Three days in Panama City for the old town, the Canal and Panama Viejo, then a short flight to Bocas del Toro for beaches and reefs.
7 days, 43 stopsBalanced paceJan to AprApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Casco Antiguo, the Canal Museum and the Mola Museum
The squares of Casco Antiguo, the Canal and Mola museums, a view from the old wall and dinner among the plazas.
Check the weekday. Panama Canal Museum is closed on Mondays. Mola Museum is closed on Mondays.
1
9:00 AMPlaza de la Independencia and CathedralStart on the main square, the old center of the walled city, before the heat builds. Check the cathedral hours at the door.About 1 hour here
Check opening hours
Walk about 2 min
2
10:00 AMPanama Canal MuseumClosed Mondays; open 9 AM to 6 PM the rest of the week. Allow about 90 min for the galleries on the Canal.About 2 hours 15 min here
Pay at the door, $[fee]
Walk about 12 min
3
12:30 PMPlaza Santa AnaHave lunch around the square where the old-town walk begins, and look in at the Coca-Cola Café.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 12 min
4
2:00 PMMola MuseumFree entry and closed Mondays; open to 4:30 PM Tuesday to Friday. Allow about an hour to see the layered molas.About 1 hour 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 3 min
5
3:30 PMOptionalChurch of San JoséLook for the gold altar inside this church. Hours can change, so check the door before you go in.About 45 min here
Check opening hours
Walk about 8 min
6
4:30 PMPlaza de Francia and Las BóvedasWalk the old wall at Las Bóvedas for views of Panama Bay and the Pacific, then read the French Canal monuments.About 1 hour 45 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 8 min
7
6:30 PMPlaza HerreraPick one of the restaurants around the square for dinner; Casco Antiguo is also known for rooftop bars at sunset.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book these aheadZapatilla Cays (day 5): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Plan around MondaysSeveral Panama City museums and Panama Viejo are closed on Mondays, so put days 1 to 3 around them.
Book flights to Bocas earlyBook the short domestic flight from Albrook to Isla Colón ahead and check baggage limits with the airline.
Check the ship scheduleShips pass through the Miraflores Locks at set times; check the Canal Authority schedule first.
Book boat tours with localsBastimentos National Marine Park tours should go through local operators, who know the reefs and the rules.
Pack for sun and rainBring sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent and water; weather can change within a day, especially in Bocas.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in or near Casco Antiguo for days 1 to 3, then in Bocas Town for days 4 to 6.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
