Panama

Discover Panama through our comprehensive guide, which covers everything you need for an unforgettable journey. Learn about Panama's weather patterns and the ideal times to visit for the perfect vacation experience. Find practical tips on transportation options to navigate the country with ease. Explore top cities and must-see destinations, along with delicious local foods you shouldn't miss. Uncover hidden gems that most tourists overlook, giving you an authentic Panamanian adventure.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The Panama City and Canal Zone are best visited from December to April when dry, sunny weather creates ideal conditions for exploring the city and canal. May to November brings afternoon rain but rewards travelers with fewer crowds and better prices.

On the Caribbean Coast (Bocas del Toro, Colón), February to April and September to October experience less rainfall. This region maintains humidity year-round with brief, heavy showers occurring even during the "dry" months.

The Pacific Coast (Pedasí, Pearl Islands) offers clear skies and excellent beach weather from December to April. The green season begins in May, bringing occasional afternoon rain.

In the Highlands (Boquete, El Valle), December to April features cool temperatures and clear skies, creating perfect conditions for hiking and outdoor activities.

The remote Darién Gap is best visited from January to March when conditions are driest, though guides remain necessary year-round regardless of weather.

Panama is situated outside the hurricane belt and doesn't experience a typhoon season.

How to Get to Panama

Panama connects travelers to Central America and beyond through its network of airports. Tocumen International Airport (PTY) serves as the main entry point in Panama City, where Copa Airlines maintains its hub. From here, travelers can reach Panama City, Colón, and David.

Marcos A. Gelabert Airport handles most domestic flights within Panama. This airport provides connections to Bocas del Toro's beaches, Santiago's cultural sites, and Chitré.

In western Panama, Enrique Malek International Airport in David serves travelers heading to Boquete's highland region. Panama Pacífico International Airport primarily handles cargo operations but offers limited passenger flights to the San Blas Islands and Pedasí on the coast.

These airports function together as transportation hubs that connect Panama throughout the Americas.

How to Get Around

Panama connects travelers through a web of transportation that tells the story of the country itself. 

Buses link cities large and small, with Panama City's Metrobus carrying passengers in cool comfort through busy streets. When the road ends at the water's edge, ferries take over, carrying people to places like Bocas del Toro, where islands rise from clear waters. Some journeys combine wheels and waves — bus-ferry and van-ferry routes that transition smoothly from land to sea.

Between smaller towns, colectivos (local minivans) zip along, picking up and dropping off passengers where they need to go. 

When time matters more than money, Air Panama and Copa Airlines shrink the country, turning hours of overland travel into brief flights above the isthmus.

Cities have their own rhythm — taxis weave through traffic at prices that won't empty wallets. At the same time, Panama City boasts something special: the Metro, the only subway in Central America, an underground network moving people beneath the congestion above.

For those who prefer to set their own pace, rental cars open up countryside roads where schedules don't exist. Just remember that some routes might test your driving skills with unexpected bumps and turns.

Companies like The Panama Travel Tour and Caribe Extreme can piece these transportation puzzles together for you. Try different ways of moving through Panama — each offers its own window into life here.

Food Scene

Every meal in Panama tells a story of cultural crossroads where Caribbean, Latin, and indigenous cooking traditions meet on the plate. 

In Panama City, the sancocho steams with chunky root vegetables and tender chicken, a hearty soup that generations of Panamanians have turned to for comfort. The arroz con pollo is a golden-yellow dish seasoned with spices, while the patacones provide a satisfying crunch when you bite into them; these twice-fried plantains are a common side with nearly every meal.

Morning light streams through Mercado de Mariscos, where fishermen bring their catch directly from boat to counter. Here, ceviche comes in plastic cups, and the fish is cured in lime just hours after swimming in the ocean. In the old quarter, Mercado San Felipe Neri buzzes with locals picking through pyramids of tropical fruits and lining up at food stalls where recipes have been passed down through families.

Along the Pacific coast, chefs prepare corvina ceviche with the day's catch, while in Bocas del Toro, rondón simmers slowly, seafood bathing in coconut milk that tastes of the Caribbean islands.

