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Introducing Panama

Panama  fosters a traveler’s sense of exploration. From trekking the rainforest, sailing from island to island, exploring the ruins of Spanish forts, and getting to know its unique culture, this country has the makings of a great adventure.

When is the best time to visit?
Panama is a year-round destination, but many prefer to travel there during the driest season from mid-December to mid-April.

 Where to go in Panama?
Discover the classic destinations of Panama City and the Panama Canal, swim with colorful fish and lounge on the white sand beaches of the Archipielago de Bocas del Toro, visit the forested hills of the highlands, and fall in love with the colorful culture of the Peninsula de Azuero.

How many days do I need?
Spend at least a week exploring Panama’s natural wonders and scenic highlights.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 8 days · 10 days

Panama Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Casco Viejo, Panama City
Map of The Wonders of Panama - 7 Days
The Wonders of Panama - 7 Days

Panama is a beautiful country brimming with history and diversity, and this 7-day itinerary offers an exciting sampling of its many charms. You'll explore the capital, from its quaint colonial streets to its famous canal to its more modern attractions. Then venture out into the countryside, where you'll learn about the customs of indigenous locals, meet rainforest wildlife, and tour the Caribbean beach town of Portobelo.

Valle de Anton
Map of Ultimate Panama Road Trip: Panama City, Gamboa, Pacific Coast & More - 15 Days
Ultimate Panama Road Trip: Panama City, Gamboa, Pacific Coast & More - 15 Days

Panama is a great place for a scenic and adventurous road trip. In 15 days, this self-drive itinerary will take you around the most notable regions of the country. Begin in Panama City, then hit the road to discover the jungle, beautiful mountains, charming villages, and pristine islands. Some stops along the way include Gamboa, El Valle de Anton, Boquete, and the Pacific Coast.

Bocas del Toro
Map of Family Adventure in Panama - 7 Days
Family Adventure in Panama - 7 Days

Discover the colorful streets and magnificent beaches of Panama on this week-long, family-friendly trip. Spend a few days in Panama City, where you'll sail down the Panama Canal and explore the city's vibrant, historic neighborhoods. Then head to the Caribbean paradise of Bocas del Toro for beach time and wildlife encounters before ending your journey back in the capital.

Panama City Skyline
Map of Best of Panama City - 7 Days
Best of Panama City - 7 Days

Melding colonial history and bold modernity, the cosmopolitan capital of Panama is a thriving hub in Central America. With this active weeklong itinerary, you'll explore the city's best neighborhoods, boat through the Panama Canal, and take day-trips to nearby national parks and indigenous villages. Finish with a ferry to the Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama for a dose of beachy relaxation.

A waterfall near the village of Boquete
Map of Panama Multi-Sport Adventure - 11 Days
Panama Multi-Sport Adventure - 11 Days

Get ready for an active trip to an undiscovered region of Panama that combines beautiful landscapes, exuberant nature, and pleasant weather. On this 11-day multi-sport itinerary, you'll fly through a cloud forest, raft along a river, and trek up a volcano where you can witness two oceans from above before camping under the stars—an unforgettable experience!

The Pearl Islands
Panama Island Tour: Panama City, Pearl Islands & Bocas del Toro - 10 Days

This 10-day tour of Panama takes you from the city to the islands. Visit the world-famous Panama Canal and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Casco Viejo in Panama City. Then, venture to the Pearl Islands for some whale watching, hiking, and beach relaxation. Return to the city for more exploration, and head to Bocas del Toro for a few more relaxing free days by the beach enjoying nature walks and the surrounding waters. Spend a bit more time in Panama City to close out your visit.

Make the Most of Your Time in Panama

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal
How Many Days to Spend in Panama

You can have a great getaway in Panama in as short as a long weekend if you stick to Panama City and its immediate environs. However, spending at least a week to discover a more...

In five days you can experience island living in Bocas del Toro
Map of 5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Five days in Panama is a great amount of time to discover the highlights of Panama City and visit one of the country's many idyllic islands. First-time travelers seeking a...

With a week in Panama, you'll have time to go beyond the skyscrapers and Casco Antiguo of Panama City
Map of 1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

One week in Panama is an excellent amount of time to explore the country's vibrant capital, hike in its highlands, and cruise between idyllic Caribbean islands. Panama City is a...

Panama Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest Panama Content

With a week in Panama, you'll have time to go beyond the skyscrapers and Casco Antiguo of Panama City
Map of 1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

One week in Panama is an excellent amount of time to explore the country's vibrant capital, hike in its highlands, and cruise between idyllic Caribbean islands. Panama City is a natural gateway, and a day or two here gives you ample time to explore its cultural highlights and the nearby Panama Canal. Then, include Valle de Antón, Boquete, or Santa Fe for time in the country's mountainous interior, while the San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro are ideal spots for snorkeling and cruising among tropical islands.

