The 12 Best Beaches in Panama – 2024 Guide with Photos
The beaches along Panama’s Pacific Coast are mainly long and wide with large waves, ideal for surfing. Meanwhile, the Caribbean side offers smaller beaches with calm waters, perfect for swimming and relaxing. The white-sand beaches and turquoise waters here rival the best of the Bahamas.
Having lived and worked in tourism in Panama for several years, I definitely have my favorite beaches. Here are some of the best beaches in Panama:
Best Caribbean Beaches in Panama
Guna Yala (San Blas Islands) may well be the best-kept secret in the Caribbean, although the beaches of San Blas have often been described as some of the best in the world. The development has been limited because the archipelago is controlled by the indigenous Guna tribe.
There is a total commitment to maintaining a wonderful natural environment. The sands are lovely and white and the water is clear and perfect for snorkeling. Scuba diving is not allowed. Accommodation is eco-friendly and mostly rustic but that’s the charm of this “paradise on earth” and my all-time favorite place.
The San Blas Islands are truly an amazing place to visit! The small islands with unspoiled beauty, turquoise water, white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, are absolutely stunning. The beaches in Guna Yala are without a doubt the best beaches in Panama and a visit here is the experience of a lifetime.
To get there, you can either book jeep transfers, oftentimes as a package that includes a couple of overnights, from Panama City or it is a short 30-minute flight from Panama City’s domestic airport.
Bocas del Toro is part mainland and part archipelago and located right on the border with neighboring Costa Rica. The beaches of Bocas are the quintessential Caribbean … turquoise waters and white sands, coconuts growing from a fringe of bright green palms. Although I must caution you: If you visit the San Blas Islands first, not much else in Panama can compare to those beaches.
That being said the Zapatillas islands which are two idyllic mangrove islands in Bocas del Toro’s Bastimentos Island National Marine Park definitely belong to the best beaches in Panama. These islands are like something off a postcard. They have white-sand beaches, tropical forests, palm trees hanging over the turquoise Caribbean Sea, and coral gardens. The water is partly sheltered by a barrier reef and guarantees fine snorkeling. You may see nurse sharks and moray eels as well as much colorful fish. The uninhabited islands are an important nesting site for endangered sea turtles.
The Zapatillas islands can be best reached on a day tour offered by the many agencies in Bocas town, or ask us to organize a private boat tour for you and your family.
Next on our list of the best beaches in Panama is the most well-known of Bocas del Toro’s beaches, Red Frog Beach. It is located on Bastimentos Island and takes its name from the little red frogs that scramble along the shores. Red Frog Beach has a naturally beautiful setting, with lush vegetation just behind the beach. Sloths and monkeys live in the trees, while the marine life offshore is colorful and impressive.
There is usually a breeze and the waves in the clear blue waters make it a great spot for surfing. But beware! This beauty can have deadly riptides and dangerous currents.
The beach can be reached by water taxi from Colon Island, followed by a jungle hike to the other side of Bastimentos Island.
Located near the Boca del Drago beach on Bocas’ main island, Isla Colon. Colorful starfishes can often be found in the clear blue waters here, hence the name (do no pick them up please). The palm trees provide a further contrast in color and give much-needed shade as well. You can rent kayaks, floating chairs, and water bikes by the hour to get you to the mangroves.
The beach is not very wide here but the water is calm and there is only a gentle slope into the water. Starfish Beach is clearly one of the most beautiful and swimmable beaches in the Bocas area, and one of the best beaches in all of Panama. It is a perfect place to visit on a Panama family vacation, especially for parents with small kids. Just avoid weekends when a lot of locals come here and it can get busy and loud. There are a couple of small restaurants close by.
You can visit Starfish Beach as part of an organized boat tour or take a bus or taxi from Bocas town to Boca del Drago and walk from there.
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Best Beaches in Panama
Best Pacific Beaches in Panama
Chiriquí province, so far mostly known as a mountain destination, has recently become known also as a new world-class beach and island destination. Warm sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, majestic mangrove forests teeming with exotic wildlife and birds (think toucans, monkeys, and more), as well as a glorious undersea world including dolphins and whales can be found here.
The picturesque islands of Gamez and Bolaños are part of the Marine National Park in the Gulf of Chiriqui. Bolaños and Gamez both have amazing white sand beaches and lush vegetation with swaying palm trees. You will be able to see lots of colorful fish and turtles in its crystal clear waters. These islands are the perfect place to relax, snorkel, and just enjoy with family and friends.
