Panama is home to an extraordinary array of history, art, and stories to be told. These are the top 10 museums in Panama City that will immerse you in everything Panama has to offer.
If you can only visit one museum during your stay in Panama City, it should definitely be the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s basically free with a donation-based entrance fee and its exhibits change out often. The museum also frequently hosts free events to feature new art—make sure to check out its events calendar because free exhibits also generally mean free drinks and a chance to mingle with the artsy crowd of Panama City, a treat in and of itself.
Museum of Contemporary Art Panama, Calle San Blas, Panama City, Panama, +507 262 3380
Museum of Contemporary Art of Panama | Courtesy of MAC
An incredible and interactive place dedicated to the evolution of biodiversity, this Frank Gehry-designed museum is a spectacle not to be missed. Dedicate an afternoon to exploring its many wonder-filled exhibits and learn a thing or two about how the world came to be what it is today.
Biomuseo, Edificio 136, Calzada de Amador, Amador Causeway 136, Panama City, Panama, +507 830 6700
View from above of the Biomuseo in Amador, Panama City | Courtesy of Visit Panama
This unique specialty museum offers sightseeing tours through the ruins of the Panama Viejo archaeological site and is a cultural landmark—it’s small, quiet, and colorful with much history to share.
Museo de Panama Viejo, Avenida Cincuentenario, Panama City, Panama, +507 226 8915
A unique specialty museum located in Casco Viejo, Museo de la Esmeralda is often referred to as a pavement café. The building is beautiful and historic with a great location and surrounding scenery.
Museo de la Esmeralda, Calle Pedro J. Sosa, Panama City, Panama, +507 262 1665
The Punta Culebra Nature Center is located on an island connected to Panama City by the Amador Causeway. Operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, it focuses mainly on marine and terrestrial science and education, conservation, and interpretation of marine coastal environments in the tropics. Among its attractions are the Fabulous Frogs of Panama, a tank full of starfish and other echinoderms, and a tropical dry forest with free roaming animals such as sloths, green iguanas, and beautiful birds.
Punta Culebra Nature Center, Panama City, Panama, +507 212 8793
This Casco Viejo art gallery is small but interesting and a great place to find unique gifts for friends and family—you’ll find incredible local crafts as well as art.
Karavan Gallery, Casco Antiguo, lateral al Arco Chato, Calle 3a, Panama City, Panama, +507 228 7177