Image: Financial center of Panama City, Panama (Rodrigo Cuel / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Financial center of Panama City, Panama (Rodrigo Cuel / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Panama Today: November 26, 10:42 PM 82°F Scattered Clouds

Panama Travel Guide 

Expansive rainforests, tropical beaches, and historical routes peppered with stories of pirates.  Panama offers it all and more. 

Whether you want a holiday full of activity and diverse adventure or to unwind while you take in the sun and sea, this Central American country will exceed your expectations.

Panama is a beautiful destination year-round. While the rainy season is the less popular option, visiting from May to December has perks. The rain breaks the day's heat, and the landscape is a vibrant green. 

Peak season in Panama is between December and April. While avoiding heavy rainfall, you will experience crowded beaches and tourist sites. But the water is clear and warm, and if you want to visit the mountain regions and cloud forests, the dry season is the time to do so.

Getting Around in Panama

Bus

We found that the bus system in Panama is the cheapest and most popular way to travel, especially if you are traveling long distances. 

Private firms or individuals own most bus services, and although buses are frequent, schedules are variable. The cities and larger towns have bus terminals and in smaller towns buses leave from the town square or main street.

Car

Driving in Panama is straightforward, but we experienced some poorly maintained roads. You may need a 4WD in remote rural areas and during the rainy season. Still, we think it's the best way to see parts of the country that are poorly served by public transport. At the same time, car rental in Panama is costly.  

Plane

Air Panama serves the cities and larger towns with regular flights. You can buy flights online or over the phone using a credit card. Flying is expensive, and most destinations are close to Panama City. It is often only worth the cost of a flight if you have tight time restraints on your travels.

Taxis

Taxis are easy to come by and generally inexpensive. Overall, our experience using taxis was good but we need to include a word of caution here. Panamanian taxis have no meters, and you must haggle over the price before your trip. 

Boats

Scheduled ferries run from Panama City to the archipelagos of Bocas del Toro, San Blas Islands, and parts of the Darién. 

Dugout canoes, called piraguas, are a common means of water transport outside main tourist areas. They are usually equipped with outboard motors and life jackets. 

Train 

Panama has only one passenger rail line - the Panama Canal Railway. The route offers an excellent way to see the canal and surrounding rainforest. 

The Panama Metro is an excellent option for transport in and about Panama City. It is a rapid transport system that links the metropolitan area's south and east to the city center.

 

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Top Things To Do

Take your pick from endless options when you visit Panama
Panama is a country of unmatched biodiversity. Cloud forests, nature reserves, white beaches, and azure waters make it a nature lovers' paradise and bliss for seekers of serenity. But it also offers the adventure seeker many exhilarating activities: hiking, zip lines, and white water rafting - all in pristine jungles, rivers, and oceans.

Important Things To Know

Currency

The currency in Panama is the Panamanian balboa (PAB) along with the U.S Dollar. If you travel from the USA, you will not need to exchange currency.

National Languages

Spanish is the official language of Panama but many people speak English too. 

There are also many local dialects including Ngäbere, Buglere, Hakka Chinese, Embera, and Kuna.

Take your pick from endless options when you visit Panama

Take your pick from endless options when you visit Panama (Courtesy of Panama Tourism Authority) (Photo Credit: Panama)

Climate And Weather

Panama experiences a tropical climate. There is little difference in temperature between the seasons and slight variation in daylight hours. 

Depending on the season, the average daytime temperatures range between 75.2°F ( 24 °C) and 86.0 °F (30 °C). 

Panama has a dry season from December through mid-April and a rainy season, typically from May to December. 

 

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When To Visit Panama

Surfer in Playa Venao
Surfer in Playa Venao (photo courtesy Tourism Panama)

Panama is a beautiful destination year-round. While the rainy season is the less popular option, visiting from May to December has perks. The rain breaks the day's heat, and the landscape is a vibrant green. 

Peak season in Panama is between December and April. While avoiding heavy rainfall, you will experience crowded beaches and tourist sites. But the water is clear and warm, and if you want to visit the mountain regions and cloud forests, the dry season is the time to do so.

 

Best Places To Stay In Panama

Indigenous Community in Panama
Indigenous Community in Panama (photo courtesy Tourism Panama)

  • Panama City. Casco Viejo, also known as The Old Town, has been restored to its old form. We loved the neighborhoods’ colorful colonial buildings that frame vibrant plazas and enchanting brick-paved streets. You’ll also find many museums, cafes, rooftop bars, and restaurants. Check out Tántalo Roofbar - a trendy bar for a casual drink. We loved the magical views over the Old Quarter.
  • Bocas del Toro is a vibrant little town on the main island of Isla Colón. Relax in the pristine surroundings of jungles, forests, mangroves, and soft white beaches, or catch a water taxi to a secluded cove. We had a wonderful snorkeling experience at Starfish Beach where we got to see an interesting variety of marine life. 
  • Boquete is the ideal destination for ardent hikers and bird watchers. You’ll find this laid-back village in the mountainous region of the Chiriquí Highlands. The views from the Volcán Barú volcano are spectacular. We highly recommend a 4x4 jeep tour to the summit and enjoy a mug of the regional coffee while you take in the sunrise.

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Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

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Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

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Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me