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A land radiating with life, perfectly imperfect, and full of authenticity. Where Northern and Southern worlds connect, old and new worlds coexist, and cosmopolitan landscapes live in harmony with wild, untamed rainforests.

A country for those who seek beyond expectations, that dares you to see more. Taste more. Connect more. Feel more. A place for those who long more stimulation, connection and transformation. Panamá is not the destination, but the journey to discover more of what truly matters.

Make more lasting memories through an explosion of inspiration and purpose. And let the spirit of Panamá unlock a sense of belonging.

Panamá. Live for More.

Panamá's unique location provides the experience of a lifetime. We are gifted with having a wide range of rainforests, a desert, and breathtaking beaches on both coastlines, the Caribbean and the Pacific, all within driving distance of a cosmopolitan city. Ready to start exploring?

March to October

Best swell for surfing, june 3rd to 18th, corpus christi festival, june to november, best time for river rafting, march to august, tuna fishing season, birdwatching, hiking & waterfalls, visit indigenous communities, places to visit, panama city.

Panama City is much more than the country's capital. Here you can pedal in front of a skyline with some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, enjoy the Pacific breeze as you ride along the Bay of Panama, walk among archaeological sites and trails, and see how colonial history and the night come alive in the same place. Panama City is a high-contrast destination where greenery, indigenous peoples and vibrant city life are waiting for you.

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas del Toro is one of the favorite destinations among Panamanians and visitors. Just a 45-minute flight from Panama City brings you to the north-westernmost province of the country. Immerse yourself in its cultures, cross forest-covered mountains, sail through mangroves, swim among reefs, surf the perfect wave and discover the good vibes of Bocas.

Boquete is a colorful, wooded valley surrounded by the mountains of Chiriquí, in northwestern Panamá. The valley of dreams? Maybe so. This is a recurring destination for those who dream of trails with waterfalls and exotic animals, climbing natural rock formations, tasting the best coffee and enjoying excellent seasonal meals. Discover this unique place where peace and adrenaline converge.

Tierras Altas

The Tierras Altas region is a quite different place from the rest of Panamá. It is a mountainous district located in the extreme west of the country, in the province of Chiriquí. Take in its peaks, forests, rivers, and set out on an adventure among agriculture and culinary activities it has in store for you. Can you fathom how it feels to see both oceans at the same time? Well, in Tierras Altas, you can!

Riviera Pacifica

The Riviera Pacifica extends along the Pan-American Highway, a 25 mile (40 km) stretch of road dotted with beaches and mountains. On your way out of Panama City, just 50 miles (80 km), on your left, you’ll see a number of beaches where you can enjoy the best plans in the Pacific. And on your right, mountainous areas await that are brimming with trails, waterfalls and adventures in a cooler climate. Which one sounds best to you?

Pedasí & Tonosí

The province of Los Santos, located in the south of Panamá, is the cradle of folklore. At the end, towards the Pacific, there are two unique points: Pedasi and Tonosi. Here you will enjoy natural beauties such as the migration of humpback whales from July to October. You can also visit Isla Iguana to dive over the oldest and largest coral reef in the Gulf of Panama and see many of the birds and iguanas that live there.

Pacific Coast of Veraguas

The province of Veraguas in central Panamá is an exciting destination full of epic adventures. Its Pacific coast is a true jewel where lovers of the sea and wildlife coexist to enjoy the beauties of the region.

In the province of Colón, facing the Caribbean Sea, you'll find Portobelo. Legend has it that Columbus named Portobelo as soon as he saw it. The color of its deep blue sea, the white of its beaches, along with the intense green of its forests and mangroves, deserve no other name: it is a beautiful port. Come and discover it for yourself!

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15 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Panama

While visitors to Panama may come for the Panama Canal, they stay for everything else. Known as the “Crossroads of the Americas,” Panama is not only the geographical point where North America meets South America but also where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet in the country’s famed canal.

Not only is the country known for its miles of coastlines and beaches, but it’s also home to active volcanoes, tropical jungles, cascading waterfalls, and mountainous highlands.

In addition to these spectacular tourist attractions, Panama has a vibrant culture that’s an electrifying mix of cosmopolitan growth and indigenous traditions. From the historic old towns to the rural villages, it’s easy to get lost in the unique atmosphere that surrounds the region. If you’re looking for a country that’s overflowing in natural beauty and influenced by centuries of ancient cultures, then look no further than these things to do in Panama!

15. Gulf of Chiriqui National Marine Park

Stretching down the Pacific coast of Panama is the Gulf of Chiriqui National Marine Park. With a mix of sun-soaked beaches, turquoise waters, and rugged forests, this unspoiled natural wonder is an outdoor enthusiasts dream.

You’ll have a world of activities at your fingertips, including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming. In addition, the national park is teeming with wildlife. Besides howler monkeys and green turtles, you’ll also get the chance to see humpback whales, dolphins, and manta rays beneath the ocean’s surface.

14. Amador Causeway

There’s always something happening on the bustling Amador Causeway. This 3.5-mile promenade snakes through the Panama Canal and connects the four main Causeway Islands to the mainland.

Not only will you be surrounded by gourmet restaurants and world-class museums, but you’ll also get to enjoy some of the best views of the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean. If you’re looking to burn a few calories during your trip, you can also take advantage of the provided bicycling and jogging path.

13. Soberania National Park

The lush, tropical atmosphere of Soberania National Park makes it one of the best natural attractions in Panama. Located on the banks of the Panama Canal, this rainforest is one of the best places in the world for birdwatching. In total, the park is home to over 500 different bird species, as well as over 100 different types of mammals.

Besides wildlife, you’ll also have the chance to visit the Embera Indians, one of the last remaining tribes in Panama. They welcome visitors to their village to learn more about their traditions and authentic, rural lifestyle.

12. Surfing in Santa Catalina

The charming fishing village of Santa Catalina is a surfer’s dream. The perfect barreling waves and easy to access surf break make it an ideal place for beginners as well as advanced surfers. Punta Brava and San Pedrillo boast powerful left and right breaks, while the calm waters at El Estero are great for first-timers.

Although it’s considered to be the best surfing destination in Central America , its remote location means it’s relatively untouched by mass tourism. Even if you surf, you can still enjoy the relaxing beaches and breathtaking landscape.

11. Darien National Park

No trip to Panama would be complete without a visit to Darien National Park. Connecting the two continents of North and South America , this national park is one of the few places where you can experience multiple ecosystems and habitats in one place. Here, you can trek through mangrove forests, hike along rocky coastlines, and explore dense tropical jungles.

Besides the diverse array of habitats, Darien National Park is also home to an abundance of wildlife. Spider monkeys, giant anteaters, jaguars, and even the endangered Central American Tapirs all roam wild through the park.

The colorful island of Taboga is one of Panama’s most beloved gems. From the green rolling hills to the white-sandy coastline, Taboga attracts visitors looking for a blissful escape from the mainland.

Spend the day wandering through the pastel-colored village, or trek up the Cerro de la Cruz summit for dramatic views over the entire Gulf of Panama. If you’re looking for a bit of relaxation, you can also chill underneath the swaying palms or treat yourself to a tropical drink at one of the many beach bars.

9. Coffee Tasting in Boquete

Get your caffeine fix with a visit to the mountainous town of Boquete. Located in the highlands next to the ominous Baru Volcano, Boquete has fertile soil, making it ideal for growing coffee. During your visit, you’ll find dozens of plantations and farms where you can sample this flavorful, award-winning bean.

Don Pachi, Hacienda La Esmeralda, and Finca Lerida are just a few of the must-see plantations and farms. If you’re lucky, you might also get to sample the rare Esmeralda coffee beans. Selling for an astounding $140 per pound, Esmeralda coffee is the rarest and most expensive bean in the world!

8. Pearl Islands

Situated off the coast of Panama are the Pearl Islands. Although there are over 250 islands in total, most tourists choose to spend their time on Contadora or Isla Sabago. The majority of the islands are unnamed and uninhabited.

Although many people come for a bit of sun and relaxation, the Pearl Islands offer plenty of outdoor activities. Thanks to the cobalt blue waters and tropical marine life, snorkeling and diving are two of the most popular activities. Whale watching around the islands is also a possibility, especially during the breeding season.

7. El Valle

The El Valle volcano sits along the Central American Volcanic Arc in the center of Panama. It has been over 200,000 years since its last eruption, making it a safe and popular place for hiking, walking, and horseback riding.

In the heart of the volcano’s crater is the El Valle de Anton, a popular vacation spot for locals and tourists alike. This small town caters to both city dwellers and nature lovers. Besides exploring the volcano’s hiking trails and waterfalls, you can also visit the town farmers market, geological museum, and butterfly house.

6. Volcan Barú

Easily one of Panama’s most recognizable landmarks, Volcan Barú looms over mountainous highlands in the North. At 11,401-feet high, the active Volcan Barú is the tallest mountain in all of Panama.

There are numerous hiking trails along the sides of the volcano. One of the most popular things to do in Panama is hike the leisurely Los Senderos Quetzales trail, as it gives hikers the opportunity to spot the rare and colorful Quetzal bird. However, if you’re up for the challenge, it’s also possible to trek to the summit of Volcan Barú. From the top, you’ll have panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean Sea.

5. Coiba Island

The rural Coiba Island is located off the northwestern coast of Panama. Not only is it Central America’s largest island, but it’s also part of the Coiba National Park. Between the uninhabited beaches and the colorful coral reefs, it’s one of the best natural attractions in the country.

Scuba diving and fishing are two of the most popular activities to do around Coiba Island. The ocean is teeming with tropical fish and vibrant sea life, which can easily be seen through the translucently clear waters. Since it’s protected by the Gulf of Chiriqui, Coiba Island is also a safe haven for humpback whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and marlins.

4. Bocas del Toro

The fascinating Bocas del Toro archipelago has it all. The nine different islands are home to two national parks, multiple white-sand beaches, colorful Caribbean style houses, and friendly locals. No matter what you’re interested in seeing, Bocas del Toro has plenty of things to do.

Spend the day soaking up the sun on Starfish Beach, or marvel at rare, tropical birds on Bird Island. If you’re looking for something more cultural, you can simply wander through the charming town of Bocas, mingling with the locals and enjoy the laid-back Caribbean vibes.

3. Guna Yala Islands

Beauty and culture collide on the islands of Guna Yala. Comprised of 365 individual islands, Guna Yala (formerly known as San Blas) caters to travelers interested in beaches, hiking, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling. Only 40 islands are inhabited, mainly by indigenous people known as Gunas.

Although many people just visit the islands on a day trip, it’s also possible to spend the night. You’ll find ecolodges and rural cabanas that are privately owned by the Gunas themselves. For a truly authentic experience, consider staying in one of the hand-built thatched cottages in the jungle.

2. Casco Viejo

Despite its small size, the historic Casco Viejo is easily one of the most unique neighborhoods in Panama City . Covering just four avenues, Casco Viejo is lined with colonial houses, top-of-the-line coffee shops, and tropical-themed bars.

As you wander through the narrow brick alleys, you’ll encounter beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th-centuries. Take a peek inside the Catedral Metropolitana, which is located next to the central Plaza de la Independencia. You can also visit the ruins of the Arco Chato church, admire the artwork at the Museum of Religious Art, or catch a show at the grand National Theater.

1. Panama Canal

Flowing 51-miles through the center of the country, the Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific ocean using a series of canal locks. This human-made waterway was built in the early 1900s and is considered to be one of the most complex engineering projects of the last 150 years.

If you’re planning a visit to the Panama Canal, then make sure to stop by the Miraflores locks. Here, you’ll find a museum, restaurant, and viewing platform that offers a birds-eye view of the canal. The best time to visit is before 11 am, where you’ll see cargo ships and boats passing through the locks.

Map of Things to Do in Panama

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Reader interactions.

August 31, 2019 at 6:16 pm

My wife and I went this July for our wedding anniversary to Panama we had an awesome time. The Panama Canal is one of the best experience to do. But my favorites is Monkey Island. Those monkeys are so cute and adorable not to mention hilarious

June 7, 2017 at 10:27 am

@Kristin from MN, I have not taken a ferry to those places but I do know that motion sickness can occur when move in anything that can rock around or shake.

September 29, 2014 at 11:35 am

Has anyone taken the ferry to the Pearl Islands or the boat to San Blas? We will be there this winter. I want to go to both of those places, but I’m very prone to motion sickness. Have you heard if people that suffer motion sickness tend to get sick on the ferry/boat rides to these islands? Thanks!

August 7, 2014 at 6:53 pm

So for someone who is from the Caribbean where sun, sea and sand is an everyday occurence, is there anything else to see besides the Panama canal?

August 8, 2014 at 1:46 am

@Summer, you could visit Casco Viejo in Panama City, soak in the hot springs in Boquete, hike Volcan Baru, see also https://www.touropia.com/best-places-to-visit-in-panama/

March 10, 2014 at 10:48 pm

Pearl Islands It’s so beautiful!

January 26, 2014 at 10:45 am

I would love to visit the Sab Blas Islands! It’s so beautiful!

January 14, 2014 at 7:25 am

Hi everyone, If you are with family wanting to spend a day out on a sailing boat and spend the day at isla de Taboga, I know a great deal (55$/pers i think) lunch and drinks included!

January 7, 2014 at 1:55 am

Santa Catalina,Pearl islands and Volcan Baru are most attractive places in panama. I decided whenever i have one week vacation, Really wanna to visit these places..

December 17, 2013 at 7:04 pm

I’ve been guiding tours in Panama the last two years, and yes! This is a real top list of hot places to visit in Panama. I do recommend diving, snorkeling, fishing, trekking and hiking activities. You’ll find adventurous spots at the capital, Panama city, and into the all country.

Thanks for sharing quality info!

November 18, 2013 at 5:10 pm

i’m going there soon! Its seems beautiful

July 6, 2013 at 1:32 pm

i live in panama

September 18, 2012 at 4:50 am

It’s a toss up between Panama and Cuba for my next big trip – I think Cuba’s winning though. Is Panama just lots of beaches?

August 14, 2012 at 2:05 pm

I remember visiting Panama about 5 years ago and was one of the most beautiful places to visit.

July 24, 2012 at 9:44 am

I would like to visit one of the tiny San Blas Islands and experience loneliness like Robinson Crusoe.

May 26, 2012 at 12:05 am

You are covering all the beautiful places of central America and best part of this that you are also providing brief description of all the places.

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70 Awesome Things To Do In Panama: The Ultimate Guide

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: October 2, 2023

Categories PANAMA

Attention all adventure enthusiasts! If you’re searching for a new destination to satisfy your thrill-seeking needs, Panama should be your next getaway. This country boasts an array of unbelievable landscapes and exciting adventures. Whether it’s riding the waves in Santa Catalina, trekking through the lush jungles of Boquete, or standing atop a volcano, Panama promises an unforgettable experience. In this Ultimate Panama Travel Guide , I’ll guide you through some of the most adventurous things to do in Panama.

I made it my mission to create the largest-ever adventure Panama Travel Guide. I even explored some spots that surprised the locals. Panameno’s love their adventure and I met so many awesome locals along this journey. Thanks to all of you for making my 100 days of exploring Panama such an unforgettable experience. I have put an unbelievable amount of energy into documenting these adventures so that I can share them with you all. This is my adventure guide to Panama. These are 70 awesome things to do in Panama.

3 MOST POPULAR TOURS IN PANAMA

These are the three most popular activities for tourists in Panama. Personally, I love the San Blas Islands boat trip!

• San Blas Islands Boat Trip : Explore the tropical paradise of the San Blas Islands, the most beautiful region in Panama. Easily the most amazing activity I did in Panama.
• Taboga Island Catamaran Cruise : Admire Panama from the water on a sightseeing catamaran cruise to Taboga Island. Admire the city skyline, dive from the boat for a swim, relax on a beach in Taboga, and enjoy snacks and an open bar.
• Half-Day City Tour & Panama Canal : Connect with the beautiful and modern Panama City on this shared or private city tour. Stroll the narrow streets of the Old Town and watch ships sail through the Panama Canal

70 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN PANAMA: THE BUCKET LIST

In this blog post about the top things to do in Panama, I have split the activities up by region so you can plan out your trip. If you enjoy hiking, I suggest basing in Boquete or El Valle de Anton for at least a week. If you want those tropical beaches try Bocas Del Toro, Escudo de Veraguas , and Santa Catalina .

Table of Contents

BOQUETE (CHIRIQUI PROVINCE)

Boquete has fast become one of my favorite adventure towns. It is nestled in the province of Chiriqui, which is in the north of Panama only a couple hours’ drive to the Costa Rican border. At almost 2000 meters above sea level, Boquete has a cool climate, which is perfect weather to explore all of the awesome hikes and waterfalls in the region. Boquete is also one of the best places to spot the famous Resplendent Quetzal bird in the canopy of the many forests

THE LOST WATERFALLS TRAIL

On one of the most stunning jungle trails in the world, we looked for the lost waterfalls of Boquete. Through the luscious jungle, we trekked. Over muddy paths, we slipped and stumbled. From one patch of wildflowers to the next we discovered. Until we reached three, breathtakingly powerful and mind-blowingly beautiful waterfalls. The Lost Waterfall Trail Hike is one of the best things to do in Panama.

The Lost Waterfalls Trail is the first thing most visitors do in Boquete. It is a $7 entrance fee but quite easy to get to and only a short hike it gives great value with three amazing waterfalls. It is the crowd pleaser and great for those who want a bit of an adventure, a waterfall but only half a day’s worth of effort.

View the full blog post:  THE LOST WATERFALLS TRAIL HIKE

THE PIPELINE TRAIL

The Pipeline Trail is another great hike in the Bajo Mono region just outside of Boquete Town. Walk alongside a river through the jungle until you reach a massive yet slow-descending cascade at the end of the trail. On the way, you will discover a thousand-year-old tree and some unique wildlife. The trail takes about two hours and is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon when you are staying in Boquete town.

The Pipeline Trail is a nice short walk through the jungle, with a great chance of spotting a Quetzal bird. They say this is one of the best things to do in Boquete for spotting the Quetzal. we also spotted a snake, caterpillars, and lots of beautiful plants along the way.

View the full blog post:   THE PIPELINE TRAIL

EL PIANISTA TRAIL

El Pianista Trail fast became my favorite jungle adventure in Boquete with its narrow canyon-esque path. The trail is just 4km out of Boquete town and is a 3-4 hour out and back trail with more than 2000 feet of elevation. The trail leads you into a cloud forest, which essentially means at least half of the trail is inside the clouds. This turns the scenery into a dripping rainforest, where life is buzzing, water droplets are falling to the floor from every leaf, and wildflowers and birds are plentiful.

This trail harbors some dark secrets. In 2014, two Dutch girls in their early 20’s made it to the summit and then went missing. There was no sign of the girls until a few weeks later. There are huge holes in the story of what happened and how the investigation unfolded. The girls’ backpack was found 8 weeks later, and bones including a foot still inside a boot were also found weeks later. The girls had hiked down past the summit into the continental divide. The area between Costa Rica and Panama. The Ngobe tribe were the people to discover the backpack and would have been the first contact for the girls had they come into trouble and looked for a way out according to the reports. It’s one of the spookiest things to do in Panama.

View the full blog post:  EL PIANISTA TRAIL

LA PIEDRA DE LINO HIKE

It may be one of the shortest hikes in Boquete distance wise but La Piedra De Lino will hurt your legs the most! This hike was a grueling 434 meters in elevation over just 1.3km. That means for every three meters you walk forward, you walk up one meter. However, the view of Boquete from the top rock is worth the climb.

La Piedra De Lino means the rock of Lino. Lino is a small section of Boquete only about four kilometers from the center of Boquete town. There were lots to see on the way up with flowers, berries, and glimpses of the view as we made our way to the top of the rock. There was no one else on the trail at all and we felt like we were out in the jungle even though we had views back towards Boquete town!

View the full blog post:  LA PIEDRA DE LINO (THE ROCK OF LINO) HIKE

LA PIEDRA DE ARTILLERIA HIKE

La Artilleria hike is a beautiful trail up to one of the most epic viewpoints in all of Boquete. However, it is a strange one. At the top of the trail, we scrambled up the rocks and watched the clouds part to show us an amazing view of Boquete! It was definitely the best view we had during our hiking in Boquete and something I will never forget. In the opposite direction, we had rolling mountains with several layers and even a rainbow appeared. It was a day where everything seemed to turn out perfectly although this is one of the things to do in Boquete that won’t be recommended at your hostel.

View full blog post:  LA ARTILLERIA HIKE

LA PIEDRA DE LA INDIA VIEJA HIKE

La Piedra de la India Vieja hike has in my opinion, the best views of any hike in Boquete. However, it also has the worst trail, or from what I found… no trail. My legs had many a battle scar after this hike but boy was the rock viewpoint at the top worth it all and more. If you are up for an extremely tough jungle adventure, go for it. Otherwise, enjoy my photos and head to one of the other beautiful hikes in Boquete. That’s genuine advice, not a challenge. This was one of the toughest things to do in Panama!

At the summit,  the view was totally unexpected. A jagged rock wall curved around right beneath me while mountains in all directions created an immensely atmospheric backdrop. Despite the rough journey up and the imminent rough journey down, I felt like I was on top of Boquete and I really was out here alone.

View full blog post:   LA PIEDRA DE LA INDIA VIEJA HIKE

ROCK CLIMBING WALL

On the way to Bajo Mono, the location of the Lost Waterfall Trek, and many more, there is an epic Basalt rock climbing wall. The best part about it is that is completely natural. Josh and I used to run here in the morning and work out on the grass amidst the beautiful mountains. However, in the late mornings and afternoons, there were rock climbing tours that would set up and take tourists through their paces at climbing the wall.

SENDERO LOS QUETZALES

Los Senderos Quetzales, translated to the Quetzal Trail, is one of the most popular hikes near the small town of Boquete in Panama. The Boquete region has a variety of trails to choose from yet Los Senderos Quetzales remains near the top of the list for visitors. The popularity of Los Senderos Quetzales is because this trail, in the Volcan Baru National Park, provides hikers a great opportunity to spot the elusive Quetzal bird.

The Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala as it plays an important role in numerous types of Meso-American mythology. Additionally, the Quetzal is a very striking bird with impressive green feathers on its back while on its front it is covered in striking red feathers. The Quetzal also has a long tail. All of these features make it an attractive bird for bird-watchers to travel all the way to the Chiriqui region of Panama. El Sendero Los Quetzales is one of the most popular things to do in Boquete.

View full blog post:  SENDERO LOS QUETZALES: THE TRAIL OF THE FAMOUS QUETZAL

HIKE TO THE SUMMIT OF VOLCAN BARU

Volcán Barú is an active stratovolcano located in western Panama and stands at an impressive height of 3,475 meters. It is the tallest mountain in Panama and provides breathtaking views of both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Trekking to the summit is a challenging but rewarding experience, and the summit provides incredible views from above the clouds. Despite being an active volcano, Volcán Barú is considered safe for visitors and offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Panama’s natural wonders. It’s an overnight hike and one of the tougher things to do in Panama.

View the full blog post:  27KM VOLCAN BARU HIKE OVERNIGHT FOR EPIC SUNRISE

THINGS TO DO IN CHIRIQUI PROVINCE (OUTSIDE OF BOQUETE)

Those are all of the hikes, waterfalls, and activities that I got up to in Boquete. However, while in Boquete I made a few day trips within Chiriqui Province. None of these trips were much more than an hour by car. It is quite hard to rent a car and DIY by bus isn’t the easiest but is possible.

I have added directions and helpful information with an individual blog post to all of the activities above and below to help you also. So, below are the waterfalls, hikes, and places I visited while in Boquete that aren’t technically in the Boquete region.

ROMELIO & KIKI WATERFALL

I’m standing behind a waterfall, watching the droplets majestically float down right before my eyes. I feel like I am inside the earth, inside a chamber watching the raw power of mother nature from the inside out. I am within the heart of Kiki Waterfall in the Ngäbe-Buglé region, Chiriqui. It was the second waterfall of the day after visiting Romelio Falls earlier with two local tour guides and a group of new friends.

These two waterfalls are a little tough to reach but if you can organize a crew it is an epic adventure for a day of waterfall chasing. I have linked the details of the guides in the full blog post which is linked below.

View full blog post:  ROMELIO & KIKI WATERFALL IN NGÄBE-BUGLÉ REGION

CHOCLON WATERFALL

Choclon Waterfall is a beautiful twin falls at the end of a small gorge. The tiny amphitheater is the perfect place for a short hike and to hang out in the afternoon with friends on a sunny day. The water has a beautiful blue tinge to it and vines grow all around the walls of the waterfalls giving this spot a magical atmosphere.

View full blog post:   CHOCLON WATERFALL IN CHIRIQUI

CASCADA DEL TRUENO WATERFALL

When the destination of the day is ‘Thunder Waterfall (Cascada Del Trueno) you know the crew is heading somewhere aggressive, powerful, and possibly a little bit extreme! Bundled into the back of a pickup truck, we wound our way through Chiriqui to Cordillera to begin the short trail. The 30-minute hike led us down into the amphitheater of dreams as the Thunder Waterfall lived up to its name, slapping a rage of spray at anything that came within a 20m radius with pure fury.

View full blog post:  CASCADA DEL TRUENO (THUNDER WATERFALL)

CABELLO DE ANGEL WATERFALL

Cabella de Angel waterfall was huge! It flowed from two different sides and then converged into one, an almighty powerful force that rocketed into the pool below. The mist blew everyone and the rocks were incredibly slippery, which made it a fun experience but incredibly hard to shoot.

View Full blog post:  CABELLO DE ANGEL WATERFALL

CANGILONES DE GUALACA

Los Cangilones de Gualaca is a natural canyon slot in Chiriqui. It has stood the test of time and is thousands of years old. It’s a great spot to hang out with friends, cliff jump, and swim! Cangilon means bucket in Spanish or deep vessel for collecting water. This canyon is one hell of a long bucket and an epic spot to visit in Chiriqui.

View full blog post:  LOS CANGILONES DE GUALACA

SINDIGO WATERFALL

Sindigo Waterfall in Chiriqui Panama is a great little spot with cliff jumping, a rope swing, and beautiful blue water. What I am saying is… welcome to paradise!

The waterfall is in the Gualaca region and is unmarked from the road. We jumped a barbed wire fence and headed down a small path. After hiking down a little path for 10-minutes we arrived at Sindigo Waterfall.

The scene was magical. Moss-covered boulders created a swimming pool, which a sweet little waterfall poured into. From the top of the boulders, you can jump in from about 4 meters. This epic little spot even had a rope swing, which flung you all the way out into the middle of the pool.

View full blog post:   SINDIGO WATERFALL IN CHIRIQUI

JOGUATA WATERFALL

After more than a week in the town of Boquete, I had visited many waterfalls but none so far had a sizeable cliff jump. That all changed when I paid a visit to Joguata Waterfall in Caldera. An 8-meter jump from beside a waterfall into the pool below was enough to get my adrenaline pumping for the day.

The water is quite deep and the waterfall crashes into the pool so aim just to the left of that but check the conditions first as you never know what lurks beneath the surface.

View full blog post:   JOGUATA WATERFALL CLIFF JUMP

EL VALLE DE ANTON (COCLE PROVINCE)

El Valle de Anton or ‘El Valle’ for short is a town I based myself in for a month. El Valle means ‘The Valley’, and this beautiful region just a few hours out of Panama City is much more than a valley, it is a volcanic crater from many years ago. There are plentiful hikes around the rim of the crater and in the surrounding region.

LA INDIA DORMIDA HIKE

One of the most popular sunrise viewpoints in all of Anton Valley. The hike only takes about 45 minutes to summit from the town, making it a perfect way to start your morning. The loop trail takes you along the edge of the beautiful mountains of the crater, which resemble the body of a sleeping person. This is where the hike gets its name and we will delve into the Legend of the Sleeping Indian in this blog post as well as everything you need to know about hiking La India Dormida to enjoy an epic sunrise.

Legend has it that Luba, known as ‘Airflower’, was the youngest daughter of heralded Chief Urraca. Urraca was the leader of one of the many Guaymi Tribes in Anton Crater. Luba was a rebellious girl and despite her tribes fighting with the Spanish for years, she fell in love with a Spanish official who lived in the town. Yaravi was a brave warrior from the tribe who loved Luba but she didn’t love him back. Yaravi couldn’t handle this and took his own life, throwing himself off of a mountain while Luba stared in a perplexed fashion. Luba didn’t want to betray her town and in a desperate panic of crying and mourning she loses herself in the bushes and dies

Need more information?  Full blog post:   HIKING LA INDIA DORMIDA FOR SUNRISE

CERRO CARA IGUANA

My first hike in Cocle was a short, sweet, and eventually very wet trek to the summit of Cerra Cara Iguana.  Anton Valley is actually a giant volcanic crater. It is said to be the only volcanic crater, which is inhabited. It’s pretty crazy to think that at some stage a key decision maker decided that the best place to set up camp was inside a volcanic crater.

What you have now is a beautiful town surrounded by epic mountains. In short, the Anton Valley unintentionally placed itself as a future adventure tourism destination. Cerro Cara Iguana gives you a great view of this crater. The ridge of Cerro Cara Iguana extends out towards the middle of the crater, more than any other point and it was great to do this hike early in my stay in Anton Valley. It gives you a great idea of the layout of the town and is one of my favorite places to visit in Panama.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO CARA IGUANA HIKE

CERRO GAITAL

Often labeled as ‘The toughest hike in Panama’, the Cerro Gaital hike will definitely challenge you while making your way up to the epic viewpoint.

Cerro Gaital leads you through a tunnel of the dense forest before hitting you with intense vertical rock climbs into the foggy summit. The hike takes less than three hours depending on how long you spend at the top. It is possible to walk to the trailhead from Anton Valley Town or you can catch a bus to the trailhead for $1.

From the top of Cerro Gaital, you have views over the whole valley and beyond. I sat atop the small cement hut eating my lunch enjoying yet another empty mountain in El Valle de Anton!

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO GAITAL HIKE

CERRO LA GAITA

Although it is not directly in El Valle de Anton, Cerro La Gaita is only a short drive or even a bus trip away from the town center. This makes it one of the best things to do in El Valle de Anton or at least nearby.

Every mountain in Anton Valley seems to surround you as you emerged from the jungle to rise above the canopy on a wooden platform. For an hour you trek up the slippery path and then the stairs that pierced through the dense jungle. You will reach the summit of Cerro La Gaita and the view over Cerro Picacho and San Carlos Lake is beautiful.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO LA GAITA HIKE

POZO AZUL WATERFALL CANYON

In what seems to be the middle of a quiet farmland region is one of the wonders of Panama. A lot of places around the world get hyped up but surprisingly Pozo Azul was spoken of as a nice spot but I didn’t expect to encounter such an epic location. In the depths of the jungle, a series of waterfalls flow down from one level to the next into crystal-clear azure pools. Rock climbing, cliff jumping, and the ultimate waterhole await you at Pozo Azul in Cocle, Panama.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  POZO AZUL WATERFALLS

CERRO LA SILLA

Cerro La Silla is a short journey to an epic viewpoint atop the mountains to watch the sun rise over the horizon with views of Valle de Anton and beyond! It’s interesting that  Cerro Cara Iguana  and  India Dormida hikes  are the most suggested but you don’t hear a lot about Cerro La Silla. Having experienced all three I would say it is hard to separate them all but La Silla possibly has the best views.

Just before the sun was about to break over the horizon we made it to the summit where we sat down beneath the giant cross, which seems to be common at viewpoints in Valle de Anton. We could see all the way back into the crater of Valle de Anton but also out to  Cerro Picacho .

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO LA SILLA ‘THE ARMCHAIR’ SUNRISE HIKE

CERRO PICACHO IN SAN CARLOS

Overlooking San Carlos Laguna, the Cerro Picacho hike in San Carlos (West Panama) is one of the best viewpoints in the region. It is a steady incline through the dense forest, which leads you over roots, through muddy paths, and underneath a beautiful canopy. The tropical conditions mean that as per usual you will be sweating, hot, and searching for air when you reach the summit.

There are two viewpoints on Cerro Picacho in San Carlos. The first is a really cool boulder that sticks out of the trail and gives a great vantage point of the lake and the other peak. The other peak is incredibly steep although I have seen a video of someone sitting on top of it. From the boulder lookout, we could see other hikes like  Cerro La Gaita  platform. It is a great spot to check out the other mountains in the area.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO PICACHO HIKE IN SAN CARLOS

CERRO TUREGA HIKE

Cerro Turega is an epic trail that leads you past waterfalls before up an intense incline to reach the three peaks at the summit with panoramic views! The hike is only a 6km trail. However, the hike is regularly touted as a 4-hour journey and this is because the terrain is incredibly steep and slippery making it very slow going.

There are three epic peaks but as far as I know, you can only reach the first where you can see us standing in the photos. They are very steep and I would be surprised if peaks two and three are accessible. The views are beautiful and we got a few glimpses amidst the fog and stormy clouds.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO TUREGA ‘THREE PEAKS’ HIKE

ISLA FARALLON DAY TRIP

Isla Farallon is a unique island off the coast off of Farallon on the southern coast of Panama, only a couple of hours’ drive from Panama City. We ventured down on three buses from Valle de Anton in about an hour and enjoyed a day of soaking up the sun, exploring Isla Farallon, and beach volleyball on Farallon Beach. This is a family-friendly beach with nothing but chill vibes, sun, and salt!

