Best places to visit in Panama

Panama City & The Canal Zone: Urban Hub & Engineering Marvel

The Panama Canal

Miraflores Visitor Center

This is the most convenient and popular vantage point for observing the historic locks of the Panama Canal in operation. We strongly advise checking the canal’s transit schedule online on the day of your visit. This will allow you to time your arrival for when the massive container ships and cruise liners are passing through, which is a truly impressive sight. The on-site museum provides excellent historical context, and the short 3D film further illuminates the canal’s construction and global significance.

Agua Clara Visitor Center (Colón)

For a view of the canal’s modern expansion, the Agua Clara Visitor Center on the Atlantic side showcases the larger Neo-Panamax locks. Please be aware that this is a considerable journey from Panama City, but it offers a fascinating perspective on the new scale of global shipping. A visit here is often combined with a trip to the historic forts of Portobelo, making for a full day of exploration.

Casco Viejo (The Old Quarter)

A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Casco Viejo is the city’s historic heart. Its narrow streets are lined with beautifully restored colonial-era buildings, historic churches, and inviting plazas. The atmosphere is a captivating blend of old and new; you will find sophisticated boutique hotels and rooftop bars with stunning views alongside vibrant local life. This historic charm provides a striking contrast to the sleek, modern skyline of downtown Panama City, which is clearly visible just across the bay.

• Key Sights: Be sure to visit the Plaza de la Independencia (also known as Plaza Catedral), admire the grand Metropolitan Cathedral, and see the legendary El Arco Chato (The Flat Arch), which famously helped prove Panama’s seismic stability during the canal’s planning stages.

Amador Causeway

This scenic causeway was constructed using rock excavated during the building of the Panama Canal, and it connects the mainland to four small islands. It has become a premier recreational area for both locals and visitors. The causeway is an excellent place for a leisurely walk, a bicycle ride, or for enjoying a meal at one of its many restaurants, all while taking in unparalleled views of the city skyline and the iconic Bridge of the Americas. It is also home to the colorful Biomuseo, a museum of biodiversity designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.

The Highlands: Coffee, Cloud Forests & Adventure

Boquete

Nestled in the green Chiriquí Highlands, Boquete is Panama’s primary destination for adventure and eco-tourism. Its cooler mountain climate and stunning natural surroundings offer a refreshing contrast to the coastal heat. The town is a hub for outdoor activities and a center for high-quality agricultural production.

Coffee Plantation Tours

The volcanic soil and high altitude of this region provide the perfect conditions for growing some of the world’s most sought-after coffee. We can arrange tours of local plantations where you can learn about the entire process, from bean to cup, and sample the famous Geisha coffee, known for its delicate, floral notes.

Hiking

Boquete offers a wealth of hiking opportunities. The Quetzal Trail is a renowned path for birdwatchers hoping to spot the Resplendent Quetzal in its natural cloud forest habitat. For the more ambitious, the hike to the summit of Volcán Barú, Panama’s highest point, is a significant undertaking. Be advised, this is a physically demanding, high-altitude trek that is often done overnight to reach the summit by sunrise. A certified guide is required. The reward for this effort, on a clear morning, is the extraordinary sight of both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean from a single vantage point.

El Valle de Antón

This charming town is uniquely situated in the crater of a massive extinct volcano. A popular weekend retreat for residents of Panama City, it offers a cooler, tranquil environment surrounded by forested peaks.

Key Activities

Popular activities include the hike up to the La India Dormida ridgeline for panoramic views of the crater valley, a visit to the refreshing El Chorro Macho waterfall, and a morning spent browsing the stalls at the bustling local market, which is particularly vibrant on Sundays.

Caribbean Coast: Turquoise Waters & Unique Cultures

Bocas del Toro Archipelago

This group of islands on the Caribbean coast is known for its relaxed, bohemian atmosphere, a vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, and some of the country’s most picturesque seascapes. Please note that the primary mode of transportation between the islands is by water taxi, which are readily available and part of the quintessential Bocas experience.

• Isla Colón: This is the main island and the archipelago’s central hub, where you will find the town of Bocas and the majority of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
• Popular Excursions: Common day trips include visiting the calm, clear waters of Starfish Beach on Isla Colón, exploring the jungle-backed Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos, and taking boat tours to see dolphins in Dolphin Bay or to snorkel among the reefs of Coral Cay.

San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)

The San Blas Archipelago is an autonomous territory governed by the indigenous Guna people, consisting of over 365 idyllic, palm-fringed islands. It is essential to understand that a visit here is a rustic, off-the-grid cultural immersion, not a luxury beach holiday. Accommodations are simple, typically in thatched-roof huts on the sand, and amenities like electricity and running water are limited. The experience is centered on disconnecting from the modern world and appreciating the pristine natural beauty and the unique Guna culture.

Activities

Days are spent snorkeling in the transparent waters over coral reefs, island-hopping to uninhabited white-sand cays, and respectfully visiting Guna communities to learn about their way of life and purchase their famous “molas” (intricate textile art). All travel to and within the Guna Yala territory must be arranged through Guna-owned and operated businesses, ensuring an authentic and supportive cultural exchange.

Pacific Coast: Surfing, Whales & Pearl Islands

Santa Catalina

Once a remote fishing village, Santa Catalina has gained international fame as a world-class surfing destination. It retains a rustic, laid-back charm that appeals to dedicated surfers, divers, and travelers seeking an authentic coastal experience away from the crowds. Be prepared for a long travel day to reach it, but the reward is access to incredible natural marine environments.

Coiba National Park

From Santa Catalina, you can take boat tours to Coiba National Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage site and a former penal colony. Its protected status has resulted in an exceptionally well-preserved marine ecosystem. Divers and snorkelers will be amazed by the biodiversity, which includes white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and enormous schools of fish.

The Pearl Islands (Archipiélago de las Perlas)

This archipelago offers a more developed and easily accessible beach escape from Panama City. Reachable by a comfortable ferry ride, these islands are known for their beautiful white-sand beaches, clear waters, and a range of accommodations, including upscale resorts. The islands gained international recognition as a filming location for multiple seasons of the ‘Survivor’ television series.

Whale Watching

From approximately July to October, the waters around the Pearl Islands become a crucial breeding and calving ground for migrating humpback whales. During these months, it is one of the premier destinations in the world for whale watching tours, offering a high probability of close and spectacular encounters.