Panama Travel Guides

Panama Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit

Traveling around Panama always reminds me how lucky I am to call this country home. We may be small, but the variety of landscapes, cultures, and experiences here can keep you exploring for weeks. One moment you’re walking through a modern city by the ocean, and a few hours later you’re sipping coffee in cool mountain air or lying under palm trees on a quiet Caribbean beach. Panama feels layered, colorful, and alive.

In this travel guide, I want to help you understand how to explore the country with confidence and ease. These are the tips, insights, and experiences I’ve gained from years of traveling through my homeland. Whether you’re here for a short trip or a long adventure, this guide will help you make the most of your time in Panama.

Getting to Know Panama

Panama sits between Costa Rica and Colombia at the narrowest part of the Americas. Because of our location, we’ve become a crossroads for cultures, travelers, and trade. You’ll feel that mix everywhere—from the food to the music to the languages you hear on the street.

Most visitors begin their journey in Panama City, which has the country’s busiest airport and serves as a hub for exploring the rest of the regions. But Panama is much more than its capital. We have two coasts, mountain towns, islands scattered across the Caribbean and Pacific, Indigenous territories, and rainforests filled with wildlife.

Travel here feels like moving between different worlds, all within a few hours.

When to Visit Panama

Panama has two main seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season, from December to April, is the most popular time to visit. The days are sunny, the skies are clear, and the humidity is a bit lighter. This is the ideal time for beach trips, hiking, and exploring the city.

The rainy season, from May to November, brings warm, humid days with afternoon showers. Mornings are often bright and calm, and the rainforest looks especially green. I love this time of year because the rain cools the air, and the landscapes feel fresh and alive.

If you’re planning to visit the San Blas Islands, Bocas del Toro, or the highlands around Boquete, both seasons offer something beautiful. Just bring light clothing, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes.

Arriving in Panama City

Most international travelers land at Tocumen International Airport, about 30 minutes from downtown. The airport is modern and easy to navigate. Taxis and ride-share services are available at all hours. If you’re staying in areas like Casco Viejo, Avenida Balboa, Punta Pacifica, or El Cangrejo, the ride is straightforward.

The city is lively, diverse, and full of things to do. It’s also the main transportation hub for exploring the rest of the country, so you’ll likely pass through here more than once.

Where to Stay in Panama

Panama offers a wide range of accommodations. You can stay in stylish city hotels, beachfront bungalows, jungle lodges, family-run inns, or eco-friendly cabins.

Here are some great regions to consider:

Panama City

The capital offers modern high-rise hotels, boutique stays in Casco Viejo, and comfortable mid-range options near parks and restaurants. You can start or end your trip here with ease.

Bocas del Toro

This Caribbean archipelago offers colorful waterfront hotels, rustic cabins, and charming eco-lodges. You can stay over the water or tucked into the jungle.

Boquete

In the highlands, Boquete offers cozy cabins, romantic lodges, and quiet retreats surrounded by gardens and coffee farms.

San Blas Islands

If you want rustic island life, stays in the San Blas Islands offer simple huts, soft sand, and clear water steps from your door.

Azuero Peninsula

Towns like Pedasí and Playa Venao offer surf lodges, beachfront villas, and peaceful inns perfect for relaxing.

Pearl Islands

Close to the capital, the Pearl Islands offer quiet beaches and intimate hotels with stunning ocean views.

With so many options, it’s easy to find a place that matches your travel style.

How to Get Around Panama

Panama is easier to navigate than many people expect. Distances are short, and the transportation network connects most major destinations.

Domestic Flights

For longer distances, like traveling from Panama City to Bocas del Toro or David (near Boquete), domestic flights save time. The flights are short, and the views from the window are beautiful.

Buses

Buses in Panama are reliable and affordable. You can catch long-distance buses from the Albrook Terminal in Panama City. They travel to almost every region, including the highlands, beaches, and border towns.

Car Rentals

Renting a car gives you freedom, especially in places like the Azuero Peninsula, El Valle de Antón, or rural Chiriquí. Roads vary in condition, so drive carefully, especially at night.

Boats

In the islands—especially Bocas del Toro and the San Blas Islands—boats function as taxis. It’s normal to jump into a water taxi to reach a beach, restaurant, or another island.

Taxis and Ride-Shares

In Panama City, taxis and ride-share apps like Uber are common and usually very cheap. They’re the easiest way to get around if you don’t want to rent a car.

What to Do in Panama

Panama offers a long list of things to do. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, relaxation, or food, you’ll find something unforgettable.

Explore Panama City

Walk through Casco Viejo, our historic district filled with plazas, cafés, and beautiful colonial architecture. Stroll along the Cinta Costera, especially at sunset when the skyline glows. Visit the Panama Canal, where you can watch ships rise and fall inside the massive locks.