It only took us just over an hour to reach Farallon Beach from El Valle on two buses. Farallon Island only takes another fifteen-minute boat trip from there. I thought it would be handy in this guide as sometimes in El Valle de Anton, you forget what the beach looks like when you go on daily hikes!

Need more information?  Full blog post:  ISLA FARALLON AND FARALLON BEACH

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN COCLE PROVINCE

These are a few other random spots in Cocle province that didn’t quite fit into a popular region.

AGUILA FALLS AND CANYON

Aguila Waterfalls is one of those locations that take you into another world. I found myself wading through knee-deep in crystal clear blue water while staring up at huge walls of ferns and vines as sunlight crept in through the canopy, lighting up the canyon. This is an Indiana Jones type of adventure.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  AGUILA WATERFALLS AND CANYON

CERRO TRINIDAD HIKE

Cerro Trinidad is a steep hike through the jungle to an epic viewpoint out over Capiro. It isn’t very popular and subsequently, the trail is quite rough and very steep in some parts. A guide is highly suggested and hikers not in good physical condition may decide to give this hike a miss due to the incline.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO TRINIDAD HIKE IN EL CACAO

CERRO CHAME SUNRISE HIKE

Cerro Chame is a collection of ridges and rolling hills overlooking the region of Chame. The hike takes just over an hour until you reach the cross at the summit, although you can continue on much further along the ridges, which makes it a much longer hike.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO CHAME SUNRISE HIKE

30KM TIFE WATERFALL TREK

A journey of 30km with over 2000 meters of incline through the forest of Omar Torrijos National Park to reach the epic Tife Waterfall in Panama. It isn’t for the faint-hearted but it is an incredible experience and off the beaten path, to say the least! If you are game the adventure to Tife Waterfall challenges you! This was easily one of the toughest things to do in Panama!

Need more information?  Full blog post:  30KM TREK TO TIFE WATERFALL

FILIPINAS WATERFALLS

Filipinas waterfalls is a series of five different waterfalls easily accessible along a short, but interesting trail that leads you through the jungle to each spot!

The fifth and final waterfall is a double-tiered beauty. At the end of a short but narrow canyon, a slim waterfall shoots down into a little pool of blue water. It is possible to climb up the left side but it is very slippery and can be quite dangerous. However, if you do make it to the top the view is beautiful!

Need more information?  Full blog post:  FILIPINAS WATERFALLS IN SORA

NATIVA WATERFALL IN SORA

Nativa Waterfall is an amazing wall of water like nothing else in Panama! It’s a really unique waterfall as it is a rounded wall that pours into a tiny little pool and then shoots off sideways down the river

This huge water wall was one of my favorite waterfalls in Panama because it is just so different from the regular style of a waterfall. It’s deep enough to swim in the pool below, even though it is only a 3-meter wide pool!

Need more information?  Full blog post:  NATIVA WATERFALL IN SORA

LOS VALLES WATERFALL CLIFF JUMP

Los Valles Waterfall cliff jump is by far one of my favorite places to hang out in all of Panama. Taking in the sun while laying on the rocks in between massive cliff jumps is heaven on earth for me! This was one of the most fun things to do in Panama.

The biggest cliff jump is 15m and other spots are possible to jump from throughout the watering hole. The biggest factor to point out that this is not an easy place to cliff jump. Especially on the big 15-meter jump, you need to run and really push off to reach the middle of the pool below. It is dangerous if you are scared and only do a small jump or back out halfway. Don’t take this place lightly.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  LOS VALLES WATERFALL: THE BEST CLIFF JUMP IN PANAMA

OLA WATERFALLS

The waterfalls of Ola are a spectacle that could be argued to be among the best series of waterfalls in Panama. Two huge waterfalls are accompanied by many smaller cascades and watering holes, which on clear days boast beautiful blue waters.

The main waterfall was a sight to behold. It was aggressive and the pool it flowed down into was a scene of carnage. Huge rocks were littered everywhere from previous falls most likely and the water smashed down onto one of the rocks spraying up with pure force.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  THE AMAZING WATERFALLS OF OLA

CERRO PICACHO SUNRISE HIKE IN OLA

Sitting in the long grass on top of Cerro Picacho in Ola, we slowly watched the illumination of the epic ridges all around us until we had become ants amidst a golden glow in what is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Panama.

The sun rises directly in front of you lighting up the valley, which is littered with other epic mountains. Fog circled many of the bigger mountains and in combination with the layers of mountains, the view was incredible. Because of the sharp ridges, Cerro Picacho hike in Ola became one of my favorite hikes in Panama. It was only short but the view was just breathtaking. It is like nothing you ever expected from this country and one of the top things to do in Panama. I think this morning is one of my favorites photography-wise as well.

CERRO PICACHO SUNRISE HIKE IN OLA, PANAMA

MANGLARITO WATERFALL

Manglarito Waterfall in Chame begins with an insane canyon drop, which flows down into an amphitheater with the main waterfall. Both of the waterfalls are beautiful and this jungle atmosphere is one of my favorites in Panama.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  MANGLARITO WATERFALL IN CHAME

LOS CAJONES DE CHAME

Hidden in the depths of Chame is a masterpiece from mother nature. Los Cajones de Chame (The draws of Chame) is one of the most unique land formations in Panama. Only 90 minutes from Panama City, it is one of the most remarkable and popular spots to visit in Panama.

Need more information?  Full blog post:  LOS CAJONES DE CHAME IN PANAMA

CERRO DE LA CRUZ SUNRISE HIKE

We waited in the cold, curled up behind boulders atop Cerro De La Cruz with the almighty cross towering above us. It had been an early wake-up call at 2 am and we were now patiently shivering our way towards a beautiful sunrise in the Campana National Park on the Cerro De La Cruz viewpoint hike. After patiently waiting for an hour, the sun finally started to break its way through and we started to see how beautiful the view was with the sun streaming into the valley and up onto the mountain.

This viewpoint, which is at 905 meters of altitude, was one of my favorite lookouts in Panama. Standing beneath the cross with such an epic drop below us was an insane way to start the day!

Need more information?  Full blog post:  CERRO DE LA CRUZ HIKE IN ALTOS DE CAMPANA NATIONAL PARK

SANTA FE (VERAGUAS PROVINCE)

Santa Fe is a beautiful little town, nestled in the towering mountains of Veraguas. Almost exactly in the center of Panama, Santa Fe is one of the adventure hotspots for hikers and waterfall enthusiasts. I stayed in Santa Fe for ten days and went on a hike or visited a waterfall every single day. Not many people think about Santa Fe when considering what to do in Panama but it was one of my favorite backpacking spots in Panama.

CERRO TUTE HIKE

Cerro Tute is a viewpoint that looks out over Santa Fe from a pile of precarious rocks! I really loved Cerro Tute and it was a great first experience in Santa Fe, Veraguas. I recommend doing it as your first Santa Fe hiking trail even though it is quite long. You will get great views of the area and can even pick out a few other peaks you might want to summit also!

Read the full blog post:   EPIC CERRO TUTE HIKE

ALTO DE PIEDRA WATERFALL HIKE

I now backtracked all the way to the front gate and decide that I would try the trail on the far left. It was the only trail I had not yet visited because I entered the far right trail and emerged in the middle trail. I had seemingly done a loop. But I hadn’t yet visited the far left trail so off I went. It turns out that this is actually the trail to the biggest waterfall and maybe the most popular as the trail had tires placed to help with the mud and was the most well-defined and easy to follow.

At the bottom of the trail was a huge waterfall, the biggest of the day. I felt like the waterfalls in this region just never ended but that’s Panama for you. A shallow pool once again collected the water at the bottom of this pool.

Read the full blog post:   ALTO DE PIEDRA WATERFALLS HIKE

BERMEJO WATERFALL HIKE

Bermejo Waterfall was a scene of beautiful destruction. As I sat atop a wet rock, alone in the amphitheater of Bermejo, I could only envision the events that had unfolded over the years to leave this magical place in the state it remains today. Boulders the sizes of houses are covered in moss with trees growing readily from their surface. Freezing cold water swirls viciously, inviting you to test the danger. And then there is the waterfall itself. A multi-tiered, dual-directional flow of pure aggression, which slices through the earth in the middle of the Santa Fe Jungle with an exclamation point.

It’s an aggressive waterfall without a place to swim directly below it. However, the first pool is deep enough to at least cool off. I definitely suggest packing lunch and hanging out in this area for a few hours to appreciate the region and recover from your trek in!

Read full blog post:  BERMEJO WATERFALL HIKE

EL SALTO WATERFALL HIKE

El Salto is a collection of 22 waterfalls (if not more) in the middle of the mountains near Santa Fe. I explored two by foot and one other with the drone. It is possible to explore all of them but takes expert knowledge of the area, ropes, and some serious skills and planning.

It’s definitely one of the longer Santa Fe hiking trails but you usually get out what effort you put in and it’s is true in this case. Remote paradise!

Read full blog post:  EL SALTO WATERFALLS

NUCA DEL TORO HIKE

Amidst a myriad of amazing waterfalls and trails, Nuca Del Toro, is a basic trail without much of an epic viewpoint. However, if you give the trail a chance it can be a fun afternoon activity with a change of scenery from the Panamanian Jungle. Huge pine trees surround you on top of the hill with snippets of the mountain range visible depending on what giant boulder you can clamber onto.

Read full blog post:  NUCA DEL TORO HIKE

NATURE NIGHT TRAIL

Take a walk into the dark, armed with your flashlight! In the jungle at night, the creatures come out to play and we had an epic time exploring. We saw frogs, snakes, a shy sloth, cicadas, butterflies, tarantulas, and all kinds of crazy bugs.

The interesting part is that in Santa Fe there are lots of motion-sensor cameras and Edgar showed us the photos they had captured within the last 2 years. It is pretty shocking. Jaguars, Ocelots, Pumas, and lots of other large mammals are out here in the jungle, but they are seldom seen!

We walked for about 1.5 hours total admiring all of the amazing creatures along the way. Let’s just see if the bugs are bigger in Panama. If you are interested in this experience I do recommend it. Just drop into Hostal La Qhiaand let them know. It was $25 per person and the only paid tour I did in Santa Fe. The rest of the Santa Fe hiking trails were free!

Read full blog post:   NATURE NIGHT TRAIL IN THE JUNGLE

LOMA GRANDE WATERFALL HIKE

Loma Grande Waterfall near Santa Fe, Veraguas is one of the most spectacular little spots to visit in the region. Not only is this waterfall an epic natural sight but the amphitheater within which it is found is out of this world. Slopes on either side are covered in tropical plants, dripping from the spray of the waterfall. Moss-covered rocks are scattered throughout the stream that leads up to the fall. The best bit, however, is the unexplainable pool of blue water that sits to the side of the waterfall.

Read full blog post:  LOMA GRANDE WATERFALL

LAS GOLONDRINAS WATERFALL

I had heard about this goliath waterfall but never envisioned it to be quite so epic. Las Golondrinas Waterfall is a mammoth falls near Santa Fe, Veraguas. The trek to the falls takes only 20 minutes but leads you through a wonderland of vines and river crossings before revealing the gigantic waterfall.

The trail is very clear to follow and has handrails in some points. However, because of the conditions, it is very muddy and you will get wet and dirty on this trail. If the trail doesn’t get you wet, the river crossing will.

Read full blog post:  LAS GOLONDRINAS WATERFALL TRAIL

EL SALTO DEL LIMON WATERFALL

Multiple streams poured over the edge of the cliff, like lines of tears seeping out of the earth. El Salto del Limon is a beautiful waterfall that has a quiet, peaceful atmosphere rather than an aggressive show of raw power like many of the other waterfalls in Panama.

Read full blog post:  EL SALTO DEL LIMON WATERFALL

LA SILAMPA WATERFALL HIKE

A rocky path carves its way through the rolling hills of Calobre. For an hour of steep trekking, curious hikers can only imagine what paradise may be found at the end of their journey. The trail finally ends, and what is found is truly an oasis, a crystal clear oasis. Flowing down for a river through the mountains, a waterfall cascades into the azure blue water, which then flows into several small lagoons before finally free-falling into another waterfall to disappear into the river below. This my friends is a mountain paradise.

Silampa is one of my favorite places in Panama and it’s the perfect location for an all-day hangout with a packed lunch and good company. The trek is only an hour one-way, which makes it the perfect weekend adventure in Panama.

Read full blog post:  LA SILAMPA WATERFALL HIKE

ISLA ESCUDO DE VERAGUAS CAMPING TRIP

Locals will tell you it is the last frontier or the final hidden paradise in Panama. Escudo de Veraguas means ‘The Shield of Veraguas’ and it is one of the most amazing locations in Central America. It is home to the elusive three-toed pygmy sloth, which at times swims in the crystal clear waters of the mangroves in this tropical island oasis. Escudo de Veraguas is a must-see place in Panama!

SANTA CATALINA

Santa Catalina is the ultimate beach and surf destination in Panama. It’s a bit of a hidden gem but still has a few beautiful resorts and fun hostels to host you while you kick back and enjoy the chill, coastal vibes.

SURF AT LA PUNTA

La Punta has built a reputation as being one of the best waves in Central America because of its year-round offshore and consistency, which is seen almost nowhere else in the region.  It breaks right every day between April and October. With a tide sweeping in and out by quite some distance, surfers wait for high tide to paddle directly out from Hotel Santa Catalina or nearby entrance points.

The most popular section at La Punta surf break is the outside section. It gets dispersed down the long point, especially during high tide. The offshore winds get strong in the afternoon.

LEARN TO SURF AT PLAYA ESTERO

If La Punta break looks a bit too crazy or advanced for you, that is no problem in Santa Catalina. Just down the hill at the other end of the village is Playa Estero. This huge stretch of beach is home to some kinder, rolling waves. These are perfect for beginners of all ages. Kids and first-timers can be seen catching their first-ever waves here all day long.

You can rent a board for $5 right on the beach from local surf vendors who also offer lessons. If you have never surfed before I suggest taking at least a half-hour lesson so you have your feet right and your technique under your belt. Learning to surf is one of the best things to do in Santa Catalina.

Read the full blog post:   7 BEST BEACHES IN SANTA CATALINA

HANG OUT AT PLAYA SANTA CATALINA

Playa Santa Catalina is the second black sand beach of Santa Catalina. It is the hub of activity as it is situated right in the heart of the town. Cafes are situated nearby as well as scuba, kayak and snorkel rental stores.

During the day the beach is a great place to hang out and it never gets too busy. Groups of locals take to the volleyball court in the evening with fun social games that even tourists are welcome to join. Down near the water, the soccer games get into full swing on the slick black sand. I had an epic sunset soccer game and it was one of my favorite things to do in Santa Catalina.

TREK TO PUNTA ROCA

Punta Roca is a little trail that starts at the far-left part of Playa Santa Catalina. It takes you through some farm fields and along the coast for about thirty minutes until you end up at Punta Roca. It is an area along the coastline with lots of tight coves, inlets, and secret beaches. I walked out to Punta Roca once and it was kind of strange. You had to pass through what seemed like private farms but the fences had a little gap made for you to pass through.

The trail wasn’t clear the whole way but I ended up getting there in the end. When I arrived it was a huge storm. I decided to fly back with the drone the next day from Playa Santa Catalina to explore the region from the air. It’s one of the less popular things to do in Santa Catalina but it is an adventure for sure!

SEE THE REFLECTIONS AT LA COQUITA

La Coquita is one of my favorite beaches in Santa Catalina because of the reflections. It reminds me of Bali beaches, which give epic black sand reflections every night. When the sunset gives you some color you want to be at La Coquita.

Because of the huge stretch of sand, it is a popular spot for horseback riding and we even took the cruiser bikes all the way down here. On our visit to La Coquita, we watched an insane storm come straight past us as the horses were riding through. It was a pretty surreal ten minutes and the storm never even touched us. Visiting La Coquita for sunset would have to be one of my favorite things to do in Santa Catalina because of the reflections.

EXPLORE PUNTA BRAVA

If you walk down Playa Estero and then all the way down La Coquita you will then cross over the rocks to Punta Brava. It will take you about thirty or so minutes to complete the walk. It is a very rocky beach and this is evident at low tide. It isn’t at all like Playa Estero or La Coquita when considering how much sandy beach they have. Visiting Punta Brava isn’t one of the popular things to do in Santa Catalina but it’s a great spot to finish a walk from Playa Estero.

At high tide, it is a great surf spot where the waves can grow well beyond 6 feet. There are a right and a left wave. The right can be hollow and the fast left begins to work when there are more than 6 feet of well.

KAYAK TO ISLA CATALINA

Santa Catalina Island or Isla Catalina as it is known locally is a beautiful island sitting just off the coast of Santa Catalina in Veraguas. Snorkeling and a virgin white sand beach are the highlights of the island. You can expect a peaceful afternoon with tourists rarely venturing out to the island. You can either rent a boat to drop you there in a few minutes or head out on a kayak adventure to Santa Catalina Islands as we did. For me, this is one of the best beaches in Santa Catalina if not the best beach. However, it takes some effort to get out there.

The back side of the island is all rocks and the front side is a long sandy beach. It was a great place to grab a tan and hang out in the sun for a while. We explored along the shore keeping our eyes out for a trail we had heard about.

This day was epic and kayaking to Isla Catalina was easily one of the best things to do in Santa Catalina!

Read the full blog post:   KAYAKING TO SANTA CATALINA ISLAND IN PANAMA

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO COIBA NATIONAL PARK

MAKE A DAY TRIP OR STAY OVERNIGHT ON CEBACO ISLAND

Less than an hour away from Santa Catalina by boat is another amazing destination for whale spotting, snorkeling, and island hopping. Cebaco Island is a beautiful palm tree-laden paradise and the best part about it, you will be the only one there!

There is only one hotel on Cebaco Island called  Cebaco Sunrise  and there are less than 300 locals living on the island. I spent 48 hours on Cebaco Island and didn’t see another tourist or even another local. From  Cebaco Sunrise  we were completely isolated in our own little paradise. I walked up and down the coast in solitude, exploring lagoons, waterfalls, and caves. It’s not often you feel like you have an entire island to yourself!

Read the full blog post:   CEBACO ISLAND IN VERAGUAS

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR PANAMA CITY

Panama City isn’t my favorite region in Panama but if you find yourself in the city for a few days, these adventures will keep you busy.

ANCON HILL VIEWPOINT

Ancon Hill is the most popular viewpoint in Panama City, with views over the Panama Canal, city center, and Casco Viejo old town region. The climb up Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) in Panama City takes only 30 minutes. The incline is quite steep but it is gradual and on a paved road. This is a leisurely climb suitable for kids, dogs, and hikers of all abilities.

Once you reach the top there are two viewing platforms. Well, there are actually three but only two are legal. The first platform has a bench and a little viewing hut with good views over Casco Viejo old town. The second viewpoint is the most popular with a big seating area and great views back across the city center and the ocean.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST:  ANCON HILL VIEWPOINT

CERRO CEDRO VIEWPOINT

Cerro Cedro is arguably the best viewpoint of Panama City. At just over 500ft above sea-level, you will have great views of Panama City, the business hub of Central America. The part I love about this viewpoint is that you are seemingly in the Jungle staring out at the metropolis through the branches. Howler monkeys scream nearby to confirm that you are indeed in the wild despite your proximity to the urban jungle.

READ FULL BLOG POST :  CERRO CEDRO IN THE METROPOLITAN NATURAL PARK

PLANTATION TRAIL IN SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK

Panama City can get quite crazy at times amidst the traffic and the urban jungle. However, the beauty of Panama is that you are never far from the jungle or an adventure. Just a 28km drive from Panama City is Soberania National Park. Inside the park, you will find several trails with one of the most popular being the 14km Plantation Trail.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST :  THE PLANTATION TRAIL IN SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK

JAGUAR FALLS HIKE IN KALU YALA

Jaguar Falls is a beautiful waterhole and waterfall at the end of a 5.3km hike through the jungle. It’s called Jaguar Falls because it is indeed a site where the Jaguar is present at night. It is not known how many but sightings are not uncommon. During the day, however, it is safe to visit Jaguar Falls. There is a great cliff jump of about 8m or even higher at the falls too! This is my favorite hike near Panama City.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST :  JAGUAR FALLS HIKE AT KALU YALA

SAN BLAS ISLANDS

The journey from Colombia to Panama is not a straightforward transit. The dangerous Darien Gap Jungle makes it impossible to pass through overland on a bus or via car. The most common way to reach Panama from Colombia is to fly to Panama City. However, we found that the tickets were $250 USD one way, which is quite expensive given the distance of the flight. The next option is to sail or take a boat from Cartagena to Panama City, which sounded like the most adventurous option. We organized a 3-night/4-day San Blas Islands tour boat trip from Colombia to Panama, which costs $399 USD.

The San Blas Islands were epic. We did some amazing snorkeling, island-hopped, and had some tense beach volleyball games. The nights were spent sleeping in hammocks and the days were spent exploring different islands, meeting the local indigenous tribes, and hanging out at the beautiful beaches.

View the full blog post: SAN BLAS ISLANDS TOUR

BOCAS DEL TORO

Bocas Del Toro is the one destination in Panama other than the city that most travelers do visit. With the promise of tropical conditions, blue waters, sloths, and beaches can you blame them? It’s definitely a beautiful place full of great snorkel spots, empty islands, and beach shack getaways. I spent a few nice days hanging out in Bocas before the bad weather forced me to head to the mountains to go hiking. Bocas Del Toro is one of the most popular places to visit in Panama.

OVER-WATER BUNGALOWS

I don’t travel for luxury villas, but when your villa is over the water that is a really cool feeling. I was lucky enough to shoot for Azul Paradise and enjoy their resort for a few days. It is super expensive at more than $300 per night but some places in the Maldives are $5000 a night so if you do want that over-water experience and luxury getaway you could do it in Bocas Del Toro for much less than other locations around the world.

SPOT A SLOTH

There are many places to spot a sloth in Panama. I saw them on hikes near Panama City and in Campana. However, they are quite common in Bocas Del Toro. We did a little river cruise while on Bastimentos and our guide managed to spot several sloths. They are pretty difficult to spot and don’t move much but you may just get lucky.

ISLAND HOPPING IN BOCAS DEL TORO

You really can’t go wrong with island hopping in Bocas. There are so many trips offered and they all lead to beautiful islands with snorkeling spots. Try Zapatos Island or just ask a local for their favorite spot if you don’t want to join one of the group tours, which is a more economical option.

Wow! You made it this far. I made it this far. That’s it guys, this is my adventure guide to all of the best things to do in Panama. I hoped you enjoyed planning your trip based on some of the spots I visited and of course, I hope you love Panama as much as I do!

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT MY OTHER PANAMA GUIDES

• 70 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN PANAMA : The ultimate guide to exploring the whole country!
• 26 AMAZING WATERFALLS IN PANAMA : The ultimate guide to waterfall chasing in Panama.
• 6 BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS IN PANAMA : The guide for thrill-seekers and adrenaline hunters.
• 37 AMAZING HIKES IN PANAMA : All of the best hiking trails. Many you’ve never heard of!
• 18 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN BOQUETE : Hiking, waterfalls, and volcanoes.
• 12 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN EL VALLE DE ANTON : My favorite place to base in Panama.
• 10 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SANTA CATALINA : Surf, hike, swim, kayak, and explore.

I hope you enjoy my guides and have a great time exploring Panama!

CONTACT JERRY THE LOCAL GUIDE (MY BEST FRIEND IN PANAMA)

If you need a local guide or are looking for tips to travel through Panama I suggest contacting, Jerry,  one of my best friends from Panama.  He runs group tours to off-the-beaten-path locations like Escudo de Veraguas and Bayano Caves. He is a local, indigenous guide who is incredibly funny, honest, and knows Panama by the back of his hand. We explored all of Cocle together and went on some insane adventures and he became like a brother to me. If you have any questions or want help, tours, guides, or tips he is your man.

• Instagram:  @jerryfit
• WhatsApp:  +507 6153 8924
• Email: [email protected]

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Saturday 9th of September 2023

what a good blog. thank you!! I got some supplemental info in regards to beaches. https://expat-tations.com/leisure/best-beaches-near-panama-city/ Keep going man!

Monday 31st of July 2023

Hey Jackson, a friend in Cambutal (Sam) recommended you...I'm looking to do some jungle hiking to some obscure falls and also into Darien. I'll becin Panama in September for a couple weeks. You can reach me at [email protected] Cheers!

Thursday 13th of October 2022

Hi! I loved all the places you are sharing. Actually know i really want to go to Panama and explore all the waterfalls. I'm a solo traveler and I'm worried that all this treks is better to do it with someone, isn't it? Do you recomend to do the treks alone?

Thank you very much

Thursday 10th of February 2022

Love this blog post! I just spent a month in Panamá as my partner is from there. Great to see all these amazing places. How can I follow you? Do you have IG? Cheers, Deon

Friday 28th of January 2022

Hi Jackson Great post of Panama!!!!! Can I share this with my travelers friends?

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Things To Do In Panama: A Complete 10 Day Panama Vacation Itinerary

last Updated: December 17, 2023 bocas del toro boquete panama panama city san blas islands

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

→ Planning a trip to Central America and looking for the ultimate Panama vacation itinerary? Look no further; I’m sharing our favorite things to do in Panama (we just got back!), including our exact 10 day itinerary, when to go, where to stay, how to maximize your time on your Panama trip, and oh so much more!

Panama is a tropical destination that has a little bit of everything – stunning turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, lush rainforests, laid-back surf towns, misty mountains, and vibrant cafes. There’s cultural diversity, cloud forests, and colonial charm. Wondering what to do in Panama? I’ve got you covered, don’tchu worry, my friend! <3

I was determined to somehow get all of this onto my recent Panama vacation itinerary, and was thankfully able to figure it all out! And now I’m sharing my list of things to do in Panama with all of you, including my exact Panama itinerary that we pretty much followed to a T.

I have to admit that figuring out this itinerary was kinda tricky. Yes, we followed the typical tourist route – Panama City (with a side trip to San Blas ) → Boquete → Bocas del Toro , but with only 10 days in the country, squeezing everything in proved rather difficult.

At first I wished we had a few more days, but after seeing the trip come to life (aka doing it all), I’m not so sure extra time was in fact necessary. I think we would have liked an extra half day or so in Boquete, but I just couldn’t make it work.

Do note that this Panama vacation itinerary is pretty jam packed; if you’re looking for a more relaxed trip, it’d be wise to tack on at least another 2 days or so. That being said, I carefully researched the most efficient transport options in order to fully maximize our time in the country, and it all worked out pretty swiftly.

MAIN REGIONS VISITED ON THIS ITINERARY:

• Panama City
• San Blas Islands
• Bocas del Toro

Pre-Travel Guide to 10 Days in Panama

Where is panama you ask.

The country is located in Central America sharing borders with Costa Rica to the north and Columbia to the south. It’s actually the connection of land that links Central and South America (hence, the Panama Canal)!

This itinerary starts in Panama City (which is where most international travelers arrive in the country), heads up northeast to the San Blas Islands , due west to Boquete, and then finally up north to Bocas del Toro .

We chose to fly from region to region when we could, as this saved us lots of time considering our Panama vacation was only 10 short days. The country is large but not too large, making it possible to visit three (if not four) areas when planning out your Panama itinerary.

There are a whole myriad of things to do in Panama, so carefully planning out your trip is so very important if you don’t have tons of extra time for mistakes and possible transportation mishaps (more on this below).

WHEN TO VISIT PANAMA:

Before planning a trip to Panama, it’s important to understand its weather patterns. BUT first things first – humidity is always high (hey, it’s a tropical country!), so be prepared for frizzy hair and sticky skin throughout your trip.

Panama experiences two distinct seasons, the dry season (mid-December to mid-April) and the rainy season (May to November). If you’re looking for comfortable temperatures and little to no rain, I highly suggest you visit during the dry season, which is actually Panama’s summer.

However, thankfully, temperatures remain pretty consistent throughout the year, at an average of 86 F/30 C.

But of course it’s not that easy, as different regions around the country experience different climates, temperatures, and specific rainfall patterns.

Caribbean destinations, like Bocas del Toro, have a shorter dry season, occuring in September/October and February/March, although rainfall can happen any day. Unusually heavy rains are common in Bocas in December, so it’s best to avoid that month.

Boquete experiences high winds and some misting (called bajareque) from mid-December to mid-February, while January see’s the occasional thunderstorm. Looking for some sun? Head to Boquete between March and May.

San Blas is a whole different story, which we’ll get into down below.

Don’t fret if your Panama vacation plans don’t fall within the country’s dry season – the early months of rainy season (April to July) only receive short bursts of sudden thunderstorms in the afternoon, with plenty of sunny mornings or afternoons. I’d try to avoid August through November if you don’t want rain to possibly take over your trip.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

A few notes on health-related things:

• I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the tap water in many parts of Panama is potable, as many visitors don’t expect this! However, do note that you cannot drink the water in Bocas del Toro or on San Blas → stick to bottled.
• I was also thrilled to learn that there are no required vaccinations to enter the country. With so much lush jungle, I was shocked by this! However, always consult your doctor, as yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, and hep A and B vaccinations are recommended.
• You’ll want to take along a decent amount of sunscreen with you, as the sun is extra brutal over in these parts.
• On the last day of our trip I felt a little dizzy and wasn’t feeling my best – pretty sure I was wildly dehydrated and the intense heat and humidity wasn’t helping. Make sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty and plenty of water!

And now some safety info:

• For the most part, Panama is a relatively safe country. We felt safe during our entire Panama vacation, and didn’t worry about pickpocketing or other petty crime. That being said, there are a few areas in Panama City that are a bit seedier than the rest.
• This Panama itinerary doesn’t visit the city of Colon, but if you diverge from my recommended plans and end up there, know that the city has a high rate of street crime. Stay alert.
• There have been cases of drug trafficking on boats traveling from Colombia to Panama → just FYI and something to keep in mind if you’ll be on the water near the border.

Psst: it’s a good idea to get travel insurance no matter where you go. I recommend and personally use SafetyWing (the best insurance out there because they include pandemic coverage). They’re reliable, cost-efficient, and cover a wide array of potential travel problems, not only health-related. Check them out and get a free quote over here.

No visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Panama as long as a valid tourist passport and proof of onward travel is in possession, and you’re traveling to the country for 180 days or less.

HOW TO GET TO PANAMA:

Most international flights arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, with many direct nonstop flights leaving from a wide array of large cities in the states.  

Our flight was originally scheduled as a direct flight from San Francisco to Panama City, but we got rerouted to Las Vegas at the last minute due to the groundings of the 737 MAX’s (better safe than sorry, though!)

I like using Skyscanner and Google Flights to check for prices, and most commonly find the cheapest flights on one of these. We flew economy class from SFO to Panama City for approximately $650 round trip per person, which we thought was a pretty good deal considering our dates were not particularly flexible.

→ It’s important to be very careful when booking your flights to Panama City, as there is also an airport in Florida with the same name! For this Panama vacation, you’ll want to head to the Tocumen International Airport, code PTY. And if you end up in Florida, don’t blame me! :p

Where to Stay in Panama :

• Panama City : American Trade Hotel (we LOVED) -or- Hotel Casa Panama (also great!)
• San Blas : we opted for a private thatched hut on Isla Diablo (lots more info here )
• Boquete : The Haven and Spa (Adult’s Only)
• Bocas del Toro : Azul Paradise Bocas Town

(more info on each one throughout itinerary below)

HOW TO GET AROUND:

You’ll be taking a myriad of public and private transportation during your Panama vacation! There was definitely a lot of moving around throughout the 10 days, and as noted was kinda difficult to figure out the logistics of this trip, but we made it work! And lucky you, I did all the hard work for you!

We found Uber to work in Panama City, and rates were typically much cheaper than taxis.

→ Don’t have Uber yet? It’s super easy to use! Sign up here and use code jessicak148 for $$ off your first few rides!

Here’s a quick synopsis of our travels throughout Panama:

• flight from SFO to Panama City (Uber around Panama City )
• shuttle bus and speedboat to San Blas Islands
• return to Panama City via speedboat and shuttle bus
• flight from Panama City to David → taxi to Boquete → taxi around Boquete
• shared van and shuttle boat to Bocas del Toro → taxi and boat around Bocas del Toro → walk to airport (for real)
• flight back to Panama City → flight back HOME.

Phew, told you we were moving!

You’ll want to book your inter-country flights as soon as possible, as there aren’t tons of flights per day and I’ve heard the prices jump exponentially the closer the dates get. We paid approximately $100 each per person per flight within Panama (all one-ways).

If you follow this Panama trip, you’ll need a flight from Panama City to David (for Boquete) and then Bocas del Toro to Panama City.

Do note that the airport in Bocas is prettyyy much the smallest one I’ve seen to date, with one waiting room, one “gate”, and 1-2 bag scanners. That’s pretty much it. Don’t expect to be able to grab food here, that’s for sure.

WHAT TO PACK FOR PANAMA

Panama is a country of all climates: dense, misty jungles, stunning sunny islands, and humid cosmopolitan cities.  Within this itinerary, we’ll be doing tons and tons of exploring, so you’ll want to make sure you’re completely prepared for those 10 days. Don’t worry, I gotchu.

• Because of its hot, sticky climate, you’ll want light, airy clothing.
• Comfy footwear- you’ll be walking ALOT!
• Sandals/bathing suits for the islands
• MORE DETAILED LIST COMING SOON!

