One of the most great experiences I and my wife had with Angelica being our tour guide in Panama City, Panama.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Free chilled bottled water is available for our guests
- Free chilled colas & lemonades are available for our guests
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Marvel at one of Latin America's most unique skyscrapers! Affectionately nicknamed "El Tornillo" (The Screw) by locals, the F&F Tower is a 52-story architectural icon in the Financial District. Its striking helical (twisting) design makes it a must-see for a photo stop, showcasing Panama City's ultra-modern side against the classic charm of your tour vehicle. This building dramatically highlights the city's ambition and role as a modern financial hub.
Our journey starts in Obarrio, a neighborhood defined by its modern glass towers and commercial energy. Sit back and relax as your private chauffeur handles the city streets, giving you a 'celebrity' view from our open-air Safari while you skip the stress of navigating Panama's traffic. This area offers a stunning contrast to the historic districts we will visit later, providing a clear picture of the city's rapid growth as a global financial hub.
We continue our classic car cruise through the prestigious, peninsular neighborhood of Punta Paitilla. This dense, wealthy residential area is characterized by some of the city's most exclusive high-rise condos and apartments, offering residents spectacular, expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Panama Bay. Driving along the coastline here provides a stunning perspective of Panama's modern wealth and development, with the water often just feet away. It's an excellent segment to appreciate the sheer scale of the city's modern real estate boom.
Our route takes us past one of the most recognizable structures on the Pacific coast skyline: the JW Marriott Panama. Located on the exclusive Punta Pacifica peninsula, this 70-story building is known for its incredible sail-like architectural design, which makes it stand out dramatically against the ocean backdrop. It is currently the tallest building in Central America and a true symbol of Panama City's modern ambition and luxurious waterfront development. Keep your eyes peeled for a fantastic photo contrasting our classic car with this ultra-modern, soaring tower!
Cruise the magnificent Avenida Balboa, Panama City's premier waterfront boulevard. This iconic thoroughfare runs for over 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) along the Pacific Ocean, offering unparalleled views of the bay and the city's dramatic, world-class skyline.
Located right on the famous Avenida Balboa waterfront, Parque Urracá is a vital green lung and local hotspot. Named for the legendary indigenous chief Urracá, this charming urban park is where the city comes to play—you'll often see locals enjoying basketball, baseball, or relaxing under the shade of giant tropical trees. It offers a perfect, peaceful contrast to the towering modern skyscrapers surrounding it, and is a great spot to feel the local, everyday pulse of Panama City.
Next... we roll up to the Mercado de Mariscos (Fish Market), the city's lively maritime heart. Skip the tourist traps and enjoy a truly local experience watching vendors and chefs negotiate the freshest catch, then sample a cup of the famous, affordable ceviche.
We drive along the magnificent Cinta Costera (Coastal Belt), Panama City's celebrated urban park and recreational area built along the waterfront of the Bay of Panama. Spanning over 3.5 kilometers, this public space offers a vibrant mix of gardens, sports courts, playgrounds, and walking/cycling paths that are constantly bustling with local life. It provides the absolute best, most dynamic views of the modern skyline towering over the Pacific Ocean—a perfect contrast for photos with our classic tour car!
Our classic car ride will then bring us to the very edge of Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo), a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most historically rich district in Panama City. The entrance is marked by a dramatic shift from the modern skyline to narrow, cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-era architecture. This transition point beautifully illustrates the contrast between the old walled city, established in 1673, and the booming, modern metropolis right next door. Get ready to step back in time as we drive through this historic threshold!
Also known as Plaza Mayor or Cathedral Plaza, this square is the true historical and geographical heart of Casco Viejo. It is arguably the most significant plaza in Panama, as it was here, on November 3, 1903, that Panama declared its independence from Colombia. Dominated by the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama, with its towering twin bell towers and ornate facade, the plaza is a powerful place to soak in the nation's history. It's surrounded by other important buildings, including the Panama Canal Museum, making it a perfect spot to pause and appreciate the city's monumental past. While you soak in the history, your chauffeur will use your device to capture stunning photos of your group in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral
Beatiful Plaza Herrera, named in honor of the revered Panamanian national hero, General Tomás Herrera. Originally known as the "Plaza del Triunfo" and historically used for bullfights after a devastating fire in 1781, this square is now a peaceful, shady oasis. Dominated by the General's striking equestrian statue, the plaza is surrounded by beautifully restored historic buildings, including the iconic American Trade Hotel, making it a fantastic spot to observe local life and the elegant colonial architecture.
