Location: Panama City
Top Things to do in Panama City
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Top 10 Specialty Museums in Panama City, Panama Province
A diverse multicultural city of almost 1.3 million, Panama City offers a lot more than an up-close view of the Canal. Shantytowns slink up alongside shiny high-rise condos. The Old City is an atmospheric labyrinth of churches, plazas and palaces. Fifteen miles from downtown Panama City, Soberania National Park is an excellent destination for hiking and birding. For a fascinating look at the canal, take a taxi or local bus to Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and look down on the traffic below.
Restaurants in Panama City
1. Centro de Interpretacion de Ciudad del Saber
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
The City of Knowledge Interpretation Center has an exhibition about the history of Fort Clayton. It emphasizes the different stages of its development and the evolution of its architecture. In addition, it highlights the connection between the place and the history of Panama, especially that related to the military presence of the United States in Panama.
2. Museo de la Mola
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 329jimmym - Miami, United States
This tiny museum in the heart of the old quarter is a must see on you trip to Panama. It shows the history of the art craft called Mola, created by the indigenous tribes of Guna Yala, formerly San Blas. They display an amazing collection of these works of art and have several interactive displays for the kids to enjoy. Do go and visit this gem, recently opened in Panama City.
3. Biomuseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,616 reviews
Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is his only work in Latin America and the tropics. The building was designed to tell the story of how the isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents, separating a vast ocean in two, and changing the planet's biodiversity forever.
Reviewed By mayohrm50 - Warwick, United States
This is a great museum to learn about the formation of the isthmus, its evolutionary importance, and the natural history of Panama up to the present day. The exhibits on several floors are state-of-the-art. The museum not only celebrates the wonders of natural life in Panama and its two oceans, it also teaches us about man's impact on the environment, the perils of climate change, and the need to preserve and protect the natural world around us.
4. Museo de la Libertad
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
The Museo de la Libertad is a non-profit association that was created to promote democratic values, the principles of freedom, and the respect and observance of human rights. The Foundation's flagship project is the Museum of Freedom, whose first phase opened on May 22, 2019. A first pavilion known as “Equality” was inaugurated; its main theme is: “human rights are yours and of all".
Reviewed By steph_kirby - Toronto, Canada
After visiting the canal, the Amador causeway, the museum of the history of the canal, the biodiversity museum, Ancon Hill and the old city, we had some time to fill. We really enjoyed our 45 minute visit in this important, modern and well curated museum. They offer a tour in English, which runs an hour and a half. Sadly we didn’t have time for this, but the staff members at this museum are young, extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic about sharing information about human rights in Panama and the world. They speak English perfectly and are available to explain and interpret the exhibits. Loved this museum, as did our teenage kids.
5. Afro-Antillian Museum (Museo Afro Antillano de Panama )
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Open Tuesday-Sunday, this museum pays tribute to the 30,000-plus black West Indians who made up the vast majority of the Canal’s foreign laborers, many of whom died doing this dangerous work. See reconstructed examples of Afro-Antillanos’ dismal living conditions, photos and artifacts.
Reviewed By michelefV9765EM - Louisville, United States
Because I travel by METRO when I visit Panama City, it was very easy to get to the Afro-Antillian Museum. It is directly across the street from Estacion 5 de Mayo. What's even better, it costs only a dollar. The Museum tells the story of people from the Caribbean who traveled to Panama to build the Canal, the lives they lived, the difficulties they faced, and they managed to make new lives for themselves in Panama, thus shaping and changing what Panama was to what it has become today. It was worth the time and the cost is right. You won't be sorry you went.
6. MAC Panama
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 30 reviews
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC Panamá) is a place for creativity and conversation. Everyone is welcome.
Reviewed By 880juniorb - Panama City, Panama
Great place to come and see beautiful art. The exhibition right now is very informative about the Guna people of Panama.
7. Museo Panama Viejo
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By midway42 - Minnesota, United States
Located just a short walk from the Ascuncion Cathedral, the Panama Viejo museum is a new addition to the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage site. Starting on the second floor, it begins with coverage of the first human settlements in the area around 500AD, including pottery shards and dioramas of daily life. The Spanish presence in the area obviously takes up most of the exhibitions, with military life and daily colonial life being the featured elements. Digital displays, movies reenacting the invasion by Henry Morgan, and life-sized kitchens with complete dining sets share space with a meticulous diorama of the colonial town circa the 16th Century. I spent a little over an hour here and made a quick visit to the small souvenir shop before departure. In summary, I thought this museum was a hidden gem and added tremendously to my understanding of the ruins (see separate review) I had just toured. English signage was excellent and the layout chronologically made sense. There were several opportunities to visualize Panama Viejo in its heyday, with the diorama and digital recreations. Overall the static archeological finds and modern computerized recreations definitely worked with each reinforcing the other if that makes sense. Moreover, the entire museum can be covered in one to two hours depending on your enthusiasm. An excellent visit and highly recommended.
8. Museu da Esmeralda
9. Museo de la Nacionalidad
Overall Ratings
1.5 based on 2 reviews
10. Centro Cultural Internacional
The objective of the CCI (International Cultural Center) is to create a multidisciplinary space of collective creation and of the reception of existing artistic groups. The project proposes supporting local and international artistic production, by providing an autonomous picture as an artistic springboard. Its mission is to structure and promote cultural exchanges.
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