Panama, a country brimming with biodiversity in its jungles and coastlines, has much to offer adventurous travelers. Worthwhile things to do in Panama include hiking the country's tallest peak (a stratovolcano), whale watching, or simply relaxing on one of the many extraordinary beaches.
The following list is based on my two-week trip to Panama and includes a few experiences I didn't have time for.
Table of Contents
- Panama Attractions
- 1. Watch Ships in the Panama Canal
- 2. Explore Casco Viejo
- 3. Drinks on a Rooftop Bar
- 4. Find Paradise in the San Blas Islands
- 5. Beach-Hopping in Bocas Del Toro
- 6. Coffee Tour in Boquete
- 7. Hike to the Lost Waterfalls
- 8. Climb Volcan Baru
- 9. Whale Watching in the Gulf of Chiriqui
- 10. Visit Coiba Island National Park
Panama Attractions
1. Watch Ships in the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a feat of human engineering, relatively unchanged in its 100 years of operation. For those who marvel at such structures, watching massive cargo ships glide through the canal is awe-inspiring.
The Miraflores Locks is the most accessible spot to view them, and it's a short taxi ride from Casco Viejo. If you want a more in-depth experience, boat tours and even Panama Canal cruises can be booked.
For those who think this might not be for them, I'd still suggest you try it. I was in and out in under an hour and was glad I went.
2. Explore Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo is Panama City's historic old town. Its structures vary from roofless and crumbling to fully renovated with bright, colorful paint jobs.
It's an excellent place to base yourself. It's easily walkable, relatively safe, and offers plenty of affordable accommodation. Book any or all of your tours and transportation through one of the numerous tour agencies.
3. Drinks on a Rooftop Bar
Whether you're in Casco Viejo for a few hours or a few days, be sure to find a rooftop bar from which to enjoy a drink and a view of Panama City's modern skyline. Tantalo is a favorite among locals and travelers alike. I stopped by during happy hour one night to check out the view. It's worth the cost of a drink.
4. Find Paradise in the San Blas Islands
My favorite experience in Panama was the three-day, two-night trip to the San Blas Islands. I first learned about these tiny islands off the Caribbean coast from backpackers who'd sailed from Panama to Cartagena (or vice versa).
As I'd already been to Cartagena several times, I skipped the sailing part when I learned in Panama City that it was possible to book an overland trip. It's even possible to make a same-day trip, though I recommend a minimum of two nights to relax and enjoy whichever island you visit.
I spent my time on Kuanidup, which was about the size of an American football field (100 meters long). I spent days soaking up the views, swimming, and visiting nearby islands.
All the food we were served was sourced locally, and a generator was used for a few hours each night so we could hang out and enjoy a few drinks. It was just me and a few couples who'd visited 20 years earlier and returned with their teenage kids to show them paradise.
5. Beach-Hopping in Bocas Del Toro
Bocas del Toro is a picturesque Caribbean archipelago just beyond the Costa Rica border, making it a popular destination for backpackers traveling south through Central America.
The capital of Bocas Town offers convenient access to lodging, bars and restaurants, tour operators, and the regional airport. However, for pretty places like Red Frog Beach and Starfish Beach, you must hop in a boat and go elsewhere.
Plan to stay anywhere but Bocas Town; it'll make a big difference in your impression of Bocas del Toro.
6. Coffee Tour in Boquete
Boquete is a small town in the heart of Panama's verdant coffee-growing region. I've been on several coffee and tea tours over the years, but my experience at Finca Dos Jefes, a seven-acre organic coffee farm owned by an American expat, has been the best. Tours are given daily at 9 am and 2 pm and run $30 per person.
7. Hike to the Lost Waterfalls
Beyond coffee, Boquete is also an excellent place to get outdoors and explore nature. Several popular hikes in the surrounding cloud forest are worth considering.
The moderately challenging Lost Waterfalls hike includes stops at three waterfalls and can take two to three hours roundtrip. Some sections are steep and muddy, and conditions can worsen quickly with rain.
Keep an eye out; the cloud forest is home to sloths, monkeys, and quetzals (a colorful bird).
8. Climb Volcan Baru
For the ultimate adventure out of Boquete, hire a local guide and climb Volcan Baru, an active stratovolcano and Panama's tallest peak at 3,475 meters (11,398 feet).
The climb is strenuous but not technical. On a clear day, Volcan Baru's peak reportedly offers views of both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Alternatively, if you want to hike near the volcano but not climb up it, there's the easier Sendero Los Quetzales (The Quetzales Trail). This can be done with or without a guide.
9. Whale Watching in the Gulf of Chiriqui
The Gulf of Chiriqui on the Pacific side of Panama is a meeting point for humpback whales from August to November. They come from the northern and southern hemispheres to mate, give birth, and teach their newborns how to swim. Sperm whales and orcas have also been spotted in these waters.
While I didn't go whale watching in Panama, I did have a fantastic experience further south off the coast of Ecuador.
10. Visit Coiba Island National Park
The Gulf of Chiriqui is home to migratory whales and Coiba Island. For much of the 20th century, Central America's largest island was used as a penal colony.
Thousands of political prisoners are believed to have been murdered here. As a result of the fear that awful activity created, it remained otherwise undeveloped.
The prison was closed in 2004, and by July 2005, Coiba National Park (which encompasses Coiba and 38 smaller islands) had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, you can visit Coiba Island on any number of different tours: hiking, birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
