The best of Panama City in a day: Barefoot Panama Tours
A few months ago, I had a stopover in Panama City for a couple of days while on my way to Cuba. Despite only having a short period of time in the country, I was determined to see as much of Panama as I could.
Admittedly, it was an overwhelming task. It was my first time in South America and honestly, I didn’t really know enough about Panama to even know where to begin exploring.
Which is why I’m so glad that I found Barefoot Panama Tours.
Barefoot Panama Tours
Barefoot Panama is a sustainable tour company that specializes in offering eco-friendly and authentic tours of Panama.
I found them while I was on my way to Panama - for real, I was mid-flight and realized that I still had no plan for what I wanted to do. If I had more time, I would’ve been fine with “winging it”, but with only a couple of days in Panama City, I wanted to maximize every second.
I reached out to Barefoot Panama Tours asking what tour would be best to see the most of Panama in a short period of time. Their incredibly personable and helpful owner, Kevin, suggested I book the Panama City & Canal Tour. For just $89 USD, I got to see all of Panama City’s highlights including the Panama canal and Canal zone, the old town of Casco Viejo, and even Mercado do Mariscos - the city's seafood market
Panama City & Canal Tour
With a full day of exploring to get to, my tour started bright and early. My guide, Janet, picked me up from my hotel at 8 AM to begin our adventure. I was joined by only one other solo traveller, so it felt more like a private tour than a group tour. We we picked up in a comfy, air-conditioned van (very necessary in the Panamanian heat) and drove through the city while Janet pointed out historical landmarks and the best spots in town for Panamanian bites and drinks.
Our first stop was, of course, the Panama Canal. Stopping at the canal in the morning allowed us to see this massive wonder in action. We arrived just as a boat was beginning the process of crossing the canal. I’ll admit, I was anticipating the canal to be underwhelming, but seeing the logistics of how these massive ships have to move through here was really interesting. It definitely makes you appreciate how goods arrive on our doorstep so efficiently.
We spent some more time exploring the “Canal Zone” afterwards, which is essentially the territory around the Panama Canal. This region was controlled by the Americans until 1999. The history of how control of the canal was turned over to Panamanians is a dark, but important one. It also explains why Panamanians are such patriotic people.
After spending some more time exploring the Causeway, we headed to the famous “Panama sign” to snap some photos. I mean, when in Panama, right?
After snapping our photos, we headed to Mercado do Mariscos, Panama City’s Seafood Market, for lunch. At first glance, Panama City might not seem like a foodie hotspot, but I promise this city is such a treat for foodies! Panama is known as the hub of the Americas, but it also might be the food hub of the Americas!
Like me, Janet is also an avid foodie. At the seafood market, she gave great recommendations on which Panamanian platters to try and the secret to spotting the freshest seafood at the market. Having a bilingual guide was super handy to navigate the market as well. Janet helped me ask the local fishermen questions and learn more about the fishing practices and traditional dishes in Panama city.
After exploring the market and enjoying our seafood lunch, we headed off to explore Casco Viejo, Panama City’s “Old Town”. We explored its four plazas and Janet provided so much information on the rich history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
P.S. Do you recognize this spot in panama's Old Town from a famous James Bond movie? Parts of Quantum of Solace were filmed here!
We popped into some local shops to check out unique souvenirs crafted by local artisans and then made one last stop for beers at a local bar. The three of us sipped our ice cold Panama beers while soaking up the last bits of Panama sunlight and reflecting on the busy day we’d just had. Somehow, in only eight hours we’d managed to visit almost every Panama City highlight!
And although I was exhausted, I was still determined to maximize every second of my time in Panama, so I took Janet up on one of her dining recommendations in the old town.
Fondo Lo Que Hay
Fondo Lo Que Hay is Panamanian restaurant located in Casco Viejo thats known for their rotating menu of delicious and authentic Panamanian cuisine.
If you can only visit one restaurant while in Panama City, this should be it. This affordable roadside restaurant in the heart of the Old Town was recently named one of the world’s top 50 restaurants. They serve authentic Panamanian cuisine, perfect for the adventurous foodie who wants to get a true taste of Panama. Menus change regularly to spotlight local produce but a signature dish of toasted yuca with tuna carpaccio and onion ceviche is always on offer, for good reason.
What a jam-packed day in Panama City! Though we covered so much, I still feel like I only scraped the surface of this country and I’m already planning my next trip back!
