1. Biking or Rollerblading the Full Causeway
Forget the Instagram shots of someone posing on a rented cruiser bike with the city skyline behind them—yes, you’ll get that view, but the real thrill is the wind in your face as you ride the full 6-kilometer stretch. The Amador Causeway is a rare urban escape in Panama City where you can actually move—no dodging selfie sticks every five feet, especially if you go early or on a weekday. The path hugs the Pacific, with ships queuing for the Canal on one side and pelicans dive-bombing for breakfast on the other. Renting a bike or rollerblades is cheap, easy, and the only way to feel the scale of the place. This is my personal favorite—nothing beats the feeling of flying past the traffic jams and skyscrapers, with salt air and freedom as your soundtrack. … read more 👉
Forget the Instagram shots of someone posing on a rented cruiser bike with the city skyline behind them—yes, you’ll get that view, but the real thrill is the wind in your face as you ride the full 6-kilometer stretch. The Amador Causeway is a rare urban escape in Panama City where you can actually move—no dodging selfie sticks every five feet, especially if you go early or on a weekday. The path hugs the Pacific, with ships queuing for the Canal on one side and pelicans dive-bombing for breakfast on the other. Renting a bike or rollerblades is cheap, easy, and the only way to feel the scale of the place. This is my personal favorite—nothing beats the feeling of flying past the traffic jams and skyscrapers, with salt air and freedom as your soundtrack. … read more 👉
1. Biking or Rollerblading the Full Causeway
Forget the Instagram shots of someone posing on a rented cruiser bike with the city skyline behind them—yes, you’ll get that view, but the real thrill is the wind in your face as you ride the full 6-kilometer stretch. The Amador Causeway is a rare urban escape in Panama City where you can actually move—no dodging selfie sticks every five feet, especially if you go early or on a weekday. The path hugs the Pacific, with ships queuing for the Canal on one side and pelicans dive-bombing for breakfast on the other. Renting a bike or rollerblades is cheap, easy, and the only way to feel the scale of the place. This is my personal favorite—nothing beats the feeling of flying past the traffic jams and skyscrapers, with salt air and freedom as your soundtrack.
2. Panama Canal Views from the Causeway
Most people think you have to pay for a Canal museum ticket to see the ships. Not true. The Causeway gives you a front-row seat to the parade of mega-freighters and cruise ships lining up for their turn at the locks. There’s something hypnotic about watching these giants glide by, dwarfed by the city behind them. It’s a reminder that Panama is a crossroads of the world, not just a backdrop for vacation photos.
3. Isla Perico’s Seafood Joints
Skip the overpriced, underwhelming tourist traps at the start of the Causeway. Head out to Isla Perico, where you’ll find open-air seafood restaurants that actually cater to locals. Order ceviche or fried fish, grab a cold Balboa beer, and watch the sunset over the bay. The food is fresh, the vibe is laid-back, and you’re surrounded by Panamanians unwinding—not just cruise ship passengers ticking off a list.
4. Punta Culebra Nature Center
This Smithsonian-run outpost is the antidote to Panama City’s concrete sprawl. It’s not a zoo—it’s a hands-on, open-air science center where you can touch starfish, watch sloths nap, and learn about the region’s marine life. Kids love it, but adults get a kick out of the low-key, nerdy charm. It’s a rare spot where you can actually learn something about the isthmus, not just pose in front of it.
5. Skyline and Sunset Watching
The Causeway is the only place in Panama City where you get a panoramic view of the skyline, the Bridge of the Americas, and the Pacific all at once. The sunsets here are the real deal—no filter needed. Bring a picnic or just sit on the rocks and watch the city light up. The crowds thin out as the sun goes down, and for a few minutes, it feels like the city is yours.
Forget the Instagram shots of someone posing on a rented cruiser bike with the city skyline behind them—yes, you’ll get that view, but the real thrill is the wind in your face as you ride the full 6-kilometer stretch. The Amador Causeway is a rare urban escape in Panama City where you can actually move—no dodging selfie sticks every five feet, especially if you go early or on a weekday. The path hugs the Pacific, with ships queuing for the Canal on one side and pelicans dive-bombing for breakfast on the other. Renting a bike or rollerblades is cheap, easy, and the only way to feel the scale of the place. This is my personal favorite—nothing beats the feeling of flying past the traffic jams and skyscrapers, with salt air and freedom as your soundtrack.
2. Panama Canal Views from the Causeway
Most people think you have to pay for a Canal museum ticket to see the ships. Not true. The Causeway gives you a front-row seat to the parade of mega-freighters and cruise ships lining up for their turn at the locks. There’s something hypnotic about watching these giants glide by, dwarfed by the city behind them. It’s a reminder that Panama is a crossroads of the world, not just a backdrop for vacation photos.
3. Isla Perico’s Seafood Joints
Skip the overpriced, underwhelming tourist traps at the start of the Causeway. Head out to Isla Perico, where you’ll find open-air seafood restaurants that actually cater to locals. Order ceviche or fried fish, grab a cold Balboa beer, and watch the sunset over the bay. The food is fresh, the vibe is laid-back, and you’re surrounded by Panamanians unwinding—not just cruise ship passengers ticking off a list.
4. Punta Culebra Nature Center
This Smithsonian-run outpost is the antidote to Panama City’s concrete sprawl. It’s not a zoo—it’s a hands-on, open-air science center where you can touch starfish, watch sloths nap, and learn about the region’s marine life. Kids love it, but adults get a kick out of the low-key, nerdy charm. It’s a rare spot where you can actually learn something about the isthmus, not just pose in front of it.
5. Skyline and Sunset Watching
The Causeway is the only place in Panama City where you get a panoramic view of the skyline, the Bridge of the Americas, and the Pacific all at once. The sunsets here are the real deal—no filter needed. Bring a picnic or just sit on the rocks and watch the city light up. The crowds thin out as the sun goes down, and for a few minutes, it feels like the city is yours.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
v2.webp)











Best Backpacking
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.