A Tribute to the Liberator! Our classic car safari brings us to the elegant Plaza Bolívar, a tranquil square dedicated to the great South American liberator, Simón Bolívar. The plaza is framed by some of Casco Viejo's most beautiful and important buildings, including the stunning Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís (Saint Francis of Assisi Church) and the original National Theatre. As we pass, admire the impressive statue of Bolívar and the plaza's peaceful atmosphere, which reflects its past as a key meeting point for political and cultural events.
Prepare for perhaps the tour's most spectacular drive! Cinta Costera 3 is a marvel of modern engineering—an elevated viaduct that curves directly over the Bay of Panama, giving you a truly unique perspective of the city. This architectural achievement creates a scenic road above the sea, reminiscent of the stunning Miami Keys. However, here you are flanked not by small towns, but by a towering, glass-and-steel skyline that rivals—and many argue, surpasses—even Miami's. Enjoy the dramatic juxtaposition of our classic car against this breathtaking, modern backdrop, offering some of the best photo views of both the old (Casco Viejo) and new city!
Next, we arrive at a powerful and relatively new symbol of Panamanian national pride, located on the Amador Causeway near the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. This impressive, 13-meter tall bronze monument, titled "La Conquista de la Soberanía" (The Conquest of Sovereignty), commemorates the historic 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The sculpture depicts Panamanian General Omar Torrijos and U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the moment before their historic handshake, symbolizing the agreement that led to the eventual, full handover of the Panama Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999. It’s a vital stop to understand the country’s modern history and its struggle for complete sovereignty.
Our drive along the Amador Causeway culminates at the magnificent Biomuseo, an international landmark and the only work in Latin America designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry (of Bilbao Guggenheim fame). The building is an architectural explosion of bright, primary colors and deconstructed, angular shapes that defy conventional museum design. Its intricate, multi-colored metal canopies—like giant pieces of origami or a shattered rainbow—are designed to look like a whimsical ship's sails or a visual representation of Panama's diverse, chaotic, and vibrant nature. This structure itself tells the story of Panama's geological upheaval and biodiversity, making it a spectacular and unmissable stop for its sheer artistic impact.
Now prepare for a spectacular finale drive! The Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador) is a 6-kilometer (3.7 mile) man-made road that stretches into the Pacific Ocean, connecting the mainland with four small islands: Naos, Perico, Culebra, and Flamenco. Historically, this road was built using rock excavated from the Culebra Cut during the Panama Canal's construction. Today, it's Panama City's premier recreational hub, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the city's dramatic skyline, the historic Casco Viejo, and the iconic Bridge of the Americas. It is also the perfect place to watch massive ships waiting to enter the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. With its wide paths, shops, restaurants, and the colorful Biomuseo, it’s a vital, historical, and highly scenic stop.
The second island along the scenic Amador Causeway, Perico Island, is a fantastic stop that blends history, commerce, and incredible views. Historically part of the Canal defenses, today it serves as a vibrant maritime and commercial hub. Here, you'll find the newly constructed Amador Cruise Terminal, a bustling marketplace with souvenir shops, restaurants, and places to rent bikes to explore the rest of the Causeway. From its unique vantage point, you get magnificent, sweeping panoramic photos of the entire Panama City skyline, the historic Casco Viejo, and the massive ships transiting the nearby Canal entrance.
Naos Island—the first and largest of the four small islands linked by the Amador Causeway—we find ourselves at an exceptionally strategic point for viewing the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. This small island is a quiet gem, home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), showcasing Panama's global importance in scientific study. It offers unparalleled, close-up views of the massive cargo ships gliding right past the shoreline, giving you a sense of the sheer scale of global trade. Soak in the ocean air and capture a photo with the massive vessels passing by. You will have a beautiful view of the Bridge of the Americas here (the entrance and exit of the Panama Canal!).
As the last island connected by the Amador Causeway, Flamenco Island is a major destination hub and the farthest point into the Pacific on our route. It is best known for the Flamenco Marina, which hosts beautiful yachts and offers ferry services to nearby Pacific islands. This island is also where you can find shops, restaurants, and one of Panama's only Duty-Free shopping centers outside of the airport (remember your passport!). Its location provides truly magnificent, sweeping panoramic views that encapsulate the entire journey: the ocean, the modern skyline, the iconic Bridge of the Americas, and the ships queued up for the Panama Canal.
