Weather
Tropical Panama has two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season runs from late April until November, but October and November are the wettest months. In July, expect rain every day but it won't necessarily last all day. The Pacific coast and Caribbean coast experience slightly different climates, with the Caribbean coast being wetter year-round.
As for temperatures, the annual average temperature in Panama is 86°F (30°C). Temperatures are a bit cooler in the rainy season but humidity is higher, which many people find more uncomfortable than hot and dry conditions. The higher-altitude highlands are always a bit cooler than coastal areas.
Crowds & Costs
The rainy season is low tourism season in Panama so costs are low and crowds thin. If you're on a low budget and need to find good deals on accommodation and transport, July isn't a bad time to visit. Beach resorts won't be crowded so as long as you understand that you won't be basking in all-day sunshine, you can experience Panama without many other tourists around.
Where to Go
Buzzing Panama City is full of cultural, culinary, and historic attractions that can be enjoyed in the rain or the sun. Tour the visitor's center at the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, shelter from the rain at the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, and wander the streets of Casco Viejo, the charming old part of town.
There are cultural and historic attractions elsewhere in the country, too. David, Colon, Portobelo, and Las Tablas all have their own appeal and reasons to visit. Las Tablas is often referred to as the cultural capital of Panama, while David, Colon, and Portobelo all have colonial-era history on display.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Although it's not advisable to visit the jungle national parks, like the Darien National Park, during the rainy season, you can still spot wildlife and birds in more accessible areas. Camino de Cruces National Park and Soberania National Park are both near Panama City and good for day trips. Visit Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast, or Isla Cañas (Cane Island), southeast of Panama City, to see nesting loggerhead and green sea turtles.
Adventurous travelers can go white-water rafting near Boquete and Chiriqui, or go scuba-diving and surfing along the coasts.
Events in July
Fiesta de Santa Librada and Festival de la Pollera, Las Tablas. The multi-day Santa Librada festival includes the Festival de la Pollera, which celebrates the traditional folk costume of the region and chooses a Queen of the Pollera.
Virgen del Carmen, Santa Catalina. On 16th July, decorated boats tour the coast around Santa Catalina, Veraguas Province, in honor of the Virgin of Carmen and to bring good fortune to fisherfolk.
Traveling to Panama in July? Check out these great itineraries
Best of Panama City - 7 Days. Melding colonial history and bold modernity, the cosmopolitan capital of Panama is a thriving hub in Central America.
The Wonders of Panama - 7 Days. Panama is a beautiful country brimming with history and diversity, and this week-long itinerary offers an exciting sampling of its many charms.
Panama Multi-Sport Adventure - 11 Days. Fly through a cloud forest, raft along a river, and trek up a volcano on this active 11-day itinerary.