Currency in Panama

Those coming from the USA will be pleased to know that Panama uses the same currency as the States, so there’s no need to worry about an exchange rate or getting foreign bills! It’s important to note that you’ll undoubtedly come across some Panamanian coins, called Balboa, used around town and on the islands in the form of coins.

With that being said, the US dollar is accepted everywhere and you don’t need to worry about exchanging dollars for balboa. Just be sure to use up any balboa you receive (when receiving change) as you obviously can’t use them in the States!

Communicating in Panama

The official language of Panama is Spanish, although quite a few Panamanians know basic English as well. We had no trouble communicating with hotel staff, taxi drivers, and/or restaurant staff, either using our limited Spanish or since they knew English. There’s also quite a few expats as well.

We had the most difficulty in the San Blas Islands, and wish we had brushed up on our Spanish a bit more before visiting (many of the locals speak their native language and Spanish, but very minimal English).

And now, what you’ve been waiting for, my complete 10 day Panama vacation itinerary!

Things to do in Panama: My Ultimate Panama Vacation Itinerary

Day 1: arrive in panama city and explore.

Fly into Panama City! You’ll find most international flights to Panama will fly into Panama City, which is perfect as it’s the first stop on our Panama itinerary!

The flight isn’t as long as I had originally thought – just over 7 hours from San Francisco (which is just over my usual flight time between SFO from JFK where I frequent for long weekends).

We chose to take a red-eye flight (so, the night before) in order to arrive in Panama City mid-morning (we landed around 10:30am, FYI), allowing us ample time to explore the city our first day.

If you’re tight on time like we were, I highly recommend you take advantage of flying the night beforehand and arriving into Panama City in the early morning.

Check into your hotel, drop your bags if ya room ain’t ready yet, then we’re directly off to lunch in Casco Viejo! There’s a whole slew of restaurant options, but we loved both the ambiance and food at Tantalo Hotel and Kitchen. The rooftop terrace was divine, and that watermelon juice was the perfect way to start our oh so lovely Panama vacation.

Panama Canal | Miraflores Locks

We’re getting right to it on the first day (don’t wanna waste any time), so the Panama Canal it is!

Ahh, the connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific – how could you miss this super popular attraction in Panama City? Ya can’t! We took an Uber from Casco Viejo to Miraflores Locks for about $15 (something like that?), which took roughly 35 minutes or so.

Out of all the things to do in Panama, the Panama Canal is at the top of everyone’s list, and for good reason. It’s utterly fascinating.

Upon arrival, you can opt to pay for a $20 ticket to all the attractions at Miraflores Locks (the museum, exhibition halls, short films, highest viewing platforms, etc), but if you’re fine with reading about the canal yourself, head up to the restaurant and watch the ships pass through for the price of a beer.

We enjoyed a few drinks while basically getting the same view as everyone who bought a ticket (woop woop). And since we didn’t have much prior knowledge on the whole Panama Canal system, we googled some fun facts and read them over a few beers.

Things to know before visiting:

• Miraflores is just one of three sets of locks in the Panama Canal, and it’s the most popular one to visit (due to its close proximity to Panama City).
• The ships don’t pass through every minute of every hour. You’ll be able to watch the ships between 9am-11am, and then again from 3pm-5pm(ish). If you’re here at a different timeframe, you’ll have to wait! We arrived at the canal around 2:45pm after getting lunch, and only waited a few minutes for the first boat to start making its way through the Miraflores section of the canal.

• Oh and trust me, you won’t want to stay the entire 2 hours or so, as the ships pass by super slowly and it takes quiiteeee a long time to set everything up. We watched 2-3 ships pass then had enough. Do keep your eyes peeled on the locks and water levels prior to a ship passing through – it’s wild!

Afternoon Stroll on the Cinta Costera

Once you’ve had enough of the Panama Canal, make your way to the Cinta Costera. We had planned to visit around sunset, but arrived early due to how quickly we got over the canal – it’s intriguing the first 2 times a ship passes through, but then kinda monotonous going forward (you’ll see). And it literally takes foreverrrr (10 hours for a ship to fully pass through the canal).

The Cinta Costera is essentially a pedestrians walkway and complex park next to the water. We enjoyed strolling around for about an hour or so, picking up some raspados from a street vendor (kinda like the Panamanian version of a shave ice) to cool off.

Walk far enough and you’ll find the iconic Panama sign – a giant colorful piece of artwork (which we unfortunately missed). If you finish early like we did, don’t fret – just watch the sunset from the next spot!

Sunset drinks at Finca del Mar

Cocktails and ceviche with a view of the sun setting on the water with a gentle ocean breeze? Sounds like the perfect way to finish off the day, am I right? The atmosphere here is very fun, with outdoor seating, string lights, and colorful seating (including a few swinging chairs at the bar). Tuna ceviche was very tasty, as were the mojitos we ordered.

If you’re still hungry → consider Cafe Coca Cola for a fast and simple dinner

This unassuming restaurant is actually the oldest cafe in Panama City! I heard that the Coca-Cola brand let the restaurant keep its name due to how long they’ve been in business! While the ambiance was nothing to write home about and the food was decent at best, it’s a quick and easy spot if you’re exhausted (like we were).

Where we stayed: Hotel Casa Panama → we loved the trendy and open-air leafy vibe of the hotel. The room was basic with funky decor touches, and the shower was heaven on earth! Located right in Casco Viejo, which is a great location to base yourself in while in Panama City!

There’s also a rooftop plunge pool if you find yourself with some time to enjoy it! It’s known to get kinda noisy on weekend nights since there’s a bar on the roof, so just keep that in mind! We slept like babies though!

Day 2: Off to the San Blas Islands!

Hopefully you went to bed early last night, because you’re getting picked up bright and early this morning! 5:30am to be exact. 🙂 Alllll your tropical island dreams, coming right up (you can sleep on the bus, I promise, although the last hour is kinda bumpy)!

Note : You’ll want to have your hotel in Panama City hold your luggage – you only need to pack a small bag for your few nights in San Blas. Suitcases are unheard of on the islands, and you’ll be getting to your final destination via tiny speed boat, so leave that large luggage behind.

We packed a few bathing suits, shorts, and tank tops, and that’s all we really needed besides basic toiletries. Ladies – leave your makeup and beauty bag behind (I couldn’t even find a mirror on the island and there’s no place to plug in items for doing your hair)! DO take lots of SPF though!

Yes, the San Blas Islands are kinda a pain to reach → you’ll need to take a 3 hour shuttle ride to the Kuna Yala port, then hop on a speed boat for 45 minutes or so to reach your island of accommodation. Worth the hassle? Easily. My advice- book a tour and everything will be taken care of for you.

P.S. → We booked with San Blas Dreams and had a lovely experience. We opted for the 2 night, 3 day experience, as you can choose to spend only 1 night on the island, or even do a day trip to San Blas (although I recommend staying over at LEAST 1 night). Alternatively, if you don’t wanna stay on the islands for 2 nights like we did ( read my FULL recap over here ), you can spend the extra time in the rainforest in Boquete.

→ Read next: everything you need to know about visiting the san blas islands

We reached our island of accommodation around 10ish or so, and had the option of lazying around or going straight out on a tour. We opted to stay put and soak up the sun, swing in the hammocks, read our books in the sand, and just enjoy each other’s company with zero distractions that first day. Oh, and get a few coconuts – the freshest water you can get!

A few things to note about the San Blas islands:

There’s really no best time of year to visit the San Blas Islands , but the Kuna’s (the indigenous people on the island) informed me that the least rainfall occurs in January, February, and March. Rainy season begins in April, comes out in full force in May, and basically lasts until the end of the year.

However , if you’re planning on heading to San Blas in the rainy season, don’t fret – you’ll still find beachdays with hours of sun even when the clouds aren’t cooperating. The weather can be tricky and unpredictable, so just hope for the best!

Accommodations are basic at best , with super simple thatched huts with literally only a bed in a single room. You won’t find any pools, sun loungers, or anything remotely luxurious on the islands (not even hot water or the amount of electricity you’re used to).

It’s very possible you’ll be sharing bathrooms with other guests (our island had one set of shower stalls and toilets for everyone), will have to charge your devices at the few outlets at the restaurant, and will eat the same meal time and time again.

You will, however, find untouched beauty, starfish in their natural habitat, tons of healthy fresh fish and coconuts, and luminous turquoise waters.

The islands are not a culinary experience ; you’ll have minimal meal variations and given a choice of fish fillet (my meal of choice), fried/grilled fish, mixed seafood, prawns (when available), and chicken (on occasion). The food wasn’t half bad, we just ate mostly the same thing for 3 days.

The Kuna’s and San Blas in general are a cash society . Plan to take some small bills with you to buy coconuts and beers, and purchase any handicrafts you may wish, as well as to supply a ~$23 Kuna tax and port fee.

Read my very thorough post about our experience in the San Blas islands to help decide if you want to add a few days on the islands to your Panama vacation.

In my opinion though, no trip is complete without visiting these glistening palm tree ridden islands (just suck it up and rough it for a few days, you got this!. Make some room in your itinerary and you’ll come home with glistening golden skin and feel relaxed as ever.

Where we slept : Beach bungalow in San Blas! Be sure to go for a night walk and look up – the stars are so bright over here!

Day 3: Get some Sun on San Blas

After a hectic first few days on this Panama vacation, it’s finally time to just relax and soak up some sun. Hopefully you slept ok, as I woke up hot and sticky each morning (allll the more reason to jump in the sea, right?)

Here’s a typical day-in-the-life on San Blas, and what you can expect during your time here:

• 7:30ish: Wake up to the birds happily chirping (your ears off)
• 8:15ish: Hot Breakfast
• 9-10: Lounge on beach, read, free time
• 10:15ish: Island hop (tour of the day)
• 1:00: Lunch back on your “home” island
• 2-7: Free time/showers (snorkel, nap in hammocks, read, swim, laze around)
• Night: beers and card games, stargazing and short beach walks

Those San Blas tours we took each day for a few hours took us to nearby islands, natural swimming pools (previously sunken islands), and sand bars, where we wandered around the islands taking photos, going for swims, snorkeling, and hanging with other people from our boat.

The Kuna’s provided rum and cokes for us to enjoy, and we even saw a bunch of exceptionally large orange starfish in the shallow waters!

I talked about this in my big San Blas blog post , but I think it’s important to mention again. Starfish are living creatures, you guys. They need to be kept in water – do not lift them out! They are extremely sensitive and should be handled with care, for the least amount of time possible.

Our Kuna guides said we could lift them up for a quick photo (still halfway submerged in water), then place them right back. Don’t go moving them all around for your perfect IG shot, just don’t do it. They’re so delicate – we want to keep these little sea beauties alive!

Where we slept : Beach bungalow in San Blas!

Day 4: San Blas in Morning/Afternoon, then back to Panama City

Last Morning in Paradise

Another day in paradise it is! Well, most of the day at least! Depending on what tour company you book with, and which package you choose, you’ll either leave San Blas at 9am or 3pm. We chose the latter, and enjoyed exploring other islands before leaving our new favorite place.

If you think you’ll want to explore a bit more of Panama City (we’ll have another ¾ of a day before leaving the country later on in this itinerary), you may want to choose the earlier San Blas departure. The beach is sooo our thing, so we opted to stay as long as possible without staying another night.

Make sure to drink alll the coconuts, revel in the warm, luminous waters one last time, and take your last nap under the palm trees!

It was a breath of fresh air to have limited amenities and zero wifi availability. After 3 days in San Blas we were oh so relaxed, although any longer and I think I’d have been longing for a hot shower more so than actually enjoying the picturesque beaches.

Back to Panama City and Dinner at Ocho y Medio

Say goodbye to San Blas, because it’s back to Panama City we go! And yes, you’ll have to head back the same way you came → a 45 minute speed boat ride back to the port, then ~2hr, 30 min van ride back. If I remember correctly, we got back to Panama City around 6:30pm or so, then headed out to dinner at Ocho y Medio before picking up our suitcases at our first hotel, Hotel Casa Panama.

→ We booked a super early morning flight to David in order to have as much time as humanly possible in Boquete, so we chose to stay close to the airport at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel , which is roughly a 5 minute drive to the airport.

We’re definitely not morning people, and when there’s a sliiiiight chance we may oversleep, we like to stay as close to the airport as humanly possible, while still having a comfy bed.

Where we slept: Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel (highly recommended)

Day 5: Coffee Tasting in Boquete

First things first, get yourself to Boquete

Okay, so in order to get to Boquete at a normal hour, you’ll need to take an early morning flight to David. Our flight left Panama City at 7:30am, arrived in David around 8:50am, then we took a 45 minute taxi straight to Boquete for $35 (standard price). There are no ubers in David or Boquete, so you’ll need to find other ways to get around (hence the taxi).

Note that you can also take a bus to Boquete from the David airport, but you’ll need to get yourself to the bus station first (for only a few bucks or so). If we weren’t so exhausted I think we would have attempted to take the bus as it would have been the much more cost-effective option, but oh well, we were tired!

And not to stress you out, but be sure to book early as there’s only a few fights to David per day. We booked on COPA airlines and noticed there were only two flights a day from Panama City to David, at 7:30am and 4:30pm. I’m pretty sure Air Panama has flights as well, but no more than 2-3 either (7ish, 11ish, and later on in the day).

If you want to follow this Panama vacation itinerary exactly as I have laid out, you’ll NEED to get yourself on an early morning flight. If you have an extra day or two, getting into Boquete later on in the day will be fine, but we didn’t have this luxury.

Morning Stroll through Boquete Town

As soon as we checked into our hotel (yay for early check-ins), we dropped our bags then set out for town. Honestly, we were kinda surprised at how dirty and downright sad the town looked from an outsiders point of view (I didn’t even take one photo – there wasn’t anything really to photograph). I wondered out of all the things to do in Panama if I had made a bad choice by coming here, but nope, I’ll explain below!

It’s a pretty small town and I have to admit, the walk from The Haven (our hotel) to town was much, much nicer than the actual town itself. There was tons of construction going on, a mildly run-down main street, and a few unattractive shops.

BUT, let’s not dwell on the negatives, because there are SO many positives to this luscious green area that makes Boquete so appealing. (Plus – we learned that there’s even a large expat community here, so Boquete must be more than it’s tiny unassuming little town).

So, what is Boquete known for? First of all, after one look around, it’s evident all the lushness surrounding the town more than makes up for the complete lack of charm within the town itself. With its towering mountain views, blankets of flowers, and oh so much greenery, you’d be hard pressed to find a more stunning natural scenery in the mountains.

Venture outta town and you’ll find pristine waterfalls, an ancient volcano, and treetops full of birds! If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot the stunning Volcan Baru through the misty clouds.

Boquete is located on the Caldera River, within the Chiriqui Highlands, which is home to coffee plantation after coffee plantation, and is known as more of an adventurous mountain village for those wanting to take part.  

If you have an extra day or so, you can climb Volcan Baru, go ziplining, go on epic waterfall hikes in the jungle, go rafting, and partake in a chocolate making class (among other things).

It’s high elevation in the mountains provides a cool, enjoyable climate, so you’ll want to dress a tad warmer during your day in Boquete. We thankfully were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day in the mountains, only needing a light jacket at times.

In town we had some brunch at Sugar and Spice (the most popular breakfast spot in Boquete which we LOVED) and tried the famous gesha coffee at La Viuda del Cafe (The Coffee Widow)!

The coffee, originating from a village in Ethiopia, is said to be the most expensive cup on Earth. It commonly sells for about $9 a cup, but would found it (albeit a very small cup) at The Coffee Widow for about $5. A bargain if you ask me!

We actually saw it selling for $9 a cup in Panama City later on in the week. It’s said to be smooth, fruity, silky, and aromatic, tasting a bit more like tea than coffee, and we enjoyed our few sips.

We attempted to go to Fresas Mary for some famous Boquete strawberries and whipped cream, but they were unexpectedly closed (what a bummer – we even took a taxi there!) Hopefully they’re open when you go!

The walk back to our hotel was exceptionally scenic, as we found ourselves high above the town taking in all the lush greens and fuscia-colored flowers.

Afternoon Coffee Plantation Tour

Boquete is widely known for their mass coffee production, and boasts some of the best and most expensive coffee in the world. Yup, the world!

There are plenty of coffee plantation tours to choose from, but after doing a bit of research, Finca dos Jefes sounded like the best one! And I have to admit, I think we chose correctly. The story of the farm is just so moving and inspiring!

We walked through the fields, learned about coffee cherries and traditional organic farming, were given a brief education of the coffee industry (oh, it’s so fascinating you’ll see), and learned how to properly roast coffee beans. And of course we tasted a whole bunch of freshly brewed coffee (both a medium and dark roast blend)!

Unlike other coffee tours, there were only about 8 of us in total, so we felt like we were given a more personalized experience and had allll our crazy coffee questions answered.

I especially appreciated how the tour spoke a lot about economics; the realities of the global coffee economy and the impacts made on the farmers and workers were especially eye opening and really makes you think.

And plus, the dogs on site were the absolute cutest (we’re a suuuuucker for pups!) The farm was covered in plants, flowers, and hummingbirds, and I just couldn’t get enough. Towards the end of our tour a rainbow appeared above the fields, which made for such a beautiful end to the day. A well-spent $30 (each).

Note that there are two options for tours each day, at 9am and 2pm. We obviously chose the 2pm tour since we weren’t even in Boquete by 9am! The tour lasts for roughly 3 hours, so we got back to our hotel around 5ish or so.

Private pool time and some dinner

If you’re staying at The Haven and Spa , take advantage of the pool before dinner! You’ll have to make a reservation, but this just ensures you have the pool to yourself! We were bummed it wasn’t heated, so just enjoyed putting our tired feet in.

If you’re looking for a good dinner option, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Boquete Fish House – you can never go wrong with some fish and chips, yucca fries, and fresh fish sauteed in white wine lemon garlic butter. Oh, and their house margs were a-okay and only a few bucks.

Where we Stayed: The Haven , and it was just like I imagine heaven to be. As soon as we arrived, I was overly wowed – the grounds are so incredibly luscious and green, and the outdoor space was so inviting. I desperately wish we had another night here.

Note that the hotel is an adults-only resort, so if you’re traveling with kiddos, you’ll have to find another place to stay. We loved the indoor pool, and we even took advantage of the fully equipped gym and sauna/steam room. The included room-service breakfast was lovely, and we ate on our outdoor patio in the garden every chance we got!

Day 6: Arrive in Bocas del Toro

Today we’re making our way to Bocas del Toro , another one of Panama’s hot spots with a chill, surfer vibe and gorgeous islands off the coast, oh, and a jungle too! Bocas is kinda the best of both worlds, allllll rolled into one archipelago of beautiful islands.

Before we dive into the Panama vacation itinerary of the day, lemme explain the geographical makeup of Bocas del Toro for a hot second (as I was semi-confused when initially researching).

Bocas del Toro is made up of a few different islands, with Isla Colon being the most popular and consisting of Bocas Town, where the bulk of visitors decide to stay, and Starfish Beach (very popular spot as well). Next you’ve got Isla Solardo, which is only a few minutes off the coast of Isla Colon, and an island not many choose to visit.

Finally, there’s Bastimentos, which is the largest of the archipelago and where you’ll find Old Bank, Up in the Hill, Red Frog Beach (very popular), and other secluded resorts/hotels. We chose to base ourselves out of Bocas Town on Isla Colon, which I’ll explain in more detail below.

→  Read Next: A Comprehensive Guide to Bocas del Toro

Transfer to Bocas del Toro

It’s semi-complicated (yes, again) to get from Boquete to Bocas del Toro, as you’ll need to take a 3.5 hour shuttle to Almirante (a port town), then a 30 minute marine taxi (which was essentially a speed boat) from there to Bocas Town. Thankfully, there are organized transportation services that will take care of everything for you.

We booked with Hello Travel Panama through Mamallena Hostel, left Boquete around 9am, and arrived in Bocas del Toro around 1:30pm or so. Make sure to schedule this transfer in advance as the shuttles get booked up beforehand.

With that being said, there’s absolutely no reason to attempt this transfer yourself, as prices weren’t half bad: $30 per person, including the boat transfer from Almirante. Our shuttle was comfortable, air-conditioned, spacious, and safe, with enough room for all luggages (on top of the shuttle actually).

Wander Bocas Town -or- head to Starfish Beach

Since we arrived in Bocas around 1:30pm, we had quite a bit of time to explore on the first day! And with so much going on this area, you’ll want to make sure to use your time wisely!

You’ve got a few different options for your first afternoon in Bocas del Toro:

• Wander around town; get some ceviche and cocktails (the lazy man’s choice)
• Head to Starfish Beach (the need-to-see-and-do-it-all choice)

Since we were feeling a bit sluggish (and hungry) after our transfer to Bocas, we kept things pretty casual by wandering around Bocas Town. We opted to miss out on Starfish Beach since I had read tons of negative reviews, with many even saying they hardly saw any starfish, or none at all.

And since we had suuuuch a wonderful experience seeing the starfish in San Blas, I felt okay missing out on Starfish Beach in Bocas del Toro. Do your own research though, as the reviews are mixed at best.

However, if you think you’ll have FOMO (fear of missing out), getting to Starfish Beach on the outskirts of Isla Colon isn’t all that difficult from Bocas Town. You’ll need to take a 45 minute bus ride from the park in the middle of town to Drago, and then you can either take a quick water taxi to Starfish Beach or walk 20 minutes.

Where we Stayed : Azul Paradise Bocas Town (not to be confused with the location on Bastimentos). After doing tons of research (it’s what I do best!), we ultimately decided on Azul Paradise Bocas Town, as other hotels looked a bit run down and not in the best shape.

Bocas is kinda like a party town so be prepared for late night shenanigans and loud music, although we didn’t experience any of these things.

The hotel was modern, fresh, and in a wonderful location. We splurged and booked the King Luxury Suite, and it was roomy to say the least. With floor to ceiling windows with views of the sea, a soaking tub, and a superrr comfy bed, we couldn’t have picked a better spot.

→ There are two main options for accommodation in Bocas del Toro. You have the option of staying in Bocas Town (close to lots of bars and restaurants), or spending a few nights on Bastimentos, the island next door and much more secluded. Up to you, but we highly prefered being in the middle of everything and having dinner options (after basically eating the same thing for 3 days on San Blas).

After visited Bastimentos (later on in the itinerary), we quickly learned the sheer seclusion of the island just wasn’t for us. Up to you!

Day 7: The Ridiculously Gorgeous Zapatilla Islands

Intoxifying. Serene. Wild. Enchanting. There’s no words significant enough to describe the Zapatillas. It’s say to safe that I’m low-key obsessed with this place I had never previously heard of.

If there’s one stop you can’t miss while in Bocas, it’s the Zapatilla Islands, also known as Cayos Zapatilla. These two uninhabited islands are located east of Isla Bastimentos and are quite honestly, one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been (same level as Bora Bora I might add).

While many say that San Blas is way more beautiful than Bocas, I’d have to disagree, as long as you make your way to the Zapatillas. We booked a tour the day before with Hello Travel Panama on a whim, and I’m obviously more than glad we did.

All was (more than) fine in the end, as we not only got to visit Zapatilla Island, but also visited Sloth Island, went snorkeling and anfibia boarding, and had a fresh seafood lunch overlooking the sea.

1st Stop: Searching for Sloths at Sloth Island

We first visited the protected mangroves of Sloth Island to, well, you guessed it, look for some sloths! Despite how difficult they are to spot, we found a whole bunch! Our guides were experts at spotting them, and thankfully made sure everyone on the boat got a few glimpses! They’re kinda hard to see in the photos, but look for the hornet’s-nests-looking things! Makes me wanna go to Costa Rica (they’re known for them, right?)

2nd Stop: Snorkel and Anfibia Boarding

Next up, it was finalllyyy time to jump in the refreshing waters with some snorkel gear! We had about 45 minutes or so to snorkel, where I saw tons of colorful coral (many that I had never seen before!), schools of glistening silver fish, sea fans, parrotfish, and so much more. It’s hard to keep your eye on one thing when you’re underwater – they’re just so much to see and I get distracted quite easily.

The water was calm, clear, and sheltered from debris from land – we were out in the middle of the Caribbean Sea! I so wish I had brought my go-pro with me to photograph all the lovely underwater life.

Since we were already in the water, anfibia boarding it was! It’s kinda hard to explain what anfibia boarding actually is, so I’ll just leave you with this: it’s oh SO much fun. You’ll feel like you’re flying underwater. Move the board up and down and you’ll see what I mean.

3rd Stop: Seafood Lunch

A fresh seafood lunch over the water? Yes please! Plates start at $15 per plate, so thankfully we had brought exactly $31 with us…enough to cover two lunches and nothing else. Take a bit more cash if you want more lunch choices. Kinda expensive for what it is, but hey, they’ve got little to no competition out in the sea so they can charge as much as they want.

You can plan to pack your own lunch, but the food was surprisingly really tasty and a hot lunch after being in the water for a while was appreciated.

We had some time to explore the restaurant on stilts, and some people chose to snorkel around as there’s known to be starfish nearby.

4th and Final Stop: Zapatilla!

In my opinion, Zapatilla is by far the best beach in Bocas del Toro, and all of Panama I might add. Yes, we LOVED San Blas more than anything, but if you get a perfect day weather-wise on Zapatilla, you’ll see exactly what I mean. This serene island paradise is absolute heaven and then some. It’s actually where Survivor Panama was filmed!

Out of all the things to do in Panama on this itinerary, spending the day on Zapatilla was by far my favorite. <3

It was soooo nice to just relax on a (nearly) deserted island and soak up the sun for a few hours. Oh, and that crystal clear water didn’t hurt either – I spent a decent chunk of our time wading in the shallow waters offshore, just admiring that gorgeous turquoise Caribbean water.

Note that there are zero facilities on this stunning and untouched uninhabited island, but our tour company set up a gorgeous spread of tropical fruits for us to enjoy. The Zapatillas are actually part of the undeveloped national marine park, so you can expect to find lots of little fishies under the water, as well pay a $10 National Park entrance fee if you aren’t part of a tour.

Thankfully it was quite isolated when we were there so didn’t have to share the palm-tree lined beach/waters with too many others. There was tons of space to lay out our towels, and we chose a shady spot underneath a few palms.

With sooo many shades of turquoise and oh so many palm trees inland made for an absolutely wonderful day. It was almost unreal how perfect the day was. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Where we Stayed: Azul Paradise Bocas Town (not to be confused with the location on Bastimentos)

Where we ate dinner: Restaurante Azul (6 course tasting menu for $20 and very tasty!)

Day 8: Explore the Jungle and Beaches of Bastimentos

Ahh, back to the jungle it is! If you’re kinda sad you only had one day in Boquete, now’s the time to make up for it! We found Bastimentos SO incredibly different from Isla Colon and Bocas Town, so make sure you hit up this spot when you’re in the area as well! And despite their close proximity, they’re like different worlds!

Quick Note → Bastimentos is another island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, and is roughly a 10 minute boat ride from Isla Colon. If you’re staying in Bocas Town like we were and want to follow the days activities I planned out, you’ll have to first get yourself to Bastimentos Town.

You can do so by basically asking anyone on the street in Bocas for a water taxi ride (they’ll probably come right up to you and offer their services). We paid $5 each to get from Bocas Town to Old Bank, which was our first stop of the day.

Wander throughout the sleepy town of Old Bank

When we first stepped off the water taxi, we instantly knew that Bastimentos was much more rugged and real that Bocas Town. We explored Old Bank, an Afro-Caribbean community which is right off the dock from where our boat let us off. There’s not as much tourism in this area, and you’ll get to see first-hand how the people live.

We saw roosters, baby chicks, lots of laundry hanging to dry, and tons of colorful old wooden buildings amongst lush vegetation. Just follow along the main dirt path directly from the port, and you’ll come across all this and more. With flavors of the West Indies, and being the second largest town in the Bocas archipelago, don’t miss it!

(P.S. pop into any market and you’ll find cans of rum and coke – my husband loved that!)

Up in the Hill Organic Chocolate and Coffee Farm

And now the main reason we popped on over to Bastimentos for the day – to learn all about how chocolate is grown/processed! When I first heard about Up in the Hill, I knew we just had to include this on our longgg list of things to do in Panama. An organic chocolate and coffee farm with jungle tours – sign me up!

Up in the Hill is a fully sustainable farm, producing zero waste and using every last bit to better their efforts. There’s a tour through the family farm everyday at 11am, which we signed up for the night before.

But beware — Getting there is an activity in and of itself! Start making the short trek from Old Bank around 10:15ish, and keep going up, up, and up into the jungle and through the woods. They’ll be signs, don’tchu worry. The hike/walk wasn’t difficult per say, we were just super hot and sweaty from the intense humidity and heat.

Be sure to take ample amount of water, and forget about having a good hair day (I had just washed and blow dried my hair the night before – biiiiig mistake).

On the tour we saw poisonous red frogs (harmless to look at, but no touching allowed), huge spiders with insanely strong webs (you can touch these to see what I mean), parades of ants carrying leaves (just wow !), yellow tailed birds, and chocolate cocoa trees!

We learned the reasons why they’ve chosen to live off the land, how the plants work together to help the others grow, and how they go about creating and sustaining a permaculture organic farm. It’s all very fascinating stuff, and quite inspiring to say the least.

Our guide carried a machete with us throughout the jungle (don’t be alarmed), which he used to chop down plants and show us some of the fruits of his labor. At the end of the tour, we were served a delicious spread of jackfruit, plantains, banana with fresh cocoa, chocolate drinks with coconut milk, pumpkin soup, coconut brownies, and more, all made with fresh ingredients from the farm.

→ Practicalities : $25 per person; tour starts at 11am; we emailed the lady the night before to register for the tour; put on LOTS of bug spray beforehand if you don’t want to get eaten alive (I warned you)

Red Frog Beach

Beach time, finally! After making your way back down to Old Bank (it’s sooo much easier going down, trust me), take a water taxi straight to Red Frog Beach ($5 per person). We chose to get dropped off at Palmar Dock, and took a 15 minute walk to the beach through the “shortcut” for another $5 each.

It didn’t quite seem like a shortcut, but it is what it is!  On the nature walk to the beach we saw lots of monkeys playing in the jungle (ahhhh I was exceptionally excited about this) and passed a pond with caiman (in the alligator family) which royally freaked me the F out (we didn’t see any thankfully).

We unfortunately didn’t find Red Frog Beach to be anything that spectacular; considering we had already spent time at both San Blas and the Zapatillas, Red Frog was just so-so comparatively. Nevertheless, our veggie bowls and fresh fruit smoothies made for a fantastic lunch at Palmar Resort.

And after our tiring morning hiking in the jungle to Up in the Hill, laying out on the beach was an afternoon well spent. Oh, and seeing those monkeys out in the wild totally made the short trek to Red Frog Beach worth it.

You’ll have to cough up around $8 to get back to Bocas Town from Red Frog Beach.

Where we Stayed : Azul Paradise Bocas Town (not to be confused with the location on Bastimentos)

Where we ate dinner: El Ultimo Refugio

Day 9: Cocktails at Blue Coconut (or the “Floating Bar”)

Chill out for a while, then it’s off to the airport to head back to Panama City!

Cocktails and Tacos Over the Sea

On our last day in Bocas, we chose to take it easy and had a relaxing brunch at Francine’s, where we had the most delicious breakfast crepes and coffees. We wandered around town a bit more before we set off for the Floating Bar, which is essentially just that – a bar floating in the middle of the Caribbean sea!

We took a $5 water taxi here, and it only took a few minutes or so to reach the freestanding bar surrounded by water.

It was kinda dead when we went (probably because of the unfortunate foul weather), but I heard that there’s usually live music playing and people snorkeling around in the surrounding waters (to see the nearby starfish). Although we didn’t make use of all the amenities (hellooo pool floats), we still had a relaxing time. The fish and chicken tacos were bomb, don’t miss them!

Psst : you can also head to the famed Blue Coconut (closed on Fridays), which is a bit farther away but still the same vibe, so we ultimately decided on the Floating Bar because of the mix of clouds and rain.

Fly Back to Panama City in Late Afternoon

Our flight was at 6:10pm, so we had the better portion of the day to see the last of Bocas. If the weather had been more cooperative, I’m sure we would have appreciated this extra time in the area, but we were itching to get back to Panama City.

Up to you if you want to book an earlier flight or not. We flew into PAC (Albrook International) on Air Panama, but there are flights to PTY (Tocumen) as well.

Note that the airport in Bocas is supperrrr tiny and located directly in town! We even chose to walk from our hotel in town to the airport, it was that close! As noted earlier, there’s only one waiting room, one “gate”, and 1-2 bag scanners. Make sure you eat beforehand (or take along a few snacks) because there’s no restaurants over here!

Night in Panama City

We had our last official dinner in Panama at CasaCasco, which was quite delicious, although a bit pricey I might add! There’s also a night club at top, in case you’re feeling a bit frisky and wanna dance your heart out on your last night.

Where we stayed: The American Trade Hotel

The American Trade Hotel was quite possibly our favorite accommodation of our entire Panama vacation, and we wish we could have at least stayed another night. Located smack dab in the historic center of Panama City right in the heart of Casco Viejo, ATH   boasts lovely marbled tiled floors, tall ceilings with large windows (oh that natural light <3), and such charming architecture.

