Panama is a tropical country that has access to both the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. It has beautiful beaches and stunning natural views, making it a popular tourist destination in Central America. Although it is famous for its Panama Canal, there are many other attractions to explore.
From picturesque mountain villages to modern cities, from coffee plantations to islands, Panama has something to offer for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to visit in Panama.
10. Boquete
Boquete village is situated in the Chiriqui province in the Pacific West. It’s a wonderful place to relax and unwind. The village is surrounded by beautiful coffee plantations, and you can enjoy the fresh mountain air. Interestingly, Boquete has become a popular destination for North American expats.
It has a growing reputation for health tourism and offers luxury spas and hotels. The weather is pleasant throughout the year, with temperatures in the low 70s.
That’s why Boquete is called ‘The Land of Eternal Springtime.’ In addition, it is also known as ‘the Valley of the Flowers’ and offers a lesser-known alternative to Costa Rica’s tourism attractions. There are plenty of adventurous activities to try here.
You can go zip-lining through the rainforest, enjoy white water rafting, hike the Baru volcano, or even trek to spot howler monkeys and resplendent quetzal. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can explore the region’s scenic coffee plantations and savor some of the world’s finest brews.
9. Volcan Baru
Volcan Baru, located in Panama’s Chiriqui Province, is the highest peak in the country. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Costa Rica, as well as the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The best time to reach the summit is during dawn, when you can witness a mesmerizing sunrise.
You have two options to ensure you arrive in time: either start the hike around midnight and return later in the day, or hike up the day before and camp at the Fogones campground near the top. There are two routes to choose from. The Boquete route is the easier one, but still quite challenging.
It takes around five to eight hours to go up and three to five hours to descend. Many people prefer to take the Boquete route up and return through the Volcan route, which is steeper but offers more scenic views.
Keep in mind that you will climb a total of 3,474 meters above sea level, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to acclimate, as you may experience mild altitude sickness.
8. Bocas del Toro
The Bocas del Toro Archipelago is a group of islands, islets, and cays located in the Caribbean Sea in Panama. It is in the north-western part of the country and falls under the Bocas del Toro district and province. The archipelago includes a city called Bocas del Toro.
It is easy to explore the islands by using water taxis or private boats, and Isla Colon can also be reached by ferry or plane as it has an international airport. Bocas del Toro is a special place with its wild jungles, national parks, and diverse habitats that are homes to various bird species and marine turtles.
There are unique plants and animals that can only be found here, including endangered species like painted rabbits, green iguanas, and howler monkeys. The archipelago has stunning beaches and crystal-clear blue waters, making it a popular destination for diving and snorkeling.
Bocas del Toro’s capital city, also called Bocas del Toro, is a diverse place with a mix of different ethnicities, including Western Caribe, Latinos, and extraneros. This cultural diversity can be experienced through the local food and traditions.
Additionally, while most of the islands are calm and relaxing, Bocas Town offers a surprisingly vibrant nightlife once the sun sets.
7. Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is an iconic landmark in Panama and Central America. It connects the Pacific side of Panama City with the Atlantic side of Colon, providing a convenient route for shipping between two oceans.
Initially built by the French in the late 1800s, the project was abandoned in 1893 due to numerous worker deaths caused by diseases like malaria and yellow fever. The United States took over a decade later and successfully completed the construction in 1914 using more advanced machinery.
The canal system includes three major locks, which can be observed in action at the Miraflores Visitor Center, located near the capital. It takes about eight minutes to fill or empty each lock and raise or lower a ship to the next water level.
In total, it only takes around ten hours for a ship to travel from one ocean to the other through the canal.
6. Panama City
Panama City, the capital and largest city of Panama, is highly modern and often compared to Dubai in terms of its development. The city is filled with luxurious resorts, shopping malls, and tall buildings. Similar to New York, taxis are the preferred mode of transportation, as people generally do not like walking long distances.
However, if you enjoy strolling, the historic quarter called Casco Viejo offers cozy streets and old-fashioned buildings that are more suitable for pedestrians. In Panama City, you can enjoy beautiful views as the city is surrounded by the Panamanian rainforest, which seeps into its boundaries.
One of the main attractions is the famous Panama Canal, where you can experience its grandeur by skydiving, climbing the Bridge of the Americas for a stunning cityscape view, or renting a bike and cycling to the four islands along the Amador Causeway.
