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7 Highlights of Panama You Won’t Want to Miss
Even though Panama is mostly known for its famous Canal it has so much more to offer and does not need to be shy in comparison with other Latin American tourist destinations. In this post, we will look at some of the amazing highlights of Panama.
Panama has long been in the shadow of its more famous neighbor Costa Rica but that is slowly changing. One of the main reasons being the lower number of tourists that make Panama a more attractive destination. And Panama can easily keep up with Costa Rica with its breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean and Pacific islands, untouched rainforests, award-winning coffee farms, and its bustling metropolis Panama City. Find out more about the best beaches in Panama!
Panama is also very close to my heart as I spent a few years working and living in this amazing little country that is so full of energy. And this is actually where I met my husband. Read on to find out exactly where!
Let’s look at some of the best places to visit in Panama.
Here are our Highlights of Panama:
1. Central America´s most attractive capital Panama City & its famous canal
For most of you, Panama City will be your port of entry into the country. The city’s impressive skyline reminds us of Miami or New York and in the last few years, many hotels have opened in high-rise buildings and offer breathtaking views!
Sights of Panama City
Casco Antiguo or Casco Viejo is the historic center and also the hippest and most elegant part.
Many Colonial buildings are being restored to their original glory and often house beautiful courtyards, interesting galleries, restaurants or bars – often with a rooftop from where you can enjoy the skyline of the modern city.
Most of the city´s vibrating nightlife takes place here too. Not far from here is the Causeway Amador which connects four small islands offshore. A palm-lined road runs the length of the causeway, with benches, parks, and a path for bicycling and jogging alongside.
The ruins of Panama Viejo are the remaining part of the old Panama City and former capital of the country. It is located in the suburbs of the modern city. Together with the historic Casco Antiguo, it has been a World Heritage Site since 1997.
The famous Panama Canal
And last but not least the famous Panama Canal: A visit to what is often called “The Eighth Wonder of the World” is a must. You can either visit the famous Miraflores Visitor Center and Locks located a few minutes outside of the city where you will be able to watch the huge ships and freighters pass, often with just a few inches on both sides, through the locks.
Another option is to book a partial or complete transit through the Panama Canal on a tourist boat.
The city is a great starting point for day tours from Panama City.
You can visit indigenous tribes, go hiking or bird watching. Or you can board the train along the Panama Canal which takes you to Colón on the Atlantic side and returns in the late afternoon – it runs only Monday to Friday and not on holidays. Be careful: Colón is not a safe place.
2. The breathtakingly beautiful San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) – my personal highlight of Panama
My personal favorite of the highlights of Panama!! These islands are a real tropical paradise that cannot be missed. They are located on the Caribbean coast of Panama and stretch all the way to Colombia. Home to the indigenous Guna tribe, you actually pay an entry fee to visit their territory or “comarca”, the 365 islands are a must-visit if you are willing to play it rough for a few nights.
Accommodation is rather basic and often backpacker-style with shared bathrooms. And who would have thought that exactly on one of these dreamlike islands is where I met my now-husband!
Trips are usually sold as a package including transportation, overnights and full pension as most islands have no restaurants or shops. Make sure to bring your original passport (being so close to Colombia you will pass border patrol) and everything else you need for your stay including small change for optional tours or souvenirs such as the beautiful hand-made molas.
Another option is to go sailing and explore the islands that way – either on a private sailing boat or shared with a small group of international travelers.
3. Whale watching in the Pearl Islands
The Pearl Islands of Panama is an archipelago that covers around 250 small islands of which most are uninhabited.
The locals call the islands Islas de las Perlas, a name that dates back from Spanish colonial times. The Spanish Conquistadors discovered the islands in 1503 and gave the Islands its name due to the great amounts of pearls found on them.
The islands are nowadays most famous for their spectacular white-sand deserted beaches and for whale watching. Did you know that Panama is the only place in the world where Humpback whales from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres come to breed and give birth?
Thousands of Humpbacks migrate northwards from their summer feeding grounds around Antarctica, arriving in the region from July through September/October.
They breed and give birth to their calves in the warm, shallow and safe waters that can be found in Panama just a few miles off-shore from Panama City and along the entire Pacific coast. The chance to see whales here is over 95%!