The old world charm of this place just makes it that much more appealing. And plus, it’s part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, so you know this place will not only have beautiful decor, but wonderful service as well. We were lucky to be given a room with a cute flower-filled balcony overlooking the square, which we enjoyed using both night and morning.

Day 10: Wander Casco Viejo and head home!

After a short sleep in, we hung by the pool for a bit then made our way downstairs to brunch at The American Trade Hotel. The decor is just lovely and the husband had to literally put my camera down for me. Even if you’re not spending the night at The American Trade Hotel , I highly encourage you to check out the restaurant for brunch/lunch, and grab some liquid fuel at the adjoining coffee shop (Unido Panama Coffee Roaster).

Stroll Around Casco Viejo

Out of all the things to do in Panama City, going for an aimless wander around Casco Viejo was by far my favorite! This historic district and UNESCO World Heritage Site wasn’t always what it is today, but has now revitalized into Panama City’s center of art and nightlife, with tons of hip cafes and restaurants.

Oh, and the colonial buildings are to die for. To. Die. For. The absolute cutest. It’s beyond instagrammable → trust me. You’ll find boutique hotels, rooftop bars, crumbling facades, and cobblestoned streets. Swoon.

Psst: you may hear this area being called Casco Antiguo or San Felipe – they’re all the same beautiful spot. 🙂

A few things not to miss out on your wander in Casco Viejo:

• Grab a quintessential Panamanian ice cone, known as a raspado to keep cool
• Check out La Michoacana and try out their condensed milk popsicles
• Enjoy fresh ceviche at the Fish Market
• Head to Weil Art for a traditional Panama Hat
• Lunch at Mahalo (loved this trendy spot)
• Admire the hand sewn molas (by the Kuna’s!) at Plaza de la Independencia

It’s important to note that Casco Viejo lies on the border with El Chorrillo, known to be a bit seedy and not highly recommended to walk around. I’m pretty sure we unknowingly ended up here, and it was quite obvious the distinction between the two areas. Note: after doing some research, I learned that El Chorrillo is one of the city’s most famous ghettos – whoops.

We were butt tired by this point, so just carelessly strolled around the city looking for buildings to admire and had some lunch.

If you want to eat all the things, I highly recommend booking a Panama City food walking tour , which will take you to the best restaurants in town to sample local coffee, chocolates, beer, cocktails and ceviche. You’ll also wander around Casco Viejo with a local guide who can explain the history of the area better than I ever could.

If you have additional time in Panama City (we would have loved another night at the American Trade Hotel and quite possibly another day or so to see the monkeys on Monkey Island ), be sure to check out these highly-rated activities:

Say Goodbye to Panama and Head Home

Be sure to book a flight later in the day or evening (our flight was at 6:30pm) so you can properly explore on your last day in Panama! It’d be an absolute shame to miss out on Casco Viejo – we loved it oh so much!

Phew! Hopefully that answers all your questions about things to do in Panama and how to carefully plan an itinerary for roughly 10 days! We were absolutely blown away by the country and can’t wait to return!

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February 24, 2023 at 5:45 pm

This is amazing!! Would you be willing to share the approximate amount your trip cost total without the flights from USA included? We are considering a trip to Panama!! So excited! But I would like to do the reservations myself as I also am a serial planner 🙂 Thank you!!

February 25, 2023 at 3:33 pm

Hi Tracy! Unfortunately I don’t have current prices, as I took this trip a few years ago! It really varies depending on your choice of hotels, where you eat, etc. I will say we found Panama to be a bit more expensive than other Central American countries, minus Costa Rica. Enjoy — it’s a fantastic country!

August 20, 2023 at 2:39 am

This is such a helpful guide! Can’t wait for my trip to Panama 🙂

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41 Things to Do in Panama + 3 Things NOT to Do

May 22, 2023 by Silvia 25 Comments

My top tips for things to do in Panama:

My friend Rachel and I were chatting about our summer plans and when we realized we both had the same two weeks in August free Rachel suggested we visit Panama together!

Neither of us had been to Central America before so we were super excited to get to explore a new region, but also at a bit of a loss as to where we should actually go. In the end we opted for Panama, and I’m so glad we did because I can’t imagine a better introduction to Central America.

Basically we wanted to go somewhere with lots of beautiful nature, fun towns and cities, cute boutique hotels, and a good variety of things to do so we didn’t get bored over the two weeks. And Panama totally delivered.

Now, as we’re both full time travel bloggers, Rachel and I are both  super into travel planning. You should have seen the spreadsheets and Google docs that went into planning this Panama trip. It was a little over the top, to say the least. I probably spent more time researching the best things to do in Panama and the best places to visit in Panama than I actually did, well,  in  Panama.

We drafted so many different Panama itinerary possibilities and it seemed like as soon as we had decided where to go in Panama we were discovering another cool place to go. But in the end we did manage to narrow down a two week Panama itinerary that I LOVED.

It’s just such an amazing country, and really made for the best experience in Central America.

So, if you want to fall in love with Panama too, here are my top choices to do in Panama:

Table of Contents

Visit Panama City

I spent four days in Panama City and absolutely loved it, so you definitely shouldn’t skip it! In fact we had originally planned to stay in Panama City for three days but we loved it so much once we arrived that we extended our stay for an extra day.

I had expected Panama City to just be the necessary starting point for our trip, but actually the city ended up being a highlight of my entire time in Panama. It’s a beautiful and diverse city with so much going on, and I feel like I could have spent an entire week there exploring.

Here are some things to do in Panama City, Panama (and you can simply scroll down past the stars for things to do in Panama outside of Panama City)

 ★ The Panama Canal

Okay, you guys know I’m not usually one for museums and historic sites, but I was super excited to get to see the Panama Canal in real life! And while I had a sneaking suspicion the canal would be underwhelming in person, it actually was really cool and one of the highlights of my time in Panama City.

You might remember from your middle school history class, but the Panama Canal was an enormous project – in fact it was started several times before they actually figured out how to complete it. And it’s had a great impact on the country. The Panama Canal museum goes into all the history of the project, and then you can go outside and watch the canal in action.

★ Get lost in Casco Viejo

I really enjoyed Panama City and could have happily spent more than just four days there, and my favorite area was definitely Casco Viejo.

This area used to be really run down, but now Panama City is investing a lot in it and a lot of the old buildings have been refurbished and transformed into boutique hotels, stylish cafes and restaurants, and beautiful little shops.

I asked a local what he thought about Casco Viejo’s transformation and he said that while in a way it’s a bit sad to see the area change, the revitalization has thankfully had a really positive impact on locals and it’s great to have an area that has such tourist appeal as well.

Plus Casco Viejo is simply the best place for a photoshoot! I mean, you can’t expect two bloggers to go anywhere without taking an embarrassing number of photos for Instagram. What can I say?

★ Stay at a really unique boutique hotel in Panama City

I split my time between two gorgeous hotels in Panama City, and I really couldn’t say which I enjoyed more!

First I stayed at the American Trade Hotel , which was the perfect luxury hotel experience in the heart of Casco Viejo. The rooms were beautiful and the breakfast delicious, and I sort of felt like I was on a movie set. You can read more about my stay at the American Trade hotel here .

And then for my final two nights in Panama City I stayed at Las Clementinas , which has beautiful apartments. It was so fun getting to pretend like I was a local in Casco Viejo, and they had so many lovely touches like filling my fridge with breakfast treats. You can read more about my stay at Las Celementinas here .

★ Have lunch at El Trapiche

One of the best meals I had in Panama was at El Trapiche in the city center. I loved that it’s in a less touristy area of the city, but still super easy to get to (our taxi driver knew the name of the restaurant so we didn’t need to bother with directions).

This also felt like the most authentically Panamanian food in Panama City, and our waiter was really friendly and gave us some other recommendations for what to do in Panama City. Definitely stop by and try one of their sandwiches if you get the chance!

★ Have lunch at Super Gourmet in Casco Viejo

Super Gourmet is like an American style deli with a Panamanian twist. Another place well worth checking out for lunch! We both had sandwiches and ordered some cookies for takeaway, because who can resist a good old fashioned chocolate chip cookie? Definitely not me.

Granted this place was full of Americans when I visited, so you might not be getting the most “authentic” experience here. But hey, I don’t live in the US and really miss American food, so I really loved feeling like I was back home in Massachusetts for half an hour!

★ Sample the chocolate at Oro Moreno Tropical Chocolate Cafe

This is another lovely place to visit in Casco Viejo, where they make their own chocolate. They use local flavors and I seriously could have spent all afternoon sampling their amazing chocolates. You can also stay a while and get a coffee or hot chocolate to drink here.

This would also be a great place to pick up some gifts for people back home – as long as this is the end of your trip, as those chocolates will definitely be melting when you’re in San Blas.

★ Visit the golden altar at the Church of San Jose

If you visit you can read about the altar’s interesting history (which I won’t spoil here!), plus it’s right in Casco Viejo so there’s really no reason not to pop in to see it. You only really need five minutes to check out the altar, so pop in and get a quick taste of Panama’s history.

★ Have a drink at a rooftop bar in Casco Viejo

There are so many lovely rooftop bars to choose from in Casco Viejo, and they have the best views! I went to Barlovento which had a really nice vibrant yet laidback vibe. It’s definitely a backpacker hub so a great place to meet people – but don’t worry, the feel isn’t  too young. I’m in my 30s and didn’t feel too old there (unlike some other Panama City bars haha).

★ Take a walking tour of Panama City

I’m not usually one for walking tours, but Rachel loves them so she signed us up for the PTY Life Panama Detour . And it totally won me over!

We spent five hours exploring Joey’s favorite areas, stopping at food trucks, using public transport, and having cocktails at a rooftop bar. It was a great intro not just to Panama City, but to Panama as a whole, and it was really interesting to get an American expat’s perspective on the city and country.

★ Have a drink at the top of the W Hotel

I know I said to have a drink at a rooftop bar in Casco Viejo, but as part of our walking tour we also stopped at the W Hotel’s rooftop bar, which is in the new part of the city, and it was really cool to see the contrast! There’s a pool up there and it’s just a great place to hang out away from the bustle of the city below.

It’s also a bit more of a sophisticated crowd, if that’s what you’re looking for. Feel free to wear your prettiest cocktail dress here!

★ Ride the subway

And this is another thing we did on the walking tour. Panama City’s subway is actually pretty easy to navigate, it’s clean, tickets are like 30 cents and I always find riding public transport is a great way to get a feel for a new city. Just maybe try to avoid rush hour, as it can get pretty crowded.

★ Visit the Santa Ana market

If you head towards the Avenida Central from Casco Viejo you’ll get to Santa Ana, and right next to the church you’ll see a little covered market. Here you can find local handicrafts at local prices – way better than the fancier tourist boutiques in town.

We tried on local sandals, hats, and jewelry and it was such a fun way to get to know the local culture here a bit better.

★ Buy a real Panama hat

You know the iconic Panama hat that President Roosevelt made famous at the opening of the Panama Canal? Well, it’s actually from Ecuador.

If you want a real Panama hat you’ll need to go to a local market (like the Santa Ana market mentioned above) and look for a straw hat with black stripes. I think they’re actually cuter, plus Panamanians will get excited to see you sporting a real Panama hat, so it’s a great way to make friends!

★ Get a sim card on Avenida Central

I know a lot of people prefer to disconnect while traveling, but if you’re not one of those people, it’s super easy to buy a sim card in Panama City. Though if you don’t want to bring along your passport to register the new sim card, just buy one from one of the many phone shops along Avenida Central.

They don’t register them here, and a Digicel sim card will cost you $1. Then I paid $5 for each week I wanted service for, which gave me unlimited data (!!). So for $11 I got a sim card with unlimited data that I could use for two weeks in Panama. I had pretty good service too – it was only on San Blas that I lost connection.

★ Stop by Cafe Coca Cola

Apparently this diner has been around so long that Coca Cola doesn’t mind that it’s borrowed their name.

★ Have lunch at Mahalo

This Hawaiian themed restaurant in Casco Viejo is super cute, plus the food was pretty good too! I had a hummus platter (I can’t get good hummus in Norway!) and Rachel had a curry. Definitely check out Mahalo if you’re in need of a meal. The greenery and tikka bar also make the perfect backdrop from and Instagram post, just saying.

★ Take an eco adventure through the Gamboa Rainforest

Did you know that Panama City is on the edge of a rainforest? You can take a day tour like this one through the rainforest to see some exciting wildlife, or this aerial tram tour through the rainforest. I didn’t actually have time to do this, but I really regret not seeing a bit of Panama’s rainforest, so it will be at the top of my list the next time I visit Panama.

★ Visit an Embera Village

I’m not really one for village tours as they tend to make me feel a little uncomfortable, but if you’re interested you can take a day trip out to a traditional Embera village, including a canoe ride up a river and a walk to a jungle waterfall. You can book a tour here .

Visit the San Blas Islands

Over my travels through some eighty countries around the world, I haven’t come across many places that look as picture-perfectly like paradise as the San Blas islands. In fact I think the only place that could maybe rival it was my boat trip island hopping through Indonesia, and then I was sort of really lucky my boat didn’t sink so… if you’re looking for a safer journey to paradise, San Blas is perfect!

I’ve also written a whole blog post about my three days sailing in San Blas , including everything you need to know when planning a trip to San Blas. I found the process of planning our trip there quite confusing as there was a lot of conflicting information online, so here I’ve tried to break it down for you, because actually getting to San Blas is really simple.

I definitely think that sailing on a private catamaran is the best way to see San Blas, so if you’re looking for something to splurge on for your trip to Panama, this is it. I mean, when else are you going to be able to sail through paradise on your own private catamaran? Unless that’s the sort of life you already lead, in which case I’m jealous tell me your secrets!

And on that note, if you only have time to visit one place in Panama, I’d choose San Blas. It’s just so unique and I’m already dreaming of returning one day. The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, and the culture is so relaxed and calming.

I also loved getting away from cell signal for a few days and totally unwinding without worrying about my emails and work obligations. Because I’m totally the type of person who would book a relaxing holiday at a resort and then spend my time lying on the beach checking my phone every twenty minutes. So bad! So if I really want to disconnect and truly relax, I need to get somewhere where I can’t even check my phone – and for me San Blas was that place.

Talk to locals

I was a little nervous about my lack of Spanish skills (or more like guilty – what American doesn’t speak any Spanish??), but everyone I met in Panama was so laidback and friendly that communication was never a problem. Most people spoke really good English, and it turns out Spanish is kind of just a better enunciated version of French/Latin – who knew? (Everyone knew.)

And the people in Panama really are so nice. They’re clearly proud of where they come from and were always eager to hear where else we had visited and what we thought about the country. Like, I’m getting a huge smile on my face just thinking back to the conversations I had with locals in Panama.

Take taxis without worrying about getting ripped off

Speaking of friendly Panamanians, never have I ever traveled anywhere with such nice taxi drivers! And long time readers here will know that I’m not a fan of taxi drivers. But all of our drivers here were so friendly and never argued over prices with us. It was so refreshing to be able to take taxis without stressing over finding one, or finding one that wouldn’t hugely overcharge me.

Fingers crossed I’m not jinxing my taxi ride to the airport later today…

Enjoy being safe

I mean, there are safe and unsafe areas in any country, but as a whole I never felt like I needed to worry while traveling through Panama. People were friendly and helpful and I felt really comfortable wherever I went.

Relax – Panama is so easy

In fact if I were to sum up my sixteen days in Panama in one word it would be “easy.” I don’t mean that in a boring way, but I cannot remember the last time I had such an effortless trip through a country I didn’t live in – much less where I didn’t even speak the local language.

Transport was a breeze, they use the US dollar here so I didn’t have to worry about currency conversions, all of our accommodation was amazing – like, I can’t think of any big stresses I had on this trip.

Explore Panama’s idyllic island escapes

I already mentioned San Blas, but Panama has so many other gorgeous island escapes. I also spent four days on Isla Palenque on the Gulf of Chiriqui and four days on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro, and would have loved to visit the Pearl Islands and more islands on the Gulf of Chiriqui.

Isla Palenque felt like my own secluded island in the middle of nowhere – I seriously felt like I was a character in a novel staying here! The vegetation was so unique, the water perfect, and I think my time on the island was the most relax I’ve been all year.

Plus how stunning is this bungalow? I loved how they combined traditional and modern here and it had all the luxuries I wanted while still feeling like an authentic island escape. And each bungalow is surrounded by trees so it felt like we were totally alone on the island – until we went to the pool and restaurant, which was like the social center of the island.

Look out for sloths!

Rachel and I thought we wouldn’t see a sloth here because we had opted against taking a tour to see them or visiting a sloth refuge, so imagine our surprise when one morning we passed a group of people at our resort in Bocas del Toro and realized they were all pointing at a sloth who had (very slowly) wandered into their yard.

I’ve seen so many YouTube videos of sloths (who hasn’t?) but there’s nothing like seeing one in real life – they are such funny creatures! It was like watching a cartoon or something, except this was real life.

Drink all the coffee

To be honest I don’t know much about coffee and generally will enjoy a cup of instant coffee just as much as some fancy brew, but it was still fun to hear Panamanians talk about their local coffee beans. We spent two days in Boquete, which apparently gets referred to as the Napa Valley of coffee.

I tried the famous Geisha coffee, which is really exclusive, and to be honest it tasted just like normal coffee to me, but other people told me it was some of the best coffee they’ve ever tasted. So if you have more refined taste than mine you’ll probably love it.

I also really loved how there are so many cafes in Boquete. I might not be into coffee, but I love the atmosphere of a coffee shop (and the pastries!), and Boquete has some truly lovely ones.

Stop by Boquete

Speaking of Boquete , there’s a lot more to this highland town than coffee! It feels totally different than Panama’s coastal areas, and offers lots of hikes, ziplining, and even hot springs. It’s also a big expat hub, which is great news for anyone craving an American-style turkey sandwich.

Boquete also was a favorite of old Hollywood stars, so you can feel like a total celeb hanging out here.

Go to Boquete Tree Trek

If you’re up for an adventure, definitely check out Boquete Tree Trek ! Here you can go ziplining and walk along the Cloud Forest’s famous hanging bridges.

Have a meal at Boulder 54 in Boquete

I talk more about places to eat in Boquete in my Boquete travel guide here , but Boulder 54 deserved an extra mention because it was one of the best meals I had in Panama! The atmosphere was lovely, and each dish was beautifully crafted.

It’s a new restaurant so you can feel like you’re truly in the know by going, and while I was there they had live music. This is definitely the sort of place to get a little dressed up for, if you feel like it! It was also a great place for eavesdropping on the expat crowd here – it turns out there’s quite a lot of gossip in Boquete – who knew?

Travel Panama on any budget

While you can travel fairly cheaply through Panama on the backpacker trail, there are also lots of mid-range and family options, as well as some seriously gorgeous luxury hotels. And the same goes with transport – most places it seemed like you could take the local bus on the cheap, a tourist shuttle for a bit more, a private car for more, Air Panama domestic flights, or even charter a private plane to get you where you want to go.

Or another popular option here is to rent a car for a road trip!

Eat all the food

I’m new to Central American food so I can’t really say if it’s better in Panama than in other parts of the region, but seriously, so much yum. My favorite food was in Panama City, though I also didn’t mind dining on freshly caught lobster every night in San Blas.

I was also impressed by all the options most places.

Cover a diverse range of landscapes

When we originally started planning this trip we thought we’d spend about a week in Panama and then head into Costa Rica, until we realized how much there actually is to see in Panama. Remember how I said we had to redraft our Panama itinerary so many times? It was just so difficult to narrow down where to go in Panama when there is such a diverse range of options there.

From the deserted islands of San Blas to the skyscrapers of Panama City, the highlands of Boquete, and the backpacker party scene on Bocas del Toro, it feels like we visited about five different countries on this Panama trip. And that’s what makes Panama such a good introduction to Central America as well. It really feels like you’re getting a taste of all sorts of aspects of the region.

But if you don’t have much time, my personal favorite areas to explore where Panama City, San Blas, and the Pacific islands. San Blas would probably top the list because the beaches and water there is just unreal, though Panama City is a close second – I’d say it’s one of my favorite cities that I’ve visited in a long time!

Visit both the Caribbean and Pacific

Speaking of Panama’s diverse offerings, you can also hang out on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts while here!

Everyone warned me that the Pacific is a disappointment after the Caribbean, but I actually really loved my time on the Pacific. It was quieter with fewer tourists (and fewer hotels – so book in advance), the weather was a bit more stormy, but during the day we still had enough sun for me to get sunburnt, as usual. I actually found the thunderstorms at night really exciting, plus it meant that it wouldn’t get too hot.

But if it’s white sand beaches and turquoise water you’re looking for, then you really need to head to San Blas. I mean, everyone needs to visit San Blas once in their lifetime, if they can. It’s really like a true-life paradise! It’s hard to believe how close it is to the US. Like, I used to think you had to go way out into the Pacific Ocean to find water and beaches like that.

And definitely check out the Gulf of Chiriqui

Speaking of the Pacific, you can read more about my time on the Gulf of Chiriqui here , but for now I’ll just say that if you’re looking for an idyllic island escape, definitely come here. It felt like being on a deserted island, and was definitely the most unique experience I had in Panama.

Like, I think most people visiting Panama go to Panama City, San Blas, Bocas del Toro, and even Boquete, but I don’t know many people who ventured down to the Gulf of Chiriqui. And the culture there seems quite unique too. The islanders have their own history and traditions, and seem very proud of their little corner of the country. And for good reason! The Gulf of Chiriqui is seriously stunning.

In fact, if you’re looking for a quiet getaway – or even a honeymoon retreat! – you could consider heading straight to Isla Palenque. Sure, you’d miss out on a lot of Panama’s other offerings, but you could also skip the exhausting of traveling all over the country and simply bliss out on the beach. I would love to return with my boyfriend someday and just hang out on the beach all week.

See whales on the Gulf of Chiriqui

If you visit the Gulf of Chiriqui between July and October you’ll have the chance to spot the humpback whales that have come from both the north and south poles to give birth!

I had gone on whale watching tours in Africa and Norway before so I wasn’t sure if this would just feel like more of the same, but I swear, seeing whales in real life will never get old. They’re so enormous, it’s really crazy to get so close to them and watch them surfacing and then diving down to find food.

so I’m probably not going to quit blogging to become a wildlife photographer

Go snorkeling on the Pearl Islands

I really wish I had squeezed in a trip to the Pearl Islands – especially considering you can even go as a day tour from Panama City! This tour here will take you snorkeling on the Pearl Islands, and it really does look like such a dreamy escape.

I spoke with some expats in Panama City who go to the Pearl Islands at least once a year, and they said it’s an insider’s favorite in Panama. And transport there is really well organized so you don’t need to stress about making your way down there.

Have a grown up holiday on Bocas del Toro

You guys, Bocas del Toro is not just for backpackers! You can read about my relaxing holiday at Red Frog Beach Resort here . The resort is huge, with beautiful landscape (this is also where I saw the sloth!), plus they organize lots of day trips around Bocas so you’ll never be bored.

Though to be honest I mostly just wanted to be an old woman and lounge at the pool and the beach, haha. It was just so relaxing there. They take care of absolutely everything for you – they have several restaurants, a spa, and the activity organizers are really helpful with recommendations based on what sort of holiday you’re looking for.

Or party it up on Bocas del Toro

Of course, if you do what to party with the backpacker crowd, you will love Bocas del Toro. Try to come on a Friday for their famous island hopping party.

We met some backpackers in Panama City who had just spent a few weeks traveling around Panama on a budget and they said that the best partying was on Bocas del Toro. If I were looking to party, I’d probably make Bocas town my base, as it has a strong nightlife of its own and then you can organizing island hopping tours from there.

Explore a working chocolate farm in Bocas del Toro

If you like chocolate, you can check out how it’s harvested and made! A few people I spoke to said this chocolate farm tour was a highlight of their time in Panama.

I’ve done chocolate tours in other countries so I decided to skip it here, but based on my experience in other places I can say that seeing the whole process of how chocolate is made is so interesting – especially if you are as obsessed with chocolate as I am.

Enjoy a boutique accommodation paradise

While my hostel days are long gone , I’m not a huge fan of the big chain luxury hotels that look the same regardless of what country you’re in, so I was so excited to find so many beautiful boutique hotels in Panama! Each featured such beautiful and unique designs that I sort of want to say that each and every hotel I stayed at in Panama was my favorite.

The American Trade Hotel is perfect old school luxury and has an interesting history of its own. While Las Clementinas offers gorgeous apartments that will make you feel like a local – well, a local living in a super stylish apartment getting breakfast baskets delivered to your room each morning. Can this be my life forever?

3 Things NOT to do in Panama

But what should you skip out on in Panama?

I would highly recommend NOT visiting the San Blas Islands at the start of your Panama trip. You see, I visited them first, and they sort of ruined the rest of Panama’s islands for me, because nothing else can compare to San Blas. So try to save the best for last, if you can.

San Blas is such a special experience, but I feel like I couldn’t fully appreciate it because I was still so excited for the rest of my Panama trip. Whereas if I had saved it for last I would have realized that it was the best part of Panama.

I would also avoid booking accommodation in Bocas del Toro on Airbnb. I usually love Airbnb, but I had a bit of a nightmare experience trying to book this place , and I heard from other travelers that they had similar problems in Bocas del Toro. It was just such an unnecessary stress in an otherwise totally stress free trip planning process.

And finally, don’t just visit Panama City and skip the rest of the country! Panama City is a great starting point, but if I had only visited the city I really don’t think I would have left with an accurate impression of Panama. The beaches are really where it’s at!

Or if you only have time for Panama City, promise that you’ll come back to explore Panama’s islands one day. I promise it’s worth it!

Though I feel like I should add that I’m also SO happy I made time for the city. When I first started planning my Panama trip I figured the best of Panama would be at the beach, but now I know that the country has amazing things to offer from beaches to cities to highlands to the rainforest – you really will fall in love with Panama if you give it a chance. That’s a promise!

Getting to Panama

As a US/Norwegian citizen, I could visit Panama for up to 180 days without a visa.

I flew KLM from Amsterdam direct to Tocumen International Airport and it was a really easy, straightforward flight. When you exit the airport there will be a lot of people trying to get to take their taxi. I ignored them and walked straight through the crowd and found a driver who wasn’t hassling me, but my friend Rachel took one of the first people and we both ended up paying the same (I think it was $20 to my hotel downtown).

And I really loved flying out of PTY. They’ve just redone it and there are lots of American chain restaurants – which was very exciting for me as an American living abroad, haha. I definitely had my fill of bagel sandwiches at their Dunkin Donuts!

Packing for Panama

Panama is super laidback, so you can really wear whatever you want here. I lived in dresses and shorts, as it was so hot here.

Oh and be sure to bring sunblock and a hat (or buy a hat in Panama City!), as the sun here is no joke. I got so burnt on San Blas, it was really bad.

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Justine says

August 31, 2018 at 4:09 pm

I’m severely missing Latin America. I did a two-month trip through Central America years ago but we didn’t make it to El Salvador or Panama. But Panama has always called my name. Hopefully someday soon I’ll be able to actually get back to that amazing region of the world. Following your and Rachel’s trip is sparking some serious wanderlust in me!!

Silvia says

August 31, 2018 at 6:32 pm

Yeah it’s been so crazy exploring a new region – I feel like my wanderlust has been reawakened now too and I need to see all of Central and South America!

Victoria@TheBritishBerliner says

September 3, 2018 at 6:18 am

Wow! ‘Love the post Silvia!

I haven’t yet been to Panama or even Central America. And I have absolutely no idea why!

But isn’t it cool that you literally bumped into seeing a sloth casually wandering along the yard, and minding it’s own business, doing what sloths do.

That’s travel!

September 5, 2018 at 4:54 pm

Ooooh I want to go to Panama too now! And the f it’s easy and safe, it will also be the perfect place to take my boyfriend :).

Your statement about Spanish made me laugh! LOL 🙂 But seriously, Panama will also be great for mi novio qui (que?) no habla español :). What’s the weather like there? As in, how hot and how wet?

Can’t wait to read the rest of this series and find out where that gorgeous organic roof with a cool modern white box underneath is!

September 12, 2018 at 2:33 pm

It was very hot – like around 30 I think – but also quite cloudy so it rarely felt unbearably hot. I was there in rainy season but most days it only rained for part of the day and then the sun would come back out.

April 2, 2019 at 5:35 am

Nice post!! I’ve been living in Panama for the last 10 years and there’s too much to do and incredible places to visit. My recommendation for your next trip to Panama: Visit El Otro Lado Private Retreat at Portobelo Bay. Portobelo is a small town, 1.5 hours away from Panama City on the Caribbean Coast. This is where all de treasures from latin america were shipped to Spain in the colonial times, so it has a lot of history about the conquest, the treasures and the real pirates of the caribbean, such as Francis Drake (who died in Portobelo) and Morgan. It was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site and the Congo Culture (Art expressions of the slave descendants) was declared by Unesco as intangible world heritage.

The crystal caribbean beaches, the nature, adventures, hiking on the ruins of old forts, the culture.. Its a place you should visit on your next trip.

Michelle M says

July 11, 2019 at 4:53 am

Loved your advice and read this just before my last trip to Panama. My boyfriend and I took your advice and bought some Panama hats but they got totally destroyed in the rain on the way to an island by boat lol. Probably best to save the Panama hats for dry season! Thanks for your post, I wanted to show you everything we did during our time in Panama, thanks to what you shared here! https://youtu.be/5yabOTcm5Wk

Luis A says

July 27, 2019 at 2:34 am

I am very happy you had a unique time in Panama.

I wanted to say that you guys were lucky with the Taxi drivers. It is better for a tourist to take a uber or consult the prices with their local hostel, hotel, or BB before taking them.

Besides that, got To Panama

Glenn S Richardson says

October 12, 2019 at 8:30 pm

Planning to visit Panama for the momth of Feb. 2020. Can I wing it , or should I make reservations in Panama City and other touristed areas? Thanks, Glenn

October 14, 2019 at 10:37 pm

I would keep an eye on accommodation and see if things start booking up, otherwise you can probably wing it if you aren’t picky about where you stay.

Mike Troublefield says

January 26, 2020 at 1:41 am

Feb. Is a great month to visit if you enjoy golf. The North American Korn Ferry your is in town near pty. Besides golf still a great time to visit .

Jeanne Urban says

November 26, 2019 at 4:27 am

we plan to travel a lot in-country an are wondering…did you rent a car and travel on your own or take buses or fly from one place to the other? what is your recommendation. thank you

November 26, 2019 at 4:01 pm

I love it. Panama is my native country but I left when I was just 18 years old. I am 44 and I cannot remember much. It has changed a lot and it sounds just like paradise

December 30, 2019 at 9:42 pm

I totally agree with you! And Bocas and AirBnB is a huge No! Learned the hard way 🤣

February 12, 2020 at 8:19 pm

What an excellent run-down of what to do in Panama! I definitely agree with you on the San Blas Islands, that’s one of the most magical places in the world.

David Hatfield says

March 15, 2020 at 4:22 pm

Nice article! I married a Panamanian woman 30 years ago and have spent a lot of time there- we even built a retirement home in Playa Santa Clara about 12 years ago. I would also recommend to your readers that they take time to visit the surfing villages in Playa Venao- a fun, bohemian location where lots of young travelers meet.

May 7, 2020 at 2:00 am

Great list! Thanks for sharing! My family loves visiting Panama City!

Ho Lien says

May 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm

You have nice pic and memories Unfortunately Getting Panama from Vietnam not easy 🙂 Thank for your great post

Dinora says

August 21, 2020 at 12:31 am

Hi guys!!! Omg thank you very much for all the beautiful things you wrote about my country, hope you guys come again after this whole covid situation goes away… And if any of you have any question about Panama, feel free to ask me, I’ll be happy to answer you 🙂 My gmail is [email protected]

August 2, 2021 at 2:52 pm

one place that you forgot to mention or to visit is: Isla Iguana.

its not as good as San Blas, however you get the feeling of the pacific ocean and the sorrounding area of Isla Iguana is a must.

October 29, 2021 at 3:09 pm

Amazing blog, please keep on writing blogs like this.

Cathy Turner says

March 17, 2022 at 2:22 am

Hi, I’m thinking of going to Panama in May 2022 with my son. We will be going probably only for 5 days. I would like to make the most out of my trip. Son has other things he has to do. I was going to tag along with him until I read what you wrote. Can you give my any info of what I can see in such a short time please? Thank you, Cathy

Alex I says

April 7, 2022 at 9:52 am

I am traveling to Panama May 7-11 and extremely excited to take in as much as i can during that period.

April 12, 2023 at 1:07 am

What vaccines do you need to visit??

July 19, 2023 at 3:52 pm

Your blog serves as a reminder to live life to the fullest and embrace new experiences.

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Once a full-time nomad, I'm now trying to find a balance between continuing to explore off the beaten path places around the world while also building a home in Norway. Want to know more? Head to my About page !

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How To Plan An Unforgettable Panama Itinerary

Looking for an incredible Panama itinerary?

I’ve got you covered below.

Every summer, my boyfriend Andy and I plan an epic two-week vacation together. It’s one of the few times annually I’m not traveling solo; and because it’s such a special time, a lot goes into planning the perfect trip.

We’re curious outdoor enthusiasts who love experiential accommodations.

If that sounds like you, then you’ll want to keep reading to steal our favorite Panama vacation spots and travel tips.

