Where To Stay in Panama

Where to Stay in Panama: My Guide to the Best Places Across the Country

One of the things I love most about Panama is how many different ways you can experience it. You can sleep in a luxury high-rise overlooking the Pacific Ocean, drift off in a wooden cabin surrounded by cloud forest, or stay in a beach bungalow where the only sounds at night are waves and wind. Our country offers a place for every mood, every budget, and every kind of traveler.

In this guide, I want to help you decide where to stay as you explore Panama. These are the regions, towns, islands, and neighborhoods I know well—the ones that offer comfort, personality, and a sense of what makes this country special. Whether you prefer city lights or quiet beaches, you’ll find something here that makes you feel at home.

Staying in Panama City: Where Culture and Comfort Meet

Most visitors begin their journey in Panama City, and it’s a great place to start. The capital is modern and full of life, with neighborhoods that suit every kind of traveler. Each area offers a different atmosphere, so choosing the right one can shape your whole experience.

Casco Viejo

If you want charm and history, Casco Viejo is the place to be. This historic district has narrow streets, colonial buildings, and boutique hotels tucked behind old wooden doors. Many rooms here come with balconies that look out over plazas or the bay. Staying in Casco feels like stepping into another time, but with great restaurants and nightlife close by.

Punta Pacifica

For something sleek and modern, Punta Pacifica offers tall towers, ocean views, and high-end hotels. The neighborhoods here feel polished and quiet, with easy access to shopping and dining. Many places have spas, rooftop pools, and stunning views of the Pacific. It’s ideal if you like a clean, urban feel.

Avenida Balboa

Along the waterfront, Avenida Balboa gives you both convenience and scenery. Hotels in this area sit right by the Cinta Costera, the long path that follows the bay. From your room, you can watch the sunrise over the water and the skyline glow at night. It’s a great base for exploring the city without feeling too overwhelmed.

El Cangrejo

If you want something central and walkable, El Cangrejo is a friendly neighborhood with cafés, small hotels, and tree-lined streets. It feels safe and easygoing, with local restaurants and little bakeries hidden on side streets. Many travelers love this area because it offers a mix of comfort and everyday life.

Bocas del Toro: Colorful Stays in the Caribbean

When I visit Bocas del Toro, I always feel like I’ve entered a different world. The islands have a bright, easygoing energy, and the accommodations match that spirit.

Bocas Town (Isla Colón)

Most people stay in Bocas Town, where you’ll find wooden hotels on the water, lively hostels, and boutique guesthouses with colorful designs. It’s fun, walkable, and close to restaurants and boat taxis. The nights can be lively, so choose this area if you enjoy a social vibe.

Isla Bastimentos

If you want more peace, head to Isla Bastimentos. Here, eco-lodges sit above the jungle canopy or along the beach. Some places are only accessible by boat, which makes the experience feel even more special. The atmosphere is quiet, natural, and perfect for disconnecting.

Over-the-Water Bungalows

Bocas is famous for its over-the-water stays, where you can jump straight into clear turquoise water from your deck. Waking up to the sound of the sea here feels unforgettable.

San Blas Islands: Rustic Paradise in Indigenous Territory

For travelers who want something simple and pure, the San Blas Islands offer wooden cabins, beachfront huts, and traditional stays managed by the Guna people. These lodges are rustic—no luxury, limited electricity, and basic facilities—but the beauty around you makes up for everything.

Waking up in a cabin steps from the water, watching the sun rise over calm seas, feels magical. If you don’t need modern comforts and want to experience island life as it has been for generations, San Blas is the place to stay.

Boquete: Cozy Retreats in the Highlands

Whenever I crave cool air and quiet mornings, I head to Boquete. The town sits in the mountains of Chiriquí, surrounded by coffee farms, rivers, and gardens.

Boutique Hotels

Boquete has many small hotels with warm service, beautiful views, and quiet corners for reading or sipping coffee. Many offer fireplaces, balconies, and garden paths that wind through flowers and hummingbirds.

