Layover in Panama City: What to Do in Half a Day

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If you’re planning to visit Chile, Argentina, or Brazil, there’s a good chance your flight will include a stopover in Panama — often lasting more than 8 hours. That means you have the perfect opportunity to enjoy a layover tour in one of the most vibrant capitals in Latin America: Panama City!

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In this guide, we’ll share useful information about the city — how to get around, what to see, and what to keep in mind before you arrive — so you can make the most of your time and turn your layover into an unforgettable experience.

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Panama has one main airport for international flights — Tocumen International Airport (PTY) — located on the east side of the city, about 30 minutes from downtown Panama City without traffic and about 1 hour during rush hour (6 to 9 am). The airport has two terminals, connected by a free shuttle service that runs regularly between them. If you’re flying with Copa Airlines, you’ll usually arrive and exit through Terminal 2. However, depending on your connection or if you’re traveling light with just a carry-on, you might sometimes use Terminal 1 instead.

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Panama is considered one of the safest countries in Central America, and Panama City is generally very secure for travelers. You don’t need to worry about petty crime in the main tourist areas — just use normal precautions as you would in any major city.

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🚢 The Panama Canal – A Must-See Attraction

One of Panama’s main attractions is, of course, the Panama Canal — one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels. The best place to experience it up close is at the Miraflores Visitor Center, located about 22 miles (35 km) from Tocumen International Airport.

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The center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and admission costs $17.22 for adults and $7.22 for children ages 6 to 12. Here, you can watch massive ships crossing the locks, explore interactive exhibits, and learn about the Canal’s fascinating history and global importance.

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Unfortunately, you won’t always see ships passing through the locks at Miraflores. Ships usually transit early in the morning between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM, but with ongoing renovations, timing can be unpredictable. Before purchasing your tickets online, it’s a good idea to check with your tour guide or company to make sure you’ll arrive at the right time.

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For most layover tours, the best window to visit is between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Keep in mind that the Canal schedule is not tied to tourism, and weather or operational delays can affect ship arrivals — it’s always based on probability. Experienced guides know alternatives: if no ships are at Miraflores, they can take you to Pedro Miguel Locks, a smaller site where ships sometimes pass earlier than expected.

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