.No journey through the city is complete without a stop at the iconic, colorful PANAMA sign. Located at the very end of the Amador Causeway with the glittering skyline and Pacific Ocean as your backdrop, it’s the ultimate photo opportunity. Your private chauffeur will take the lead here, using your smartphone to capture high-energy 'Hero Shots' of your group with the classic Safari VW. It’s the perfect, stress-free way to cement your memories of Panama City before we head back
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Reviews
Luigi was fantastic! He is a wealth of information on Panama and also fun to be with for 2 hours. Book the experience you will have a great time!
Tomi tour’s was hands down one of the highlights of my trip to Panama! Exploring Panama City for two hours in a classic Volkswagen was such a unique, fun, and unforgettable experience. Carlos was an absolutely amazing tour guide! He was incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about sharing the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems. He made the entire experience feel special and personalized. And as if the tour itself wasn’t already incredible, Carlos recommended an amazing sushi restaurant that I absolutely LOVED! His recommendation was spot-on, and it was just another example of how much he genuinely cares about making sure you have the best possible experience in Panama. Carlos went above and beyond, and his warmth, knowledge, and personality truly made my trip extra special. If you’re visiting Panama City, DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR! The classic VW made the experience even more memorable, and Carlos made it unforgettable. I would do this tour again in a heartbeat. 100/10 — highly, highly recommend! 🇵🇦❤️
Carlos was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We learned so much. He truly tailored the tour to us. Highly recommend!!!
The tour of the city was beautiful. We were lucky to have a perfect sunny day during rainy season. Our tour guide, Murli was great. He was very knowledgeable. He even gave us extra tips on places to eat and places to party!😉 He took photos of us too. My one critique was that, for the amt of money we paid, we could have been provided with at least bottled water. He did take us for refreshments which is a great way to bring money to small businesses. All round fantastic way to see the city!
If you want to feel like a celebrity for a couple of hours, this is the tour for you! Everyone, tourists and locals, will be waving and taking photo's as you pass. It was so fun exploring Panama City in this unique car, the views of the city we're incredible with the open top plus our guide Atila was fun and informative and made an effort to stop for pictures along the way. It's a great way to get a first impression of Panama City in a unique and fun way.
The experience was awesome. Thanks to our tour guide we explained to us during the entire journey. Panama is beautiful 😍
The tour with Carlos was very informative stop and took pictures ge was able to answer all questions bilingual
We booked this tour in the open-top vintage Volkswagen and expected a pleasant ride. But we got so much more. Luigi was a fantastic and friendly driver with a wealth of knowledge about the city, the country and history. We saw the modern part of the city and were in the beautiful historic Oldtown of Panama City just minutes later. We are incredibly grateful for this unique experience and highly recommend taking this tour if you are ever in the city. Thanks Tomi Tours
Had a beautiful, quiet morning tour of Panama Cty. Atila was a friendly knowledgeable guide!!
We booked these tour in on open Rolf historic Volkswagen and expecting a nice ride, but we get much more than that. A amazing und unique ride with a pretty nice guide Luigi with a lot of knowledge about history and city of Panama. Drive thrue the modern part and minutes later we were in Old Town. Time runs up fast. So if you be there book these tour, you will nwvwr for get. Thanks for Thommy and his team.
We booked these tour in an open historic Volkswagen and expecting a nice ride, but we get much more than that. A amazing und unique ride with a pretty nice guide Luigi with a lot of knowledge about history and city of Panama. Drive thrue the modern part and minutes later we were in Old Town. Time runs up fast. So if you be there book these tour, you will never for get. Thanks for Thommy and his team.
We had an amazing experience! Everyone in Panamá should do it. The car was super cute and comfortable but also we learned so much. Carlos took amazing photos of us and showed us things we never would have noticed on our own. Ask for Carlos!
Tomi Tours made my Panama trip absolutely unforgettable! Carlos was an amazing host—friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience so much fun. Everything was seamless from start to finish. I had an incredible time and would 100% recommend Tomi Tours, especially if you get Carlos as your host! 🇵🇦❤️
We had a wonderful time seeing all of Panama City with John Pierre. He was so kind and if we wanted to stop, he made sure we got to wherever we wanted to see. I would highly recommend this tour as you learn a lot of history get to see the beautiful Panama City!