Interesting for tourists is mainly the small and sleepy Contadora Island which holds a few 2 to 3-star hotel options. The island can be easily reached from Panama City, either by a 2-hour ferry ride or a 25-minute flight.
4. The Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro
Another one of my personal favorites of Panama’s highlights is the archipelago of “Bocas,” located close to the border to Costa Rica on the Caribbean side of Panama. It can be reached by plane (from Panama City or San José / Costa Rica) or by a 30-minute water taxi ride from the mainland towns of Almirante or Chiriqui Grande.
The main island, Colón (Spanish for Columbus), houses most hotels, restaurants, and bars.
If you prefer a quieter experience, check out the B&Bs at nearby Playa Bluff Beach or on the neighboring islands of Bastimentos, Carenero, or Cristobal. Most Bocas del Toro hotels are not located near a swimming beach due to the many mangroves in the area.
Bocas is rather considered an active beach vacation as most times you are required to take a water taxi to the different islands and beaches. You can book excursions with most hotels or in Bocas town, or we can include them in your Panama vacation package.
Another option is to rent bicycles, kayaks, quads, or SUPs for a more active experience. The islands have it all: relax quietly or party all day long!
We also visit the islands of Bocas del Toro on our Best of Panama tour which visits many of Panama’s highlights.
5. Local life on the Azuero Peninsula
Often called the “cradle of Panama’s culture” you will surely get to know more about Panamanian traditions with a visit to the Azuero Peninsula. Here, life is slow and people are friendly. The region is famous for religious festivals dating back to Spanish colonial times and it also houses Panama’s best Carnival celebration in Chitré and Las Tablas.
Around the small town of Pedasí, you will find white-sanded beaches, diving, sport-fishing, and horse-back riding.
Nearby Playa Venao is known for its world-class surfing. Thousands of sea turtles can be viewed both nesting and hatching on Isla Cañas, a Wildlife Reserve, not far from Venao. Four of the eight known turtle species in Panama nest here.
Turtle hatching can be observed July-November. A visit to the island Isla Iguana is a must, especially in the whale-watching season from July to October. It can be easily reached by boat from Playa Arenal. Watching some of the gigantic humpback whales breach, would surely make your highlights of Panama list.
Here, you find a nice sheltered beach with great snorkeling and the giant iguanas that gave the place its name. The region around Pedasi, and the Azuero Peninsula in general, is becoming increasingly popular with retired expats!
6. Panama’s premier mountain destination and adventure sports capital: Boquete
Located in the Chiriquí province, close to the border with Costa Rica, it offers not only spectacular mountain scenery with a lush flora and fauna, award-winning coffee farms and a spring-like climate but also a great variety of outdoor adventure that ranges from river rafting, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, canopy and suspension bridge tours to relaxed coffee tours, golf and bird-watching tours.
Active travelers can climb the Baru Volcano, an inactive volcano which towers over the area with majestic views.
The locals in Boquete are friendly, the town is quaint and easy to get around in and is frequently selected as one of the best places in the world to retire.
7. The up-and-coming destination of Boca Chica
In Chiriquí National Marine Park, near the Costa Rican border, lies a stunning new coast and island destination known as Boca Chica. It offers pristine ocean views, lush vegetation and picturesque uninhabited islands of white sand and swaying palms.
Chiriquí province, famous as a mountain destination, is now also a new world-class beach and island destination. Warm sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, thick 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 are there for your viewing pleasure.
Just starting to develop as a destination it already has several very attractive lodgings options, from a family-owned boutique hotel to a luxurious private island retreat.
*****
Conclusion:
Panama is an amazing place. With its breathtakingly beautiful beaches on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and its Highlands full of adventure sports options, the tiny country can be as adventurous or as chilled as you want it to be.
Our Panama Self-Drive Tour “Between Two Oceans” is only one of the options to explore most of the highlights of Panama, but it is probably my personal favorite!
What were your highlights of Panama?
Let us know in the comments.
Why not check out our various Panama tours or contact us for a customized tour?
We are looking forward to creating your unforgettable Panama vacation!