Try Panama's food, and you'll taste not just flavors, but history, geography, and culture in every bite.

Hidden Gems

1. Coiba National Park

Sharks glide through clear waters while howler monkeys call from the dense forest canopy of this UNESCO site. Decades as a prison island kept developers away, leaving Coiba National Park's coral reefs and rainforests untouched by human hands. Between December and April, divers can see up to 100 feet underwater, spotting sea turtles, rays, and hundreds of fish species. Each morning, boats depart from Santa Catalina, carrying visitors across the two-hour stretch of Pacific water to shores few tourists ever set foot on.

2. El Valle de Antón

Morning mist rises from the crater floor as the market vendors set up their stalls. El Valle de Antón sits inside an extinct volcano, where cool mountain air provides relief from Panama's coastal heat. On Sunday mornings, farmers arrive with produce grown in the fertile volcanic soil. Nearby, square-trunked trees found nowhere else on earth stand guard over natural hot springs where locals soak after a long week. Buses from Panama City wind up mountain roads for 2.5 hours before descending into this circular valley that once bubbled with lava.

3. San Blas Islands

Women in bright fabrics sew intricate molas while children play in water so clear you can count the starfish from above. The Guna people have preserved their way of life across these 365 San Blas Islands, where electricity remains scarce and decisions still come from community gatherings. Visitors sleep in simple wooden cabins with sand floors, eat freshly caught fish, and swim in waters where the only footprints might be their own. The January-April dry season keeps the journey smooth, a four-hour drive from Panama City followed by a boat ride to whichever island community has agreed to host travelers that day.

Scenic Routes

Panama connects two continents and two oceans, creating landscapes that change dramatically from one hour to the next. Here are five journeys that show what happens when mountains, jungles, and seas come together:

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• Panama City to San Blas Islands: The water here shifts between deep blue and light green, surrounding islands that barely rise above sea level. Coconut palms lean over beaches where the sand feels like powder. Between December and April, the rains stay away, giving travelers clear skies and calm waters. The boat ride itself becomes part of the adventure as dolphins sometimes swim alongside.

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• David to Boquete: The road climbs steadily, passing farms and streams until coffee bushes begin to appear under shade trees. The temperature drops noticeably as you ascend. Between January and April, Volcán Barú stands clearly visible instead of hiding behind clouds. The bus windows frame views that change with each curve in the road.

• Almirante to Bocas del Toro: Boats thread through narrow green tunnels where mangrove roots dip into the water. The passages suddenly open to reveal islands scattered across blue Caribbean waters. From February through September, the sea stays calm and clear. Travelers often see starfish resting on the sandy bottom as they approach the islands.

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• Boquete to Volcan Baru: Moss covers trees in the cloud forest that give way to open slopes near the summit. Those who make the journey in January through March might see both oceans from the top on the same morning. Jeeps handle the rough terrain, stopping occasionally when quetzal birds or howler monkeys appear.

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• Panama City to Taboga Island: Just 12 miles from downtown skyscrapers sits an island where flowers grow in profusion and streets are too narrow for cars. During the dry months from December through April, the ferry ride provides a complete view of the city's skyline before arriving at a place that seems forgotten by time.

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Events, Festivals and Local Markets

Every February, the streets of Panama City fill with music during the Carnaval de Panamá. Locals and visitors dance together as parade floats roll by, with performers in handcrafted costumes telling stories of Panamanian culture through movement and song.

Craftspeople from across Panama gather at the Mercado de Artesanías de Panamá in Panama City throughout the year. Here, you can watch artists weave textiles using techniques passed down for generations and find one-of-a-kind pieces to take home.

March brings the Feria Internacional de David to David, where farmers proudly display their best livestock and crops. The air fills with cooking smells as food vendors prepare traditional dishes, and stages feature local musicians playing well into the evening.

In January, Boquete celebrates what grows from its rich soil during the Festival de Flores y Café. Coffee farmers open their doors for tastings, while garden displays showcase the unexpected variety of flowers that thrive in Panama's highlands.