Explore the culture and beaches of the San Blas Islands on this seven-day tour
Map of Panama City & San Blas Islands Sailing Escape- 7 Days
Panama City & San Blas Islands Sailing Escape- 7 Days

Blend city sightseeing with a remote island getaway on this blissful weeklong trip to Panama. Start by checking off the highlights of Panama City with a tour of historic Casco Antiguo, a spin around the mighty Panama Canal, and a day trip into the Afro-Panamanian culture and pirate history of Portobelo. Chart your course for the San Blas Islands next, boarding a luxury catamaran for four nights of sailing around a Caribbean paradise of shallow waters and uninhabited islands.

 Discover some of Panama's wildlife on this weeklong tour
Map of Rainforests, Cloud Forests & Beaches of Panama - 7 Days
Rainforests, Cloud Forests & Beaches of Panama - 7 Days

With a week to spare, you can check off Panama's jungles, cloud forests, and islands—and still have time to explore the vibrant capital. This nature-focused itinerary starts with a gastronomic walking tour of Panama City's historic center and then sends you into the highlands of Boquete to visit local honey and coffee farms. After an adventurous hike through the region's misty cloud forests, it's off to the Bocas del Toro archipelago for a cruise around its famed marine park and three days of sun, sand, and sea turtles.

Panama Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 10 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Panama
Travel specialist Zulmy Revette
active 4 hours ago

Zulmy Revette

I’m Venezuelan living in Panama for 6 years now. I just fell in love with this country that offers beautiful landscapes, charming people, and great culture. Panama stands by its slogan: Much more...

read more...
Travel specialist Reyna Ulloa

Reyna Ulloa

My name is Reyna, a young professional from Masaya, Nicaragua. I am a university graduate of Tourism Management and Development, and I declare myself completely in love with Central America. I...

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Travel specialist Lucía Barrios

Lucía Barrios

I am keen on the outdoors activities especially those involved in direct contact with nature like hiking, snorkeling. I love to swim, bird watching and writing. I am a peace of mind person. In...

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Travel specialist Emily Solís
active 2 days ago

Emily Solís

Hello, I am Emily. I have a bachelor's degree in sustainable tourism. I am interested in knowing all about the culture, gastronmy, lige style of living, the beauties and the own particularities...

read more...

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Trip Reviews for Panama

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Wonderful family trip to Panama
Panama | Dec 23 - Dec 29, 2023

J
Jennifer C.
Northbrook, IL | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2024
Our guide Jose in Panama City was wonderful. He was very informed and took great care of our group on both canal tour and metropolitan park. Same with Sophie in Bastimentos. Both excellent.
Travel transfers to and from airports were seamless.
American Trade Hotel was a great choice. Wonderful location, rooms, amenities and staff.
Red Frog was a great experience. The Villa at the resort was terrific, but very far from anything. A golf cart to get around was essential and our Villa...
Read more

Our guide Jose in Panama City was wonderful. He was very informed and took great care of our group on both canal tour and metropolitan park. Same with Sophie in Bastimentos. Both excellent.
Travel transfers to and from airports were seamless.
American Trade Hotel was a great choice. Wonderful location, rooms, amenities and staff.
Red Frog was a great experience. The Villa at the resort was terrific, but very far from anything. A golf cart to get around was essential and our Villa didn’t have one. We had to rely on calls for pick ups, which weren’t that reliable and created unnecessary delays and stress. This is really the main issue with the resort and really should be addressed. Also, we were repeatedly told towels were coming at the Beach Club but they never arrived after 4 hours. Things like Villa transportation and towels depreciate from the first class price point.
Finally, really appreciated Lucia’s periodic check-ins throughout our trip.
Overall, very pleased and will use KimKim again.
Thank you.

Local specialist: Lucía Barrios

Great Natural Place in the World to Visit
Panama | Sep 12 - Sep 17, 2023

W
William A.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023

We had a great time and the service was impeccable. The hotel and boat we stayed at were beautiful and we would definitely do this trip again.

