Things To Do in Panama

Casco Viejo, 

Things to Do in Panama: My Favorite Experiences Across the Country

Whenever someone asks me what there is to do in Panama, I almost don’t know where to start. This country may be small, but the experiences stretch far. You can hike in cool mountain air in the morning, swim in warm Caribbean water in the afternoon, and end the day eating fresh seafood in a lively plaza. Panama is full of surprises, and each region offers its own kind of adventure.

In this guide, I want to share the activities I love most—the ones that show off the spirit, beauty, and culture of my country. These are the experiences that stay with you long after your trip ends. Whether you’re here to relax, explore, learn, or taste something new, you’ll find something in Panama that makes you feel alive.

Explore the Capital: Panama City’s Best Experiences

Panama City is the beating heart of the country. It mixes old streets, modern towers, natural parks, and waterfront views in a way you won’t find anywhere else.

Walk Through Casco Viejo

I always recommend starting with Casco Viejo, the historic district. Its narrow streets, colonial buildings, and open plazas make it perfect for wandering. Cafés spill into the sidewalks, and the rooftops offer stunning views of the city skyline. At night, the area glows with soft lights and lively music.

Visit the Panama Canal

No visit is complete without seeing the Panama Canal in action. Watching a ship rise or fall inside the massive locks makes you feel like you’re witnessing something important. The experience is both calm and powerful—slow enough to enjoy, but impressive enough to remember.

Stroll the Cinta Costera

The Cinta Costera is a long waterfront path that curves along the bay. It’s one of my favorite places for a morning walk or sunset bike ride. Locals come here to exercise, enjoy the ocean breeze, or relax by the water. The view of the skyline from here always makes me smile.

Explore the Amador Causeway

The Amador Causeway connects several small islands to the mainland. It’s breezy, beautiful, and full of restaurants, bike rentals, and lookout points. On clear days, you can see ships lining up to enter the canal, as well as sweeping views of the city.

Relax on Caribbean Beaches

Panama’s Caribbean side has a calm charm that feels almost dreamlike. The water is warm. The sand is soft. The mood is slow.

Discover Bocas del Toro

In Bocas del Toro, each island has its own personality. On one island, you’ll find lively restaurants and music. On another, you’ll find quiet beaches with gentle waves. Snorkeling here feels like swimming in an aquarium. When I float above coral reefs in Bocas, time seems to stop.

Visit Portobelo and the North Coast

The coast near Portobelo mixes history with natural beauty. Spanish forts overlook deep blue water, and fishermen bring in fresh catches every afternoon. Nearby beaches feel untouched and peaceful. It’s one of the easiest Caribbean escapes from Panama City.

Escape to the San Blas Islands

If you want pure paradise, the San Blas Islands offer it. The Guna people manage the tourism on these islands, and the experience feels simple, quiet, and close to nature. Many islands are so small you can walk around them in minutes. The water is unbelievably clear, and the sky seems endless.

Go Adventuring in the Mountains

When I need cool air and space to breathe, I head to Panama’s highlands. The mountains offer hiking, waterfalls, wildlife, and peace.

Explore Boquete

The town of Boquete sits among coffee farms, gardens, and green hills. The mornings feel crisp and fresh, and the afternoons are perfect for exploring. Trails lead through dense forest, over hanging bridges, and up steep ridges. The air here smells of flowers and roasted coffee.

Hike Volcán Barú

For a challenge, you can hike Volcán Barú, Panama’s highest peak. On rare clear mornings, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the top. It’s a long hike, but reaching the summit feels unforgettable.

Wander Through the Chiriquí Highlands

Beyond Boquete, the rest of the Chiriquí highlands are full of farmland, small towns, and sweeping views. In places like Volcán and Cerro Punta, you’ll find strawberry farms, local markets, and wide valleys that glow in the late-afternoon light.

Enjoy Water Adventures

Because Panama touches two oceans and several major rivers, water activities are everywhere. Whether you crave excitement or calm, there’s something for you.

Snorkeling and Diving

Panama’s coral reefs attract colorful fish, sea turtles, and gentle rays. In places like Bocas del Toro, the water feels warm enough to swim in for hours. Every time I dive here, I discover something new.