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Panama Travel Video

Prefer to travel Panama through video?

You’re in luck!

We filmed a Panama travel guide to really show you what the experience was like.

Watch the video here:

A big thanks to Andy for helping me shoot the footage, and for editing this video!

Panama Travel Tips

Before I get into actual things to do in Panama, I want to go over some important Panama travel tips.

This way, when you begin diving into our Panama itinerary, you can better understand what your trip will look like.

Additionally, you can grab my free Ultimate Travel Planning Kit — which also includes a downloadable Google Map of this Panama itinerary.

Is Panama Safe?

In short, I felt very, very safe doing the Panama itinerary I share with you below.

That being said, whether at home or on the road, I’m never without a few very important safety essentials.

Vigilant Personal Alarm . Vigilant makes personal safety alarms — or sound grenades — in a variety of models and styles. Press a button to activate an alarm louder than a firetruck, meant to disarm and scare potential attackers. The model linked here even has a backup alarm in case the primary alarm becomes disabled.

Speakeasy Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves . Hand-made by my fellow travel blogging friends over at Beers & Beans, these stylish scarves come in designs for all seasons. Bonus: The hidden pockets in the scarf are large enough to fit your passport!

Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments . Nervous about pickpockets? In more touristy areas of Panama City, for example, pickpockets are fairly common. Having pickpocket-proof garments ensures thieves don’t even know you’re carrying cash. I love the underwear, tank top, long johns and short sleeve dress!

Planning A Trip To Panama: Destinations

There are so many options when planning your Panama itinerary.

Below, I provide an overview of some — emphasis on some — of your options based on your travel preferences.

Beach Destinations In Panama.  Bocas del Toro, Pearl Islands, San Blas Islands, Isla Coiba, Santa Catalina, Colon.

Hiking / Outdoor Adventure Destinations In Panama.  Boquete, El Valle de Anton, Cocle Province, Santa Cruz de Cana.

Urban Destinations In Panama. Panama City, David.

Agricultural Destinations In Panama. Boquete, Santa Fe, Cocle Province, Isla Bastimentos, Isla San Cristobal, Colon.

Two Weeks In Panama Itinerary

If you don’t feel like reading this entire article, you can swipe my two weeks in Panama itinerary here in this quick overview.

We arrived into Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, and then took an Uber to get to the Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport to board a domestic one-hour flight to the Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport in Bocas Town.

Our Panama itinerary was as follows:

Bocas Town on Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro  ( Airbnb- Stay Bocas ). One night.

Arrived via Air Panama flight from Panama City.

Highlights included Bibi’s on the Beach, Starfish Beach and simply wandering the lively town to peruse the shops, bars and even a brewery called Bocas Brewery.

Isla Bastimentos in Bocas Del Toro ( La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm ). Two nights.

Arrived via pickup in Bocas Town by the La Loma Jungle Lodge boat captain (ride is about 20 minutes).

Highlights included sleeping in a treehouse with no walls in the jungle, hiking to a bat cave, kayaking at sunrise and the creative meals made with mainly ingredients grown on their onsite farm.

Isla San Cristobal in Bocas del Toro ( CocoVivo ). Two nights.

Arrived via skiff boat taxi (about 25 minutes from Bocas Town).

Highlights included onsite hiking trails to waterfalls, snorkeling the healthy coral reefs, night swimming in the bioluminescent Tierra Oscura Lagoon, a dock with a second-storey diving board and hammocks right over the water, and paddle-boarding to the local fried chicken shop nearby (a very Panamanian experience!).

Boquete (Airbnb- Lost Waterfalls Cabin ). Two nights.

Arrived via Hello Panama tourist bus ($30), with the Airbnb host picking us up at the bus stop to take us to the cabin.

Highlights included hiking in Panama  — specifically through high altitude jungle to numerous waterfalls — a farm-to-fork dinner at Colibri Restaurant in Boquete Town and having a secluded cabin in the breathtaking cloud forest where our yard was filled with unique flora and hummingbirds.

Panama City ( The Bahia Grand Hotel ). One night.

Arrived via Air Panama flight from Enrique Malek International Airport in David, which we got to by paying $50 for a taxi from Boquete to David (though note there is also a cheaper bus option that we didn’t feel like navigating with our luggage).

This was just a one-night stopover before our trip to El Valle de Anton (aka “El Valle”), and we spent it by exploring some of the hotel’s amenities. These included swimming in the infinity pool, having an unforgettable chef’s tasting dinner at Tejas Restaurant, gambling in the Ocean Sun Casino and having drinks at their 66-storey Poolbar rooftop. Afterward, we took a bubblebath with wine in our in-room standalone tub. Heaven!

El Valle de Anton (Airbnb- Casa del Alma ). Two nights.

Arrived via 2.5-hour bus from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City (~$4.50 one way).

Highlights included hiking to the top of La India Dormida for incredible views, having a seafood dinner on the chill patio of Bruschetta Restaurant, and enjoying our funky zen lodging with had a pool, garden and deep soaking tub.

Panama City ( The Bahia Grand Hotel ). Three nights.

Arrived via the same bus we took to El Valle de Anton, but in the opposite direction.

Highlights included more swimming and enjoying cocktail-filled pineapples at the infinity pool, wandering the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo neighborhood, seeing boats pass through the Panama Canal, walking the scenic Cinta Costera at night, savoring craft cocktails at the Strangers Club and a satisfying dinner at the innovative Wall Street Bar & Lounge where menu prices change based on their inventory.

If I could change anything about the above Panama itinerary, I would have stayed a few days longer in Panama to spend more time in Panama City. There is a lot to do there, both within the city and as day trips.

Currency In Panama

Interestingly, US Dollars — along with the Panamanian Balboa — are both official currency in Panama.

They even equal the same. Sometimes locals will mix up currencies, too.

So, if you’re supposed to get $1.50 change back, you might back $1 USD and 50 cents in Panamanian Balboa coins.

In short, we used US dollars the entire time.

Getting Around Panama

To get around Panama, Andy and I opted to travel by plane and bus.

There’s so much to do in Panama, and we were on a tight two-week schedule; so, we did take two domestic flights on Air Panama to save time, even though they were pricier than the bus.

Additionally, we opted for the tourist transfer bus offered by Hello Panama between Bocas and Boquete.

Another option we heard a few travelers rave about is renting a car, as long as you’re outside Panama City and Bocas del Toro.

Next time I go to Panama I’ll probably opt for this, as there are so many natural places and beautiful parks to explore that are time-consuming to get to via public transportation.

I recommend using a service  like Discover Cars  to determine the best car rental deals available.

Users of this site can save up to 70% on their booking just by being able to easily compare their options!

What’s great is their comparison tool does the hard research work for you.

You can use their widget right here to compare right now:

Solo Female Travel In Panama

While I was not traveling solo in Panama per my usual trip style, I know many of you are solo travelers.

Ladies, you can definitely feel confident traveling alone through Panama. We encountered a number of solo female travelers during our trip, and at almost all of our accommodations.

Actually, while the Panama itinerary I’m sharing works well for couples, there’s nothing we did on this trip that I wouldn’t come back and do solo, aside for maybe staying at the Lost Waterfalls Cabin because it’s pretty secluded (and I’m terrified of ghosts!).

Even the hikes in Boquete that I mention below — both of which are very well marked — would be fine to do on your own without a guide.

Just make sure you have the Vigilant Alarm I mention above on you for added protection, especially from wildlife.

Health Concerns & Zika Virus In Panama

Note that as of this writing (September 2018) there is a risk of Zika Virus in Panama. This means that if you’re pregnant you should avoid visiting Panama.

All travelers will definitely want to take precautions to limit mosquito bites, as well as bites from no-see-ums (or sand flies), which can also carry diseases.

In Bocas del Toro both of these insects were very prevalent.

Personally, I typically opt for natural insect repellent, as I feel it works better and doesn’t harm the environment.

I was able to buy an incredible insect repellent and bite soother at La Loma Jungle Lodge. It was made from coconut oil, citronella and fresh lemon.

If you’d prefer to buy your insect repellent before your Panama trip, here are a few highly-rated natural options from Amazon:

• 2 ounce repellent (spray)
• 2 ounce repellent (cream)
• 4 ounce repellent
• 8 ounce repellent

Another question in terms of health safety you’re probably asking yourself:

Can you drink the water in Panama?

The answer:

Yes and no.

Do realize in certain Panama regions and cities you can’t drink the tap water, like Bocas del Toro.

On the other hand, drinking the tap water in places like Boquete, El Valle de Anton and Panama City is absolutely fine.

Honestly, I thought the tap water in Panama — especially in mountainous places like Boquete — was some of the best I’ve ever tasted!

And while we’re on the topic of drinking, do remember to ask for your beverages without a straw when ordering at restaurants.

Many restaurants and bars will typically provide straws automatically, which can then get eaten by wildlife and harm or kill them.

My Panama Itinerary In-Depth

Now that we’ve covered some important Panama travel tips, it’s time to dive deeper into where to go in Panama, and what to do once you’re there.

Visiting Bocas Del Toro 

Christopher Columbus actually visited this beautiful archipelago in 1502, when he was searching for Asia. That’s why you’ll find a number of Bocas del Toro islands that give nods to the Spanish explorer — like Isla Colon, Isla Cristóbal and Bahía de Almirante — because he named them after himself.

According to Rough Guides , it wasn’t until 1826 that the town of Bocas del Toro — today called Bocas Town — was founded by West Indian immigrants.

Later on in the 19th century, it was the United Fruit company that built up Bocas del Toro’s wealth by planting banana plantations.

This strategic move led to over 50% of Panama’s export income coming from Bocas bananas.

While disease eventually hurt the banana industry in Bocas del Toro, a growing tourism industry is taking its place as a key money maker.

How To Get To Bocas Del Toro From Panama City

Arriving into Bocas del Toro via Air Panama flight was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had on a plane.

With the soft hum of the aircraft as my soundtrack, I gazed down over hundreds of lush islands — some large enough to have homes, some so small they appeared like rocks from above.

As the plane descended, I noticed the water hitting the shoreline of the vibrant emerald green islands, sprouting dense forest that appeared like billions of broccoli stalks, the trees so close together.

Suddenly, the plane made a loud whizzing noise, and a burst of colorful buildings broke up the repeating green hues.

We were in Bocas Town.

Now, flights to Bocas del Toro from Panama City are relatively inexpensive on Air Panama. Andy and I paid $112 each for our one-way flight — including taxes and fees — booked for the end of August.

If you’re wondering how to get to Bocas del Toro, the above-mentioned flight to Bocas del Toro airport will be the easiest, quickest way at less than one-hour of travel time.

Another option is taking a bus from Panama City to Almirante, and then a boat to Bocas Town (or another Bocas del Toro island), though note this takes 10.5-11.5 hours total. Considering the flight is about 50 minutes, I personally think it’s the smarter option unless you’re on a really, really tight budget.

Driving is another option, and we met loads of travelers road tripping around Panama.

The thing with this is that once you’re in Bocas del Toro you’ll be getting around by taking tiny skiff boats. These don’t fit cars, so you’ll need to leave yours in Almirante. Driving from Panama City to Bocas del Toro takes about eight to nine hours.

Now Bocas del Toro is interesting in that it sits on Panama’s Caribbean coast and features some truly unspoiled beaches.

Moreover, you can swim in crystal waters, snorkeling lagoons and watching dolphins in the wild. You can float in a bioluminescent bay. You can hike through the jungle spying birdlife, monkeys and sloths, or head into a bat cave and go cliff jumping inside.

These are just a few of the many Bocas del Toro attractions and experiences to be had.

Bocas del Toro islands are plentiful. In fact, aside for the mainland there are nine main Caribbean islands to choose from when planning your trip.

That being said, you’ll notice as your flying over this Panama province that there are actually myriad small islands, calm waters sprinkled with lush emerald tufts of land. While you won’t find Bocas del Toro hotels on these smaller islands, many make for fun kayaking and paddle boarding destinations.

Visiting Bocas Town On Isla Colon [Bocas Del Toro, Panama]

Bocas Town — situated at the southern end of Isla Colon — is the capital and main hub of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, so this is where you’ll likely begin your journey, even if just to connect elsewhere.

That being said, no  Bocas del Toro vacation would be complete without spending a night or two in Bocas Town.  It’s extremely lively, with loads of restaurants, bars, shops, a main square and a walkable layout.

Bocas Town Hotel Recommendation: Stay Bocas

When researching where to stay in Bocas del Toro, specifically in Bocas Town, we chose Stay Bocas due to its positive reviews.

Plus, it’s literally a three-minute walk from the Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport. This is where you’ll arrive into when flying into Bocas del Toro from Panama City.

As soon as we walked through the garden patio up to the check-in desk, a smiling man greeted us and offered us local Balboa beers.

The room was clean with air conditioning, and the location was walkable to all of the noteworthy things to do in Bocas Town.

It’s also budget-friendly at less than $50 per night, including breakfast, wifi and bike rentals.

We booked this Bocas Town accommodation on Airbnb. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, I recommending clicking here to set up your account so you get $40 off your first booking .

Once you’ve created your account, you can click here to book Stay Bocas.

Bocas Del Toro Restaurants: Bibi’s On The Beach

Bocas Town is the epitome of a chill beach town. Even as we walked around on a Monday night, small wooden bars and restaurants painted in bright tropical colors blasted calypso and reggae.

Near to a small brewery strung with fairy lights was a dock where locals eagerly wait to take people by taxi boat to other islands and destinations nearby.

Our destination for the night:

Bibi’s on the Beach , a restaurant recommendation from Stay Bocas.

Located on nearby Carenero Island, Andy and I were dropped off on the dock — after paying the $2/person fare — and took a short walk along the palm shaded, sandy shore to the open-air eatery.

Fresh seafood paired with fruity cocktails made fresh in a blender is the name of the game here.

On the water, we sipped Pina Coladas and Bahama Mamas while enjoying grilled tuna, mussels, shrimp and Bibi’s famous tender octopus.

The scene is uber romantic, with bare bulbed lights strung up over picnic tables and lounge chairs right on the water.

I highly recommend going before sunset so you can watch the sky light up and cast warm hues over the islands.

Bocas Del Toro Beaches: Starfish Beach

Possibly my favorite Bocas del Toro beach from the whole trip was Starfish Beach near Bocas Town.

On the main road in Bocas Town — the widest road, two blocks from Stay Bocas — is a park square.

Here, you’ll catch the bus to Bocas del Drago ($2.50 each way, payable on the bus in cash), the last stop on the bus.

The ride takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll drive through lush jungle and even some cow-laden countryside.

When you arrive at Bocas del Drago, you’ll be greeted by soft sand coastline shaded by palms, azure warm waters and chill beach bars selling rum drinks and lobster.

The real treat though:

Hiking 25 minutes along the coastline —walking barefoot through the warm water — to the gorgeous Starfish Beach.

Not only is the beach stunning, with hawks gliding overhead, but the clear water is filled with giant colorful starfish!

A note on responsible tourism at beaches:

Don’t touch the starfish!

There are signs everywhere warning visitors not to touch them, and that if you do they might die; but yet, we saw tourists not only touching them but moving them to take a “great” Instagram photo.

A photo is never worth hurting a living creature over, so just admire them with your eyes!

A warning on the buses:

They apparently come earlier than they tell you when you get off. The 2pm bus back to Bocas left at 1:55pm! Luckily we got back early.

Back in Bocas Town, we took a stroll through the lively, colorful streets, spending most of our time shopping at the artsy  Black Cat boutique.

Afterward, we headed to a really cool bar and restaurant —  Bocas Blended , aka the Batido Bus — to eat lunch.

This hippie bus serves smoothies, healthy wraps, salads and refreshing mojito lemonades.

It was the perfect place to relax while we waited to meet our captain — Mr. Kelly — who’d be whisking us away to our next Bocas del Toro island destination.

Visiting La Loma Jungle Lodge On Isla Bastimentos [Bocas Del Toro, Panama]

When Mr. Kelly arrived, we boarded a small skiff boat to visit La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm on Bastimentos Island.

The scenic ride took about 20 minutes — taking us past inlet eateries, small islands and mangroves — until we pulled up to dock dense with forest; a small dog, who we came to know as Zorro, greeting us.

Resting on 57 acres of tropical forest and fruit groves, La Loma Jungle Lodge is unlike any of the other Bocas del Toro hotels you’ll come across on your search.

First of all, the property is a self-sustaining experiential accommodation only accessible by boat, meaning you don’t need to worry about having a negative impact on the environment or about encountering too many tourists.

As a guest of the hotel — which is also a working farm — your stay includes three deliciously prepared meals.

About 60% of the ingredients in the food are grown right on their property. During my stay, I savored dishes like pumpkin soup with fried yuca, grilled blackjack fish over coconut rice, and roasted red pepper-laced lentils served alongside fresh salad from the garden and locally-sourced cheese.

For dessert, sometimes we savored homemade guava cookies showcasing onsite grown fruit, or decadent chocolate cake gowned in dulce de leche, made with La Loma’s renowned cacao.

Hey, Panama chocolate is some of the best in the world. And if you want to have the best of the best, it’s smart to get it right from the source.

You can work off the food through onsite hiking trails, night walks to spot caimans and jungle insects, trips to trek across Red Frog Beach and kayaking to the nearby bat cave or Sloth Island (which is home to — you guessed it — hundreds of sloths!).

While mornings were filled with watching wildlife — mainly birds and sometimes sloths and monkeys — through our open air treehouse, evenings were spent playing cards under the stars while enjoying a bottle of wine and listening to tree frogs.

Moreover, staff were happy to set up their kayaks for sunrise paddling with views looking out toward the active Volcán Barú — Panama’s tallest mountain at 11,400 feet — and the rest of the Cordillera de Talamanca range.

Adventures On Isla Bastimentos: Beach Hiking

No trip to Panama would be complete without visiting the beautiful beaches.

And one of my favorite experiences during my La Loma stay was to Red Frog Beach , specifically to do the 45-minute hike from that beach to the more secluded Polo Beach .

Admittedly, Polo Beach is a proper hike to get to.

While your feet will be slapping over the warm Caribbean Sea most of the time, you’ll also need to navigate jagged tufts of coral and humongous fall trees blocking the path.

Once you arrive, though, you’ll realize the effort was worth it as you have the crystal waters and outer island views all to yourself.

There aren’t beach bars at Polo Beach, so pack lots of water and lunch!

Adventures On Isla Bastimentos: Panama Bat Cave Exploration

Another one of the unforgettable things to do in Panama while staying at La Loma:

Hiking through the  Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park to the  Nivida Bat Cave with a local named Roger, whose father actually discovered the cave.

I always joke that when I’m working hard I’m in my bat cave; but the truth is I’ve never been in a bat cave like this.

Hundreds — possibly thousands — of bats hung upside down, grinning devilishly through the glow of our headlamps in the darkest corners of the cave.

Every few seconds, one would whizz past our ears so quickly they looked like a burst of black light; so close you could almost feel it’s little hairs on your skin!

I was glad I wore a bathing suit, as the further we hiked into the cave, the deeper the water inside became.

Actually, what started out as a stream quickly came to above our waists!

When we got to a large dry rock shelf the water didn’t reach, Roger instructed us to leave everything behind aside for our helmets and headlamps.

“The water gets very deep. You’ll need to swim at parts.”

Peering at a giant tarantula-like spider on the wall, I hoped the creepy crawlers of the cave wouldn’t also be making the journey.

After about 15 minutes, we came to a giant cave pool sitting below loads of stalagmites — where you could also cliff jump.

Andy jumped three times, and each time I held my breath hoping I wouldn’t need to tell his parents I’d lost their son in a Panamanian bat cave.

Luckily, he came up laughing each time.

The bat cave excursion also included a scenic boat ride through the mangroves. Roger not only gave us a comprehensive overview of the three types of mangroves on Bastimentos Island — red, brown and yellow — but also helped us spot an array of wildlife.

Crabs, capuchin monkeys, caimans and giant clawed pistol shrimp all made their way onto my camera roll, though the highlight was a sloth so close we could make out her facial features.

I learned sloths go to the bathroom once per week in the water, where the caimans sit hungrily waiting.

As this sloth moved about the tree, I hoped she realized what waited below her.

Luckily, what waited for Andy and I was much less scary:

A delicious multi-course lunch at La Loma, complete with plates of guanabana fruit and chocolate truffles for dessert.

Visiting CocoVivo On Isla San Cristobal [Bocas del Toro, Panama]

After washing down our meal with homemade passionfruit juice, Andy and I said our farewells, faithful Zorro giving us his final doggy kisses on the dock, before we headed back to Bocas Town to catch a taxi boat to CocoVivo Panama , a sustainable eco-retreat on Isla San Cristobal.

A friendly Bocas local named Choy was our captain, recommended to us by CocoVivo.

The scenic 20-minute ride cost $45 total for both Andy and I, and as our boat pulled up to the CocoVivo dock, surrounded by lush jungle, we knew we were in for a relaxing treat.

This portion of our trip was about simply enjoying the beauty and chilled out vibe of the property.

Actually, my laptop had sadly fallen prey to humidity on Isla Bastimentos. While I was more than a little sad about the screen of my $1500 laptop being destroyed, I decided to look at it as a blessing:

No laptop meant I had no choice but to take a deep breath and relax.

And CocoVivo certainly was the place to it.

Owned by expat couple Carmen and Lazare — who met while living in Bocas Town — the property is rustic and environmentally conscious using solar panels, a rain catchment system and composting.

You’ll need to be mindful of water usage, electricity usage and waste.

Moreover, our in-room toilet — for #1 only — was a hole right over the mangroves, and short cool showers handled only bio-digradeable products like this shampoo (though they provide soap, and have a beautiful Hill House with western facilities, too).

If you’re okay with that, then you’ll be rewarded with simple clean rooms built right into the island’s landscape.

Things To Do On Isla San Cristobal: Aquatic Bocas Del Toro Adventures

Actually, swimming in their bioluminescent Tierra Oscura Lagoon when the sky is completely dark is a magical experience; each slap of your hand on the water making bright sparkles shoot out from your fingertips.

Swimming during the day is also a must, as the property is surrounded by healthy reefs full of tropical fish and colorful corals.

A must-have CocoVivo experience:

Jumping off the second-storey diving board that’s on their main deck lounge, where fresh communal meals are served and the bar sits.

Here, you’ll find hammocks and wooden swings hanging right over the water, with a second-storey diving platform.

It’s scary the first time you jump, though after you come up for air giggling, you’ll want to do it again and again.

Things To Do On Isla San Cristobal: Bocas Del Toro Restaurants

Additionally, we loved grabbing the free-to-use kayaks and paddle boards and paddling across the lagoon to Los Amigos Restaurante & Bar .

Here, in this eatery on the water that genuinely feels like someone’s home, they serve one thing:

Three pieces of delicious fried chicken with fries and coleslaw.

It’s a true Panamanian experience, from getting to practice your Spanish to chatting with the owner — Ernesto — about his time living in the states, but coming back to where he was born and opening the business.

Behind the counter sits a shelf with a few bottles of liquor and a handful of mixers, which we turned into ginger ales spiked with local rum.

Around the open air restaurant, locals play music and sit on their porches, offering a glimpse into daily life in Panama.

Things To Do On Isla San Cristobal: Hiking On Isla San Cristobal

Additionally, the onsite hiking trails at CocoVivo allow you to see birds, wildlife (read: sloths!), waterfalls and crazy insects.

Led by CocoVivo’s three pups — Captain, Osa and Nanoosh — we ended up at a lovely waterfall.

This was a refreshing stop to cool off as Bocas del Toro weather can be very hot and humid.

After my laid back stay, I truly felt like I was leaving home, especially when Carmen, Lazare and the dogs stood at the dock waving (and barking!) goodbye.

Click here for a great list of unforgettable Bocas del Toro tours!

Visiting Boquete In Panama

So, where were we leaving Bocas del Toro for?

Boquete, a small mountain town located in the highlands of the bountiful Chiriquí province of Panama, renowned for its hiking trails and proximity to Volcán Barú , Panama’s highest point.

This is one of the best Panama vacation spots for those wanting to experience the country’s gorgeous cloud forest.

According to  Hotel Panamonte , Boquete was founded on April 11, 1911, when it became a shortcut to California for those looking to profit from the California Gold Rush.

Many locals and immigrants settled here, also drawn by the Panama destination’s abundance and natural beauty.

Today, the town is known for a few things:

• Boquete coffee production. The coffee in Boquete is said to be some of the world’s best!
• It’s retirement community. Many senior locals and expats settle in Boquete to take advantage of the mild weather, low costs, modern amenities and slower pace of life.
• Boquete tourism. If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, Boquete should be on your Panama itinerary!

Hotels In Boquete, Panama: The Lost Waterfalls Cabin

Andy and I booked the Lost Waterfalls Cabin on Airbnb, so if you’ve never used Airbnb before make sure to use this link to signup and get $40 off your first stay !

If you’re interested in hiking in Panama, the cabin is situated at the beginning of the renowned Lost Waterfalls Trail, high up in the cloud forest.

So high in fact that you’ll need to hike 20 minutes up a steep trail to reach the dwelling — meaning you’ll definitely need to be physically fit, and be okay with walking across shaking suspension bridges — to stay here.

Once you reach your cozy wooden cabin, you’re surrounded by hummingbirds, blue vervain, red spiky heliconias, tall moss-covered oaks and other high elevation flora.

Or, as I like to call them, Dr. Seuss-looking plants.

Plus, you won’t need to look up to see clouds; they’ll roll right past you like puffy tumbleweeds as you sit on the large porch — complete with rocking chairs and resident pup named Rocky Balboa.

Even the outdoor toilet and shower — both very clean — have views of the valley.

We loved our stay at this Boquete accommodation, especially because we spent almost our entire time hiking.

If you want to explore the actual main town in Boquete — with its many restaurants, bars and shops — you should stay at a hostel or hotel down there. For example:

• A popular choice is Hostel Mamallena , which has budget-friendly dorms and private rooms.
• Another great option if you’re not a hostel person is Agaseke Lodge Boquete , a simple and inexpensive Panama hotel right in Boquete Town that includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a clean room.

Another idea:

Do a few days in Boquete Town and a few days in the Panamanian cloud forest at the Lost Waterfalls Cabin.

You can always get to town via 15-minute hike down to the trailhead and then get a $10 cab, which the Airbnb host can call for you since you won’t have cell service.

If it’s the evening, make sure to bring a flashlight to see and your Vigilant Personal Alarm for safety, as it gets dark.

Most likely, you’ll eat most meals at the cabin, where you have a cooler (no fridge), outdoor grill, stove (no oven), sink and dishes / glassware.

Things To Do In Boquete, Chiriquí: Boquete Restaurants

One meal I do highly recommend you have in town:

A globally inspired farm-to-fork experience at Colibri Restaurante .

“Colibri” means “hummingbird” in Spanish, which is a great name for this restaurant focused on creative Mediterranean meals infused with mainly local ingredients.

They have outdoor seating, as well as indoor tables surrounded by walls covered in local artwork.

The menu is extensive with lots of noteworthy tastes, from the locally-made passionfruit limoncello to the home-brewed beer to the creative ice cream flavors.

Personally, I loved the tree tomato option, as well as the goat cheese made with a variety they find at a local farmer’s market.

Instead of bread, we were given a bowl of fried pasta with a pesto dipping sauce.

As a starter, the beef tenderloin salad was almost too pretty to eat, laced with carrot spirals, faddish slices and tender seasoned beef; all dressed in a passionfruit dressing.

The meal offered a delicious introduction to discovering the terroir of Boquete and the Chiriqui Province, as the reason many travelers visit is access to unique outdoor adventure opportunities.

Things To Do In Boquete, Chiriquí: Boquete Hiking Trails

Andy and I decided to continue exploring the landscape through two esteemed hiking trails:

The Pipeline Trail ($3 entrance fee) and the Lost Waterfalls Trails ($7 entrance fee), the latter of which our cabin sits at the trailhead of.

Both are moderately difficult, unbelievably scenic hikes that introduce you to lush jungle and renowned bird life. Moreover, they’re a short taxi or collectivo (shared taxi) ride from Boquete Town.

Additionally, both are well-traversed enough that I’d highly recommend them for solo female travelers — though do pack your personal alarm just in case. We didn’t see any, but there are jaguars here, and a sound grenade can help scare off wild animals.

The Pipeline Trail is 2.8-miles long, gradually bringing you to 1,578 meters above sea level. Despite the elevation gain, this is the easier of the two Boquete hikes. This is because the Lost Waterfalls Trail is very, very steep in sections.

During the hike, you’ll pass through two micro-climates of the cloud forest, seeing a wide variety of flora — and fauna, mainly birds.

Actually, along this trail sits a designated Quetzal habitat.

If you’re wondering where to see the sought-after Resplendent quetzal in Panama, this is where you need to go — though note having a local Boquete guide like this one will dramatically increase your chances of spotting one. These beautiful birds, despite their bright colors and dramatic feathering, are tough to spot on your own.

Another Pipeline Trail highlight:

A 1,000+ year-old Mexican elm tree, with enormous roots twisting out of the ground.

This is a fun photo spot for sure!

Along the way, you’ll cross lovely bridges — many crafted from parts of the pipeline the trek is named for — and will likely see lizards, butterflies and possibly even snakes, sloths and howler monkeys. We didn’t see the latter, but we definitely heard them!

At the end of the hike, you’re rewarded with a front row view of a waterfall perfect for swimming.

As Andy and I visited in the late August rainy season — Panama’s off season — we had the place all to ourselves.

The Lost Waterfalls Trail in Boquete was, in my opinion, even more beautiful, albeit more challenging with hugely spaced staircases and steep climbs — sometimes so sharp you’ll need a rope to assist you.

That being said, you’re introduced to three wildly gorgeous waterfalls, each quite different from the other.

Here is Lost Waterfall #1, the tamest of them all, with a viewing platform to see the falls:

Here is Lost Waterfall #2, my favorite of the three due to the multiple tiers and the cave behind it:

And here is Lost Waterfall #3, which you can also climb up and walk behind:

As a photographer on this Panama hike, I couldn’t help but notice the many opportunities for gorgeous natural framing.

Bring a raincoat! That rain can come out of nowhere. I’m a fan of the compact LINENLUX Rain Poncho .

Boquete gets much cooler than Panama City and Bocas del Toro, so bring some warm clothing. My travel-friendly scarf shawl  — which also makes for an excellent airplane blanket — came in handy for keeping me warm when hanging out on the porch.

Click here for a great list of unforgettable Boquete tours !

Visiting El Valle De Anton In Panama (aka El Valle)

After our cloud forest adventure in Boquete, we bid farewell to our Airbnb host, Elias, and the adorable Rocky Balboa.

While there is an inexpensive bus from Boquete to David — where you can board another inexpensive bus from David to Panama City — we decided to save time and hassle and instead grabbed a taxi to David’s international airport (1 hour, $50).

Then we took a flight from David to Panama City, where we grabbed a 2.5-hour bus to El Valle de Anton. Or, as it’s more commonly called, El Valle.

The town of El Valle — which I was told sits inside the largest inhabited volcano crater in the world — is known for its hiking trails, natural beauty and unique geography. Here, you’ll enjoy mountain treks, waterfalls, butterfly and orchid gardens, and hot springs.

Taking The Bus To El Valle From Panama City

So from Albrook Bus Station in Panama City there are ticket sellers coming up to you and anxiously asking you where you’re going.

“El Valle de Anton,” I said.

“Come!” A man said, beckoning me to follow.

He hurriedly brought me to a ticket selling table, and I again said “El Valle de Anton.”

A bunch of men were shouting around me, it was hectic and rushed, so when the guy repeated back “Anton?” I didn’t think that that might be a different place.

But alas, it was.

And our 2.5-hour bus ride took almost six hours as we arrived in Anton — different from El Valle de Anton — and had to backtrack to then take two different buses.

But hey, it was an experience.

Picture a small bus where people get on and off before the vehicle even really comes to a complete stop. Latin club beats blast, and on some buses there are even R-rated music videos to go along with them!

El Valle Panama Hotels: Casa del Alma (aka House of Soul)

We booked the funky, zen Casa del Alma space on Airbnb — so if you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to create your account and receive $40 off your first stay!

This large house with four thoughtfully-decorated guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, is chock full of inspiring nooks, female-centric artwork and playful touches.

Moreover, the outdoor garden features a pool, fireplace (upcharge for setup) and tropical flora attracting birds — including hummingbirds!

In the morning, a big kitchen stocked with coffee, eggs, cereal and bananas is included in your stay.

Hiking In El Valle: La India Dormida Trail

While we had a nice seafood meal at Restaurante Bruschetta and tasty fried chicken from a place off the main drag that read “Bar Restaurante,” the reason to visit El Valle isn’t the food.

It’s the nature.

Specifically, it’s to hike La India Dormida , or “The Sleeping Indian.”

From afar, this mountain range looks like a sleeping indigenous woman, quite a sight to see from afar.

And from the top, the views are even more spectacular.

According to Journey Era , there is a legend surrounding the mountain.

Apparently, an indigenous woman named Luba — a local chief’s daughter — fell in love with a Spaniard, despite incessant fighting between them and her tribe.

There was an indigenous man in her tribe who did love her, but she didn’t feel the same. Deeply hurt, he threw himself off a mountain in front of Luba.

Luba then became hysterical and got lost in the bushes, perishing.

