What to see in Panama: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Panama: 10 must-see destinations, from Panama Canal to Panama City. Predominantly beach and city; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Beach(3)
Enter San Blas, the archipelago of 365 islands that the Guna administer as an autonomous territory off Panama's Caribbean coast. Sail among white-sand cays dotted with palms and cane huts, and snorkel over coral reefs where tropical fish and starfish swim. Listen to Guna women explain the molas they sew by hand as children paddle dugout canoes alongside your boat. Camp on a nearly deserted island, dine on freshly caught fish, and fall asleep to the sound of crystal-clear water lapping the shore.
Swim among corals in crystal-clear waters in Bocas del Toro, Panama's Caribbean archipelago, where mangroves stretch down to the shore. Snorkel among the starfish at Starfish Beach, cruise the channels between the islands by boat, and walk the soft sand of Red Frog Beach. Try fish in coconut sauce at the overwater restaurants on Isla Colón and end the day watching the sunset from a wooden pier.
Discover Santa Catalina, on the coast of Veraguas: white sand and clear Pacific waters where surfing reaches world-class waves and snorkeling brings you close to tropical fish. Boats depart from the pier to Coiba National Park, where you can swim with turtles, dolphins and, in season, whale sharks. On your return, walk along the shore at sunset, try the fresh fish at the oceanfront restaurants, and fall asleep to the sound of the waves in this quiet corner of Panama.
City(2)
Explore the Panamanian capital, moving between the skyscrapers facing the bay and the cobblestone streets of the Casco Antiguo, declared a World Heritage Site. Step into the Canal Museum, next to Miraflores, to trace the story of the interoceanic waterway inaugurated in 1914. Head to the Cinta Costera at sunset, sample seafood at the Seafood Market, and walk to the Plaza de Francia. Tradition and modernity coexist just a few blocks apart.
Pass through David, the capital of Chiriquí, and start your day at the public market, where highland coffee, oranges, and vegetables arrive from the farms of Boquete and Cerro Punta. Walk to Cervantes Park, surrounded by shops and the Sacred Heart of Jesus church with its colonial-style facade. Climb the Cerro de la Virgen del Carmen for sweeping views of the city and the valley. It is the second most populous city in Panama and the gateway to the western mountains; it combines historic neighborhoods with modern shopping avenues.
National Park(2)
Hike the El Charco trail or the Camino de Cruces and hear the howls of the howler monkeys before you spot them in the treetops. The park borders the Panama Canal, so you can watch toucans and motmots while ships cross in the background. Pipeline Road is a world-renowned birdwatching destination, with more than 500 species recorded. Arrive early, bring water and binoculars, and move slowly: sloths, coatis, and iguanas often appear along the trail. Admission is inexpensive and it takes less than an hour to reach from Panama City.
Visit Volcán Barú National Park in Chiriquí and climb to Panama's highest point: 3,475 meters above sea level. On clear days you can see both the Pacific and the Atlantic from the same summit. Follow the trails through cloud forest and páramo, look for the resplendent quetzal at dawn, and camp near the crater if you want to watch the sunrise from the top. Bring warm clothing: temperatures at the summit can drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
UNESCO Heritage(2)
Wander the cobblestone streets of Panama City's Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore the Church of San Francisco and its colonial plazas as you discover wooden balconies, restored façades, and centuries of Panamanian history; this neighborhood stands as an exceptional testament to a cultural tradition that lives on in every corner.
Snorkel among the coral reefs of Coiba, Panama's largest island, off the coast of Veraguas. Sail to its jungle-fringed beaches and watch sea turtles, whale sharks, and endemic birds in this national park declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ruins of the old political prison that operated there for decades, now swallowed by vegetation. The isolation that turned it into a prison preserved its forests intact, so it boasts one of the last pristine coastal mountain ranges in the eastern Pacific of the Americas.
Monument(1)
Take in the canal that connects the Atlantic to the Pacific, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Visit the Miraflores Locks, watch the ships go by, and learn the history of the canal. Admire the monument that recounts centuries of history and culture. Explore its structures, appreciate the architectural details, and discover the history hidden within its stones.
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