Surfing

On the Pacific side, beaches like Playa Venao and Santa Catalina offer consistent waves for surfers of all levels. The surf culture is relaxed and welcoming. Watching the sunset after a long session feels like the perfect finish to the day.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Calm bays and islands make Panama ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. In the Pearl Islands or around Bocas, you can glide across still water and explore hidden coves. Sometimes you’ll spot rays sliding beneath your board.

Experience Panama’s Wildlife and Nature

Panama’s biodiversity is one of its greatest treasures. You don’t have to travel far to find wildlife.

Visit Gatun Lake

In the center of the country, Gatun Lake offers boat trips that bring you close to nature. I’ve seen monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and toucans all in the same morning. The silence of the lake, mixed with the sound of the forest, makes it a peaceful adventure.

Explore National Parks

Panama has national parks across the country. In Soberanía National Park, near the capital, you can hike trails lined with towering trees and spot dozens of bird species. In the highlands, the cloud forests of Volcán Barú National Park feel cool and mystical.

Discover the Darién

For a true wilderness experience, the Darién offers untouched rainforest and cultural encounters with Indigenous communities. It’s remote and requires planning, but the rewards are powerful. The forest feels alive, and the rivers move with a calm rhythm.

Dive Into Panamanian Culture

Panama’s culture is a blend of Indigenous roots, Afro-Caribbean traditions, Spanish heritage, and modern influences. Every region tells a different story.

Explore Festivals

In the Azuero Peninsula, festivals fill the streets with music, costumes, and dancing. Carnival here is one of the liveliest celebrations in the country. The energy is warm and inviting, and everyone seems to know the steps.

Learn About Indigenous Traditions

In places like the San Blas region and the Darién, Indigenous communities share their crafts, stories, and way of life. Whether you’re learning about Guna textiles or Emberá river culture, the experience feels meaningful and respectful.

Taste Local Foods

Panamanian food is comforting and full of flavor. Fresh seafood, plantains, and stews fill many menus. In the highlands, you can try local strawberries, fresh bread, and some of the best coffee in the world. Food here brings people together and tells its own kind of story.

Enjoy City Life and Nightlife

Panama City may be the country’s modern hub, but it still holds surprises.

Dine With a View

Restaurants in the capital offer incredible views of the skyline and the bay. Eating dinner while watching the lights shine across the water always feels special. The food scene blends local ingredients with international creativity.

Explore Art and Music

Galleries, street murals, jazz clubs, and live music add a cultural heartbeat to the city. Walking through Casco Viejo, you’ll hear everything from traditional music to modern beats drifting from open doors.

Spend Time on the Waterfront

The ocean is never far away. Whether you’re walking the Cinta Costera or relaxing on the Amador Causeway, the sea breeze and open views remind you why people love to live here.

Find Quiet Moments in Nature

Panama’s beauty isn’t only in its destinations—it’s also in the quiet moments along the way.

Watch the Sunset

Sunsets in Panama are special. On the Pacific side, the sky turns bright orange, deep purple, and soft pink. In the highlands, the clouds catch the light in gentle waves. In the Caribbean, the horizon glows as if someone painted it fresh.

Explore Hidden Waterfalls

The interior of the country has countless rivers and waterfalls. Hikes near Boquete, Sora, or El Valle lead to cool pools where you can take a break from the heat. Hearing the water crash through the rocks feels refreshing to both the body and the mind.

Sit With the Sounds

Sometimes the best thing to do in Panama is nothing at all. Sit on a quiet beach. Listen to the rain in the highlands. Watch birds hop through the trees. Panama gives you space to breathe.

A Country Full of Energy and Calm

What I love most about Panama is the balance it offers. The country is full of energy—music, movement, festivals, flavors—but it also gives you room to slow down and feel present. Every experience, whether it’s a canal tour or a quiet moment on an island, connects you to something real.

I hope these ideas help you explore Panama the way I see it. This country is full of life, and every day brings a chance to discover something new. If you ever see me on a trail, in a market, or watching the waves roll in, come say hello. I’ll probably be smiling, because in Panama, there is always something beautiful to do.