Things to Do in Panama City on a Budget, Panama City, Panama

Panama City isn’t exactly considered a budget destination for many. And it’s true that you could easily spend a small fortune if you decide to include all the “must-do” sights on organised tours and eat out at the many international restaurants.

But there is another way. One that includes a bit of insider knowledge and a willingness to see the city’s iconic sights on foot.

The city’s Metro system is a cheap, reliable and safe way to get around. In fact, we found it a far better bet than the yellow taxis you’ll see everywhere.

You’ll need to buy a Rapi>Pass card as you can’t pay for fares in cash. They can be bought for $2 from machines in the metro stations. And then you’ll need to load them up using dollar bills.

Each journey within the city costs 35 cents no matter the distance so you can get a reasonable idea of how much you’ll need to load for your visit. And, because we’re particularly hardcore cheapskates, we shared one card and just handed it between us through the turnstiles.

Once loaded you’ll then be able to use the card on all Metro trains and buses. So, if you arrive in Panama City by bus at Allbrook Station, simply buy and load up your Rapi>Pass card, find the nearest station to your hotel and leave the yellow cab drivers to argue the toss with somebody else. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).