Back to the La India Dormida hike itself, Andy and I were told there are four routes by which you can get to the top. Three are free and one is paid.

We weren’t sure where the free ones were, so we went in the paid entrance near the Piedra Pintada. You’ll see tons of signs in El Valle Town pointing you to La India Dormida as well as to the Piedra Pintada trailhead.

Honestly, I was happy to pay $3 for such a beautiful, well-maintained trail.

After paying, you’re shown a 3D diagram of the natural Panama attractions that await; neat, but nothing compared to seeing them up close.

At  times the 45-minute uphill hike is pretty steep, and you’ll need to traverse uneven rock steps and roots.

That being said, you’ll be distracted from any fatigue thanks to the fact that there’s barely any lag time between sites.

Almost immediately, you see the famed Piedra Pintada , an enormous rock covered in petroglyphs said to date back to Pre-Columbian times; as in, before 1492 when Christopher Columbus “discovered” the Americas.

After that, you’ll cross wooden bridges and veer off the path out onto small outcroppings to view three different waterfalls, each cascade offering something different.

Here is a look at my favorite waterfall from the La India Dormida hike, with beautiful views out toward the Pacific Ocean.

Along the path we saw so many giant Blue Morpho Butterflies, along with yellow-bellied flycatcher birds.

Toward the top, we saw one more petroglyph rock before shortly arriving at a crossroads.

We almost missed it, but in very faint white there is an arrow directing you toward the left.

This takes you higher up the mountain, until you come to a tent with decent views over the valley.

As usual, I thought this was the end before it really was. Like in Boquete, Andy volunteered to run ahead and scope things out.

We were lucky he did, as despite having to climb up a very steep and uneven rock face, we were ecstatic to come up onto the edge of the volcano crater.

The views here are completely open, with rolling hills on one side and the valley drop on the other as you walk along the crater rim.

There are a lot of great photo opportunities here; though do be smart, as the drop down is really long.

Visiting Panama City

After 10 days of Panama beach and jungle exploration, we ended our trip with three nights in Panama City.

Panama City is definitely the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city I’ve ever been when traveling Central America , with a lot of money coming in thanks to the Panama Canal.

Along with exploring innovative infrastructure, cosmopolitan architecture and cultural institutions like the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo and the Martin Theatre, you can also enjoy Panama beaches, hiking and wildlife in and around the city.

Getting Into Panama City From Tocumen International Airport

When you arrive into Tocumen International Airport, you’ve got a few options for transportation into the city — or to the nearby Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport for domestic flights.

• The bus. The cheapest option at less than $2, though note you can’t bring suitcases.
• Taxis. These you can grab right in the Arrivals Hall. The tourism information booth advised us it would be $35 from Tocumen International Airport to Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport.
• Uber. The best option if you’ve got luggage. We paid about $17 for the 14-mile ride to Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport.  If you’ve never used Uber, you can use code jessief7 to get your first ride free!

Where To Stay In Panama City: Bahia Grand Panama City

While trekking up hills to reach gorgeous jungle view rooms and hiking up steep stone paths for a secluded cloud forest retreat was so worth it, we decided to end with some luxury — and an elevator — by staying at the Bahia Grand Panama City   (formerly the Trump International Hotel & Tower Panama, though it’s now been taken over by JW Marriott).

This Panama City hotel is located in the opulent Punta Pacifica neighborhood, where you’ll see a number of luxury high rise hotels and condominium buildings.

Essentially, the Bahia Grand is a city within a city, with a shopping corridor, four restaurants, five oceanfront pools, a business center and a wellness center.

While mornings were spent enjoying fresh fruit and eggs at the BARcelona buffet breakfast and taking a dip (with a view!) in the 13th floor infinity pool, evenings were enjoyed taking baths in the standalone tub, drinking wine on our 31st-floor balcony and savoring the chefs menu at Tejas .

Their seafood — specifically their ceviche — is incredible!

Attached to the hotel is also the Ocean Sun Casino , from which you can take the elevator up to the 66th floor rooftop bar called Panaviera   Pool Bar .

I don’t think I’ve even been to a bar that high back home in NYC!

Now I have to be honest:

I was much less active in Panama City than I usually am while traveling.

Andy and I packed so much into our Panama itinerary that by the time we reached Panama City we really wanted to chill out.

So, a nice chunk of our time was spent sipping pina coladas out of pineapples by the pool.

#SometimesYouJustGotta

But, that’s not all we did…

Things To Do In Panama City

As stated above, if I could have changed one thing about our Panama itinerary, it would have been staying a few extra days to really get to know Panama City.

A few things we’ve added to our bucket list for the future since we didn’t have time on this Panama trip:

• Visiting Monkey Island where there are a lot of — you guessed it — monkeys.
• Whitewater rafting on the Mamoni River , which offers Class III-IV rapids.
• Taking a food tour of Casco Viejo , Panama City’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed quarter dating back to the 1670s. We certainly explored it, but it would have been a lot of fun to do an actual food tour with a local guide.
• Trekking to the top of Ancon Hill , which is about 1.2 miles each way and offers gorgeous views from the top.
• Spending a few nights in the San Blas Islands , an autonomous territory in Panama touted as possibly the country’s most pristine archipelago. There are over 365 islands, with the native Kuna people inhabiting a few of the larger ones where tourists also visit.
• Hiking the Pipeline Road from Panama City , which introduces you to Panama wildlife like numerous bird species and monkeys.
• Doing an all-inclusive catamaran booze cruise to the renowned Pearl Islands . Out of all the Panama City excursions we saw, this is the one we were most bummed to miss out on. Unfortunately, the catamaran goes out on very specific days which didn’t align with our Panama vacation plans.

Okay, enough about what we didn’t do in Panama City. Let’s talk about what we did do.

One must-have experience is wandering Casco Viejo .

As mentioned above, this Panama City neighborhood dates back to the late 17th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You really don’t need a plan here. You can simply walk and admire the historic Spanish colonial facades, which are protected.

In fact, many modern restaurants and bars gut the insides, but are not allowed to change the outsides. This gives Casco Viejo an enchanting old world feel.

Some of our favorite stops within Casco Viejo:

• Café Unido . Attention Instagrammers: This Panama City cafe was made for you. Along with being lovely looking, this is also one of the few places you can try the soft, tea-like Geisha Coffee. It costs a steep $9 per cup, but offered a gentle pick me up!

• CasaCasco . In this multi-level Panama City restaurant you’ve got three eateries to choose from, not to mention a rooftop bar serving tapas and a dance club. We opted for the Asian-focused NacionSushi. Warning: Their rolls are much, much, much bigger than you’re likely used to!

• The Strangers Club . This American-style craft cocktail bar was started by the team behind NYC’s famed Employees Only, along with two Panamanian partners. As many of you know, I lead a cocktail tour in Manhattan, so of course I had to try it. The ambiance is relaxed, with the menu showcasing Panama’s best ingredients. Pro tip: Order the “Angie,” featuring gin shaken with fresh passionfruit, house-made lemongrass syrup and frothy egg white. Yum!

Of course, you’ll also want to admire the views of the Panama City skyline and Panama Bay, as the neighborhood juts into the water.

Additionally, Casco Viejo is full of historic and cultural attractions, like  Palacio de las Garzas (where Panama’s president lives), the 18th century  Catedral de Panamá and the 17th century  La Iglesia San Felipe Neri .

Another experience you can’t miss when you visit Panama City:

Spending time at the Panama Canal !

While I appreciate engineering, I’ll be honest that this isn’t usually how I’d want to spend my time; however, Andy and I agreed that it would be wrong to miss it.

I’m glad we went, as we were able to get up close to the action.

Even if the idea of learning about boats and canals bores you, just seeing how the system works is interesting.

Something else fascinating:

The idea for the canal actually came from France; however, they eventually pulled out, which is when the project became a joint venture between the USA and Panama.

This short two-minute video by The BBC does a great job of explaining this further.

So, how long is the Panama Canal?

A whopping 48 miles, with ships generally taking eight to 10 hours to pass through. Astounding!

After visiting the Panama Canal, Andy and I spent some time roaming Panama City’s lesser-explored areas.

We really enjoyed the walkable  El Cangrejo, Obarrio and Marbella neighborhoods. 

Once we’d sufficiently worked up an appetite, we stopped at one of the most unique Panama City restaurants we’d seen yet:

Wall Street Bar & Lounge in Marbella.

Their concept is innovative in that the menu prices change based on what’s in stock.

The idea is that diners might be tempted to try something they normally wouldn’t order based on a great price.

Plus, the food and cocktails are just really good. Our drinks were works of art, adorned with flowers and burnt fruit slices.

In terms of dining it’s mainly hearty comfort food. We especially loved the burger topped with a creamy house sauce and served with spiced fries.

Definitely don’t come here on a diet!

To end the night — and the trip — Andy and I took an evening stroll along Panama City’s  Cinta Costera .

The coastal beltway begins and ends on the mainland, though a large portion of it weaves away from the city into the water, like one of Saturn’s rings.

Despite it being after 8pm, many locals were out running, skating and riding their bikes.

As we walked, Andy and I were able to take in an impressive view of Panama City, really grasping how humongous the cosmopolitan city really is.

Click here for a great list of unforgettable Panama City tours!

While Andy and I packed a lot into our two-week trip to Panama, we’re both looking forward to going back and exploring even more of what this beautiful country has to offer.

Because trust me, it’s a lot!

Travel Insurance

While you hope everything runs smoothly, sometimes travel just doesn’t go according to plan.

This is why I recommend always purchasing travel insurance. The scary truth is it only takes one bad accident to lose everything — or be thankful you were covered.

Personally, I use SafetyWing, as they’ve got a large network, offer both short-term and long-term coverage (including limited coverage in your home country), are budget-friendly, and offer $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

What would you add to this Panama itinerary? Any questions on backpacking Central America? Please share in the comments below!

Panama Itinerary Logistics: Electronics Warning: MacBook Pro problems! Make sure to keep your electronics, namely your laptops, in a sealed bag, as high humidity in places like Bocas del Toro can ruin them. Additionally, you can purchase a dry bag for when your gadgets are not in use, like this one . Panama Transfers: Hello Panama is a top-rated company in Panama who do many of the popular transfers. We used them to go from Bocas Town to Boquete for $30. Car Rentals: Discover Cars  lets you compare various rental companies and save up to 70% on your booking!  Bocas Taxi Boat Recommendation: If you need a boat ride between Bocas Town and another Bocas island, contact Choy at +507 6711 8878. Taxi Service In Boquete Recommendation: William. Very nice guy recommended to us by our Airbnb host! His cell is +507 6784 0277. Recommended Reads:  Panama Fever: The Epic Story of the Building of the Panama Canal Panama: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture Panama Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species Hands of the Rain Forest: The Emberá People of Panama Packing List:  A few must-pack items when visiting Panama include: A Vigilant personal safety alarm or safety whistle Clever Travel Companion pickpocket-proof garments Speakeasy Supply Co hidden-pocket scarves A compact raincoat A waterproof backpack All-natural insect repellent  Panama Tours: Bocas del Toro Tours Boquete Tours Panama City Tours All Panama Tours

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Thank you, Jessie, for sharing everything in so much details. You’ve made planning a trip to Panama very easy for me. Would love to go for hiking trails. Keep sharing your trips with us!

The natural beauty of Panama looks out of this world! And omg those little hummingbirds! So cute. Panama is officially on my list now. Thanks for such a comprehensive guide Jessie.

That’s a very informative post! You have covered so much and it seems like you had a perfect trip! Whenever I read such posts, my attention diverts to the food bit hehe (which looks amazing in your post btw) but my favourite here is the hands down, the Jungle Lodge, looks like a slice of heaven!

This is such a fantastic & comprehensive guide! It looks gorgeous! Panama is one of my husband’s top destination choices, so I’ll definitely be pinning for when we finally make it out there!

Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. Great to share this information thanks.

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11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Panama

Written by Lana Law Updated May 11, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lana Law loves exploring the islands, beaches, and history of Panama.

Panama's small geographic area packs in a diverse range of landscapes, interesting towns and cities, and a myriad of vacation possibilities. Beautiful beaches and islands can be found along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the mountainous interior is home to coffee plantations, small towns, waterfalls, wildlife, and some wonderful hiking trails.

In Panama City, you'll find a modern metropolis with shopping, dining, and an assortment of tourist attractions and things to do, including the country's most famous site, the Panama Canal.

Most first-time visitors head to Casco Viejo, the Old Town, to soak up the atmosphere and see a little of the city's history. But for most visitors, Panama City is just a starting point before they head out on adventures to other parts of the country.

For ideas to help plan which places to visit on your trip, see our list of things to do in Panama.

1. See Ships Transiting through the Panama Canal

2. surf, dive & soak up the beaches of bocas del toro, 3. watch the sun go down on the sunset coast, 4. hiking & nature in boquete, 5. wander the narrow streets of casco viejo in panama city, 6. escape to the san blas islands, 7. surf at santa catalina & day trip to parque nacional coiba, 8. swim in the river at los cangilones, 9. kitesurf at punta chame, 10. enjoy a beach vacation at playa coronado, 11. get off the beaten path in santa fe and san francisco, map of attractions & things to do in panama, tips for renting a car & driving in panama, best time to visit panama.

Highlight : Massive ships piled high with colorful containers moving slowly through the locks

Panama's most famous attraction is by far the Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Watching a massive ship, piled high with colorful containers, gliding quietly into the locks reveals the true enormity of this great feat of engineering. Taking a boat tour through the canal gives you even more perspective.

If you want to simply see the Panama Canal, the best place to do this is at the Miraflores Locks , about 25 minutes from downtown Panama City. You can see the canal from the five-story visitor center, complete with a small museum, a restaurant, and an IMAX theater in a separate building.

Highlights : Wonderful beaches, unique townsite, and cheap accommodations

Bocas del Toro is Panama's main beach destination in the Caribbean. This collection of low-lying tropical islands, not far from the border with Costa Rica, is known for its outstanding soft-sand beaches lapped by crystal-clear, azure-colored waters.

The atmosphere here is beyond relaxed, with many young travelers coming to the area and, in some cases, staying for months or years. Things to do in Bocas del Toro include surfing, swimming, diving, or just lazing on the beach. Activities are generally cheap.

Although you can find luxury resorts with infinity pools, this is a budget-friendly destination, frequented by mainly singles or couples. The main town, also called Bocas del Toro or simply Bocas Town, is located on Isla Colon .

The town itself is not known for beaches, but you can find lovely stretches of sand on other parts of the island or by taking a boat to nearby islands. Some of the most popular are Bluff Beach, Starfish Beach, and Red Frog Beach.

Bocas del Toro has an airport on Isla Colon, which is how many travelers get to the islands. If you are exploring Panama by car or public transport, most people come here after a stop in Boquete. From Boquete, you can drive about 3.5 hours over the mountains to the town of Almirante, and from here, take a 25-minute boat ride to the town of Bocas del Toro.

Boat trip pricing is set by the government, and all boats charge the same amount. Parking in Almirante is safe and not expensive. Don't worry about finding the parking lots, touts will flag you down and direct you to their preferred lot, thereby earning themselves a small commission. This is a good investment if you are not familiar with the town.

Highlights : A low-key destination away from the crowds, stunning beaches

One of the very few places in Panama where you can watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean, the Sunset Coast is an undiscovered area with small towns, wide open beaches, and a small number of lodges and inns where you can get away from the tourist scene.

This is rural Panama, home to rolling hills, small villages, family farms, and huge beaches lined by palms and forests. Foreign tourists are not plentiful the way they are in other areas of the country, and many of the visitors are Panamanian. The road down to the Sunset Coast from the Pan-American Highway is twisty and has a few potholes to dodge, but every mile takes you further off the beaten track.

This area is also popular with surfers. The wide-open beaches take the brunt of the Pacific Ocean rollers, and it's rare that you'll need to share a wave. If you want a beach all to yourself, this is the place to come.

Highlights : Waterfalls, hummingbirds, coffee plantations, hiking trails through the mountains

The mountain town of Boquete has a wonderful climate, where you can escape the sometimes oppressive heat of the coast and lower areas. The town is relaxed and safe, catering to expats and people escaping the winters in northern climates, and local Panamanians looking for a weekend getaway.

Some of the appeal here is the variety of good restaurants, as well as a mix of quality hotels and luxury inns. It's also one of Panama's most important coffee-growing areas, and known as a hot spot for nature and wildlife, particularly hiking and birdwatching.

Having a vehicle here is quite handy for touring the surrounding mountains and reaching trailheads and nearby sites, but you can also arrange tours with transportation to the coffee plantations.

One of the best short drives in Panama leaves from the outskirts of Boquete. This scenic loop of about 15 miles passes the main hiking trails, a beautiful river, an abandoned castle, and waterfalls. The road also provides amazing views down the valley and up the slopes of Volcan Baru.

Along the loop is Finca Lerida Lodge , with an outstanding restaurant. It's also one of the best places to visit to see birds in the area. This makes a nice lunch stop, where you can watch the non-stop hummingbird action.

Serious hikers can arrange to hike up the Baru volcano, leaving in the wee hours of the morning with a guide to be at the summit for sunrise. You can also tackle hikes like the popular Quetzal Trail (Sendero Los Quetzales), leaving from nearby Volcan Baru National Park, or one of several waterfall hikes off the loop road.

If you want to experience a little nature here without leaving Boquete, plan a stay at the quaint Boquete Garden Inn and enjoy breakfast outside while you watch the colorful birds dining at the feeders.

Highlights : A compact area of restored 18th and 19th-century buildings, good dining options

History surrounds you as you stroll through the narrow streets of Casco Viejo, also known as the Old Town. See colorful buildings, historic ruins, and great views out over the bay towards the gleaming towers of modern Panama City. This area is compact, and all the sights are within an easy stroll of one another.

In the evening, the buildings and ruins are creatively lit up, and restaurants set up tables and chairs on the sidewalks. Casco Viejo is ideal for a romantic getaway, with boutique hotels located in restored buildings dating from the 18th or 19th century.

Highlights : Beautiful tropical islands best visited via luxury sailing charters

If you truly want to get off the beaten track and have a taste of adventure, a trip to the San Blas Islands might be just what you're looking for. Postcard-perfect islands with palm trees and crystal-clear water gently lapping the white-sand beaches are what this area is all about.

The most luxurious way to explore these islands is on a sailboat charter. Your captain will chart a course through this spectacular region, stopping at unbelievably beautiful spots. The boats are luxury catamarans, and cruises are anywhere from three to 21 days in length. All meals and beverages are included, and dining under the stars while the waves gently rock the boat is sublime.

If your budget doesn't allow for a crewed catamaran, economical options are available. However, you need to be prepared to bring out your inner Robinson Crusoe, as the accommodations are generally on the rustic side.

The only way to stay on these idyllic islands is to book a package with the local indigenous Guna people, which includes transport to, from, and around the islands, very rustic accommodation (no A/C), and three basic meals a day. This is a totally off-the-grid type of trip, so prepare accordingly, physically and mentally.

Highlights : Fun and funky town with a chill vibe, whale sharks off of Isla Coiba

One of Panama's top surf destinations on the Pacific Coast is Santa Catalina. This small but growing town has a laid-back surfer feeling about it. Small guesthouses and hotels, and funky restaurants, force you to slow down and relax.

If you aren't here to surf, great snorkeling and scuba diving spots are nearby, and horseback tours through the surrounding countryside are good options for those not interested in getting wet.

One of Santa Catalina's main draws is Isla Coiba . This lush island, now Coiba National Park , is almost untouched and is considered a biodiversity hot spot, with close to 200 bird species, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes.

Scuba diving here is very popular due to the enormous whale sharks that frequent the area. These gentle giants are curious creatures and enjoy interacting with divers. Tours to Isla Coiba can be arranged in Santa Catalina.

Highlights: A chance to hang with the locals and to practice your cliff jumping

One of the most fun things to do near Boquete is to visit the local swimming hole at Los Cangilones. Set at a lower elevation than Boquete, the climate here is much warmer, and on hot days, you'll find a fun scene, complete with music, barbecues, and food vendors. Panamanian families come from far and wide to splash and jump into the cool river water.

In this unique geological place, the river narrows into a gorge before opening up again in a shallow pool at the bottom. Daring adults and older kids jump off the edges into the slowly moving waters and then float down to the bottom, climb out, and do it all over again.

Youngsters and visitors who are looking for something a little milder can wade into the shallow waters where the gorge opens up. The walls vary in height, so it depends on how brave you are and how high you want to go.

Don't be deceived, the walls are actually quite a bit higher than you may think. The clear water below distorts your height reckoning. Fortunately, lifeguards are on duty and keep a close eye to make sure the jumpers resurface.

There is a small fee to enter the park, and it is a short walk from the parking areas down to the river.

Highlights : Shallow water, massive beach, consistent wind perfect for kiteboarding

Although it's not on most travelers' itineraries, Punta Chame is home to one of the nicest beaches in Panama and it's also the best place for kiteboarding in the country. Set on a peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, this area is literally all about the beach.

The seemingly endless stretch of sand here is wide, and the water, warm and shallow. This gives kiters who are learning the distinct advantage of being able to stand up in the water to collect themselves as they work with their kite.

The winds are side onshore and quite consistent from December to April, which is Panama's dry season. Several kite schools offer lessons, including Machete Kite and Kitesurf Panama, located at opposite ends of the beach.

Punta Chame is about 1.5 hours from Panama City , and about 20 minutes from the town of Chame, along the Pan-American Highway. You can find good accommodation in small luxury beachfront hotels, or, if you are looking for cheap accommodation, several hostels are available in town.

Punta Chame has an end-of-the-world type feel, and this is not the place to come for nightlife. All of the action is focused on the beach and kitesurfing and for most people, this is the entire reason for visiting.

Highlights : A long stretch of uncrowded sand, hot temperatures and sunny skies, golfing

If all you want to do in Panama is hit the beach and relax in comfort, Playa Coronado is a perfect spot. The beaches here stretch for miles and are an interesting mix of sparkling black and gold sand.

American chain restaurants and a large mall provide the touches of home that many of the retirees escaping cold northern winters appreciate. The water is not blue here, but more of a grey/green color; swimmers should be cautious of the large waves.

Playa Coronado also has some good beachfront hotels and some delightfully romantic B&Bs, although a majority of the accommodation is private homes or condos. Due to the geography of Panama, Playa Coronado is one of the hottest places in Panama during the dry season.

Highlights : Waterfalls, hiking trails, historic churches, a cooler climate

A couple of hours east of Panama City, you'll find the turnoff for the towns of Santa Fe and San Francisco. This turn takes you away from the coast and into the mountains, ultimately ending at Santa Fe National Park . This is a relatively undiscovered area of Panama and perfect for people who want to get off the beaten path.

On the road to Santa Fe, you'll come across San Francisco , an unassuming town with a pleasant main square and one of the oldest churches in the country, Iglesia de San Francisco de la Montana, dating from 1727 . This photogenic church is open each day until 4pm, but closed over the lunch hour.

Just down the road about a mile is a secret swimming spot, Balneario El Salto . Here, the water cascades over rocks into a shallow natural pool, and swimmers come with their inflatable donuts and other toys to escape the heat on hot days.

Farther up the road, Santa Fe is a small friendly town in the mountains with some of the same features as Boquete, except in a much smaller and less developed way. Hiking, birding, coffee plantation tours, river tubing, and 4x4 driving in the national park are popular activities, which can be easily arranged.

You won't find the great selection of restaurants as you will in Boquete, but you are more likely to have personal experiences with local proprietors as you dine in their small establishments. Speaking Spanish is a real advantage here, as English is not widely spoken.

Santa Fe is located at an elevation of 1,500 feet, so it has a cooler climate than lower areas and can feel like a refreshing treat if you are coming from the coast. Be aware that on Tuesdays almost all the restaurants are closed, and from 3-6pm every day, a small no-see-um type insect comes out and feasts on exposed skin. The bites don't hurt but do produce plentiful red spots that fade by morning.

Roads in Panama are generally in good condition and, except for Panama City, where traffic can be horrendous, driving is easy. Due to the fact that there is only one major highway, the Pan-American, which runs the length of the country, destinations are generally easy to find. The main secondary highways branch off from this main artery. Potholes can be a problem on secondary roads and can come up surprisingly quickly.

Speeders beware! Police with radar guns are a very frequent occurrence along the Pan-American highway. Speed limit changes are frequent, and it's easy to find yourself going too fast.

If you are looking to do a driving tour around Panama, you can easily rent a car in Panama City. Prices are usually better at locations in the city, rather than the airport.

Drive time from Panama City to Boquete is about 6.5 hours, but depends on traffic, particularly in Panama City. From Boquete to Almirante, where you can catch a boat to Bocas del Toro, is approximately 3.5 hours.

The best time to visit Panama is in the winter through to early spring, namely December, January, February, March, and April. At this time of year, the country is at its driest, the sun beats down with a fierce intensity, and the beaches are very, very inviting.

It's hot at this time — not just a little bit hot, but a lot hot! Daytime temperatures along the Pacific coast are in the low 30s Celsius and can easily rise well above that figure, with a strong easterly wind. Although it's hot, it's also when the Panamanians enjoy most of their festivals and religious holidays.

The months of May, June, July, August, September, October, and November are considered the rainy season, and although the average temperature only dips slightly, you'll find intense humidity and it pours rain most afternoons. You'll certainly be warm, but you'll also get wet.

On the Caribbean coast it's always warm and humid, and always slightly wet no matter the month you choose to visit.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Panama City: While most people use Panama City as a jumping-off point for their trip through Panama, not everyone takes the time to see the sites and appreciate what this city has to offer. If you decide to spend some time here, see our article on the Top Attractions & Things to Do in Panama City .

Costa Rica and Colombia: On either side of Panama are destinations worth visiting. If you want to truly experience the wildlife and natural beauty of Central America, don't miss an opportunity to explore the sites of Costa Rica , Panama's neighbor to the north. At the other end of Panama is Colombia , another destination you'll want to add to your bucket list. From Panama City, direct flights run regularly to Cartagena , one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas.

More on Costa Rica

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• Travel Destinations
• Central & South America

The Ultimate Panama Travel Guide

Published: October 14, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Ermentrude Trost

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Guide

Introduction

Welcome to Panama, a country that seamlessly blends natural beauty, vibrant culture, and captivating history. Located in Central America, Panama is known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and modern cosmopolitan cities. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, a history buff, or a food lover, Panama has something for everyone.

One of the most striking features of Panama is its geographical diversity. From the pristine islands of Bocas del Toro to the cloud-covered peaks of Boquete, the country offers a wide range of landscapes to explore. With its strategic location, bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, Panama is blessed with a rich marine ecosystem, making it an ideal destination for diving, snorkeling, and fishing.

Aside from its natural wonders, Panama is steeped in history, evident in the magnificent Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Visiting the Panama Canal is a must, as it offers a fascinating glimpse into the country’s past and present. Explore the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, where you can witness the intricate process of ships being raised and lowered through the locks.

For those seeking a dose of urban charm, Panama City is a vibrant hub with a skyline that competes with major cosmopolitan cities around the world. Discover the historic Casco Viejo district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its colorful colonial-era buildings, trendy bars, and delicious cuisine. From modern shopping malls to lively street markets, Panama City offers a blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences.

As you explore Panama, you’ll be captivated by the warmth and friendliness of the Panamanian people. Known for their hospitality, they eagerly share their traditions and culture with visitors. Embrace the local traditions, like the traditional dance of tamborito, or indulge in the flavorful Panamanian cuisine, which draws inspiration from its Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, and indigenous roots.

Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure, a leisurely beach retreat, or a fascinating cultural experience, Panama is a destination that promises to exceed your expectations. Join us as we take you on an unforgettable journey through the best that Panama has to offer.

Best Time to Visit Panama

When planning a trip to Panama, it is essential to consider the weather and the seasons to ensure you make the most of your visit. Panama has a tropical climate, characterized by two main seasons: the dry season and the wet season.

The dry season, also known as the high season, typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. During this time, you can expect sunny days with little to no rainfall, making it the perfect time to explore the country’s outdoor attractions. The dry season is particularly popular among tourists, so expect larger crowds and higher prices for accommodations and flights. It’s advisable to book your accommodations and activities well in advance.

The wet season, or the green season, spans from May to November. Don’t let the name discourage you, as the rain showers in Panama are usually short-lived and followed by sunshine. The wet season brings lush green landscapes and fewer tourists, making it a great time to visit if you prefer a more peaceful and budget-friendly experience. Just be prepared for occasional rain showers and plan your activities accordingly.

If you’re interested in wildlife and nature, visiting during the wet season can be especially rewarding. The rainforests come alive with vibrant foliage, and it’s a prime time for birdwatching and spotting other exotic wildlife.

It’s worth noting that Panama is located outside the hurricane belt, so you don’t have to worry about major storms disrupting your travel plans. However, keep in mind that certain areas of the country, such as the Caribbean coast, may experience more rainfall compared to the Pacific coast.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Panama depends on your preferences and interests. If you want to enjoy sunny days and explore the beaches, islands, and outdoor activities, the dry season is ideal. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter experience, don’t mind occasional rain showers, and want to take advantage of lower prices, the wet season might be the perfect time for you to visit.

Regardless of the season, it’s always a good idea to check the local weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly. Remember to pack lightweight clothing, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, and a rain jacket or umbrella, just in case.

Getting to Panama

Getting to Panama is relatively easy and convenient, as the country is well-connected to major international hubs. Whether you prefer flying or traveling by sea, there are several options available to reach Panama.

By Air: Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is the main international gateway to the country. It serves as a hub for several major airlines, offering direct flights from various destinations in North and South America, as well as Europe. Some of the airlines that fly to Tocumen International Airport include Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Internal flights are also available, providing easy access to destinations within Panama.

By Sea: Panama is a popular destination for cruise ships, with ports located in Panama City and Colón. Many cruise lines offer itineraries that include stops in Panama, allowing passengers to experience both the city and the famous Panama Canal. Additionally, private yacht charters are available for those looking to explore the coastal areas or enjoy a leisurely sailing trip.

Once you arrive in Panama, there are several transportation options to get around the country:

Domestic Flights: If you want to cover longer distances quickly, domestic flights are a convenient option. Panama has several regional airports, allowing you to easily reach popular destinations such as Bocas del Toro, David, and Boquete.

Taxis and Rideshare Apps: Taxis are widely available in major cities like Panama City and can be hailed on the street or through a taxi stand. It’s advisable to negotiate the fare or ensure the meter is used before starting the journey. Ridesharing apps like Uber are also available in Panama City.

Buses: Buses are the most common mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. Panama has an extensive network of buses that connect major cities and towns. The buses vary in comfort and price range, from simple local buses to more comfortable and air-conditioned coaches. The bus system in Panama City is known as the Metrobus, which provides a cost-effective way to get around the city.

Rental Cars: Renting a car can give you added flexibility and freedom to explore Panama at your own pace. Major car rental companies are available at the airport and in major cities. Keep in mind that driving in Panama City can be challenging due to heavy traffic and narrow streets.

It’s important to note that Panama has a reliable and well-maintained road infrastructure, making it easier to navigate the country. However, if you plan to drive, be mindful of local traffic laws and road conditions.

As you plan your trip to Panama, consider the transportation options that best suit your needs and budget. Whether you prefer the convenience of flying or the adventure of exploring by bus or car, getting around Panama is a seamless experience that allows you to discover all the wonders this captivating country has to offer.

Visa Requirements

Before traveling to Panama, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the visa requirements to ensure a smooth entry into the country. The visa requirements for Panama vary depending on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your visit.

Visa-Free Entry: Citizens from many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most European Union member states, can enter Panama without a visa for tourism or business purposes. The length of stay allowed under visa-free entry typically ranges from 30 to 180 days, depending on your nationality. It’s important to check the specific requirements for your country before traveling.

Tourist Card: Some nationalities, including citizens of Australia and South Africa, are required to obtain a Tourist Card upon arrival. The Tourist Card allows a stay of up to 90 days and can be obtained either online prior to travel or at the airport upon arrival. The cost of the Tourist Card is usually included in your airfare or can be paid upon arrival.

Visas for Other Purposes: If you plan to visit Panama for reasons other than tourism or business, such as for employment, study, or permanent residency, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa in advance. The specific requirements and processes for each type of visa can vary, so it is recommended to contact the Panamanian embassy or consulate in your home country for detailed information and guidance.

Extension of Stay: If you are already in Panama and wish to extend your stay beyond the permitted time, you can apply for an extension at the National Immigration Service. Extensions are typically granted in increments of 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on your circumstances. It’s important to apply for an extension before your authorized stay expires to avoid any potential penalties or issues.

Passport Validity: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Panama. Immigration authorities may deny entry if your passport does not meet the required validity.

It’s always recommended to check the most up-to-date visa requirements before traveling to Panama, as regulations and entry policies may change. Contact the nearest Panamanian embassy or consulate for the most accurate and current information pertaining to your specific situation.

As always, make sure to comply with the immigration regulations and provide all necessary documentation when entering Panama. This will ensure a hassle-free travel experience and allow you to fully enjoy the wonders that this beautiful country has to offer.

Currency and Money Exchange

The official currency of Panama is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB), which has the same value as the United States Dollar (USD). The currency in circulation consists of both Balboa coins and US Dollar banknotes. US Dollars are widely accepted and used throughout the country, making it convenient for travelers.