Best Places to Visit

1. Panama City tells two stories at once. In one part, glass towers reach for the clouds, while just minutes away, the weathered stones of Casco Viejo speak of centuries past. People sit at sidewalk cafés where colonial buildings painted in faded yellows and blues create natural photo frames. The Panama Canal, that impossibly ambitious slice through a continent, makes even seasoned travelers stand in quiet awe as massive ships rise and fall between two oceans.

December through April brings blue skies and gentle breezes, perfect timing for anyone who prefers exploring without umbrellas. The sun warms without burning, and evenings cool just enough for comfortable strolls.

In Casco Viejo, Thursday evenings bring artisans who spread their works across tables, hand-woven bags, carved masks, and jewelry made from local materials. Along the Causeway, weekend mornings fill with joggers and cyclists, while evening brings food trucks and impromptu guitar players, the Bridge of the Americas lit up behind them.

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• How to get to Panama City
• -Fly directly to Tocumen International Airport, Panama's main international gateway
• -Take a bus from other major cities in Panama to the Albrook Terminal
• -Arrive by taxi or Uber from anywhere in the surrounding areas

2. On Bocas del Toro's islands, time moves differently. Wooden buildings in rainbow colors stand on stilts above clear waters. Boats replace taxis, carrying people between islands where palm trees lean over white sand beaches. Under the water, fish dart through coral gardens in a kaleidoscope of colors. The Afro-Caribbean rhythm plays in local restaurants, where fresh-caught fish arrives on plates still warm from the grill.

February to April and September to October offer the clearest waters and comfortable temperatures, with fewer fellow travelers sharing the beaches.

Weekend mornings on many beaches begin with residents combing the sand, collecting debris that washed in overnight; visitors often join in, garbage bags in hand. At Starfish Beach on Sunday afternoons, local experts sometimes demonstrate paddleboarding techniques for newcomers. In Bocas Town, Thursday nights bring musicians to waterfront spots where tables sit so close to the sea that waves provide percussion.

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• How to get to Bocas del Toro
• -Fly from Panama City to Bocas del Toro Airport on Isla Colón
• -Take a bus from Panama City to Almirante, then a water taxi to the islands
• -Travel by rental car to Almirante followed by a 30-minute boat ride

3. Boquete sits cradled in mountain arms, where mornings begin with mist rising from valleys and the scent of coffee growing all around. Trails wind through forests where quetzal birds flash emerald-green against the leaves. After hiking, some trails lead to natural hot springs where tired muscles can recover in mineral-rich waters. The air feels clean and cool, a natural air conditioner that keeps the town in perpetual spring.

December through April offers the most reliable weather for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, with clear skies showcasing the mountain landscapes.

Every morning, coffee farmers begin their careful harvest, and many welcome visitors to walk alongside, explaining how the perfect coffee cherry is selected. Tuesday mornings transform the town center as farmers arrive with just-picked vegetables and fruits, many offering samples sliced on the spot. Several restaurants invite guests into kitchens for impromptu lessons on preparing traditional dishes like sancocho stew or patacones.

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• How to get to Boquete
• -Fly to David Airport, then take a 45-minute shuttle or taxi to Boquete
• -Take a comfortable bus from Panama City to David, followed by a local bus to Boquete
• -Drive a rental car from Panama City via the Pan-American Highway (approximately 7 hours)
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Tips for Traveling in Panama

VISA & ENTRY

• US/EU citizens: Tourist card ($5) upon arrival, valid 180 days
• Proof of onward travel and $500 is often required
• Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond stay

CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

• Greetings typically include handshakes and sometimes cheek kisses
• Using "Hola" and basic Spanish phrases is appreciated
• Casual dress is acceptable; wear modest attire when visiting churches

MONEY MATTERS

• US dollar is the official currency (also called the Balboa)
• Credit cards are widely accepted in cities; bring cash for rural areas
• The standard tip at restaurants is 10%

HEALTH & SAFETY

• Emergency number: 911
• Recommended vaccines: Routine plus Hepatitis A and Typhoid
• Get travel insurance with evacuation coverage
• Tap water is safe to drink in cities only

TRANSPORTATION

• Uber is available in Panama City
• Metro costs $0.35 per ride
• Local "Diablos Rojos" buses provide an authentic transportation option
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