Discover the best things to do in bustling Panama City

Conveniently situated in the heart of Panama City, Hotel El Panama by Faranda Grand provides a perfect starting point for your capital city adventures. For a taste of local history, you can tour the exhibits at the Panama Canal Museum or admire the 17th-century buildings in Casco Viejo, both within 15 minutes of the hotel. Looking for family-friendly things to do? Shop for great deals before catching the latest movie at Albrook Mall. If you’re craving a breath of fresh air, you can lace up your shoes and bike along the waterfront at Cinta Costera. Guests in the area on business appreciate being within 15 minutes of events at the Panama Convention Center.

Select what to see in a map

  • Business
  • Culture
  • Landmark
  • Nature
  • Shopping

Panama Convention Center

3.42 mi / 5.5 km from the hotel
Boasting a unique, avant-garde design and the latest technology for conferences and exhibitions, the 63,000-square-meter Panama Convention Center is ideal for events in Panama. The convention center can accommodate 25,000 people and 1,700 vehicles.

Panama Canal Museum

2.19 mi / 3.52 km from the hotel
As one of the greatest feats of engineering in history, the Panama Canal has a storied past that’s chronicled at the Panama Canal Museum. Call ahead to arrange guided tours in English.

Casco Viejo

2.17 mi / 3.5 km from the hotel
Stroll through the streets of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic quarter, to see 17th-century buildings, shop at colorful street stalls, and experience its lively nightlife.

Punta Culebra Nature Center

4.94 mi / 7.95 km from the hotel
Learn more about Panama’s aquatic environment at the Punta Culebra Nature Center, a Smithsonian research institute. Explore the touch pools, a sea turtle aquarium, and its two trails that weave through a tropical dry forest.

Cinta Costera

0.77 mi / 1.24 km from the hotel
Head to this waterfront boulevard that skirts Panama Bay, where you can photograph the city skyline, stroll or bike along the palm-tree-lined pathways, or join the crowds during annual events like Carnival and Pride Parade.

Albrook Mall

1.81 mi / 2.91 km from the hotel
With hundreds of stores, restaurants, exhibitions, and entertainment venues, Albrook Mall is one of the largest commercial complexes in the world. Shop your favorite brands, and then catch a movie at the mall’s theater.