Both are virgin islands and you might not see another soul all day. Make sure to bring everything you need with you.
Nearby Boca Chica acts as the gateway to both the Gulf of Chiriquí National Park and its islands. The natural beauty of this place is impressive, but it is still off-the-radar for most tourists.
The islands can be reached on a boat tour from Boca Chica which is about 1 hr drive from Panama’s second-biggest city, David.
6. Las Lajas – Chiriqui province
Las Lajas is a town located near the city of David in the Chiriquí province. It has one of the best beaches in Panama but remains relatively undiscovered. This little-known beach stretches for over 9 miles, and you can be completely alone walking for miles without seeing a soul.
Las Lajas beach is also popular because of the friendly waters and lack of strong waves. Although, on occasion, the waves can be favorable for bodyboarding or even surfing when the tides are right. On weekends, the beach brings many visitors to its brownish sands lined with palm trees.
Las Lajas Beach is best reached by rental car or on a self-drive tour as this can be an easy stop on your itinerary. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from David, Panama’s second-biggest city, or a 6-hour drive from Panama City.
Isla Coiba, the largest island in Central America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park. The island’s unspoiled white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, and diverse wildlife attract travelers from around the world. The protected waters of Coiba Island offer fantastic spots for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Offshore, Granito de Oro is a small island with a beach and coral reef. In the water, you may see hammerhead sharks, whales, and manta rays, as well as other colorful marine life. It is often called “the Galapagos of Central America”. Why you’ve never heard of it? The former penal colony remains a Panama off-the-beaten-path destination due to its remote location and the restrictions of the nature reserve.
Most travelers arrive via an organized snorkel or dive tour leaving from Santa Catalina on the mainland. It’s not the easiest or cheapest place to get to, but so worth it. It is truly an amazing place.
Until a few years ago, Santa Catalina was a tiny and mellow fishing village that saw virtually no visitors outside of Panamanian surfers. Santa Catalina’s somewhat remote location has kept Santa Catalina devoid of large tourist crowds, but the word is out, and people are starting to show up.
Located along the Pacific Ocean in the Veraguas province, it has some of the most consistent surf in the country and is the starting point for trips to Isla Coiba (see above). La Punta in Santa Catalina is the most popular surf break for the gurus. Playa El Estero is the perfect spot for beginner surfers with its small to medium-sized rolling waves. But even if you don’t surf, you will enjoy Santa Catalina’s beaches and laid-back vibe.
Santa Catalina is best reached by rental car from Panama City which is about 5 hours away or on a self-drive tour. There is no gas station, no ATM, no big grocery store in the village so come prepared.
Playa Cambutal is a laid-back beach town on the southern Azuero Peninsula. Mostly popular with surfers and deep-sea anglers, its attractive coastline will appeal to almost everyone. It is still an off-the-beaten-path destination. And although the first hotels have opened up in recent years, the area still lacks many facilities.
Cambutal’s dark sand beach is lovely and is surrounded by one of the peninsula’s few coastal forests.
Surfing is still a major reason that many travelers come here as the waves are nice and uncrowded. The fishing at Playa Cambutal is also quite good as the seafloor dives steeply just beyond the coastline, creating an area that’s ideal for large fish, including tuna, marlin, and grouper.
Aside from lounging along the beach, other activities in Playa Cambutal include ocean kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking. Playa Cambutal is also close to Cerro Hoya National Park. Although very remote, this park is one of the richest (and most untouched) parks in all of Panama. It’s also one of the last habitats for the endangered scarlet macaw in Panama.
Cambutal is about a 6-hour drive from Panama City and a good hour from Playa Venao. I’d recommend visiting it by rental car or on a self-drive tour.
Playa Venao is one of the most beautiful and best beaches in Panama, stretching over two and a half miles of beautiful shoreline, and is seldom crowded. It is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay known for consistent waves, black sand beach, outdoor activities, comfortable accommodation, great food, and vibrant nightlife.
Playa Venao has become a hot destination for locals and overseas tourists alike. Together with Santa Catalina, it is famous for having the best surfing in Panama. Playa Venao offers consistent breaking waves for all skill levels, from beginner to professional.
But the area also offers many other recreational activities such as kite surfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, diving, snorkeling, hiking, and whale watching. Playa Los Destiladores is another beautiful beach close to the cute and traditional village of Pedasi.
Venao is located about 5.5 hrs drive from Panama City and can be easiest reached by rental car or as part of a self-drive tour.
Isla Iguana offers the only white-sand beach on the Azuero Peninsula, together with beautiful crystal clear waters. It is a secluded paradise, considered a wildlife refuge, inhabited only by rare birds, giant lizards (“iguana in Spanish”), and purple and red crabs.
The island is located off the shore of Pedasi and only accessible by boat. Isla Iguana is a snorkeling and diving paradise as it has the biggest area of well-preserved coral reefs in the Gulf of Panama with 14 different coral species, more than 350 tropical fishes, and over 200 species of invertebrates. In addition, several species of marine turtle come to the island to lay their eggs from April to September and humpback whales swim around these waters from June to November to mate.
This island offers two beaches to choose from: El Cirial is the main and larger beach. It has calm waves and is perfect to soak up the sun and take a nice swim in the amazing waters. El Faro is smaller and more secluded. It has stronger currents but is more popular for snorkeling. There is a hiking trail you can follow to go from one beach to the other.
The island can be reached from picturesque Pedasi town in Los Santos province. Make your way to nearby Playa Arenal and arrange with local fishermen to give you a return boat ride to Isla Iguana.
Located 30 miles off the Pacific coast of Panama, Isla Contadora is the most developed place in the Pearl Islands (“Las Perlas”). The island is a popular beach escape for those wanting a break from Panama City. Contadora combines nature with sophistication; white-sand beaches and pelicans with exclusive villas and a few boutique hotels. But don’t expect a lot of restaurants or nightlife here. The island is rather quiet and can sometimes even feel deserted.
There are eleven beaches on the island. The most well-known might be Playa de las Suecas (translates to Beach of the Swedish), a pristine, charming, semi-hidden spot that also happens to be Panama’s only nude beach. Other popular beaches include Playa Galeón, Playa Cacique, and Playa Larga. For a true virgin island experience, it is also possible to take a boat to one of the archipelago’s uninhabited islands and beaches.
The water that surrounds Isla Contadora is ideal for different water activities. Diving and snorkeling are among the most popular. The island is only half a square mile so it’s easy to get everywhere. Transportation is largely limited to golf-carts, four-wheelers, scooters, and bicycles, all of which can be rented for the day. Or you can easily walk to many of the beautiful beaches.
To get to Isla Contadora, you can fly from Panama City in just 20 minutes or else take a rather costly but scenic 2-hour ferry, hence it is a bit far and expensive for a day tour.
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Conclusion:
Skirting both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and with thousands of islands, Panama is home to some of the world’s best beaches. Whether you’re looking to relax, snorkel or surf, this little Central American country has got you covered. To find glorious tropical beaches, start with a visit to Panama’s Caribbean islands.
Get in touch with us today to plan your family vacation, romantic getaway, or honeymoon, in Panama.
Have you been to Panama and its awesome beaches? Which one was your favorite?
Let us know in the comments.
Check out our sample Panama tours
| Panama Family Adventure | from US$ 2,120.00 |
- Explore the Panama Canal & jungle adventure
- Overnight in an indigenous village
- Full-day sailing tour to Taboga island
- Beach stay in rustic huts on a tiny Caribbean island
| PANAMA – 12 days | |
| Best of Panama | from US$ 3,150.00 |
- City Tour & Panama Canal Tour
- Coffee Tour & Suspension Bridges in the Highlands
- Caribbean Islands of Bocas del Toro
- Private tour with English-speaking guide
| PANAMA – 11 days | |
| Highlights of Panama | from US$ 2,495.00 |
- Panama City Tour & Panama Canal
- Highlands incl. coffee tour & suspension bridges
- Caribbean islands: Bocas del Toro & San Blas
- Partly guided
PANAMA – 7 days
| Sailing the San Blas Islands | from US$ 2,050.00 |
- Discover paradise on earth in the Caribbean of Panama
- Get to know an ancient indigenous culture
- Choose between a cabin and private charter
- Stay in cosmopolitan Panama City before/after
PANAMA – 8 days
| Honeymoon Adventures | from US$ 3,250.00 |
- City Tour of the bustling capital Panama City
- Stay on a tiny Caribbean island
- Meet the indigenous Guna people
- Relax in a 5-star resort on the Pacific
PANAMA – 12 days
| Panama Self-Drive: Between Two Oceans | from US$ 1,730.00 |
- Explore the country on your own four wheels
- Discover beaches, rainforests, tropical animals
- The perfect tour for outdoor enthusiasts and beach lovers
- Optional tours: ziplining, suspension bridges, coffee tour, etc.