Angelica was an amazing guide, and the convertible ride around the city was a lot of fun. This was our first full day in the city, and the tour helped orient us a bit, while we got to know some of the history and culture of Panama City. This was well worth the price. The views were great.
We had such a beautiful experience on our private classic car tour! Everything was perfect, from the gorgeous weather to the smooth and timely pickup. Angelica arrived right on time and was absolutely fantastic from beginning to end. She took us around Casco Viejo and showed us all of the major sights while sharing so much interesting information about the area. She was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and made the entire experience so enjoyable. We never felt rushed and were able to truly enjoy the scenery, the classic car, and the charm of Casco Viejo. Angelica was AMAZING, and I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting Panama! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
Jean is really excellent tour guide. I really love this experience! Is very unique and more private!
My friend and I booked wirh Tomi Tours through TripAdvisor. Our tour guide Jean Pierre was welcoming, knowledgeable and professional. Learning the history of Panama City and the surrounding areas was interesting and we learned alot. Also, Pierre was bilingual and very fluent in English which made the tour much more enjoyable and enlightening. We highly recommend Tomi Tours. It was a FUN TIME!
We took the tour the very first night of our vacation and it provided us with an excellent orientation for the rest of our trip. The vintage jeep adds to the fun and we learned something new at every turn. The entire family loved the tour and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Panama City!
Jean Pierre was an excellent tour guide, especially if you’re an English speaker. His knowledge of the city and its history, culture limitless. Would definitely ask for him again. He showed us all u the major sites and some of the lesser known spots.
We had an absolutely amazing experience with Tomi Tours from start to finish! I was in Panama for four nights and five days, and this 2 hour tour was one of the best ways to get an overall introduction to Panama City. If you’re visiting for the first time and want to see a lot of the city while learning about it along the way, I definitely recommend adding this tour to your itinerary. From the moment we were picked up until the time we were dropped off, everything was smooth, enjoyable, and well organized. Luigi was fantastic. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave us a very informative tour of the city. He explained what we were seeing throughout the day and provided great context about the different areas and landmarks, so it felt like much more than simply riding around from place to place. One of the things I appreciated most was that Luigi made several stops so we could get out, enjoy the scenery, and take photos. He even offered to take photos and videos for us, and he did a fantastic job! That was such a nice extra touch because everyone in our group was able to be in the pictures instead of someone always having to stay behind the camera. The tour is $249 per car, and each car can accommodate up to four people. Considering the experience, the amount of the city we were able to see, the personalized attention, and the fact that the price is for the entire car rather than per person, I thought it was absolutely worth the money. The entire experience was fun, relaxed, informative, and memorable. We never felt rushed, and Luigi went above and beyond to make sure we were enjoying ourselves throughout the tour. I would absolutely book this tour again without hesitation. For anyone visiting Panama, especially for the first time, I think this is an excellent way to get a great overall overview of the city early in your trip. It gives you a chance to see different areas, learn more about Panama, figure out places you may want to return to later, take some beautiful photos, and create some great memories along the way. Highly recommend Tomi Tours, and a huge thank you to Luigi for helping make our time in Panama so special!
Jp is extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to we really enjoyed his care and compassion for his job and our saftey
My experience with Tomi Tours was great. We did 1 hour for $149.00. Our tour guide was Angelica. She was amazing from start to finish. She is very knowledgeable about the history and current living state of Panama. After the tour I felt as though I lived in Panama. The downside was that the professional photos weren’t available… However Angelica made up for that as she took photos of us from the pick up point and the Panama Sign. She was super patient, polite and she’s fluent in English! Book now, request Angelica.
Awesome! Very engaging, informative and interactive tour. Thanks to our incredible tour guide Pierre
Luigi was great! He was very informative and personable. I highly recommend this tour! People kept waving and honking at us which made us feel welcomed in Panama City.
The communication between Tomi tours, Luigi (our driver) and I was impeccable. Both sent me a WhatsApp message with details prior to our tour so there was no question as to what the chain of events would be. Luigi was early for our tour but assured us there was no rush. We were already in the lobby when he sent a message letting us know. He was very friendly and allowed us to take any pics we thought we would want prior to leaving the hotel. The tour was super cute. He was well versed in the architectural history of Panama and more. He took us to a few photo worthy spots, little shops to grab some souvenirs, pointed out some beautiful restaurants and coffee shops, as well as, a gelato/ice cream shop. We had the best passionfruit, fig and snickers gelatos that we have ever tasted. Would definitely recommend the tour and urge you to ask for Luigi!
