Copa Airlines Stopover in Panama: A Food Lover's Guide to Your Layover

If your itinerary includes a connection through the Hub of the Americas, the Copa Airlines Stopover in Panama is the perfect excuse to turn a layover into a trip within your trip. Instead of spending hours at the airport, you can extend your stop, head into the city, and discover one of Latin America's most vibrant food destinations. This guide explains how the program works and how to make every hour in Casco Viejo count — knife and fork in hand.

What Is the Copa Airlines Stopover Program?

Copa Airlines connects dozens of cities across the Americas through its hub at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. The Stopover program lets passengers connecting through Panama extend their layover for several days at no extra cost on the airfare: instead of boarding the next flight right away, you choose to continue your journey days later and use that time to explore the country.

In practice, this means a flight between, say, Buenos Aires and Miami, or Bogotá and Mexico City, can gift you a few days in Panama for the same ticket price. You simply select the stopover option when booking an itinerary that connects through Panama, then arrange lodging and activities for those days.

So, what should you do on a layover in Panama? The Canal is a must, of course, but what truly sets the Panamanian capital apart is its food scene — much of it concentrated in a neighborhood that seems designed for travelers with little time and a big appetite: Casco Viejo.

Why Casco Viejo Is Perfect for a Stopover

Casco Antiguo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 — sits about 30-40 minutes by car from Tocumen airport, depending on traffic. It is compact, walkable, and packs colonial churches, tree-lined plazas, views of the modern skyline, and a density of excellent restaurants that is hard to match anywhere in the region.

For a stopover traveler, that changes everything: no complicated transfers, no half-day lost to logistics. You settle into the neighborhood or arrive by taxi, and in a single afternoon you can wander through three centuries of history between lunch, coffee, and dinner.

Santa Rita: The Restaurant That Participates in the Stopover Program

Within the Casco, Restaurante Santa Rita deserves special mention for Copa travelers: it participates in the Copa Airlines Stopover program, designed precisely for passengers with layovers in Panama.

Its menu brings together two great traditions: Spanish and Argentine gastronomy. Think tapas, jamón ibérico, Argentine cuts, and a selection of Spanish and Argentine wines to pair with every dish. With a 4.7 rating on Google and online reservations available, it is a safe bet for that dinner you will still be savoring when your plane takes off again.

A practical tip: if your layover is short, book before you land. You can reserve online or message them on WhatsApp at +507 6629-6315. Find more details on our Santa Rita page.

Authentic Panamanian Flavor: Aya la Vida

No stopover is complete without tasting the local cuisine, and that is where Aya la Vida comes in — a contemporary Panamanian restaurant working with 100% national ingredients under the philosophy "De la Tierra a tu Mesa" (From the Land to Your Table). With a 4.6 on Google, a terrace, valet parking, and vegetarian and gluten-free options, it is the ideal gateway to the flavors of Panama.

If your layover falls on the right night, you might catch live music from bands like Afropiano or Son Tropical, or a folklore night featuring polleras, Panama's traditional dress. Few experiences capture a whole country in a single evening quite like it. See what's on offer on the Aya la Vida page.

A Suggested Food Itinerary for Your Layover

With one or two days in the city, this plan lets you savor the essentials:

• Morning: visit the Miraflores Locks to watch the Panama Canal in action.
• Midday: head to Casco Viejo and stroll through Plaza de la Independencia, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Paseo Esteban Huertas, overlooking the bay.
• Afternoon: coffee and a walk through the colonial plazas, with a stop for a raspao (shaved ice) or artisanal ice cream.
• First night's dinner: contemporary Panamanian cuisine at Aya la Vida, ideally on a live-music night.
• Second night's dinner: tapas, jamón ibérico, and Argentine cuts at Santa Rita, paired with Spanish and Argentine wines.

If you are traveling as a group or celebrating something special during your stopover, both restaurants host group events with tailored menus; explore the options on our events and groups page.

Quick Tips for the Stopover Traveler

• The US dollar circulates as legal tender in Panama, so there is no need to exchange currency.
• The climate is tropical: pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a pocket umbrella during the rainy season.
• Book your dinners in advance, especially Thursday through Saturday, when the Casco is at its liveliest.

Book Your Table Before You Land

A layover in Panama can be so much more than a departure lounge: it can be freshly carved jamón ibérico, a ceviche built on local ingredients, and a sunset walk through a World Heritage neighborhood. If your Copa Airlines stopover is already confirmed, the next step is securing your table.

Reserve online at Santa Rita or message +507 6629-6315 on WhatsApp; for Aya la Vida, contact +507 6588-4855. And if you would like help putting together your food plan for the Casco, contact us — we love helping every layover taste like Panama.