When it comes to money exchange, it’s recommended to bring US Dollars in cash, as it is accepted almost everywhere. However, it’s advisable to carry smaller denominations, as it can be difficult to get change for larger bills, especially in smaller establishments or remote areas.

Exchanging your currency to Balboa is not necessary, as the exchange rate between US Dollars and Balboa is always 1:1. Certain establishments may provide change in Balboa coins instead of US Dollar coins but both are of equal value.

ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, allowing you to withdraw cash in both US Dollars and Balboa. Be aware that some ATMs may have withdrawal limits and charge fees, so it’s advisable to check with your bank for any applicable fees or restrictions before your trip.

Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger establishments. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted cards, followed by American Express and Discover. However, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments, local markets, or when visiting remote areas where card acceptance may be limited.

It’s important to notify your bank or credit card company about your travel plans to Panama to avoid any potential issues with card usage. Additionally, it’s a good practice to keep an eye on your accounts and receipts to ensure accurate charges and protect against fraud.

Money exchange services are available at banks, exchange bureaus, and some hotels. Banks typically offer competitive exchange rates, although they may have limited operating hours. Exchange bureaus are more flexible in terms of operating hours but may have slightly higher fees. It’s advisable to compare exchange rates and fees before making a transaction.

Panama is generally considered a safe destination for carrying and exchanging money. However, it’s always wise to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas or tourist hotspots. It’s recommended to use official money exchange services or reputable banks to minimize the risk of counterfeit currency.

By familiarizing yourself with the currency and money exchange options, you’ll have a convenient and seamless financial experience during your visit to Panama.

Language and Communication

The official language of Panama is Spanish, and it is spoken by the majority of the population. However, due to its diverse population and strong international presence, English is also widely understood, especially in major tourist areas and business establishments.

When traveling to Panama, it’s helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases and greetings to enhance communication with the locals. Simple greetings like “Hola” (Hello), “Gracias” (Thank you), and “Por favor” (Please) can go a long way in creating a positive interaction.

If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry! Many Panamanians working in the tourism industry, such as hotel staff, tour guides, and restaurant employees, have a good command of English. You should be able to navigate through most tourist activities and services without any language barriers.

For more effective communication, it’s always useful to carry a small pocket dictionary or download a language translation app on your smartphone. These can help you overcome any language obstacles and quickly find the right words or phrases to express yourself.

In addition to English and Spanish, several indigenous languages are spoken by different indigenous communities throughout Panama. These include Guna, Emberá, Ngäbe-Buglé, and others. The use of these languages varies depending on the region and community you are visiting.

When it comes to communication, it’s also important to consider the cultural aspect of interactions. Panamanians are generally warm, friendly, and hospitable. They appreciate it when visitors make an effort to learn a few basic Spanish phrases and show respect for their customs and culture.

Internet and mobile connectivity in Panama are well-developed, with high-speed internet widely available in most urban areas. Many hotels, restaurants, and cafes offer free Wi-Fi for customers. If you need to stay connected while on the go, you can purchase a SIM card from local providers to access mobile data services.

Lastly, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the emergency numbers in Panama. The emergency hotline number is 911, which connects you to the appropriate local authorities in case of emergencies or urgent assistance.

By being aware of the language and communication considerations in Panama, you can confidently navigate your way through the country and engage in meaningful interactions with the locals, enhancing your overall travel experience.

Transportation in Panama

Getting around in Panama is relatively easy and convenient, thanks to a well-developed transportation system that offers various options for travelers. From efficient public transportation to private taxis and rental cars, here are the different modes of transportation available:

Bus: Buses are the most common mode of public transportation in Panama. The bus network covers most cities, towns, and tourist areas, making it an affordable and accessible option. In Panama City, the bus system is known as the Metrobus, which operates on designated routes throughout the city. It’s advisable to have small change ready for bus fares, as drivers often do not provide change for larger bills.

Taxi: Taxis are widely available in Panama, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Taxis are either metered or operate on negotiated fares, and it’s important to establish the fare before starting your journey. In Panama City, there are also taxi apps like Uber, which provides an alternative and convenient way to travel.

Rental Cars: If you prefer more flexibility and the ability to explore remote areas of Panama at your own pace, renting a car is a great option. Major car rental companies operate in Panama, and you can pick up a rental car at the airports or in major cities. It’s important to familiarize yourself with local driving rules, as well as have a valid driver’s license and insurance coverage.

Domestic Flights: For traveling longer distances within Panama, domestic flights are available. There are several regional airports throughout the country, and airlines like Air Panama offer regular flights to popular destinations such as Bocas del Toro, San Blas Islands, and David.

Boat and Ferry: With its extensive coastline and archipelagos, Panama offers opportunities for boat travel and ferries. In places like Bocas del Toro and San Blas Islands, boats are the primary mode of local transportation, providing rides to nearby islands and coastal areas.

Train: Panama boasts the historic Panama Canal Railway, which connects Panama City on the Pacific coast with Colón on the Caribbean coast. The railway offers a scenic journey across the country, providing a unique and enjoyable transportation experience.

When it comes to transportation safety, it’s important to exercise caution and use reputable services. In large cities, it’s advisable to take licensed taxis or use reputable ride-hailing apps. When using public transportation, keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.

Overall, transportation in Panama is relatively reliable and affordable, with options to suit different preferences and budgets. By choosing the appropriate mode of transportation, you can navigate Panama’s diverse landscapes and destinations with ease, making the most of your travel experience.

Accommodation Options

When it comes to accommodation in Panama, you’ll find a wide range of options to suit every budget and preference. From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hostels, here are the main types of accommodations available:

Hotels: Panama offers a variety of hotels, ranging from boutique establishments to international chains. In major cities like Panama City and David, you’ll find luxury hotels with top-notch amenities, including spas, swimming pools, and fine dining options. Mid-range and budget hotels are also available throughout the country, offering comfortable rooms and essential amenities at more affordable prices.

Resorts: Panama boasts stunning beach resorts and eco-lodges, particularly in destinations like Bocas del Toro and San Blas Islands. These resorts offer a slice of paradise, combining beautiful surroundings with luxurious accommodations and a wide range of amenities. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly retreat, resorts in Panama provide a memorable experience.

Hostels: For budget-conscious travelers and backpackers, hostels are a popular choice. Hostels in Panama offer dormitory-style rooms with shared facilities, as well as private rooms for those seeking more privacy. Hostels are a great way to meet fellow travelers and take advantage of communal spaces, such as shared kitchens and social lounges, creating a vibrant and social atmosphere.

Guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts: For a more personal and intimate experience, consider staying at a guesthouse or bed and breakfast. These accommodations are often run by locals and offer a cozy and homely atmosphere. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with the hosts and gain insights into the local culture and traditions.

Apartments and Vacation Rentals: If you prefer more space and the convenience of a home-like setting, consider renting an apartment or vacation home. This option is ideal for families or those seeking a longer stay in Panama. Online platforms provide a wide selection of vacation rentals, allowing you to find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs.

Eco-lodges: Panama’s natural beauty and biodiversity make it a prime destination for eco-tourism. Eco-lodges are nestled in picturesque locations, such as rainforests or remote islands, offering sustainable and immersive experiences. These accommodations prioritize eco-friendly practices and provide opportunities for nature exploration and adventure.

It’s advisable to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak travel seasons in Panama. Major cities and popular tourist destinations tend to have a higher demand for accommodations, so planning ahead will ensure you secure your preferred choice.

Regardless of your chosen accommodation, it’s always a good idea to read reviews and research the property before making a booking. This will give you valuable insights from previous guests and help you make an informed decision.

Whether you’re seeking luxury, affordability, or a unique experience, Panama offers a wide array of accommodation options to cater to every traveler’s needs. By choosing the right type of accommodation, you can enhance your stay and create lasting memories in this remarkable country.

Top Tourist Destinations in Panama

Panama is a country brimming with captivating destinations that cater to a variety of interests and preferences. From pristine beaches and lush rainforests to bustling cities and historic landmarks, here are some of the top tourist destinations to explore in Panama:

Panama City: The capital city of Panama, Panama City, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan hub that seamlessly blends history and modernity. Explore the charming and historic Casco Viejo district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its colonial architecture, boutique shops, and lively nightlife. Visit the renowned Panama Canal, an engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and witness ships passing through the locks at the Miraflores Visitor Center. Don’t miss the breathtaking skyline of Panama City, best viewed from the Amador Causeway or the rooftop bars of the city’s luxurious hotels.

Bocas del Toro: Located on the Caribbean coast, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago composed of nine main islands and countless smaller ones. This tropical paradise offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a haven for water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. Explore the enchanting Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, go snorkeling in the abundant marine life of the Coral Cay or simply relax on the idyllic beaches while sipping on a fresh coconut.

San Blas Islands: The San Blas Islands, an indigenous territory of the Guna people, are a collection of over 360 small islands situated in the Caribbean Sea. This untouched paradise is renowned for its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Immerse yourself in the Guna culture, visit the traditional villages, indulge in fresh seafood, and experience the simplicity and tranquility of island life.

Boquete: Nestled in the highlands of Panama, Boquete is a picturesque town known for its cool climate, lush landscapes, and coffee plantations. The region is a nature lover’s delight, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the stunning Baru Volcano National Park. Don’t miss the chance to sample some of the world’s finest coffee during a coffee plantation tour and immerse yourself in the charming local culture of this mountain paradise.

Santa Catalina: Located on the Pacific coast, Santa Catalina is a small coastal town renowned for its world-class surfing breaks and proximity to the Coiba National Marine Park. Whether you’re an experienced surfer or a beginner keen on learning, Santa Catalina offers consistent and challenging waves for all skill levels. The nearby Coiba National Marine Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot, home to an abundance of marine life, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and wildlife encounters.

Emberá Indigenous Village: For a cultural experience, visit an Emberá indigenous village and learn about the ancient traditions and way of life of this fascinating community. Located in the rainforest of the Chagres National Park, the Emberá people welcome visitors to their villages, offering insights into their art, music, dance, and traditional cuisine. Embark on a river journey in a traditional canoe, witness traditional ceremonies, and interact with the Emberá people to gain a deeper understanding of their rich cultural heritage.

These top tourist destinations in Panama are just a glimpse of the country’s abundant natural beauty, rich history, and cultural diversity. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Panama promises a remarkable and unforgettable travel experience.

Outdoor Activities in Panama

Panama is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a plethora of exciting activities amidst its diverse landscapes. From thrilling water sports to epic hikes and wildlife encounters, here are some of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in Panama:

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: With its extensive coastline and vibrant marine life, Panama is a paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling. Explore the colorful coral reefs of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, where you can encounter an array of tropical fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins. For more experienced divers, the Coiba National Marine Park is a world-class diving destination, known for its pristine waters and encounters with sharks, rays, and whale species.

Surfing: Panama’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer excellent surfing conditions for both beginners and experienced surfers. Destinations such as Santa Catalina, Playa Venao, and Bocas del Toro are renowned for their consistent waves and surf-friendly beaches. Whether you’re looking to catch your first wave or master advanced maneuvers, Panama’s surf breaks provide endless opportunities for stoke and adrenaline.

Hiking and Nature Exploration: Lace up your hiking boots and embark on an adventure through Panama’s lush rainforests and rugged terrain. The Baru Volcano in Boquete offers a challenging but rewarding hike, culminating in breathtaking panoramic views from the summit. Explore the Chiriquí Highlands to discover hidden waterfalls, spot exotic bird species, and soak in the natural beauty of the cloud forests. For a unique experience, venture into the Darien Gap, a remote and untamed wilderness, for a multi-day trek accompanied by indigenous guides.

Zip-lining and Canopy Tours: Get a bird’s-eye view of Panama’s captivating landscapes as you zip through the treetops on exhilarating zip-line tours. Boquete and Gamboa are popular destinations for canopy tours, offering an adrenaline rush and a chance to immerse yourself in the lush rainforest canopy.

Whale Watching: Experience a true natural spectacle by going on a whale-watching tour in the Gulf of Chiriquí or Coiba National Marine Park. Between the months of July and October, humpback whales migrate through these waters, and you can witness their breaching, spouting, and tail slapping displays. It’s an awe-inspiring sight and an opportunity to appreciate these magnificent marine creatures in their natural environment.

Boat Tours and Kayaking: Explore the intricate network of waterways in the San Blas Islands or the dense mangrove forests of the Chagres River by boat or kayak. Discover secluded beaches, encounter diverse wildlife, and experience the tranquility of these pristine ecosystems. For a unique adventure, embark on a sailing expedition through the remote islands of Guna Yala, combining snorkeling, fishing, and island hopping.

Panama’s abundant natural beauty and diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or leisurely exploration, Panama will leave you with unforgettable experiences and a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Cultural Experiences in Panama

Immersing oneself in the rich cultural heritage of Panama is a must during any visit to this vibrant country. From indigenous traditions to colonial influences, here are some of the top cultural experiences to engage in while in Panama:

Indigenous Communities: Panama is home to several indigenous groups, each with its own unique customs and traditions. Visit an Emberá or Guna village to learn about their way of life, ancient traditions, and vibrant arts. Witness traditional dances and music, try your hand at traditional crafts, and savor the flavors of indigenous cuisine. Engaging with these indigenous communities provides a deeper appreciation for their culture and helps support their sustainable tourism initiatives.

Casco Viejo: Explore Casco Viejo, the historic district of Panama City, and step back in time with its colonial architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and vibrant plazas. Visit historical landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, and wander through narrow alleys lined with colorful buildings that house art galleries, trendy cafes, and boutique shops. Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vibrant cultural hub that showcases Panama’s colonial past and modern revitalization.

Museums and Art Galleries: Panama City boasts an array of museums and art galleries that showcase the country’s rich history and artistic heritage. The Panama Canal Museum provides an in-depth look at the engineering marvel that shaped the nation. The Biomuseo highlights Panama’s diverse ecosystems and biodiversity. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art or explore the galleries in Casco Viejo to discover the works of renowned Panamanian artists and contemporary masterpieces.

Traditional Festivals: Experience the vibrant energy of Panamanian festivals and immerse yourself in the local celebrations. The Panama Carnival, held in the days leading up to Lent, is a colorful extravaganza of music, dance, and elaborate costumes. The Corpus Christi Festival in La Villa de Los Santos showcases traditional dances, parades, and cultural displays. During the Pollera Festival, you can witness the elegance and beauty of Panama’s national dress, the pollera, through stunning displays and competitions.

Gastronomy: Indulge in the flavors of Panamanian cuisine and explore the diverse culinary traditions of the country. Sample traditional dishes such as sancocho (a hearty chicken soup), ceviche (fresh seafood marinated in citrus juices), and arroz con pollo (chicken with rice). Don’t forget to try the local street food, like empanadas and carimañolas. Panama’s eclectic culinary scene reflects its multicultural influences, with flavors inspired by indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Spanish culinary traditions.

Traditional Music and Dance: Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of Panamanian music and dance. Experience the hypnotic beats of the tamborito, Panama’s national dance, which combines African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences. Attend live music performances in Panama City or catch traditional folkloric dance shows that highlight the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Embracing the cultural experiences in Panama allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history, traditions, and the warmth of its people. By engaging with the local culture, you will create lasting memories and forge connections that will enrich your travel experience in Panama.

Local Cuisine in Panama

Exploring the local cuisine is an integral part of any trip to Panama. With its diverse cultural influences and abundance of fresh ingredients, Panama offers a gastronomic journey that tantalizes the taste buds. Here are some iconic dishes and flavors to savor during your culinary adventure in Panama:

Ceviche: As a country with a bountiful coastline, Panama is known for its delicious ceviche. Made with fresh seafood, such as shrimp, fish, or octopus, marinated in lime or lemon juice, ceviche is a refreshing and tangy dish that is often served with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. The combination of citrus and seafood creates a burst of flavor that encapsulates the essence of Panama’s coastal cuisine.

Sancocho: Sancocho is Panama’s traditional hearty chicken soup, often considered its national dish. Made with chicken, onions, garlic, yuca (cassava), and various root vegetables like ñame and otoe, this soup is simmered for hours to develop a rich and comforting flavor. Sancocho is often enjoyed on special occasions or as a family gathering dish, highlighting the significance of food as a centerpiece of Panamanian culture.

Arroz con Pollo: A beloved dish in Panama, arroz con pollo is a flavorful combination of chicken and rice cooked with various spices, vegetables, and sometimes peas. Each region and household may have their own twist on this classic dish, but the result is always a satisfying and homey plate of comfort food. Arroz con pollo is a staple in Panamanian households and showcases the influence of Spanish culinary traditions in the country.

Hojaldras: Hojaldras are Panama’s version of fried bread or doughnuts. These pillowy treats are made from a dough that is typically flavored with anise and fried until golden brown. Hojaldras are often served for breakfast or as a snack, accompanied by a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They are commonly enjoyed during special occasions and holidays, adding a touch of sweetness to the festivities.

Patacones: Patacones are a popular snack or side dish in Panama. These crispy plantain fritters are made by flattening and frying slices of green plantains, then seasoned with a sprinkle of salt. Patacones are commonly served with ceviche, grilled meat, or as a flavorful accompaniment to any meal. They provide a delicious contrast of textures and flavors, with a crispy exterior and a soft and starchy interior.

Raspao: Beat the heat with a refreshing raspao, Panama’s version of a snow cone. Shaved ice is topped with a variety of flavored syrups, such as tamarind, passion fruit, or strawberry, creating a sweet and cooling treat. Raspao is a popular street food, particularly during hot summer days, and offers a delightful way to cool down while exploring Panama’s vibrant city streets or beachside destinations.

These are just a few highlights of Panama’s rich culinary tapestry. Don’t hesitate to explore the diverse flavors and ingredients that the country has to offer. From street food stalls to fine dining establishments, Panama’s cuisine invites you to savor the authentic tastes and immerse yourself in the cultural diversity of this remarkable country.

Safety Tips for Travelers

Traveling to Panama can be a safe and enjoyable experience as long as you take necessary precautions and stay informed about the local environment. Here are some valuable safety tips to keep in mind while exploring this beautiful country:

Research and Plan: Before your trip, research the areas you plan to visit in Panama. Familiarize yourself with local customs, culture, and current safety information. Take note of any specific precautions or warnings issued by official government travel advisories.

Stay Vigilant: While Panama is generally safe, it’s important to remain alert and use common sense. Keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious when in crowded places or tourist areas where petty theft can occur. Avoid displaying valuables and use discreet bags or money belts to keep your belongings secure.

Use Reliable Transportation: Opt for official taxis or reputable ride-hailing services, like Uber, especially when traveling at night or in unfamiliar areas. Avoid using unlicensed or unofficial taxis, as they may pose a risk. If you are renting a car, lock the doors and keep valuables out of sight.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Stay aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas or outdoor markets. Avoid walking alone at night in dimly lit or secluded areas. Stick to well-lit and busy streets and use established paths for hiking or exploring nature trails.

Respect Local Customs and Laws: Familiarize yourself with local customs and laws to ensure you don’t unintentionally offend or break any regulations. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites or indigenous communities, and always ask for permission before taking photographs of people or sensitive locations.

Be Cautious with Food and Water: While Panama has generally safe and clean food and water, it’s advisable to take precautions. Drink bottled water or use purified water when necessary. Avoid consuming raw or uncooked food, particularly in street stalls where hygiene standards may vary.

Use Reliable Accommodations: Choose accommodation from reputable sources with positive reviews. Look for well-established hotels, guesthouses, or registered vacation rentals that prioritize safety and security measures.

Travel Insurance: It’s essential to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses and emergency evacuations. Make sure your insurance also covers any activities you plan to engage in, such as adventure sports or hiking.

Emergency Contacts: Save important emergency contact numbers, including the local police and embassy or consulate of your home country, in your phone or in a secure location.

Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels unsafe or uncomfortable, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation. It’s better to prioritize your safety and well-being above all else.

By following these safety tips and staying vigilant, you can minimize potential risks and enjoy a memorable and safe trip to Panama. Remember, preparation and awareness are key to ensuring a positive travel experience.

Essential Packing List for Panama

When preparing for your trip to Panama, it’s important to pack wisely to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable adventure. Here’s a list of essentials that you should consider including in your packing list:

Lightweight Clothing: Panama’s tropical climate calls for lightweight and breathable clothing. Pack loose-fitting t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, and skirts made of lightweight materials such as cotton or linen. A light jacket or sweater might be necessary for cooler evenings or higher elevations.

Swimwear: Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit as Panama offers numerous opportunities for beach and water activities. Whether you’re swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Bocas del Toro or relaxing by the pool at a beach resort, having swimwear is essential.

Sun Protection: Protect your skin from the sun’s rays by packing sunscreen with a high SPF, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Panama’s proximity to the equator means that the sun can be intense, so it’s important to keep yourself protected.

Insect Repellent: Panama is home to diverse ecosystems and lush rainforests, so insect repellent is a must. Pack a reliable insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other insects, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors or in rural areas.

Comfortable Footwear: Panama’s terrain can vary, so it’s important to pack comfortable footwear. Flip-flops or sandals are ideal for beach days, while a pair of sturdy and comfortable walking or hiking shoes are essential for outdoor activities and exploring nature trails.

Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial in Panama’s tropical climate. Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up with purified water and reduce plastic waste.

Rain Gear: Pack a lightweight rain jacket or poncho, especially if you’re visiting during the wet season. Panama can experience sudden tropical showers, so it’s wise to be prepared for the occasional rainfall.

Adapter/Converter: Panama uses the Type A and B electrical outlets, so it’s important to pack a universal adapter if your devices have different plug types or voltage requirements.

Medications and First Aid Kit: If you take any prescription medications, ensure you have an ample supply for the duration of your trip. It’s also advisable to pack a basic first aid kit with essentials such as bandages, antiseptic ointment, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may require.

Travel Documents: Don’t forget to bring essential travel documents, including your passport (with at least six months validity), a printed copy of your flight itinerary, hotel reservations, travel insurance documents, and any necessary visas or vaccination certificates.

Electronics: If you plan to bring electronics such as a smartphone, camera, or laptop, remember to pack the necessary chargers, adaptors, and protective cases to keep them safe and operational.

Remember to check the weather forecast before your trip and adjust your packing list accordingly. Prioritize comfort, practicality, and protection from the elements to ensure a pleasant and hassle-free experience while exploring the beautiful landscapes of Panama.

Panama offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences. From exploring the stunning beaches and rainforests to immersing yourself in the rich historical heritage, Panama has something to offer every type of traveler. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, this diverse and unique country has it all.

By considering factors such as the best time to visit, visa requirements, transportation options, and safety tips, you can plan a well-prepared and enjoyable trip to Panama. The country’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with its stunning landscapes and lively cities, make it an ideal destination for travelers looking for both adventure and tranquility.

Take the time to discover Panama City’s historic charm, witness the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, and lounge on the pristine beaches of Bocas del Toro. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, explore indigenous communities, and savor the flavors of local cuisine. Don’t forget to engage in outdoor adventures, from scuba diving and hiking to wildlife encounters and sailing through picturesque islands.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a culinary explorer, Panama will certainly leave a lasting impression. With its natural wonders, cultural diversity, and warm hospitality, Panama promises a journey filled with incredible memories and moments you’ll treasure forever.

So pack your bags, embrace Panama’s beauty, and get ready for an unforgettable experience in this extraordinary country. From the bustling streets of Panama City to the tranquil beaches and lush rainforests, Panama awaits with open arms to offer you a journey of a lifetime.

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24 Best Things to do in Panama City, Panama

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: December 20, 2023

Looking for things to do in Panama City, Panama? Whether you are going on a cruise through the Panama Canal or escaping to one of Panama’s luxurious islands, chances are you are going to visit Panama City for at least a day or two. This Panama City guide will help you plan your time there.

We first visited Panama City when we were invited to check out all the cool elements of the Hard Rock Hotel downtown Panama. Not only was it a cool hotel, but the city also blew us away! It has the perfect blend of a high-tech modern metropolis combined with a well-preserved history in its old town and historic ruins.

Table of Contents

Things to do in Panama City

During our first time in Panama City, we spent a week exploring everything it had to offer in the downtown core. We visited the Old Town, and the waterfront, and stayed at one of Panama City’s most recognizable hotels, the Hard Rock Hotel Panama. (rumour has it that this hotel is now closed but the website is still up and running so it is unconfirmed)

Recently, we returned to Panama with Uncruise to sail to Costa Rica from Panama and had the chance to tick off the rest of our Panama City bucket list. This city is a modern wonder that has blended its state-of-the-art architecture with its historic center. If you are visiting Central America, make sure to spend at least a few days exploring the best of Panama City. Enjoy these must-see attractions in Panama City and extra travel tips to help you make the most of your stay!

1. Panama Canal – Miraflores

The obvious choice for first-time visitors to Panama City is to check out the Panama Canal . The closest locks to Panama City are the Miraflores Locks located less than 30 minutes from downtown making it an easy day trip. It is amazing to see the crowds that the locks still attract and even we were a bit giddy when we viewed a cargo ship going through.

The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic ocean with the Pacific ocean, is one of the Seven Industrial Wonders of the World and when you walk through the fabulous interactive Miraflores visitors center, you’ll understand why! This was not an easy waterway to make. There are two levels of viewing platforms to watch the ships and a Panama Canal museum. It is definitely the number 1 thing to do in Panama City.

First time to Panama City? This city tour is a great introduction to Panama where you’ll visit many of the top attractions including the Miraflores Locks visitor center where you’ll skip the lines arriving as soon as they open. After you’ve seen the famous Panama Canal, you’ll make your way to Casco Viejo, the Amador Causeway, the viewpoint of Panama City, and the boardwalk and waterfront with your local expert guide.

2. Casco Viejo

No visit to Panama City would be complete without taking a stroll through its old town. Casco Viejo, (Old Town) is the historic center of Panama City that is being restored to its original glory. Dating back to 1673, Casco Viejo is worth visiting on a tour to learn about all the buildings, cathedrals, and history of the area.

The historic center of Panama is a must-visit. It reminded us of the old town of Havana, Cuba and I can envision it being as beautiful in just a few short years as hotels and corporations transform the crumbling ruins into boutique hotels. This 2-hour walking tour takes you through the old quarter, where you’ll see the top tourist attractions including San Francisco de Asis and San José churches, the Panama waterfront and admire the architecture inspired by Spanish, French and early Americans.

3. Plaza de Francia

While in Casco Viejo make sure to visit Plaza de Francia. Also, known as The French Plaza, Plaza de Francia is a monument dedicated to the 22,000 workers who died during the construction of the Panama Canal. Here you’ll be able to see the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (National Institute of Culture) that houses a theater and cultural events. The statues and tablets depict the role that the French played in the construction of the Panama Canal.

Fun Fact: It is here that you’ll see a plaque dedicated to the Cuban doctor Carlos J. Finlay, who discovered out how mosquitoes transmitted yellow fever. 

4. Convent Santo Domingo

Located in the Casco Viejo, a quick photography stop is the Convent Santo Domingo and its Flat Arch (El Arco Chato). Similar to another popular tourist attraction in Panama (eh-hem, The Panama Canal), the arch is a feat of engineering for its time. Spanning nearly 50 feet without any support, it stood the test of time and helped solidify Panama as the place for the canal connecting the two oceans. Since it had stood since the 17th century, it proved that Panama wasn’t as prone to earthquakes at Nicaragua, thus making for better, … for the Panama Canal.

5. Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square)

 Also known as Plaza Mayor or Cathedral Plaza, Plaza de la Independencia is a plaza with the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama (Basilica of the Virgin of Santa María la Antigua) standing proud at its center. It is a quiet respite from the city with colonial architecture housing restaurants, shops and boutique shopping. You’ll also see the Panama Canal Museum and the headquarters of the Municipal Council in Plaza de la Independencia. We stumbled upon this square during a walk around the city and fell in love with its colonial architecture, its lovely white gazebo and the shady trees lining the square.

6. Iglesia San Felipe Nativity Scene

Even if you are not religious, this nativity scene in Iglesia San Felipe is impressive. For years, families in Panama set up their own nativity scenes around the city but after the restoration of Iglesia San Felipe de Neri, one family donated their massive scene that they built up over the years for everyone to enjoy. If you take a walking tour of the Old Town, chances are your guide will take you into this hidden gem.

Other Things to see in Casco Viejo

You should spend at least an afternoon in Caso Viejo. Take a walking tour of Casco Viejo to see all the main sites and attractions. Check out this city tour with GetYourGuide

One of the best ways we explored Panama was on a private tour. This highly rated private tour lets you explore Panama at your own pace with a customizable tour to suit your desires. Follow your local guide to top-rated attractions such as Casco Viejo, The Causeway, and other parts of the city as you learn insider tips, such as the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around.

• Historic Society of Jesus
• Church of San Jose – Gold Altar

Gentrification is becoming a problem for the local families that lived in this neighborhood rent-free, so I do hope the government takes care of the people who are the heartbeat of Panama City. But I do also believe in progress, and turning this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a maze of walking streets filled with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, will help everyone in the long run.

7. Panama Viejo

Not to be confused with Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo is a fascinating tour through the abandoned ruins of the original city. The highway once ran directly through these historic monuments, but thankfully, it was diverted before it all disappeared.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to 1519, Panama Viejo was the heart of the economic power of trade, religion, and commerce. The city was in use until 1671 when the Spaniards sacked the city themselves before moving to what we know today as Panama Viejo.

Panama was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast and became a strategic location for mining gold and silver. There are several walls and facades remaining and they are doing regular restoration. The most impressive ruin is the Cathedral – Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción where you can climb up the bell tower for a panoramic view of Panama City.

8. Cinta Costera

Cinta Costera is the beating heart of Panama City. This 64-acre oceanfront parkway is within walking distance from the major hotels, shopping malls and restaurants. One of our favorite things to do in Panama was to walk along the walking trails of Cinta Costera taking in the views of the city. Spanish for Coastal Walkway, tourists and visitors alike use this greenspace for cycling, working out or simply taking relaxing away from the hustle and bustle.

You can rent bikes or hire a rickshaw to take you on a tour of Cinta Costera to explore many of the top attractions in Panama City.

9. Balboa Avenue

Avenue Balboa is Panama City’s downtown neighborhood with skyscrapers lining the waterfront. This ultra-modern waterfront neighborhood is a fun place to hang out for the afternoon.

There’s a paved walkway for cycling or walking. You can walk all the way along the 3km route to Casco Viejo. We stopped in at five-star hotels for a cocktail and for rooftop views of the bay.

10. Amador Causeway

This incredible 6km stretch of road houses some of Panama’s top attractions. It’s located 20 minutes outside the city and offers excellent views of Panama.

It is here, that you can enjoy some fun in the sun paddle boarding, hanging out at the pool bars or do some shopping. You can also hop on the aqua bus here for a view of Panama from the water.

11. Centro Artisan Market

Located at the Amador Causeway, this huge Artisan Market is a great place to shop for your souvenirs. I’ve picked up many a necklace from here, but you can also get masks, jewelry, Panama hats, and other nick nacks here. For another great shopping experience check out the pedestrian mall at the end of Avenida Central.

12. Albrook Mall

If shopping is your thing, pay a visit to Albrook Mall. It is the largest shopping mall in Central America. This mall really is a tourist attraction unto itself. It’s the 14th largest mall in the world and that’s saying a lot. When you think about the mega malls found in Dubai and Asia, its’ amazing that one of the top 20 is in Panama. The mall is located close to the airport and is just minutes from three of Panama’s most popular tourist attractions, the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, the historic area of Casco Antiguo, and the Causeway.

The Wyndham Hotel is connected to the Albrook Mall making it a good choice to stay in Panama if you are flying out the next day.

13. Bridge of the Americas

It is from the Amador Causeway that you can see the Bridge of the Americas. This massive bridge spans the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. It was built by the United States in 1962. What is so unique about this bridge? It connects the landmasses of North America and South America.

14. Sunset at the JW Marriott 65 Floor

Another residential neighborhood popular with ex-pats is Punta Pacifica. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Balboa Avenue, or you can take an Uber or taxi for a reasonable price.

The JW Marriott has a huge Casino attached to the main floor. If you go here, take the elevators up to the 65th floor to the rooftop bar overlooking the infinity pool. This rooftop pool and bar is one of the most chic areas in the city. It’s one of the best sunset views in the city!

15. Marvel at El Tornillo

Definitely, the most unique building in Panama City is the spiral skyrise of El Tornillo. The best view we found of it was from the Hard Rock pool bar, but we also went for a walk to check it out up close. There isn’t a lot around there, so we suggest viewing it from afar instead.

16. Buy a Panama Hat

Here’s a fun fact. Panama Hats are not made in Panama. Panama Hats originated in Ecuador and are still made there. The Panama Hat got its name when President Roosevelt was photographed wearing one while visiting the Panama Canal.

The name stuck and even though they are not made here, they are very popular. In Casca Viejo, you can find many Panama Hats on sale at shops. Victor’s is the most popular spot for purchasing a hat. What we loved about buying a Panama Hat in the shops, is that there is no bargaining. You can buy high quality or cheaper imitations ranging from $25 – $200.

17. Biomuseo

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo explores the biodiversity of Panama. Its unique location bridges North and South America. It’s also a pretty cool and funky building!

18. Ancon Hill

For one of the best overhead views of Panama, Ancon Hill is a great stop. It is included in many Panama City Day Tours, so if you don’t have transportation, chances are you’ll be able to see it if you book a tour!

Panama City Day Trips

19. san lorenzo fort.