The guide Angelica was very knowledgeable and helpful. She was warm and friendly and the car was clean. The sights were amazing.
Luigi was awesome and professional!!! Great way to see the city
Angelica was very informative. We learnt a lot aboout Panama City on the trip
Amazing experience. Hospitable and knowledgeable guide.
An experience of a lifetime!!
Informative and scenic tour of Panama city. Luigi gave us the tour in English and shared a lot of history and knowledge. You could tell he enjoys being a guide. Also took pictures and recommended places to eat.
It was a beautiful experience. Very informative, our tour guide Ronel was exceptional!
One of the best and coolest experiences that I’ve had. I toured with Luigi who was a wealth of knowledge and very accommodating to my wishes of what I’d like to see. I’d recommend this tour hands down! Don’t miss this when traveling to Panama!
Luigi with Tomi Tours made our 29th wedding anniversary trip to Panama completely unforgettable. His warmth, expertise, and hospitality were outstanding from start to finish. He paid attention to every detail to ensure we had a special day, including making sure we stopped at Pandora in Old Town so I could add a charm to my collection for this milestone. If you are celebrating or visiting Panama, request Luigi!
Luigi was a great tour guide, my group and I had a wonderful time and experience during this tour would recommend to everyone interested!
HIGHLY recommend booking this tour! Our guide, Pierre, was super knowledgeable and great at sharing his country. We learned more about the history of Panama in 2 hours than I thought possible. It was the perfect start to our Panamanian vacation.
Great Trip with Luigi cruising around in a Cabrio getting to know Panama City!
Jean Pierre was excellent. This tour was very informative. He assisted us along the way and provided valuable information. We appreciated how friendly he was. We will definitely be booking next time.
Pierre was awesome. We enjoyed it!
Tomi Tours with Luigi was an amazing experience. He provided a great insightful tour of Panama in the classic convertiable car. Also, provided helpful recommendation for the rest of our visit.
Luigi was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgeable and flexible. Despite the weather not being in our favor he managed to show us a good time and take some good pictures It felt like an afternoon hanging out with a new friend.
We were so very blessed to have found this tour last minute, and even more blessed to have Luigi as our guide. He was communicative throughout, on time and a great knowledgeable guide. We could not have asked for a better person. His English is excellent and easy to understand. He took great care of my family and myself throughout. What I loved most was feeling valued and not rushed, taking the time necessary to sit back and be able to thoroughly enjoy the tour.
Found this last min and so happy we did. Luigi was our guide. He was super communicative and showed up on time. Could not have asked for a better guide. Informative excellent understandable English. And one of the most important things never felt rushed or that we were on a set itinerary. A bit of flexibility, but the biggest thing just never felt like come on let’s go which made things, relaxing and enjoyable. He is a star. So informative. I would happily book this again.
It was a great tour. Our guide made us feel special and shared personal stories that made the sightseeing that much more engaging.
Our tour with Luigi was the absolute highlight of our trip! An excellent experience from beginning to end. Luigi is exceptionally knowledgeable and does a wonderful job of bringing the history/sights to life. He was friendly, professional, and kept us all thoroughly entertained. If you want a high-quality, fun, and informative tour, I highly recommend booking with Luigi you won't regret it!
Talk about an amazing tour! Let me tell you all about it! From the initial interaction, via Whatsapp, to book the tour, I was met with very polite and professional personnel. The representative was very helpful and advised of date/time availability, duration of the tour, as well as cost and how payment could be made. I received a gentle reminder the day before my tour, also via Whatsapp. This reminder included date, time and my pickup location, which was my hotel. On the day of my tour, my guide and driver, Carlos, arrived early at my pickup location. Carlos spoke great English and was very polite, professional and of course, knowledgeable. Not only am I now able to speak more about the history of Panama, but I also ended my tour with several amazing photos and videos. All thanks to Carlos! He was able to capture great angles with views out of this world! I would definitely recommend this tour, especially for other female travelers who are exploring the world solo! I felt very safe with Carlos as my 'pilot'.
Wonderful experience. From beginning to end it was beautiful and informative experience.
My husband and I were on a business trip and this is one of the only tours we booked. I am happy we got to see Amador Causeway, Old Town and the City in one day without too much walking 😁 Our guide, Luigi was well informed, had an engaging personality and patient with taking pics also 😊 He was also super proud to share Panama's culture and history. I am truly happy that I chose Tomi Tours to explore in fine style
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