Local specialist: Reyna Ulloa

Our trip to Panama was amazing. Reyna did a ...
Panama | Jul 22 - Aug 4, 2023

D
Denise K.
Fairfield, CA | Reviewed on Aug 05, 2023
Our trip to Panama was amazing. Reyna did a spectacular job working with us to plan our itinerary and fun, exciting, informative outings. We learned a lot about Panama's history (and how it is linked to CA history), were immersed in incredibly beautiful rainforests, mountains, and beaches, saw SO many animals and plants in their natural habitats, and ate some delicious food. Reyna also was very responsive during our trip to help with a couple of small bumps we hit along the way and shift... Read more

Our trip to Panama was amazing. Reyna did a spectacular job working with us to plan our itinerary and fun, exciting, informative outings. We learned a lot about Panama's history (and how it is linked to CA history), were immersed in incredibly beautiful rainforests, mountains, and beaches, saw SO many animals and plants in their natural habitats, and ate some delicious food. Reyna also was very responsive during our trip to help with a couple of small bumps we hit along the way and shift our agenda when we found something else we wanted to do :). I would not hesitate to plan another trip to Panama or any trip Reyna recommends!

Hotel Reviews
Palmar beach lodge

The Palmar was a very nice hotel and the only reason I gave it 4/5 stars is personal preference. Our room was very comfortable (A/C was critical to cool down once or twice a day), staff very friendly and helpful, RIGHT ON THE BEACH. The restaurant and bar were very nice and we enjoyed the variety for a week without tiring of the menu. The only drawback of this hotel (for us) is that some nights can be a little more of a party atmosphere - nothing too big and certainly not loud enough to keep us awake. I probably would have loved this in my 20s....

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Los Mandarinos Boutique Spa and Hotel
El Valle de Anton

Los Mandarinos was probably one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at. The views of the mountains from the hotel AND the pool were incredible. Our room was very comfortable, and the location was quiet and peaceful. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to/through El Valle.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The pools were fantastic; rooms very clean and comfortable; bathroom well stocked.
Central Hotel Panama
Panama City

The location of the hotel is perfect and the hotel itself is beautiful and relatively comfortable. The room we got for 3 people was *very* small - we could really not all be standing at the same time without bumping into each other. If it were just 2 of us, I would have given it 5 stars. But the room was clean, staff were very friendly, breakfast was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
There is no way 2 beds should have been in a room that size. Way too small for 3 people.
Activity Reviews
Slot canyon waterfall
Slot canyon waterfall
Valle de Antón

This day was beyond amazing - tied for my favorite day of the whole trip. Cecelio was such a kind, fun, and warm host for us and the mountains are breathtaking. I kind of wish we had more days like this!!!! The slot canyon swimming hole is SO beautiful and refreshing - I cannot imagine a more perfect place.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taboga Island
Taboga Island
Panama City

The island is beautiful, the water was warm, the food and drinks were delicious. It was a nice relaxing day after a few busy touring days.

Quality of Experience
We really loved it but probably would have preferred to come back a little earlier.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Casco Antiguo tour
Casco Antiguo tour
Panama City

It could have been the timing of the particular tour we took, but we were a little disappointed with this tour. We shifted the time to 4pm to try and avoid the hottest part of the day. We did not get to do the chocolate tasting that our son was looking forward to b/c of the day it was scheduled for, and we were only able to see the interior of one church in town (and not the one directly across from the hotel). We also weren't even aware that the Presidential Palace was in the area until our driver the next day mentioned it while we were leaving town. My guess is we only experienced a portion of what this tour should have been... and again, this could have been b/c of the shifted time. It was a little disappointing b/c those were our surroundings during our stay and I would have liked to learn more about it. What we did see and learn about was very interesting. But there was not really any discussion about the current political environment around some of the changes the area has undergone to revitalize tourism (eg; we saw some signs on our own that locals were trying to resist gentrification - would have liked to learn more about how the will of the locals is balanced with tourism).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Canal Rainforest Boat experience
Canal Rainforest Boat experience
Panama City

Loved this tour - what an amazing place. If we could put videos below, I'd add the 3 species of monkeys we saw up close. We also saw a crocodile, numerous bird species, iguanas, and turtles. Our boat driver knew where to find certain animals and being on the lake with the big ships nearby was surreal. Also, being in the shade on the boat kept things a little cooler and more comfortable in the heat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sea Kayak - Panama Canal (half day)
Sea Kayak - Panama Canal (half day)
Panama City

Beautiful setting for a kayak trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coast to coast trip to Portobelo
Coast to coast trip to Portobelo
Panama City

I think this was one of my favorite days of the entire trip. Our guide Jose was very knowledgable about the rainforest plants and animals, as well as the fort at San Lorenzo. The drive to the fort and the walk down there road were spectacular - we saw so many animals and really got to quietly observe and have branches dropped on us by howler monkeys! The views were beautiful, and even though the workings of the Canal Locks was not my primary interest of this outing, I found them fascinating and am very happy we were able to watch a huge container ship going through the lock system.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Reyna Ulloa