Best Places to visit in Panama

Best Places to visit in Panama

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

As your likely point of entry and departure, this region offers a compelling mix of cosmopolitan energy, beautifully preserved colonial history, and the monumental achievement of the Panama Canal. It provides a dynamic start and finish to your journey through the country.

Panama City’s Casco Viejo (Old Quarter)

• This district is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its unique blend of Spanish, French, and early American architectural styles.
• Key sights include the historic Plaza de la Independencia (Cathedral Plaza), the grand Metropolitan Cathedral, and the ruins of the Santo Domingo Convent, which houses the legendary flat arch, El Arco Chato.
• Activities here are plentiful, from enjoying the evening breeze at sophisticated rooftop bars and staying in charming boutique hotels to joining insightful walking tours and browsing the shops of local artisans.

One of the most striking experiences in Casco Viejo is standing on its waterfront promenade, where the meticulously restored colonial facades stand in sharp, beautiful contrast to the towering glass skyscrapers of the modern city across the bay.

The Panama Canal

• The Miraflores Visitor Center is the most accessible and popular spot for travelers to witness the canal’s lock system in operation. We advise checking the canal’s online shipping schedule before your visit to time it with the passage of the larger Neo-Panamax vessels for the most impressive views.
• On the Atlantic side near Colón, the Agua Clara Visitor Center presents a more modern and typically less crowded alternative, offering a different perspective on the canal’s expansion project.
• Both centers feature viewing decks for watching the ships, informative museum exhibits detailing the canal’s construction and operation, and a short IMAX film that brings its remarkable history to life.

Modern Panama City

• A highlight is The Amador Causeway, a roadway built from rock excavated during the canal’s construction, which connects the mainland to four small islands.
• It is a favored recreational area for locals and visitors alike, ideal for biking or walking along the waterfront, enjoying a meal with panoramic views, and capturing photos of the iconic Bridge of the Americas.
• The causeway is also home to the brightly colored and architecturally distinct Biomuseo, Panama’s museum of biodiversity, which was designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry.

The Caribbean Archipelagos: Islands & Indigenous Culture

Panama’s Caribbean coast offers two distinct archipelago experiences. The San Blas Islands provide a rustic and profound cultural immersion with the Guna people, while Bocas del Toro is known for its energetic atmosphere and wide range of activities for the active traveler.

San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)

• Who it’s for: This destination is best suited for travelers looking to disconnect completely. It is an off-the-grid experience centered on pristine, picture-perfect islands, many of which are uninhabited.
• What to expect: Accommodations are simple, often in rustic cabanas with shared facilities and limited electricity. Meals consist mainly of fresh-caught seafood prepared by your Guna hosts.
• Activities: Days are spent island hopping to different cays for snorkeling and swimming in turquoise waters, visiting Guna community islands to understand their way of life, and learning about the intricate, reverse-appliqué textiles known as Molas.

It is important to understand that San Blas is not a luxury destination in the traditional sense. The true luxury here lies in the untouched natural beauty, the serenity of the islands, and the unique opportunity for genuine cultural exchange.

Bocas del Toro

• Who it’s for: This chain of islands attracts a diverse crowd, particularly backpackers, surfers, and anyone seeking a lively, social island atmosphere with more amenities and infrastructure.

Main Islands:

• Isla Colón: This is the main island and the hub of the archipelago, where you will find the widest selection of restaurants, nightlife, tour operators, and accommodations.
• Isla Bastimentos: Largely a national park, this island is home to the famous Red Frog Beach and offers a quieter experience with a focus on eco-lodges and more secluded stays.
• Isla Carenero: Just a brief water taxi ride from Isla Colón, it offers a relaxed ambiance with excellent surf breaks and casual beachfront bars.

Popular activities in the archipelago include visiting Starfish Beach for its calm waters and abundant sea stars, taking surf lessons, scuba diving the rich coral reefs, embarking on jungle treks to spot wildlife, and joining boat tours to search for dolphins in Dolphin Bay.

The Chiriquí Highlands: Coffee, Cloud Forests & Adventure

Known as the “green heart” of Panama, this mountainous region is a haven for nature lovers, hikers, and those looking to escape the coastal heat. Its cooler climate, volcanic soil, and lush cloud forests create a landscape that is both refreshing and full of opportunities for exploration.

Boquete

This is the primary town in the highlands, nestled in a picturesque valley and celebrated for its pleasant climate, earning it the nickname “Valley of Flowers and Eternal Spring.”

• Coffee Plantation Tours: The region is world-famous for its coffee. A tour of a local finca is essential to learn about the coffee-making process and to taste the highly-prized Geisha coffee varietal.
• Hiking: Boquete is a premier hiking destination. The most famous trek is the Quetzal Trail, which offers the chance to spot the elusive and magnificent Resplendent Quetzal. For the very adventurous, the overnight summit hike up Volcán Barú, Panama’s highest point, rewards with potential sunrise views of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
• Adventure Sports: The area’s rugged terrain is perfect for adrenaline-pumping activities, including ziplining through the forest canopy, white-water rafting on the Chiriquí Viejo river, and rock climbing.

Cerro Punta

For those seeking a more tranquil and less-developed highland experience, Cerro Punta offers a peaceful, agricultural alternative to the more bustling Boquete.

• What to see: The landscape is characterized by patchworks of lush farmlands growing vegetables and flowers. It is also a gateway to the pristine wilderness of La Amistad International Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site shared with Costa Rica.

Please note that this area is significantly less focused on tourism. A visit here provides a more authentic glimpse into the rural, agricultural life of highland Panama, with fewer tourist services but a deeper sense of place.

The Pacific Coast: Surfing & Marine Life

Panama’s Pacific coastline is defined by its powerful surf breaks and extraordinary marine biodiversity, particularly within its protected national parks. It is a rugged, wild coast that attracts those with a deep appreciation for the power and richness of the ocean.

Santa Catalina

• Who it’s for: This small village is a world-renowned destination for dedicated surfers and serious divers.
• Main Draw: The primary attraction is “La Punta” (The Point), a powerful and consistent world-class rock-bottom point break that challenges even experienced surfers.

The town itself remains small, unpaved, and rustic. The community’s rhythm is dictated by the tides and swells, with the entire focus being on ocean-based activities rather than onshore amenities.

Coiba National Park

• A protected UNESCO World Heritage site, this former penal colony is an archipelago of volcanic islands often referred to as the “Galapagos of Central America” due to its incredible biodiversity and minimal human impact.
• How to visit: Access is exclusively by boat, typically on day trips or multi-day liveaboard excursions that depart from Santa Catalina.
• What to see: The park is a critical marine sanctuary. Depending on the season, you may see humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, various species of sharks, and immense schools of fish.
• Activities: The park offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the Americas, with healthy coral reefs and encounters with large pelagic species being common. Explore more about Coiba National Park.