Checking out the San Lorenzo Fort was a part of our UnCruise itinerary and I am so glad we had the chance to see this! Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Panama, this former Spanish military fort was a strategic location for the gold trade. Located on a beautiful clifftop the ocean and Chargras River views are extraordinary. Plus, it is a well-preserved fort dating back to the 1500s.

20. Monkey Island of Gatun Lake

As part of the UnCruise land extension for their Panama to Costa Rica cruise, Gatun Lake is an excellent way to see Panama wildlife such as iguanas, crocodiles, monkeys, toucans, and sloths. I had no idea that the Panama Canal was intertwined with wide and vast waterways.

This highly rated tour takes you to Monkey Island where you’ll catch a riverboat to the Chagres River to see the monkeys of Monkey Island including white-face monkeys, howler monkeys and tamarinds on this island in Gatun Lake.

21. Agua Clara Visitor Center

This Panama Canal expansion is located at Gatun Lake and is an interesting trip to the small town of Colon City. This lock was made to accommodate larger ships sailing through the Panama Canal. You can watch the cruise ships and cargo ships go through from the viewing platforms.

There is a projection room, restaurants, and a hiking trails where you can to try to spot wildlife. You Can visit Colon, Agua Clara, and San Lorenzo Fort on a day tour with Get Your Guide from Panama City.

Enjoy our Video Tour of Panama City

No trip to Central America would be complete without getting on the water, and this boat tour out of Panama City takes you to Taboga Island where you’ll hop aboard a catamaran for a 45-minute cruise where you’ll see the extraordinary Panama City skyline, and Cinta Costera with light snacks, lunch and an all-inclusive bar included.

22. San Blas Islands

San Blas Island has gained in popularity since the Netflix series Money Heist featured the beautiful and secluded white sand beaches of the San Blas Islands surrounded by turquoise water. San Blas Port is located 2.5 hours outside of Panama City and from here you’ll take a Pangas boat to the islands. If you have more time, we suggest spending a night or two on the island, but day tours are offered from downtown.

You can book a Money Heist-themed tour to San Blas Islands from Panama City. ON this tour you’ll visit four islands in one day including snorkeling at Perro Chico, known as the best snorkeling spot in the San Blas Islands, Waily Lodge, Pelicano and the natural swimming pool on a sand bar in the middle of the ocean.

Where to Stay in Panama City

Marbella neighborhood.

Bella Vista Neighborhood

Bristol Hotel – We enjoyed our stay at the Bristol Hotel and found it to be an even better location than the Hard Rock. It didn’t have the amenities of the Hard Rock though if you are looking for a full service hotel. Instead, it is a good luxury choice for a couple of days of sightseeing. We loved the breakfast. Check Availability and Prices on Booking.com or TripAdvisor

Punta Pacifica Neighborhood

JW Marriott – We didn’t find this area to be ideally located as it is away from most of Panama’s top attractions. But the hotel is luxurious with full amenities and an excellent view of the city. Check Availability and Prices on Booking.com or TripAdvisor

Casco Viejo Neighborhood

Central Hotel Panama – Casco Viejo is probably the best location to stay in Panama if you want to be in the heart of the action. Most nightlife has moved to this area and it is near plenty of shopping and culture. Check Availability and Prices on Booking.com or TripAdvisor

Panama City Facts

• Panama uses the USD currency. It is $1 – $1.
• When shopping at markets, it is fair to bargain, but when going into shops, prices are fixed.
• Uber is available in downtown Panama City. When taking taxis be sure to negotiate prices first.
• The main international airport of Panama City is Tocumen Airport
• Panama is a good walking city and we felt safe walking around during the day. Use caution when walking at night.

Book your own  Panama / Costa Rica Panama trip   within the next year with UnCruise, you’ll get $100 per person savings on the same 10-night trip we are taking!

And these are the best things to do in Panama City. Make sure to spend a few days exploring Panama City before you set out on your Panama Cruise or Panama tour, you will love it!

What to Expect on a Panama Canal Cruise with Uncruise

• Things do to in San Jose, Costa Rica
• Central America
• Panama Travel Guide

Experience the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis

• Best City Skylines in the World – Our Favourites in Photos

Did you enjoy all this Panama City guide? Save it to Pinterest for future travel planning.

• 21 Best Things To Do in San Jose, Costa Rica
• 23 Interesting Facts About Costa Rica

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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4 thoughts on “24 Best Things to do in Panama City, Panama”

Panama city looks cool and awesome. Thanks for sharing all these tips.

Perfect place to explore!!

Amazing post with beautiful images. helpful and informative.

Simply awestruck by Marvel At El Tornillo what an architecture…what a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

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Learn About Community Turtle Conservation Projects on Panama’s Pacific Coast

Watch the Whales in the Bay of Panama and Las Perlas Archipelago

Join the Embera Community for a Day in the Gatun River

Explore Neverending Waterfalls at Santa Fe National Park

Let the History of the Mola Take You Back to Ancient Times

Enjoy Panama’s Best Gastronomic Experiences in Casco Antiguo

Hike to the Top of Baru Volcano in the Chiriqui Highlands

Scuba Dive in a Caribbean Paradise

Hike From Ocean to Ocean via the Camino Real Trek

Visit the Sloth Sanctuary in Gamboa

Take a Rum Tour in Pese

Surf in Isla Colon

Visit the World-Renowned Panama Canal

Explore Panama’s Natural Wonders in the BioMuseo

Take in the Best City and Canal Views From Cerro Ancon

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Hike in the Anton Valley

Dance with the Congo Queen in Portobelo, Colon

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16 things to know before you visit Panama City in 2024

Mar 10, 2024 • 8 min read

Get prepared for your visit to Panama City with our guide to what you need to know before you go © Westend 61 / Getty Images

Panama's capital is a cosmopolitan cityscape with a skyline dominated by gleaming skyscrapers and streets full of culture, incredible food and enticing attractions.

Explore on foot and take a stroll along the bay while the Pacific breeze keeps you cool, before exploring Panama City's different neighborhoods and finding its colonial history etched on every street.

Tourist crime here is low and most are of the low-key, opportunistic type you'll encounter in any major city. Keep your wits about you, avoid the more rough-and-tumble parts of town and you'll be just fine. 

From planning your trip to local etiquette, here’s what you need to know before traveling to Panama City .

1. Where you stay depends on your budget and needs

Every neighborhood has its advantages and disadvantages. With cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture, the historic quarter of Casco Viejo is the most memorable and romantic part of the city.

It has lots of high-end restaurants, luxury lofts and swanky rooftop bars, but a dearth of budget-friendly places to eat and its public transport links aren’t the best.

The Calidonia district in the southern part of the city occupies a grid of streets from Plaza 5 de Mayo to Calle 42 Este. Avenida Central bustles with market stalls, and the roads to the south are dotted with budget-friendly hotels.

The district is also near plenty of Metro trains and buses . You can pick up cheap street food during the day when kitchens open for local hospital staff and civil servants. After dark, however, Calidonia becomes shady and downbeat with limited dining options.

To the east of Calidonia, the so-called banking district is a patchwork of several districts or corregimientos , including modern and emerging neighborhoods that host the lion’s share of high-end lodgings and Airbnb rentals.

There are a few hostels and not nearly enough economical hotels. Many decent restaurants are dispersed throughout the banking district but are not always within walking distance.

If you’re in town to party, the Marbella and Bella Vista neighborhoods have great access to the bars and clubs on Calle Uruguay. El Cangrejo is an entertainment zone with a casino, good Metro train links on Vía España and a parade of restaurants on Vía Argentina. 

2. Time your visit for budget-friendly deals and great weather

The high season coincides with the dry season  – mid-December to early April – when prices are generally higher. The major festivals of Christmas, New Year, Carnival and Semana Santa see a price increase in the capital, but not as much as the beaches , where most city-dwellers spend the holidays.

Mid-April to early December is the cheapest time to visit Panama City, as long as you don’t mind getting soaked by the rain.

Most deluges last only an hour or two in the afternoon, but the season gets wetter as it goes on. In the depths of it, the skies can be overcast for days, but the rains are usually intermittent and the cloud cover can bring relief from the relentless Panamanian sun.

3. You're better off with a Metro card than a car

Although a car is good for day trips out of town, don’t plan on driving much in the city. The one-way road system is baffling, city thoroughfares are often congested, and diversions are par for the course.

Instead, use Panama City’s public transport system , which includes a fleet of air-conditioned buses and Central America’s first-ever Metro train. Buy a three-in-one “RapiPass” upon arrival and gain access to Metro trains and buses, and the departure gates at Albrook bus station. 

4. Always keep a stash of low-denomination bills

You'll need to show your ID and sign a register if you pay for anything with a higher bill than US$20. Counterfeit money is an issue in the country, so all $50 and $100 bills will be scrutinized in Panama.

5. Don’t smoke in public

Legislation introduced in 2008 banned smoking in public places. People who smoke in non-designated areas are subject to fines of $25–100.

6. Dress for comfort but look sharp

Panamanians like to dress up and look their best. The ostentatious displays of fashion on display in Obarrio include stiletto heels that somehow survive the assault course of the city’s pavements.

When socializing, casual attire is fine, but avoid wearing shorts and sandals to nice restaurants or social functions.

7. Tip hotel cleaning staff

If you stay in a hotel, leave a tip for the person who cleans your room – US$2–3 a day is fine. A 10% tip is often added in good restaurants, but not always – check the bill before paying.

In low-key local eateries, you may leave some loose change for the server. Unless they help with luggage, taxi drivers don’t expect a tip.

8. Don’t use drugs

Although Panama City is steeped in narco dollars, Panamanian society frowns on drug use, and the law does not tolerate it. If the police find you in possession of even small quantities of marijuana, you could spend several years in a Panamanian prison.

9. Don’t expect people to speak English

Panama City Spanish is Caribbean Spanish – extremely fast and heavily laden with jerga (slang). If Spanish is not your first language, you may struggle to catch it.

Don’t expect to find many English speakers during your day-to-day transactions. English is widely spoken in the business community, but not much outside of it, and mastering a few basic Spanish phrases  will help you get around.

10. It's safe to drink tap water

The tap water in Panama City is perfectly safe to drink. Save on plastic waste by refilling water bottles at a faucet. If you prefer purified water, you can refill at the 20-liter garrafones in most hotel lobbies.

11. Prepare for environmental hazards

Panama City is an urban hothouse scratched out of the jungle. The elements are fierce – humidity is often 100%. You should take a day or two to relax and acclimate to the heat if you come from a cold-weather country.

Always apply sunscreen before going outside and keep an adequate water supply handy. Wear light clothes and a hat to keep the sun off your face. Bring a sturdy umbrella if you visit during the wet season.

Panama City suffers from flash floods during heavy downpours. If you get caught in a storm, you could end up wading through deep puddles. Traffic is generally heavy, and many parts of the city are not pedestrian-friendly. People living with asthma may find their symptoms are aggravated by fumes.

Sadly, the Bay of Panama is a dump for industrial effluence and untreated sewage, so the oceanfront malecón sometimes reeks.

12. Be aware of common scams

Scammers operate in all big cities and some target tourists. Be wary of strangers who tell unfortunate and earnest stories that end with them asking for money. If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Watch out for fake tour guides who ask for payment in advance and then stand you up.

Old-school taxi scams that involve going around the houses to increase the fare can happen anywhere in the world, but in Panama City, it’s common for taxis to simply overcharge. There are no meters in the cabs.

Fares are supposed to be based on zones, but in practice, they rarely are. If you look foreign, taxi drivers will bump up the fare. It's best to negotiate and agree on the price beforehand.

13. Solo women travelers may receive unwanted attention

Panama City is typically safe for solo women travelers, but it's best to avoid walking alone at night in Casco Viejo, Santa Ana or Calidonia. Women may receive attention from chatty men on Metro trains or buses. If a man won’t leave you alone, ask a nearby older woman to assist.

14. Steer clear of sketchy neighborhoods

Thirty years ago, Casco Viejo was dicey. Today, things have somewhat improved, but there are still pockets of the old neighborhood where you should exercise caution.

If you’re staying in Casco Viejo, the 20-minute walk from the nearest Metro train station, 5 de Mayo, is risky at night. Use a taxi or an Uber instead. To the west of Casco Viejo, the neighboring El Chorrillo district is very dangerous and neglected. You should avoid this neighborhood entirely.

The district of Santa Ana, north of Casco Viejo, is bisected by the pedestrianized peatonal , a lively shopping street that is safe to walk during the day; stay alert in the crowds. The side roads east of the peatonal are sketchy, and you shouldn’t wander around them.

At its north end, the peatonal connects with Plaza 5 de Mayo, the National Assembly, a Metro station, a bus terminal and a grimy confluence of roads and flyovers. The area is lively into the evening, but stay alert and use a vehicle after 11pm.

North of 5 de Mayo, Avenida Central strikes into Calidonia district with street vendors and hustle. It's fine to explore in the day, but don’t flaunt expensive equipment or jewelry. Calidonia is spooky and seedy after dark. Avoid run-down or poorly lit streets.

15. Keep your documents handy

Everyone is legally required to carry a photo ID at all times in public in Panama. Tourists should carry their passport or a photocopy of their passport with the photo page and immigration entry stamp.

16. LGBTIQ+ travelers are welcome

Attitudes in rural Panama are somewhat conservative but less so in Panama City. LGBTIQ+ travelers are unlikely to encounter prejudice, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited by Panamanian law. There’s a lively gay scene in Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo.

This article was first published August 2022 and updated March 2024

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Uncover Hidden Treasures: Top Things to Do in Panama City, Panama!

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When people ponder over Central America, many are drawn to the allure of Panama City. But why? Is it just the Canal? Or is there a secret blend of history , modernity, and nature waiting to be explored? Dive with us as we unpack Panama City’s treasures!

• Over 2 million tourists flocked to Panama City in 2019 alone.
• The Panama Canal, an engineering marvel, controls 5% of global trade.
• Experience a unique juxtaposition of skyscrapers and historic ruins.
• Adventure awaits with rainforests within the city boundaries.
• Benefit from insider tips and uncommon angles of exploring.

A Magnet for Tourists: Why Panama City?

According to the Panama Tourism Authority , a whopping 2 million tourists set their compass towards Panama City in 2019. This surge solidified its position as one of the most visited destinations in Central America. But what’s the catch? Let’s uncover that together.

The Canal: Not Just Another Waterway

The pride and joy of Panama, the Panama Canal , stretches 48-miles, bridging the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This incredible engineering achievement isn’t just for show; it regulates a hefty 5% of the world’s trade annually. And witnessing the giant ships navigating its locks? That’s a sight to behold!

A City of Contrasts

“ Panama City is a fascinating mix of the historic and the modern, the natural and the manmade. It’s a city where skyscrapers coexist with 17th-century ruins, and where you can explore rainforests within the city limits. ” This isn’t just a whimsical statement. It’s an observation from Patricia Schultz, the esteemed author of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”.

Insider Secrets: Exploring Beyond the Usual

So, you think visiting the Canal and some old ruins will sum up your trip? Think again! Kevin Erickson, our seasoned travel journalist, dishes some personal secrets:

• Amador Causeway: Rent a bike and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
• Mercado de Mariscos: Experience local seafood delights. Hint: Ceviche!
• Casco Viejo at Night: The historic district comes alive with jazz bars and salsa dancing.

The Cultural Tapestry of Panama City

One cannot talk about Panama City without delving into its rich cultural tapestry. Over the centuries, a unique blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous influences have converged, creating a lively cultural scene that’s evident in every street corner and marketplace.

Museo del Canal Interoceánico: Reliving History

Looking to dive deep into Panama’s past? Then a visit to the Museo del Canal Interoceánico is a must. This museum, situated in the heart of the city, paints a vivid picture of the Canal’s history. From its conceptualization to its modern significance, interactive exhibits and historical artifacts offer a journey through time.

Street Art and Craftsmanship

Stroll around Casco Viejo, and you’re in for a visual treat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a canvas for local artists. Vibrant murals narrate tales of resistance, love, and daily life, reflecting the city’s pulse. Moreover, local markets brim with handicrafts, from colorful ‘molas’ created by the indigenous Kuna people to intricate wood carvings that make for perfect souvenirs.

The Sounds of Panama: A Musical Voyage

From the rhythm of salsa to the beats of reggaeton, Panama City is a musical melting pot. The Danilo Pérez Foundation, named after the famous Panamanian jazz pianist, is a haven for music lovers. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a soulful jazz performance or understand the roots of Panamanian folk music, this is the place to immerse yourself in.

Conclusion: The Magic of Panama City

The heart of Central America beckons with its cocktail of historical wonders, modern architectural marvels, and untouched nature. Every alley, every skyline, and every sunset over the Pacific in Panama City promises stories waiting to be discovered. The only question remains: when are you packing your bags ?

Why is the Panama Canal significant?

The Canal is a pivotal gateway for global trade, facilitating the movement of ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and handling about 5% of world trade annually.

What’s the best time to visit Panama City?

Between January and April, the dry season offers the most pleasant weather for exploring.

Is Panama City safe for tourists?

Like many urban areas, tourists should be cautious, especially at night. However, main tourist spots are generally safe.

Are US dollars accepted in Panama City?

Absolutely! The US dollar is the official currency of Panama.

What languages are spoken in Panama City?

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

• Panama Tourism Authority. Tourist Statistics 2019 .
• World Trade Organization. Annual Trade Report 2020 .
• Schultz, Patricia. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die . Workman Publishing, 2015.

This post is also available in: English

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One response to “Uncover Hidden Treasures: Top Things to Do in Panama City, Panama!”

Hey Kevin Erickson, your piece really resonated with me! 👍 Love the way you delved into the nitty-gritty aspects of the topic. You got me thinking, does variance in XYZ affect the outcome you mentioned? Also, I wonder if consideration of ABC might enrich the context?

From my experience as a hobbyist, I’ve often noticed that little tweaks in PQR can lead to big differences. Another interesting angle might be exploring the influence of UVW, gave me surprising results once.

Your insights provoke vivid discussions, kudos! 🙌 Can’t wait to dive deeper into the fascinating world of your subject. Keep those great articles coming!

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Ecotourism in Panama: 10 experiences you can’t miss

A land bridge between two continents and two oceans , an isthmus with an incredible and unparalleled biodiversity : Panama is an extraordinary place, an exuberant country rich in colors and nature .

But what are the ecotourism experiences to live in this enchanted land, made up of rainforests , crystal clear waters , rushing rivers , high mountains and historical and architectural treasures? Panama has a lot to offer to travelers eager to discover nature on tiptoe, to those who want to experience a tourism far from crowds. To those who, in a nutshell, want to live an authentic and surprising experience . Today we are going to tell you about the 10 adventures that you cannot miss in Panama, but to describe all the beauty of the country we’ll need much more time.

Volcan Baru National Park, the highest point in Panama

One of Panama’s 18 National Parks, this place offers a truly unique experience. It takes its name from the Volcan Baru , a stratovolcano and the highest point in the state of Panama. At the top of its 3474 meters you can see an incredible starry sky and a breathtaking sunrise. But above all this is one of the few places in the world where you can observe both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The climb takes about 6-8 hours, it is tiring, but definitely worth it! It is possible to camp.

Boquete, between flowers and coffee

Right at the foot of Volcan Baru is Boquete. This mountain resort perfectly combines city life and culture with pristine nature and is therefore perfect for our eco-friendly journey. Here you can experience the thrill of a local music concert, get contaminated by the sympathy of locals, enjoy excellent citrus fruits or visit the beautiful and fertile coffee plantations. There are also opportunities for sports lovers, including trekking and rafting.

An eco-friendly stay on an organic farm

A little gem awaits you 20 minutes from the town of Boquete. I’m talking about  Eco Horqueta , a 4-hectare farm that welcomes travelers from all over the world by providing suggestive bungalows surrounded by greenery. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking sky, participate in yoga classes and meditation sessions, or discover all the secrets of the local coffee plantations.

San Blas Islands, a pristine paradise

378 islands and atolls, of which only 49 are inhabited, form an uncontaminated place that leaves you speechless. Here you can go on a sailing trip, discovering each small atoll and imagining your life surrounded by water, or get in touch with the Kuna people, discovering ancient traditions. It remains one of the few earthly paradises, a place so beautiful it doesn’t seem real.

Panama City, the encounter between modernity and nature

Why do we include an ultra-modern city in Panama’s ecotourism experiences? The capital of the country is the most developed in all of Latin America, but it is surrounded by virgin nature. A few minutes from the center there is, for example, the Metropolitan Natural Park , which is home to 284 species of trees, over 250 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles and amphibians. Near Panama City you can also experience whale watching. Don’t miss Casco Viejo, the historic district of the city.

Darién National Park, the wilder side of Panama

World Heritage Site and a place far from the modern world, one of the most primordial left on Earth. In the nature reserve, the roads are almost absent and the park can only be explored by walking or in riverboats that cross the impenetrable rainforests. It is one of the best bird-watching sites in Central America. And it’s also home to rare monkeys, jaguars, and ocelots.

The underwater world of Bocas del Toro Archipelago

An archipelago of extraordinary beauty and above all a tropical paradise with unforgettable seabeds. The 6 main islands and its 100 small islets are an unmissable destination for snorkelers and surfers. The largest island is Colon where you can find the capital of the province, Bocas del Toro , founded in 1826.

Sip local coffee and discover new flavors

The high altitude, the volcanic soil, and the tropical climate mix in this strip of land to create an ideal environment for the production of coffee . So we just have to stop and sip a cup of coffee. But all the cuisine and gastronomic tradition of Panama, between ceviche and yuca fritters, is a wonderful discovery to live!

Coiba National Park, pure ecotourism

Coiba Island was once used as a prison island. Today it is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Thanks to its history, it has managed to remain intact. Thriving thanks to limited human contact, today the island and the Park are defined as the new Galapagos Islands.

Amistad International Park

Between Panama and Costa Rica , a breathtaking rainforest awaits us. This park stretches 5700 square kilometers across the Talamanca mountain range. It is a wild and remote territory; it offers an extraordinary biodiversity, including big cats, 600 species of birds and an immense variety of plant species.

Ready to experience all these experiences and the extraordinary beauty of Panama?

Book your stay here

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Costa Rica: Natural Pools and Dreamy Hot Springs

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• WHALE SEASON NOW! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Destinations

Chame, west panama.

Nestled in the idyllic Panama West province, lies the stunning destination of Punta Chame. This extraordinary destination is a true haven for nature enthusiasts, where the beauty of the ocean and mountains come together in perfect harmony to form a breathtaking oasis that will leave you spellbound. If you’re up for adventure, why not take a leap of faith and go skydiving at 10,000 ft? Get ready to experience the most awe-inspiring view that will stay etched in your memory forever. For those looking for a more relaxed adventure, take a surf class in the azure waters and bask in the ambiance or head for the hills and trek your way through the breathtaking mountain range. Alternatively, simply lay back and relax on the sandy beaches of Punta Chame, where the sights and sounds of nature will revitalize your spirit. Don’t miss your chance to unearth the wonders of Punta Chame. Make your booking now, and let’s take the plunge together and explore all the marvels that this hidden gem has to offer.

Road trip Chame & El Valle

Chame - Cerro Chame Hike

Chame - Surf Class

Chame - Skydiving

El valle de anton, cocle.

El Valle de Anton is an incredible place to visit, filled with numerous attractions and surprises. Situated in the stunning province of Coclé, it boasts the honor of being the second-largest volcano crater and is home to approximately 7,000 residents, who will welcome you warmly.

This mountainous retreat is 600m above sea level, showcasing a fantastic year-round climate, which completes its charm. It is a fascinating place for tourists to explore with a small museum, zoo, serpentarium, and a magnificent garden consisting of over 1,000 diverse orchid species to gaze upon.

The drive from Panama City is roughly two hours, which offers you the opportunity to experience the Panamanian countryside and nature at its finest.

This beautiful haven provides an array of activities that connect people with nature, like camping areas, rappelling, horseback riding, hiking to different mountains, waterfalls, and the famous India Dormida, which features the form of a lying woman.

Explorers crave to discover this Meditation Sanctuary, while others are thrilled at the chance to release stress and work out, and simply enjoy the Panama experience by traveling around El Valle with us. Let us take you on a journey that will be unforgettable.

El Valle Rappel & La India Dormida

El Valle - Rappel

Comarca kuna yala (san blas).

San Blas is a breathtaking paradise consisting of a whopping 365 islands, located on the North Shore of Panama.

Dazzling visitors with its stunning archipelago, San Blas is widely considered as one of the best Caribbean destinations around.

Approximately 80 of the islands are inhabited by the friendly and welcoming Kuna people who offer a fantastic insight into their fascinating culture.

You will be amazed to see the Kuna people wearing the traditional costume, made up of various multi-colored patterns, known as the “Mola”.

The islands of San Blas are fringed by crystal-clear waters, providing an amazing opportunity to experience the true beauty of the Caribbean.

The Kunas, whose main livelihood is fishing and hunting, rotate their family members to reside on the islands for a specific period of time. Witnessing the livelihood of the Kuna people can be an exciting and enriching experience.

What’s more, man locals speak Spanish and even English! Visit San Blas today, and get ready for a Caribbean getaway, which is unparalleled to any other beach destination.

Options abound, from a Full Day Pass to staying overnight in a camping tent or a cozy cabin – the choice is yours!

The Highlands, Chiriqui

The beautiful and picturesque Boquete, located in the northern part of the Chiriqui province, is indeed a paradise known for its cooler climates in Panama.

You will marvel at the imposing and breathtaking Barú Volcano that creates a unique and unparalleled experience in the country.

Its scenic views will leave you speechless and in awe. To add to the charm of the area, Boquete is a great place to head out to visit Volcan Baru, making it a must-visit destination.

Arrive at the summit, located 3,475 meters above sea level, and you’ll be amazed at how temperatures can reach a freezing 0 degrees, but it’s worth braving the cold just to view both oceans…

Boquete thrives in producing the world’s finest coffee, making it a significant player in international trade. The trails in the area are home to a colourful and splendid bird called the Quetzal, which you’ll discover in the highlands with humid weather.

A plethora of outdoor activities awaits you in Boquete, so get ready to enjoy hiking, rock-climbing, 4×4 tours to the volcano, zip lining, waterfalls, and many more. Don’t miss out and start booking!

• Boquete Zip Line

Boquete - Rappel

• Boquete Rock Climbing

Boquete - Volcan Baru Hike

Boquete - Volcan Baru 4x4 Experience

Playa venao, los santos.

If you’re a thrill-seeker looking for an ultimate surf destination, then Playa Venao should be at the top of your list!

This hidden gem is the perfect place for people of all surfing levels, thanks to its world-class waves that have earned it worldwide fame and recognition.

But surfing is not the only activity you can enjoy here!

Located on the Pacific side of the Los Santos province in southern Panama, Playa Venao has a variety of activities to offer, such as fishing in the Pacific and engaging in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Yoga, and much more.

When you’re around Playa Venao, it’s essential to check out the town of Pedasi, which offers shopping and other amenities you need for your stay.

Playa Venao’s breathtaking beauty, where the jungle meets the ocean, draws people from all over the world year-round. You can’t miss the stunning 3km crescent-shaped beach, right at the heart of Playa Venao.

Not only is it considered one of the best surf spots in Panama, but it also boasts of an untainted, barely-touched landscape of lush, verdant hills intertwined with the glistening blue sea.

Unlike many crowded beach towns in Central America, Playa Venao is still a hidden treasure waiting to be explored by the discerning traveler. If you’re searching for tranquility, unspoiled beaches, and a surfing experience like no other, look no further than Playa Venao.

Trips and Roadtrips

• Half Day Panama Canal & Panama City Bay
• Whale Watching Experience
• El Valle Rappel & La India Dormida
• Boquete – Rappel
• Road trip to Playa Venao
• Road trip Chame & El Valle
• Full Day Fishing Taboga Island
• Boquete – Volcan Baru Hike
• Boquete – Volcan Baru 4×4 Experience
• El Valle – Rappel
• Chame – Cerro Chame Hike
• Chame – Surf Class
• Chame – Skydiving
• Playa Venao
• Islas Perlas
• El Valle de Anton

Authorized Tour Guide

• +507 6616-3255
• [email protected]

Panama Tours & Vacations

Home to one of the world's most exceptional modern engineering marvels, Panama invokes historic nostalgia.

Yet there's more to this nation in   Central America  than the mighty Panama Canal, and travelers lucky enough to end up in Panama will be delightfully surprised by the uncrowded beaches, sensational surf breaks, magical rainforests and splendid towns. It's high time the world's wanderers added Panama to their adventure agendas.

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Costa Rica & Panama Discovery

Articles of Panama

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4 places that prove Panama is the most underrated country in Central America

Panama City: A study in contrasts

Panama at a glance

Capital city.

Panama City (population 450,000)

3.4 million

(GMT-05:00) Bogota, Lima, Quito, Rio Branco

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)

Learn more about Panama

Geography and environment.

Bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Panama shares land borders with   Colombia   and   Costa Rica .

With a typical tropical climate and environment, Panama has an abundance of rainforest, jungle, mangroves, islands, beaches and natural harbors.

There are around 500 rivers flowing through Panama, this Central American land - full of biodiversity - also has mountain ranges that dramatically cut through the mainland.

Though many of Panama's mountains have volcanic origins, most are considered dormant and pose no threat to residents.

Best time to visit Panama

Most of Panama revels in a tropical climate with year-round high temperatures and humidity.

Travelers tend to visit during the dry season from around mid-December to mid-April, as the wet season (from May to November) usually results in sudden, frequent downpours mixed with bursts of sunshine.

As with most other countries, the weather is cooler at high altitudes and much warmer in the lowlands.

Top 5 brilliant beach spots of Panama

1. starfish beach.

This small beach in the stunning Bocas del Toro area is named for the hundreds of vibrant starfish that live here year-round. A walk along the peaceful shore will reveal colonies of huge orange and red starfish lurking quietly beneath the water.

2. Zapatillas Cays

Another of Bocas del Toro's beauties, these two postcard-worthy islands are home to seriously stunning beaches with crystalline water, powdery white sand, and coral reefs teeming with turtles and fish.

3. Isla Coiba

This rugged, Pacific coast nature reserve is rich in an incredible range of species, making it a wonderful place for divers and snorkellers out to spot a host of creatures. Marlin, swordfish, groupers, rays, sharks, and eels can all be found within the coral reefs surrounding the area, and the clear water only makes spying them all the easier.

4. Playa Chiquita

This rough and remote wonder located on the Caribbean Coast is one of Panama's best-kept secrets. Its isolated location means it's a little difficult to get to, but the tranquillity, space, and natural beauty make the journey worthwhile. Don't expect beach bars and boutiques - just long stretches of sand with few people in sight. Beach bliss!

5. Isla Grande

This laidback Caribbean island offers an authentic slice of Caribbean life for those wishing to escape the more frequented tourist spots. Featuring beaches speckled with leaves and palm fronds, and small shacks selling fruity cocktails and fresh beers, this haven hand delivers relaxation Caribbean-style.

Further reading

Panama travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to Panama

PANAMA: Australia: Yes - on arrival Belgium: Not required Canada: Yes - on arrival Germany: Not required Ireland: Not required Netherlands: Not required New Zealand: Yes - on arrival South Africa: Yes - in advance Switzerland: Not required United Kingdom: Not required USA: Yes - on arrival

The cost of a tourist card on arrival varies by nationality.

Is tipping customary in Panama?

Tipping (although not mandatory) is considered polite in Panama. Tip 10-15% in restaurants and cafes, and leave a small amount of money for porters, guides and taxi drivers

What is the internet access like in Panama?

Travelers will be able to access the internet at cyber cafes and hotels in Panama's large cities and tourist areas. Access to the internet is generally less common in rural and remote areas.

Can I use my cell phone while in Panama?

Cell phone coverage is generally good in Panama's major cities, but may be less reliable in remote or rural areas. Ensure global roaming is activated before leaving home if you wish to use your cell phone.

What are the toilets like in Panama?

Panama has a combination of modern, flushable toilets (found in cities) and more modest squat toilets (found in rural areas), so prepare to encounter both while traveling in Panama.

What will it cost for a…?

Bottle of soft drink = 1 PAB Bottle of local beer = 1.50-2 PAB Snack at a market = 2-3 PAB Lunch at a café = 5-7 PAB Three-course dinner at a restaurant = 20 PAB

Can I drink the water in Panama?

Tap water is considered safe to drink in Panama unless marked otherwise.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Panama?

Major credit cards will be accepted by large hotels, shops and restaurants in the cities of Panama, but less so in rural and less developed areas. Be sure to carry other modes of payment just to be sure.

What is ATM access like in Panama?

Panama's major cities and tourist-orientated towns have ATMs readily available. It's advisable, however, to withdraw cash before leaving the city as ATMs may not always be available in regional areas.

What public holidays are celebrated in Panama?

• 1 Jan New Year's Day
• 2 Jan New Year's Holiday
• 9 Jan Mourning Day
• 28 Feb Carnival Day
• 14 Mar Good Friday
• 1 May Labor Day 
• 3 Nov Independence Day from Colombia
• 5 Nov Colon's Day (Colon Only)
• 6 Nov Colon Day Holiday
• 10 Nov The Uprising of Los Santos
• 27 Nov Independence Day from Spain
• 8 Dec Mother's Day
• 25 Dec Christmas Day

Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Panama go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/panama/public-holidays

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation