Panama
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High-rise buildings beside Panama City’s bay at sunset.

Panama · Panama City

City museums

History, biodiversity, Guna textiles and contemporary art. Nearly all close on Mondays.

5 places

  1. 1

    CultureOpen

    Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum

    Cathedral Square, between 5th and 6th streets, Casco Antiguo.2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Tue–Sun 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    Non-profit museum on the history of Panama and its Canal, in a building on Cathedral Square.

    Source: Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá – Inicio · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Non-residents: adults US$15; students US$7.50; children 6–12 US$7.50; seniors US$15. Nationals and residents: adults US$5; students, seniors and children US$2.50. 50% off with a SENADIS certificate.
    Hours
    Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; ticket desk closes 5:30 p.m. Closed Mondays. (The official tourism blog says 10:00 a.m.; the museum's site takes precedence.)
    Booking
    Tickets at the desk or online at museodelcanal.com. Private tours for a US$25 donation (foreign visitors).

    Nearby: Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) (0.1 km) · Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.1 km) · Mola Museum (MuMo) (0.1 km)

    Sources: Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá – Inicio · Museo del Canal – Boletos · Visit Panamá – 11 Museums in Panama City You Should Know (abr. 2026)

  2. 2

    CultureOpen

    Panamá Viejo Archaeological Site

    Vía Cincuentenario, Parque Lefevre, northeast of downtown. Entry via the Visitor Centre, next to the Morelos statue.6.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    $17
    Hours
    Tue–Sun 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
    Booking
    Not needed

    Ruins of the first Spanish city on the Pacific coast of the Americas, founded in 1519 and destroyed in 1671. Includes the Plaza Mayor Museum and the Cathedral tower viewpoint.

    Source: Patronato Panamá Viejo – Preguntas frecuentes · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Non-residents: adults US$17; children US$5; university students with ID US$7. Nationals and residents: adults US$11; seniors US$5.50. Under-6s free on family visits. Includes the archaeological park, museum, Cathedral viewpoint and internal shuttle (rates in force since Oct 2024).
    Hours
    Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; ticket office closes at 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.
    Booking
    No booking needed for groups up to 25. Pay at the ticket office by Visa or Mastercard; no online sales. Guided visits must be booked ahead by email.
    Time needed
    About 2 hours for site and museum; the route is about 1 km long.

    Tip: Bring a hat, water and repellent; from April to December, a rain jacket. Canada's travel advice lists the Panamá Viejo district among higher-crime areas: arrive and leave by taxi or ride-hailing app.

    Nearby: Metropolitan Natural Park (7.2 km) · Cinta Costera (bayfront promenade) (7.5 km) · Reina Torres de Araúz Anthropological Museum (7.9 km)

    Sources: Patronato Panamá Viejo – Preguntas frecuentes · Patronato Panamá Viejo – Visítanos · Patronato Panamá Viejo – Tarifario (oct. 2024) · Government of Canada – Panama travel advice

  3. 3

    CultureOpen

    Biomuseo (Biodiversity Museum)

    Calzada de Amador 136, at the start of the causeway.4.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Non-resident adult B/.20.00
    Hours
    Tue–Sun, until 3:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    Biodiversity museum in Frank Gehry's only building in Latin America. It explains how the rise of the isthmus changed the world.

    Source: Biomuseo – Inicio (horario y tarifas) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Non-residents: adults B/.20.00; ages 5–17 B/.12.00; students B/.12.00 (with student card or enrolment receipt); seniors B/.16.00 (with ID); 4-person package B/.60.00. Panamanians and permanent residents: adults B/.10.00 (with ID); ages 5–17 and students B/.6.00; seniors B/.5.00; 4-person package B/.24.00. Under-5s free, except nursery or school groups. 50% off with a SENADIS certificate (Biomuseo website, Oct 2026).
    Hours
    Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (The official tourism blog of Apr 2026 lists different hours; the museum's site takes precedence.)
    Booking
    Tickets at the museum box office.

    Tip: By public transport: the Albrook–Amador bus from Albrook Metro station, every 30 minutes according to the museum.

    Nearby: Amador Causeway (2 km) · San José Church (Golden Altar) (2.4 km) · Mola Museum (MuMo) (2.4 km)

    Sources: Biomuseo – Inicio (horario y tarifas) · Biomuseo – Home (hours and tickets) · Visit Panamá – 11 Museums in Panama City You Should Know (abr. 2026)

  4. 4

    CultureOpen

    Mola Museum (MuMo)

    El Colegio II building, Calle José D. de la Obaldía, Casco Antiguo.2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Tue–Sun from 10:00 a.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    Museum devoted to the mola, the textile art of the Guna people. It shows more than 200 molas across five exhibitions. Run by the Fundación Alberto Motta.

    Source: Museo de la Mola – Inicio · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free admission.
    Hours
    Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.

    Nearby: San José Church (Golden Altar) (0.1 km) · Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.1 km) · Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum (0.1 km)

    Sources: Museo de la Mola – Inicio · Visit Panamá – 11 Museums in Panama City You Should Know (abr. 2026)

  5. 5

    CultureOpen

    Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC Panamá)

    Calle San Blas, Ancón, off Avenida de los Mártires.1.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    $10
    Hours
    Tue–Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    Contemporary art museum with temporary shows and a Latin American collection, in a former Canal Zone building.

    Source: MAC Panamá – Planifica tu visita · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Non-residents US$10; non-resident students and seniors US$5; non-resident children US$2.50. Nationals and residents US$5; seniors US$2.50; resident students US$2.50 (museum shop). Free on the last Sunday of each month.
    Hours
    Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (The official tourism blog adds Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.: not confirmed by the museum.)
    Booking
    Tickets also sold in the museum's online shop.

    Nearby: Reina Torres de Araúz Anthropological Museum (0.3 km) · Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market) (0.5 km) · Ancón Hill Nature Reserve (0.8 km)

    Sources: MAC Panamá – Planifica tu visita · MAC Panamá – Entradas · Visit Panamá – 11 Museums in Panama City You Should Know (abr. 2026)

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