Panama City: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 24 & 48-Hour
See Panama City from the Open Deck, Stop Where You Want
You board at Balboa Boutique Plaza and get unlimited access to hop on and off a double-decker bus for either 24 or 48 hours, visiting 16 stops across Panama City including the Canal, Casco Antiguo, Amador Causeway, and Biomuseo. Live bilingual commentary explains what you're seeing, and you control the pace. Stay on for the full 2.5-hour loop or jump off whenever you want. Tickets are redeemable at any stop and valid for a year.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- Board double-decker bus
- Enjoy 360-degree city views
- See Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks
- Visit Balboa Boutique Plaza
- Stop at Parque Urraca
- Explore Poin Panama
- Tour Old Town
- Visit My Town (Cerro Ancon)
- Shop at Albrook Mall
- See City of Knowledge
- Visit Biomuseum
- Explore Punta Culebra
- Stop at Buccaneers
- Visit Flamenco Island
- See Perico Island / Sabroso Panama
- Visit Downtown Amador
- Stop at Seafood Market
- Complete 2.5 hour bus loop
What’s included
- Your ticket includes unlimited hop-on hop-off access for either 24 or 48 hours across all 16 stops, plus live guide commentary in English and Spanish.
- The bus departs from Balboa Boutique Plaza, and you can board or exit at any stop along the route: Miraflores Locks, Casco Antiguo, Amador Causeway, Biomuseo, Mi Pueblito, Albrook Mall, Downtown Amador, Flamenco Island, and others.
- Entrance fees to individual attractions, lunch, and transport to the departure point are not included.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Information
Double-decker bus with 360-degree views of Panama Canal, Casco Antiguo & Amador Causeway. 16 stops, live bilingual commentary, hop off whenever you want. 24 or 48-hour ticket.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
The diesel engine rumbles as the double-decker bus pulls away from Balboa Boutique Plaza, and suddenly the skyline tilts into view from the open-air upper deck. You're not locked into a schedule or a guide's pace, with a 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off ticket, you climb off at any of the 16 stops whenever something catches your eye, then catch the next bus when you're ready to move on. The full loop takes 2.5 hours if you stay seated, but most people don't.
The route swings past the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks, where you can actually see the ships moving through the chambers, then cuts across the Amador Causeway with water on both sides and Flamenco Island sitting out there like a postcard. Casco Antiguo, the old colonial quarter, gets its own stop, as does the Biomuseo, Mi Pueblito (a recreation of traditional Panamanian village life), and the Downtown Amador waterfront. You'll pass Albrook Mall, the City of Knowledge, and the seafood market near the water. The bus commentary runs in English and Spanish, so you're not guessing what you're looking at.
The practical part: buses run weekday mornings at 8:30am and 9:45am from Stop 1, but weekends open up with nine departures between 8:30am and 2:30pm, so there's less waiting around. The kiosk at Balboa Boutiques is open 8am to 5pm for ticket pickup. Your voucher works for 12 months, so you don't have to use it the day you buy it. The ticket doesn't cover entry fees to attractions themselves, that's separate, but the bus gets you to the doors without needing a car or figuring out local transit.
Weather runs year-round except during Carnival (late March), Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The bus is wheelchair accessible, and strollers work fine for infants. If you're the type who wants to see a lot without renting a car or negotiating with taxis, this is how you do it in Panama City.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.
Can I get on and off the bus as many times as I want?
Yes. Your 24 or 48-hour ticket gives unlimited hop-on hop-off access across all 16 stops. You can stay on for the full 2.5-hour loop or jump off and back on whenever you choose.
What time do buses depart?
Weekdays: 8:30am and 9:45am from Stop 1 (Balboa Boutique Plaza). Weekends: nine departures between 8:30am and 2:30pm. Waiting times vary by season.
Does the ticket include entry to attractions?
No. The ticket covers the bus only. Entry fees to the Biomuseo, Mi Pueblito, Miraflores Locks visitor center, and other attractions are separate.
Is the bus wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the bus is wheelchair accessible. Strollers and prams are also welcome for infants and small children.
How long is the full loop?
The complete route takes 2.5 hours if you stay on board without getting off.
Can I use my ticket on a different day?
Yes. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from your selected travel date, so you can use it any day within that window.
Where do I pick up my ticket?
At the Balboa Boutiques Kiosk (Stop 1), open 8am to 5pm. Both mobile and printed vouchers are accepted.
Does the tour operate every day?
No. It's closed during Carnival (late March), 25 December, and 1 January. It runs all other days of the year.
Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - USA and Middle East. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Panama City: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 24 & 48-Hour
2h 30m · EN · ES
from US$ 30 per person
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