Panama City is a unique capital. Throughout its history, it has welcomed people from all over the world, who have integrated and become an essential part of its DNA.

Visit museums and cultural centers to immerse yourself in this mosaic of ethnicities and identities, and learn about our history and the people who shaped it. Explore the historic circuit made up of Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo—declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of the Transisthmian Colonial Route—and also discover the religions that coexist here in harmony.

Let’s take the Mirador del Pacifico monument, on the Cinta Costera, as our starting point and explore these 11 important museums in Panama City.

1. Panama Viejo and Plaza Mayor Museum

• Location: Panama Viejo archaeological site
• How to get there:
  • By car: 20 minutes from downtown via Via Israel
  • By public transportation: approximately 35 minutes via Metrobus routes C640 or 1672
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Discover the history of the first Spanish city on the Pacific coast of the Americas—the original Panama City. Walk through the centuries-old ruins of a city destroyed by pirates, visit the Plaza Mayor Museum to learn the details of the battle and see archaeological findings, and finally climb the cathedral tower to enjoy views of the modern city and its striking contrast with the sea and forest.

Prices in 2026 range from approximately US$2 to US$17.

2. Mola Museum

• Location: Casco Antiguo
• How to get there:
  • By car: 7 minutes from downtown via Avenida Balboa
  • Walking: approximately 30 minutes along the Cinta Costera
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Mola Museum features a collection of more than 200 molas, showcasing the artistic value of traditional Guna garments. The museum has five permanent exhibitions: Technique and Evolution of the Mola, Cosmovision and Protection, Environment, Layered Molas, and Narrative or Story Molas.

The exhibition rooms tell the story behind the designs and the history of the Guna people. On weekends and special days, the museum opens special exhibitions and workshops where you can create your own paper mola.

The museum has free admission and is located near all the other attractions in Casco Antiguo.

3. Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum

• Location: Casco Antiguo
• How to get there:
  • By car: 6 minutes from downtown via Avenida Balboa
  • Walking: approximately 25 minutes along the Cinta Costera
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

Discover the history of the transisthmian route as you explore the museum’s 11 galleries. You’ll learn step by step about the construction of one of the seven wonders of the modern world: the Panama Canal. Take a historical journey covering the French canal attempt, the transition to American engineers, the handover to Panama, and finally the expansion and construction of the new locks.

You can take the tour with an audio guide in Spanish, English, or French, as well as in the native languages Ngäbere, Guna, and Emberá.

Admission prices in 2026 range from approximately US$2.50 to US$15.

4. BEC Museum

• Location: Casco Antiguo
• How to get there:
  • By car: 6 minutes from downtown via Avenida Balboa
  • Walking: approximately 25 minutes along the Cinta Costera
• Hours: daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Experience Panama from a different perspective. BEC is a modern, interactive experience where you can discover the brands that give flavor to our country. Take great photos for your social media in colorful settings, recharge with specialty coffee, or enjoy something refreshing from the ice cream shop.

Admission prices in 2026 range from approximately US$7.50 to US$15.

5. Casa Coronel Museum

• Location: Casco Antiguo
• How to get there:
  • By car:10 minutes via Cinta Costera 3
  • Walking: approximately 30 minutes
• Hours: daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Learn about the history of cacao in the Americas. Walk through the museum rooms with an audio guide that narrates the evolution of this sacred fruit—from its discovery and early recipes to today’s most recognized brands. See how chocolate has shaped world history in both gastronomy and culture.

The museum also offers exclusive experiences, including private tours, tastings, and chocolate-making workshops. Before leaving, visit the shop and take home unique handcrafted chocolates made in front of visitors.

Admission prices in 2026 range from approximately US$15 to US$60 for full experiences.

6. Museum of Freedom

• Location: Amador Causeway
• How to get there:
  • By car: 8 minutes from the Cinta Costera
  • By public transportation: approximately 45 minutes via Metrobús (route S420 to Policía Nacional, then C850 to the museum)
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In its three interactive rooms, highly specialized guides will teach you about human rights and their history. The museum also features temporary exhibitions and various public programs.

