So I could easily base myself around Panama City for longer because there are things nearby I want to experience. I just wouldn’t confuse that with needing several days to see Panama City.

FAQs About How Many Days in Panama City

Is 2 days enough for Panama City?

Yes. I actually think one full day is enough for the city itself, so with two days I’d use the second for a day trip.

San Blas and the Embera village are the two I’d look at first.

Is 3 days too long in Panama City?

Not if you’re planning day trips.

I wouldn’t personally spend all three days sightseeing in Panama City, but three days gives you enough time for the city and two completely different experiences outside it.

Can you visit Panama City in one day?

Yes. That’s exactly how much time I had.

I wouldn’t try to see every attraction, but you can absolutely get a feel for Panama City in one day. I’ve written a separate one-day Panama City itinerary with what I’d do differently if I went back.

How many nights should you stay in Panama City?

I’d base this on your arrival and departure times rather than choosing a random number of nights.

What matters more is how many full days you actually have. If you arrive late and leave early, two nights can still mean you only have one useful day.

Should I spend more time in Panama City or Bocas del Toro?

For my kind of trip, Bocas del Toro.

Panama City is useful for flying in, seeing the capital and accessing some really interesting trips around it, but Bocas was somewhere we specifically wanted to reach and spend time.

If your Panama trip is limited, I wouldn’t automatically give most of your days to the capital.

How Many Days in Panama City: Final Thoughts

So, how many days in Panama City do you need?

I’d give the city itself one full day.

If you have two or three days available, that’s when I’d start adding the experiences outside Panama City that I didn’t get to do on my first trip: San Blas, the Embera village and, if it’s important to you, the Panama Canal locks.

For me, staying longer isn’t really about needing more time in Panama City. It’s about how much more of Panama you want to see while you’re there.

Read My Other Panama Guides

Is Panama City Worth Visiting? My Experience Visiting Panama’s Capital

The 5 Best Hostels in Panama City, Panama

Panama City in One Day: The Itinerary I’d Follow If I Went Back

Casa Areka Hostel Review: What €10 Gets You in Panama City

My Panama Itinerary: The Start of My 8-Country Central America Trip