Two oceans, canal marvels and cloud forests
Open Panama in the interactive travelogue →Watch giant ships transit the historic locks from the Miraflores viewing decks.
Best time: Dec–Apr — Dry season brings clear skies for watching transits and museum visits.
Things to do:
Restored colonial quarter of plazas, churches, rooftop bars and sea views.
Best time: Dec–Apr — Dry, pleasant weather is perfect for wandering the cobbled streets.
Things to do:
Palm-lined causeway linking islands with skyline views, cycling and dining.
Best time: Dec–Apr — Dry season offers breezy walks, cycling and glowing sunset views.
Things to do:
Frank Gehry's vivid museum on how Panama's isthmus reshaped the planet.
Best time: Year-round — A striking indoor attraction that's rewarding whatever the weather.
Things to do:
Highest point in Panama City with trails, views of canal and cityscape.
Best time: Year-round — Natural preserve offering panoramic city and canal views from elevated forest trail.
Things to do:
Protected reefs, mangroves and jungle beaches teeming with marine life.
Best time: Sep–Oct & Feb–Mar — Drier spells bring calmer, clearer water for snorkelling and diving.
Things to do:
Shallow turquoise cove scattered with bright orange starfish on white sand.
Best time: Sep–Oct & Feb–Mar — Calm, clear conditions make the starfish and shallows most vivid.
Things to do:
Colourful Caribbean town of stilt houses, cafés and easy island-hopping.
Best time: Sep–Oct & Feb–Mar — Drier weeks suit exploring the waterfront and boat trips between islands.
Things to do:
Palm-backed surf beach on Bastimentos named for its tiny red frogs.
Best time: Sep–Oct & Feb–Mar — Calmer seas and sunshine make beach and jungle trails most enjoyable.
Things to do:
Small island village accessible by short boat with authentic local Caribbean culture.
Best time: Year-round — Genuine island community experience showcasing local life beyond tourist areas.
Things to do:
Panama's highest peak, whose summit can reveal both oceans at dawn.
Best time: Dec–Apr — Dry season gives the clearest chance of the famous two-ocean sunrise.
Things to do:
Cloud-forest trail rich with orchids, waterfalls and resplendent quetzals.
Best time: Dec–Apr — Drier trails and better visibility make the forest hike safer and richer.
Things to do:
Tours and tastings among the high-altitude farms behind prized Geisha coffee.
Best time: Dec–Mar — Harvest season showcases picking and processing in fine weather.
Things to do:
Rustic riverside thermal pools set among boulders and tropical greenery.
Best time: Dec–Apr — Dry season keeps access roads and river crossings easy.
Things to do:
Famous jungle hiking trail leading to natural swimming hole and cascading falls.
Best time: Year-round — Popular adventure hike with cool waterfall pools and dense jungle ecosystem.
Things to do:
A stunning coral reef system with vibrant marine life just offshore from the island.
Best time: December to April — Crystal-clear waters and calm seas make for exceptional snorkeling and diving.
Things to do:
A nearby small island with white-sand beaches and Caribbean village charm.
Best time: December to April — Authentic island culture with local restaurants serving fresh seafood and coconut meals.
Things to do:
A guided hike through dense rainforest canopy with exotic bird and wildlife spotting.
Best time: January to March — Encounter toucans, howler monkeys, sloths, and countless tropical bird species.
Things to do:
Elevated vantage point offering panoramic views of the turquoise archipelago below.
Best time: December to April — Breathtaking sunset views and photography opportunities of the island chain.
Things to do:
Secluded volcanic black sand beach backed by towering palm and coconut trees.
Best time: January to March — Dramatic landscape and fewer tourists create a tranquil, intimate beach experience.
Things to do:
Highest peak in Panama offering cloud forest trails and panoramic views at 3,474 meters.
Best time: January to March — Summit hikes reward you with views of both Atlantic and Pacific oceans on clear days.
Things to do:
Indigenous cultural museum showcasing traditional crafts, textiles, and ancestral heritage.
Best time: Year-round — Learn about Panama's largest indigenous group and their vibrant weaving traditions.
Things to do:
Natural thermal pools nestled in mountain forest with mineral-rich warm waters.
Best time: January to April — Relax in naturally heated pools surrounded by lush vegetation and mist.
Things to do:
Scenic hiking path through towering bamboo groves and secondary growth forest.
Best time: February to April — Peaceful woodland walk with exotic bird calls and filtered sunlight through green canopy.
Things to do:
Working organic coffee plantation offering tours of cultivation and traditional processing methods.
Best time: October to March — Taste freshly roasted coffee and learn how altitude influences flavor profiles.
Things to do:
The oldest church in Panama built in 1522, featuring colonial architecture and religious art.
Best time: Year-round — UNESCO-recognized monument with stunning baroque interior and centuries of history.
Things to do:
Pre-Columbian archaeological site featuring ancient petroglyphs and ceremonial platforms.
Best time: January to March — Rare glimpse into ancient Panama's indigenous societies and their spiritual practices.
Things to do:
Guided horseback journey through rolling green hills and rural agricultural valleys.
Best time: January to April — Experience authentic rural Panamanian life and traditional farming communities.
Things to do:
Cloud forest reserve protecting 21,000 acres of primary forest and diverse wildlife habitat.
Best time: December to March — Spot resplendent quetzals, harpy eagles, and rare forest mammals in pristine habitat.
Things to do:
Vibrant town market selling fresh produce, local crafts, and authentic Panamanian cuisine.
Best time: Friday to Sunday — Immerse in daily local culture and sample street food like tamales and fresh-squeezed juice.
Things to do:
It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Panama Canal (Miraflores) is best around Dec–Apr. Panama has 6 featured cities and areas to plan around.
Roughly 35% of people speak English. The main language is Spanish.
The Panama passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 138 destinations.
This page lists real traveller costs for Panama — accommodation, food, transport, plus education, medical, insurance and connectivity — so you can budget before you go.
Panama Canal (Miraflores), Casco Viejo, Amador Causeway, Biomuseo, Ancon Hill, Bastimentos Marine Park — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.