How to Get to Panama from the USA
And Why Casco Viejo Should Be Your First Stop
Panama has never been easier to reach. If you’re wondering how to get to Panama from the USA, the answer is refreshingly simple: direct flights from dozens of American cities, no visa required, and a journey that drops you into one of Central America’s most vibrant capitals in under six hours. But the real question isn’t how to get here — it’s what awaits when you arrive.
For travelers chasing something beyond the ordinary, the answer lies in Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic heart. Cobblestone streets wind past colonial facades, rooftop bars pulse with energy after dark, and tucked within a restored heritage home, a live-fire kitchen called Kaandela is redefining Panamanian cuisine one flame-kissed plate at a time.
How Do You Get to Panama from the USA?
Getting to Panama from the USA is one of the smoothest international journeys you can make from North America. Tocumen International Airport (PTY) serves as the regional hub, with direct flights arriving daily from Miami, New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, and more. Flight times range from roughly 3 hours (Miami) to 6 hours (Los Angeles), making Panama an easy long-weekend escape or the launchpad for a longer Central American adventure.
Quick travel facts:
- Visa: U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free entry for up to 180 days
- Currency: The U.S. dollar is Panama’s official currency — no exchange needed
- Airport to Casco Viejo: 30–40 minutes by taxi or rideshare
- Best months to visit: December through April (dry season), though Panama welcomes visitors year-round
Once you land, the historic district of Casco Viejo is your cultural and culinary home base. Find us in Casco Viejo →
What Makes Casco Viejo Worth Visiting?
Casco Viejo is Panama City’s soul. This UNESCO World Heritage Site blends 17th-century Spanish colonial architecture with a thriving contemporary scene — think art galleries tucked into crumbling ruins, jazz bars spilling onto plazas, and some of the best restaurants in Casco Viejo Panama competing for your attention.
The neighborhood is wonderfully walkable. In a single evening, you can wander past the Presidential Palace, catch sunset from the seawall, and settle into a candlelit courtyard for dinner. Unlike newer districts defined by skyscrapers and malls, Casco Viejo offers texture — peeling paint alongside meticulous restoration, street vendors beside craft cocktail bars.
Things to do in Casco Viejo:
- Explore Plaza de la Independencia and the Metropolitan Cathedral
- Browse boutique shops and local designer studios
- Catch live music at rooftop venues
- Discover Panama’s emerging culinary scene — especially its live fire restaurant pioneers
For food lovers, Casco Viejo isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a place to experience eating. And no experience captures that spirit more completely than Kaandela. Explore the live-fire menu →
Where Should You Eat in Casco Viejo?
When locals and seasoned travelers talk about where to eat in Panama City, one name rises above the rest: Kaandela. This isn’t simply a restaurant — it’s a Panamanian culinary philosophy built around an open flame, shareable plates, and the belief that fire transforms everything it touches.
Kaandela operates from a restored historic home in the heart of Casco Viejo. The space itself tells a story: an open kitchen where flames dance and chefs work in focused rhythm, surrounded by bar-level seating that puts guests inches from the action. Beyond the kitchen, a courtyard patio sits beneath a glass roof draped with cascading gardens, palm trees, and flowering orchids — intimate enough for a date night, convivial enough for a group celebration.
Why Kaandela stands apart:
- Farm to fire sourcing: Local Panamanian produce, transformed by wood fire
- Primitive techniques: Fermentation, smoking, curing, pickling, raw preparations
- Designed for sharing: Plates meant to pass, pair, and spark conversation
- Chef’s counter seating: Watch every flame, every plate, every moment unfold
This is Panamanian cuisine in Casco Viejo at its most expressive — playful, elemental, and impossible to forget. Reserve your seat at the chef’s counter →
What Is the Kaandela Dining Experience Like?
The moment you step inside, you understand: Kaandela is a symphony of sights and sounds. Fire crackles. Smoke curls upward. The team moves with precision, plating dishes that balance intuition with technique.
At the chef’s counter, you’re not observing from a distance — you’re part of the performance. The open kitchen invites inquisitive guests to lean in, ask questions, and watch as seasonal ingredients meet open flame. Every dish arrives with intention: smoky, bright, funky, unexpected. The menu shifts with the seasons and the whims of what Panama’s farms deliver, ensuring no two visits feel identical.
For those seeking the courtyard experience, the patio offers a different kind of magic. Shaded by palms, lit by soft glow, it seats 22 guests in an atmosphere that feels both intimate and alive. Whether you’re here for a cozy date or jamming with friends, the space adapts.
Kaandela’s philosophy — a never-ending fire — isn’t just a tagline. It’s the heartbeat of every plate that leaves the kitchen.
What About Drinks and Nightlife?
No evening at Kaandela is complete without exploring The Bar. Positioned in the central courtyard, this is where mixology meets storytelling. The bar team crafts sexy, innovative cocktails — each one a reflection of Panama’s spirit, from local coffee influences to mezcal and whisky explorations.
What to expect at The Bar:
- Signature cocktails inspired by Panamanian ingredients and traditions
- Deep expertise in mezcal and whisky
- Wine and cocktail pairings designed to complement the live-fire menu
- Bartenders who share tales of Panama’s finest sips and spills
Whether you arrive early for drinks before dinner or linger late into the evening, The Bar transforms a meal into a full night out. It’s the best cocktail bar in Casco Viejo for those who appreciate craft without pretension.
Planning a Special Occasion in Panama?
Kaandela welcomes intimate celebrations with the same warmth it brings to every guest. Private dining options accommodate up to 22 seated guests across different configurations — ideal for petite weddings of up to 20, milestone birthdays, or corporate gatherings that demand more than a conference room.
The approach is boutique by design. Restaurant Manager Luis Afú and General Manager Maria Antonieta bring over 15 years of combined hospitality experience, crafting personalized menus and experiences that feel both polished and deeply human.
Private event highlights:
- Customized live-fire menus
- Exclusive use of courtyard or full venue
- Dedicated service team
- Curated cocktail and wine pairings
If you’re traveling to Panama for a celebration — or looking to create one — Kaandela offers the setting, the cuisine, and the care to make it unforgettable.
Your Journey Starts with a Flame
How to get to Panama from the USA? A few hours on a plane. But the real journey begins when you arrive — when you wander Casco Viejo’s streets, settle into a seat by the fire, and let Kaandela show you what Panamanian cuisine can be.
Dale Kaandela.