Discover the Beaches

Panama has beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean. The Caribbean side has calm, clear water perfect for relaxing. The Pacific side has broader beaches, strong waves, and unforgettable sunsets.

Places like Bocas del Toro, Portobelo, and the San Blas Islands feel tropical and bright. The Azuero Peninsula and the Pearl Islands offer quiet retreats far from crowds.

Enjoy the Mountains

In the highlands, Boquete is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring gardens. The weather stays cool year-round, and the scenery feels peaceful.

Visit National Parks

Panama is home to diverse ecosystems. You can visit Soberanía National Park, just outside the capital, to see monkeys, sloths, and birds. The highlands offer cloud forests and cool air. The Darién offers deep rainforest and cultural encounters for experienced travelers.

Taste the Food

Panamanian cuisine is rich and varied. Try ceviche at the seafood market, enjoy sancocho, or taste coffee in the highlands. Street foods like empanadas and carimañolas give you a taste of daily life.

Culture and Traditions

Panama’s culture is shaped by Indigenous heritage, African influence, Spanish history, and modern global touches. This mix creates a warm, expressive, and colorful identity.

Music and Dance

Music fills our festivals, parades, and everyday gatherings. I love hearing drums along the Caribbean coast or folkloric bands in the central provinces. In the city, you’ll hear everything from salsa to reggaetón.

Festivals

Panama celebrates festivals with big energy. Carnival is the most famous, with parades, music, and dancing that last for days. Other celebrations highlight religious traditions, community pride, and historic moments.

Craft Traditions

The mola, created by the Guna women, is one of the most iconic crafts in Panama. You’ll also find beautiful pottery, wooden carvings, and woven baskets across the country.

Money and Costs

Panama uses the U.S. dollar, which makes travel easy for many visitors. The local currency, the balboa, is equal in value to the dollar, but you’ll mostly see dollars in daily life.

Prices vary depending on the region. Panama City and popular beach towns are more expensive. Rural areas and small towns cost less. Food can range from affordable street meals to high-end dining experiences.

ATMs are widely available, and credit cards work in most urban areas. For islands or remote regions, bring cash.

Staying Safe in Panama

Panama is generally safe for travelers. Like any country, it helps to stay aware and follow common-sense guidelines:

• Keep valuables secure.

   

• Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods at night.

   

• Use taxis or ride-shares in the city after dark.

   

• Follow local advice in rural or remote areas.

   

In the rainforest or islands, follow your guide’s instructions and respect the environment.

What to Pack for Panama

Packing depends on where you’re going, but here are some basics:

• Light clothing for hot weather

   

• A rain jacket

   

• Comfortable walking shoes

   

• Swimwear

   

• Sunscreen and insect repellent

   

• A hat for sun protection

   

• A light sweater for the highlands

   

• Dry bags for islands or boat trips

   

Panama is casual, so you don’t need fancy clothes unless you’re planning a special evening out.

Language Tips

Spanish is the main language in Panama, but many people in the hospitality industry speak English. Learning a few simple Spanish phrases—like “hola,” “gracias,” and “por favor”—goes a long way.

Panamanians appreciate effort, and we’re always willing to help if you’re trying to communicate.

Respecting Local Culture

Panamanians are warm and friendly. We value kindness, respect, and community. Here are a few simple habits that help visitors blend in:

• Greet people when entering shops or cafés.

   

• Ask permission before photographing locals.

   

• Dress modestly when visiting rural towns or churches.

   

• Support local artisans and small businesses.

   

A little courtesy goes a long way.

Hidden Gems to Explore

Panama has many places that don’t make every travel list but are deeply rewarding.

El Valle de Antón

This mountain town sits inside a volcanic crater. The weather is cool, the scenery green, and the town easy to explore by bike or foot.

Gamboa

Near the canal, Gamboa offers jungle lodges, river trips, and wildlife viewing just minutes from the capital.

Santa Fe

In Veraguas, Santa Fe offers rivers, waterfalls, and quiet mountain life.

Coclé Beaches

The Pacific beaches in Coclé offer long sandy stretches perfect for families or travelers who want calm, quiet days.

These places show a different side of Panama—slower, softer, and full of natural beauty.

Why I Love Traveling Through Panama

Panama feels familiar and surprising at the same time. Even after years of exploring, I still discover new trails, new flavors, and new stories. Traveling here is not just about seeing sights. It’s about feeling the rhythm of daily life, connecting with people, and exploring landscapes that shift so quickly you can’t help but wonder what’s around the next bend.

I hope this travel guide helps you plan your trip with confidence and excitement. And if you ever see me walking through Casco Viejo, hiking in Boquete, or sitting by the water in Bocas del Toro, come say hello. I’ll be happy to share more of the country I love.