5. Pearl Islands
The Pearl Islands, located in the Pacific, were popularly featured in the reality TV show Survivor for three seasons. These islands are known for their stunning beauty, with forests and sandy beaches.
While the islands are mainly appreciated for being secluded, Contadora Island stands out as the most developed and offers two luxurious tourist resorts. Originally inhabited by native Indians until the 16th century, the Pearl Islands were later taken over by the Spanish, who were attracted by the pearls found there.
The islands played a significant role in the pearl industry, with Contadora Island being the place where pearls were counted, registered, and shipped.
The main activities in the area focus on relaxation, such as sunbathing on the beautiful beaches, fishing, whale watching, and exploring an old shipwreck near Playa Larga, which is Contadora Island’s largest beach.
4. San Blas Islands
The San Blas Islands are a group of islands located off the coast of the Caribbean. They are governed by the Kuna Yala tribe, who have their own language called Tulekaya. These islands are becoming more popular among backpackers traveling between Colombia and Panama.
Despite the increasing tourism, the islands still offer a glimpse into the daily life of an indigenous community, where access to electricity is not always guaranteed and there are no ATMs available. It is advisable for visitors to bring enough cash for their stay.
In addition to relaxing on the beautiful beaches lined with palm trees, visitors can also enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling, and diving, surrounded by a variety of tropical fish species. The islands also have hiking trails through lush vegetation, offering opportunities to spot colorful birds and hear the calls of howler monkeys.
To learn more about the culture of the Kuna Yala tribe, it is recommended to visit them and engage with them in conversation. They often host festivals and dances, and also sell handicrafts that can serve as memorable souvenirs.
3. Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is a small fishing village located off Panama’s Pacific coast. Despite its size, it has become a popular tourist destination in the country. Many travelers are attracted to the village because of its remote and unspoiled charm.
Santa Catalina is also well-known as a great spot for surfing and diving, with beautiful beaches and easy access to the Coiba National Marine Park.
The village is small enough to explore by foot, and although there are no major landmarks or shopping malls, visitors can expect to encounter friendly locals, a relaxed atmosphere, and sandy beaches perfect for activities like swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sport fishing.
Santa Catalina is highly regarded among surfers, as it offers some of the best and most consistent waves in Central America. The scenic landscapes surrounding the village provide opportunities for horseback riding and birdwatching.
It’s important to note that Santa Catalina can only be reached through a single paved road from Sona, which tends to be windy. Therefore, it is recommended to travel during daylight hours to avoid potential roadblocks caused by cattle.
2. Gulf of Chiriqui
The Gulf of Chiriquí is a beautiful area along the Pacific coast between Costa Rica and the Azuero Peninsula. It is filled with many islands and beaches that are covered in forests and coco palms. Two important national parks, Golfo de Chiriquí National Park and Coiba National Park, can also be found here.
Coiba National Park is the largest island in Panama. Since 1994, this marine park has been preserving coral reefs and mangrove forests as well as stunning coastal meadows. Some popular tourist destinations in the area include Cala Mia Island Resort, Isla Palenque, and Isla Secas.
From May to November, Coiba National Park is a great place to watch humpback whales, and there’s a chance of seeing Galapagos seals on the distant island of Montuosa. If you prefer a relaxing beach experience, you can simply sunbathe on one of the amazing beaches.
For those seeking more adventure, activities like surfing, scuba diving, and sport fishing are available.
1. El Valle de Anton
El Valle de Anton is a charming village in Panama, specifically in the Cocle Province of Central Panama. It is situated within an old volcanic caldera, which has been a popular spot for locals to hike and swim for centuries, making it the oldest continuously inhabited volcanic site in the world.
The village is quite isolated from the rest of civilization, representing a traditional and slower-paced way of life, with bicycles being the preferred mode of transportation.
Unlike many Western societies, there is not much of a consumerist culture in this village, with limited options such as an ice cream parlor and a pizza place that opens only on weekends for tourists. Instead, El Valle de Anton emphasizes the importance of nature, which is abundant in this area.
Visitors can explore the local orchid conservatory or the amphibian rescue station, which houses a fraction of Panama’s impressive range of plants and amphibian species.
There are also nearby forests that offer excellent opportunities for bird-watching, and the valley itself boasts remarkable waterfalls as well as the presence of rare golden frogs.
