Panama Road Trip: City to Mountains to Beach - 10 Days

Highlights

• Cruise down the famous Panama Canal
• Hike, swim, and spot local wildlife in the mountain town of Valle de Antón
• Snorkel in the waters around Coiba Island National Park
• Ride the waves of the Pacific off the coast of Playa Venao

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Panama City

Welcome to Panama! After you arrive at Tocumen International Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Panama City. This iconic capital and commercial center is like nowhere else in Central America, where big business and giant skyscrapers meet cobbled colonial streets and a mix of cultures formed by centuries of immigration and trade.

Home to the country's main airport and located on the Pacific coast, you could be lazing by the beach within a couple of hours, exploring lush rainforests, or sailing along the famous Panama Canal. For your first day, you'll have free time to orient yourself with the city, perhaps visiting Panama Viejo, the UNESCO-protected remains of the original pre-Colombian settlement. Or, explore the historic area, Casco Antiguo, for beautifully preserved colonial churches, the Teatro Nacional, and several historic palaces.

Day 2: Discover the Culture & Cuisine of Casco Antiguo

Today you'll enjoy an excursion into the Casco Antiguo to experience the capital's iconic sights, history, culture, and cuisine. Dating back to 1673 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Casco Antiguo features charming, bricked streets that wind among colorful, ornate buildings and picturesque plazas. Visit some of the city's most beautiful and historic churches, such as the Church of San José, or several of the museums, including the Museo de Canal (Canal Museum).

Along the way, you'll make plenty of stops to sample some of Panama's most authentic gastronomic traditions, tasting specialties such as geisha coffee, Panamanian chocolate, and the popular raspao (shaved ice). Visit local markets to enjoy colorful produce, and end the day savoring fresh-made ceviche.

Day 3: Cruise the Panama Canal

Today, you'll experience the Panama Canal on board a small boat. The Panama Canal, called the "Most Scenic Short-Cut in the World," is one of the planet's most formidable feats of human engineering. Although it takes days to traverse the entire canal, this partial transit tour takes you from the Pacific entrance and down the canal for around six hours before returning to Panama City.

Along the way, you'll pass the lush jungle, the famous Las Americas and Centennial bridges, the well-preserved town of Gamboa, and the Continental Divide. The tour also allows you to cruise through Pedro Miguel Locks and Miraflores Locks, two of the three locks on the canal.

Day 4: Drive to Valle de Antón, Outdoor Activities

Your road trip begins today as you pick up your rental car and set out on the journey from Panama City to the mountainous town of Valle de Antón, or "El Valle." The 2.5-hour drive takes you to a new world, from the modern capital to the friendly, remote village.

With a cool, spring-like climate throughout the year, lush forests, and a relaxing small-town atmosphere, El Valle has plenty of appeal. Most striking is the panoramic mountain views surrounding the town, which sits inside one of the world's largest inhabited volcanic craters.

Once you arrive in El Valle, you can choose how to fill the rest of your day. Take a Jeep tour through the countryside to the cloud forest for a short hike to the beautiful Slot Canyon Waterfall, and swim in the crystal-clear natural pools (don't forget your swimsuit). If you'd rather take advantage of the excellent hiking routes, participate in cycling and other adventure sports, watch the area's abundant birdlife, or sample some great local restaurants.

Day 5: Local Highlights of Valle de Antón: Culture, Nature & Wildlife

Choose your own adventure today as you dive into the nature and culture around El Valle. Based on your preferences, your guide will take you to several local sites, such as the dramatic Chorro El Macho Waterfall, El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden to see the local wildlife or El Valle Public Hot Springs & Mud Bath to swim in the volcanic springs. You can also visit the Aprovaca Orchid Nursery & Conversation Center, the snake park and nursery El Serpentario, or Rana Dorada (Project Golden Frog) to see the famous local frog, nearly extinct in the wild.

Other options include La Piedra Pintada (local rock carvings), the Valley of Square Trees, or El Valle City Market for handicrafts and other locally-made goods. The Anton Valley Historical and Cultural Museum is an interesting stop to gain an overview of the region's history and culture. Finally, visit the observation deck Mirador Cerro La Cruz for incredible views of the entire valley.

Day 6: Cultural Tour of Valle de Antón

Today's full-day tour allows you to discover the surroundings of Valle de Antón by visiting communities, experiencing local culture, and enjoying authentic artistic expressions. After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a 30-minute transfer to a nearby village. Local artisans will demonstrate traditional weaving techniques, soapstone carving, and the art of totumas (cups and bowls from the calabash tree). You'll hike through the forest, searching for natural materials to create dye and fabric and visit a soapstone extraction mine near a river. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll learn about the sombrero pintado, a traditional handwoven hat. Classified as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, this iconic headwear represents the identity of the Panamanian. Learn the history of the hats, their typical use, the materials needed, and so on. The day will end with a scenic drive through the mountain valley, with several stops at memorable viewpoints.

Day 7: Drive to Playa Venao & the Pacific Coast

Today, you'll leave the mountains of Panama and drive to another new world: the Pacific coast. The four-hour drive will take you from the highest altitudes straight to the beaches of the Azuero Peninsula. Your destination is the lively town of Playa Venao, famous for its volcanic-sand beach, surf breaks, and backdrop of forests and hills. Playa Venao has recently become popular with both tourists and locals, providing a relaxed vacation with plenty of activities.

Once you arrive and check into your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free to fill as you wish. As well as surfing, you can arrange kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, diving, and even whale watching during late spring and summer. If you have time, visit the nearby "Monkey Island" to spot several monkey species, snorkel at Isla Canales, spot other wildlife on Isla Frijoles, or go bird-watching at Cerro Hoya National Park.

Day 8: Explore Coiba National Park by Boat

Hop on a boat this morning and set sail for Isla Coiba, the main isle of Coiba National Park. Once a penal colony, this archipelago is now world-famous for its snorkeling, diving, and wildlife. The marine area of the park, which covers nearly 400,000 acres (160,000 ha), is home to dolphins, whales, sea turtles and over 700 fish species. The island itself also provides important habitat for hundreds of different birds, animals, amphibians, and reptiles—including at least three endemic animals, which occur only on Coiba.

Cruise through the mangrove forests on the island, hike through the jungle and snorkel in various coral reefs. While on the island, watch for howler monkeys, agoutis, and colorful birds. Offshore, you might spot turtles, colorful tropical fish, and harmless white-tip reef sharks. As you sail back to the mainland, keep an eye out for several different types of dolphins and, from July to September, humpback whales.

Day 9: Free Day in Playa Venao: Beaches, Watersports & Nature

Today you'll have a day of leisure at Playa Venao to fully enjoy this laid-back beach community. If you haven't had a chance, rent a surfboard or boogie board to experience the world-class waves, or try a kayak or paddleboard instead. If you feel like getting back out on a boat, the Azuero Peninsula is known as "The Tuna Coast," which makes it ideal for deep-sea fishing. 

If you need a break from the beach, zipline through the jungle, hike to a nearby waterfall, or volunteer with a local nonprofit to rescue sea turtles. You don't have to limit yourself to the surf, although no one would blame you if you did!

Day 10: Drive to Panama City, Depart 

Say adiós to the Pacific waves and make the nearly six-hour drive back to Tocumen International Airport—enjoying the shifting scenery and scenes of local life along the way. After you return your rental car, you'll bid one last fond farewell to Panama and hop on your flight. Safe travels wherever you go next!

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