Admission prices in 2026 range from approximately US$2.50 to US$5.

7. Biomuseo

• Location: Amador Causeway
• How to get there:
  • By car: 10 minutes via Cinta Costera 3
  • By public transportation: approximately 45 minutes via Metrobús (route C640 to Policía Nacional, then C850 to the museum)
• Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Walk through one of the most scenic areas of the city until you reach the iconic building designed by Frank Gehry. This interactive museum tells the story of the formation of the isthmus and how this geological event changed the world. Its eight permanent exhibitions explain the first animals that inhabited these lands, their evolutionary journey, and the unique species found throughout Panama.

When visiting, don’t miss “Oceans Divided,” two tall semi-cylindrical aquariums showing how the Pacific and Caribbean evolved after being separated by the isthmus.

Admission prices in 2026 range from approximately US$6 to US$20. Ask about group rates and memberships.

8. Mi Pueblito

• Location: Inter-American Highway, before the Amador Causeway
• How to get there:
  • By car: 10 minutes
  • By public transportation: Route C862 drops you nearby, but not at the entrance. Get off at Calle Bocas del Toro and walk 800 meters.
• Hours: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This open-air museum showcases the lifestyle, architecture, and traditions of three Panamanian ethnic groups. Mi Pueblito has three main plazas: the Afro-Antillean Plaza recreates Caribbean island life; the Interiorana Plaza reflects the traditions of central provinces with Spanish influence; and the Indigenous Plaza hosts weekend craft fairs and artistic expressions from Panama’s indigenous communities. There is also a Pollera Museum dedicated to Panama’s traditional dress.

Admission in 2026 ranges from approximately US$1 to US$3.

9. Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)

• Location: Ancon
• How to get there:
  • By car: 6 minutes from Mirador del Pacífico
  • By public transportation: about a 10-minute walk from 5 de Mayo Metro Station (Line 1)
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.

There is always something new to see and do at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), thanks to its collection of over 700 works by 20th- and 21st-century Latin American artists. Exhibits rotate frequently, with temporary exhibitions and cultural activities.

Admission in 2026 ranges from approximately US$2.50 to US$10.

10. Afro-Antillean Museum

• Location: Calidonia
• How to get there:
  • By car: 6 minutes from Mirador del Pacífico
  • By public transportation: 2-minute walk from 5 de Mayo Metro Station (Line 1)
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in Afro-Antillean architecture, which came to the country with Caribbean labor migration. During the French canal attempt alone, an estimated 10,844 Afro-Antilleans arrived from Jamaica, Barbados, and Saint Lucia.

Through photographs and stories, you’ll learn about their history, cultural and social struggles, and their contributions to the country.

Admission in 2026 ranges from approximately US$0.75 to US$1.

11. Miraflores Locks Visitor Center

• Location: Av. Omar Torrijos
• How to get there:
  • By car: 24 minutes from Mirador del Pacífico
  • By public transportation: take any route to Albrook Terminal, then bus C810 to the visitor center
• Hours: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Your visit to Panama City isn’t complete without seeing the Miraflores Locks, at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. Check ship schedules to witness this engineering marvel in action, while a guide explains its history and expansion.

You can also watch an IMAX film about the canal’s construction, impact, and operation, featuring stunning visuals and narration by Morgan Freeman.

Admission in 2026 ranges from approximately US$1.50 to US$17.22.

Tip

During your visit, walk the 8 km (5 miles) connecting Cinta Costera 1, 2, and 3—a route filled with sports activities, art, music, monuments, and street food.

At the end, you’ll reach Casco Antiguo, where you can spend the day exploring museums, historic buildings, churches, and plazas—and end the evening dining or enjoying drinks at one of its many bars and restaurants.

Explore, discover, learn, and experience—through all your senses—what Panama City, its culture, and its history truly represent.