Eco-Lodges

Eco-lodges around Boquete offer stays closer to nature. Some are tucked into the forest, where you wake up to fog drifting through the trees. The fresh air and slow pace make Boquete one of the most peaceful places to stay in Panama.

Coffee Farm Stays

If you love coffee, staying on a working coffee farm is unforgettable. You can walk through the fields, learn about the roasting process, and taste fresh beans right where they grow.

Azuero Peninsula: Beach Bungalows and Cultural Comfort

The Azuero Peninsula is known for its traditions, festivals, and casual beaches. The stays here reflect that relaxed charm.

Pedasí

In Pedasí, you’ll find small inns, surf lodges, and beachfront villas. The town feels friendly and open, with quiet streets and colorful houses. It’s a great base for exploring the coastline.

Playa Venao

For surfers and beach lovers, Playa Venao has boutique hotels, yoga retreats, and modern beachfront stays. The vibe is young, international, and full of energy. Watching surfers ride the waves at sunset feels like its own kind of entertainment.

Pearl Islands: Quiet Luxury Near the City

Just a short trip from Panama City, the Pearl Islands offer beautiful beaches, clear water, and peaceful stays.

Isla Contadora

The most popular island, Isla Contadora, has small hotels and beach houses perfect for relaxing. Many rooms open directly to the sand, and the beaches here feel calm and wide.

Eco-Stays and Secluded Resorts

Other islands in the archipelago offer more isolated stays, including eco-resorts where you fall asleep to the sound of waves and wake up with birdsong. The lack of crowds is part of the appeal.

Portobelo and the Caribbean North

Along the Caribbean north coast, the area around Portobelo offers unique stays close to history and nature.

Waterfront Guesthouses

Small hotels sit right on the water, giving you views of the bay and Spanish fort ruins. The pace here is slow, and the atmosphere feels almost timeless.

Jungle Lodges

Outside town, jungle lodges offer quiet retreats surrounded by trees, birds, and river sounds. They’re perfect for travelers who want to mix nature with history.

Chiriquí Highlands Beyond Boquete

The rest of the Chiriquí highlands offer beautiful places to stay in towns like Volcán and Cerro Punta. The air here is cool and fresh, and the accommodations feel warm and welcoming.

Mountain Cabins

Many cabins come with mountain views, gardens, and space to unwind. The peaceful surroundings make it easy to relax.

Farm Stays

In this region, farm stays are common. You can enjoy fresh produce, homemade meals, and a glimpse into rural life.

Darién: Remote Stays for Adventurous Travelers

If you want true wilderness, the Darién offers lodges that sit deep in the rainforest. These stays are simple but unforgettable. You wake up to bird calls, spend your days exploring rivers or forests, and end the night listening to the sounds of the jungle.

These places require planning and experienced guides, but the reward is a connection to nature you won’t find anywhere else.

All-Inclusive Resorts and Beach Hotels

Along the Pacific coast, especially near Playa Blanca and Río Hato, you’ll find all-inclusive resorts with pools, restaurants, and long stretches of beach. These hotels are great for families or travelers who want comfort and ease without planning every detail.

The beaches here are wide, warm, and perfect for long walks at sunset. The sea breeze and relaxed pace make it easy to unwind.

City, Beach, Mountain, or Island—Panama Has It All

What I love most about Panama is how quickly the scenery changes. One day you’re in a high-rise hotel in Panama City, and the next you’re sleeping in a wooden cabin in Boquete or a beachfront hut in San Blas. Everything feels close, but each destination offers its own world.

Whether you want luxury, adventure, culture, or quiet nature, Panama has a place that fits. And wherever you stay, the warmth of the people and the beauty of the landscape will make you feel welcome.

If you ever see me checking into a small inn by the water or sipping coffee on a mountain balcony, you’ll know I’m exactly where I love to be—traveling through the country I call home.