Places to Stay in Panama City
One Night in the city ?
Often times arriving in Panama means spending one night in the city. You will arrive at Tocuman International Airport and in order to travel to Bocas del Toro need to get to Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport. When flight times dont quiet line up, we recommend you spend one night in the city. The city is full of hotels and there are many not on the list which are also fantastic. All hotels listed below, save one, are in areas which are closer to the domestic airport, Albrook. The last hotel is where we recommend staying the night before you leave the country so you can be 5 minutest away from the international airport. For the most part, we’ve chosen mid-range hotels in interesting areas, with good to decent food, as we imagine you are saving your money for your vacation in Bocas, however, the city has much to offer in every price range.
Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo or San Felipe, is the historic district of Panama City. Completed and settled in 1673, it was built following the near-total destruction of the original Panamá city, Panamá Viejo in 1671, when the latter was attacked by pirates. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Hotel San Felipe
Hotel San Felipe is a 36 room boutique hotel in a colonial building in the center of Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City. Old School, super stylee, and has a a sumptuous restaurant by renowned chef Frank Escalona, as well as, a sophisticated rooftop terrace with views across the city.
Selina Casco Viejo
One of central Americas’s most reputable boutique hostel chains, Selina has rooms for all budgets. Both bohemian and tropical, an industrial jungle, Selina Casco Viejo is the place to be for guests and locals. Features a rooftop terrace with fantastic tacos with an outdoor pool. Selina is within close proximity to many great restaurants, coffee houses, roof top bars and shopping. While this can be a loud location on the weekend, it can be a great and inexpensive space to stop over if the timing is right.
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
In the mood to splurge or treat yourself? This is the place ! Your stay starts with a welcome juice and warm wipe for your face, is followed by daily cultural dance exhibition, several restaurants to choose from which are all top tier, and a grown and sexy swimming pool. Nestled in the heart of Panama City’s historic district, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo is almost a vacation unto itself.
Amarla Casco Viejo
Amarla is adults only. The location is Central but peaceful and is walking distance to all the best places in Casco Viejo. With a boho mystique, the space offers fantastic food, world class spa, and events.
Marbella
Centralized Neighborhood in Panama City which is home to hosts of restaurants, cafe, and the cinta costera, side walked beach side trail in the middle of the city.
Hotel Riu Plaza Panama
Located in the heart of the financial district, the hotel is easy and comfortable for a one night transition We have included this hotel because of its central location, air port shuttle, unbeatable included breakfast! My dad stays here just for the buffet.
Punta Pacifica
Punta Pacifica is an upscale residential area in the heart of the San Fransisco neighborhood in Panama city. This is where locals go to eat!
1. Ramada Punta Pacifica by Wyndham
This is actually our go-to travel hotel as it is close to everything. The. hotel is mid-range, comfortable, has a great little restaurant inside but is walking distance to some of the best in the city. When we travel its also close to our Doctor’s office and many stores we dont have in Bocas, including our favorite grocery story, Riba Smith. While, not a vacationy hotel per-say, its our comfy home base for most city trips.
2. JW Marriot
The location is unbeatable, they serve a good breakfast, nice pool, and abundant shopping in the area. This place is upscale and a bit pricey. We stayed here during COVID and can attest to the high quality service, extreme cleanliness, and fantastic location.
Airport Hotel
Hotel Riande Aeropuerto
This is our go-to airport hotel. The rooms are basic but clean, the pool is over the top fun, and breakfast is included. They have a “casino” and a racketball court, a gorgeous orchid collection, and quite a few resident cats. More importantly, the are 5 minutes away from and include a free shuttle to the international airport, Tocuman. The only down side is they dont like outside food so no uber eats, but you can bring your own in if you think ahead. They have a restaurant which is ok.