Panama City
Panama City is a major urban center in Panama.
On this page: Events in Panama City · City Hall in Panama City · Healthcare & Hospitals in Panama City · Schools & Education in Panama City · Museums in Panama City · Airports in Panama City
Catholic jurisdiction: Latin — Archdiocese of Panamá
About Panama City
Panama City is located in the Panamá District of Panama, situated on the Pacific coast. The city serves as the administrative and geographic center of the country.
Panama City is known for its rich history and cultural significance, with a unique blend of traditional and modern architecture. The city's economy is driven by various industries, including finance, commerce, and tourism, making it a notable urban hub in Central America.
Panama City's practical civic information, including rules, fees, transport, and local services, is collected and verified against official sources, providing valuable insights for residents and visitors alike.
Panama City at a glance
Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá) is the capital and largest city of Panama, with approximately 1.5 million residents in the city proper and over 2 million in the metropolitan area. It is Central America’s most modern and cosmopolitan urban centre.
Historic Significance
Founded on 15 August 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila, Panama City is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. The Casco Viejo (historic quarter) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ruins of Panamá Viejo (the original settlement) are also UNESCO-listed.
The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal runs through the city’s western limits, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Miraflores Locks visitor centre offers a close-up view of ships transiting the canal, just a 20-minute drive from the city centre.
Modern Skyline
Panama City has one of Latin America’s most impressive skylines, with dozens of skyscrapers along the Avenida Balboa and Punta Paitilla waterfront. The city is a major banking, logistics, and commerce hub.
Practical Information
Panama City has a modern metro system (Lines 1 and 2, Line 3 under construction) — Central America’s first. Buses and taxis are widely available. The Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the busiest airport in Central America. The official currency is the US dollar (specifically the Panamanian Balboa, pegged 1:1).
Photos from Panama City
No community photos yet — be the first to add one.
Sign in to add your own photo of Panama City.
Notable people from Panama City
Ranked by number of Wikipedia languages that have an article — a proxy for cross-cultural notability. Data: Wikidata.
Ask AI about Panama City
Ready-made questions for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity or Google AI — pick one and it opens with the question already typed in.
🗺️ Plan a perfect day hereAsk AI
💫 What's the vibe here?Ask AI
🤔 Is it worth visiting?Ask AI
Topics
✈️ Airports
Airports serving the city, services, and terminal info.
🏛 City Hall
The main municipal services — ID renewal, residency certificates, civil status and more.
⚖️ Courts & Judiciary
Local, appeal, and supreme courts serving this city.
📅 Events
Upcoming events, festivals, council meetings and public activities scheduled in the city.
🏥 Healthcare & Hospitals
Public hospitals, health departments, emergency care, and vaccination information.
🖼️ Museums
Notable museums, galleries and exhibition halls — hours and descriptions.
⛪ Religious sites
Churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship.
🎓 Schools & Education
Public school enrollment, universities, and continuing education.
♻️ Waste & Recycling
Garbage collection, recycling centers, bulky pickup, and hazardous disposal.
🤝 Sister cities
More cities in Panama
On the map
About this city page
Topics are updated from official sources and translated to English. Every page tells you where the information came from and the date it was last verified. For anything legally binding (fines, deadlines, fees), always double-check on the official source.
Live info — upcoming events, road closures and latest press — lives in the right rail.