The southernmost country in Central America, Panama, is a small, charming region. The country is blessed with a variety of beautiful landscapes, charming towns, thriving cities, and an appealing atmosphere. This attribute makes Panama a popular location among tourists as it offers so many Airbnb vacation rentals. The region has everything you need to make your getaway special, from the best resorts and serene places to sites of historical significance and rich cultural heritage. It is even home to one of the world’s most crucial shipping routes – the Panama Canal. As you decide to make that vacation trip, check out some of the best places to visit in Panama.
1. Gamboa Rainforest (from USD 145.0)
Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of nature’s paradise at Gamboa Rainforest, where adventure and enchantment await! Nestled in Panama’s lush emerald embrace, this awe-inspiring rainforest is an explorer’s dream come true.
Prepare to be captivated by a symphony of vibrant flora and fauna, hidden waterfalls cascading through the emerald canopy, and a thrilling abundance of wildlife lurking amidst the verdant foliage. Zip-line through the treetops, sail along the exotic Chagres River, and encounter playful monkeys swinging overhead.
Zipline Adventure In The Rainforest
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
2. Casco Viejo (from USD 50.0)
Step into the mesmerizing time capsule of Panama’s Casco Viejo, where the whispers of history echo through cobblestone alleys and vibrant colonial facades. This area is a treasure trove of cultural wonders, blending old-world charm with a pulsating modern vibe. Delight in the kaleidoscope of flavors as you savor local delicacies in bohemian cafes, all while the rhythmic beats of salsa beckon you to dance.
Lose yourself in the maze of art galleries, boutiques, and hidden rooftop bars with breathtaking skyline views. From its storied past to its electric present, Casco Viejo enchants every adventurer with its undeniable allure and contagious zest for life.
Panama City Casco Viejo Bar Crawl With Drinks
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
3. Miraflores Locks (from USD 66.0)
Are you looking for the best places to go in Panama? Look no further! Go on a guided highlight tour of the city and learn more about the impressive Miraflores Locks. This place is a significant landmark in the town, and your visit to Panama City will not be complete without stopping at this place, perched by the Panama Canal.
You can watch as the Panama Canal flows into the Pacific Ocean - with a direct opening in front of Miraflores Locks for visitors to view and marvel at how wonderfully the canal works.
Panama City Highlights Tour with Miraflores Locks
Duration: 5 hours
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4. Portobelo (from USD 120.0)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Portobelo is a famous spot in Panama. Built in the 18th century, Puerto Bello – as it was initially called – was used by Spanish pirates. Today, this spot is a serene Caribbean seaside town that still reflects its rich history. A charming paradise, you can take an excursion around it, see the colonial-era ruins, and relax peacefully on Portobelo Beach. It’s a great place to have a wonderful time during your vacation.
Day Trip to Portobelo Ruins and Beach
Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
5. Pearl Islands (from USD 700.0)
If you are thinking about where to vacation in Panama, then look no further! The Pearl Islands are a group of about 100 beautiful small islands off the country’s Pacific coast. Sitting in the Gulf of Panama, these wondrous isles feature virgin forests, stunningly gorgeous beaches, numerous luxurious resorts, and an airstrip. The area is so beautiful that it was used as the location of a famous reality TV series - Survivor.
Join this full-day tour and experience the islet’s waters - including a custom fishing charter tour wherein you can enjoy fishing, whale watching, and even snorkeling.
Full Day Fishing and Island Hopping at the Pearl Islands from Panama City
Duration: 8 hours
6. Bocas del Toro Province (from USD 67.0)
Bocas Del Toro Province is an archipelago of some islands covered by lush forests and several uninhabited islets in the Caribbean Sea. This place is a tourists’ favorite and offers a vast expanse of pure natural beauty. The province is famous for its myriad of outdoor activities like jungle trekking, bird watching, land animal sightings, sailing, diving, kayaking, and its pristine white beaches. Experience the province fully by going on this one-day speedboat tour of the most popular spots in the area.
Panama Bocas del Toro Full-Day Speedboat Tour with Snorkeling
Duration: 7 hours
7. Metropolitan Natural Park
The city is home to a wildlife refuge known as Metropolitan Natural Park. This site is a jungle in the middle of the town as it offers visitors a chance to see and explore its purely natural scenery. You can join this guided tour of the park, walk along the nature trails, learn more about the park from your guide, and if you look closely, you will catch a glimpse of several species of exotic wildlife that call this unique place home.
Metropolitan Natural Park Experience
Duration: 3 hours
8. Panamá Viejo (from USD 40.0)
Panama Viejo is an attraction that sometimes gets overlooked, but you should definitely make sure not to miss out on it. This location is loaded with exciting and eye-opening details of important Panamanian history. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Panama Viejo gives you a glimpse of how the city was the essential Spanish trading town on the Pacific coast. Take this four-hour sightseeing tour of the ruins, listen to the engaging commentary by the tour guides, and see what is left behind from that prosperous era in Panama’s history.
Panama Viejo Ruins World Heritage Site Sightseeing Tour
Duration: 3 hours
9. Biomuseo (from USD 19.0)
One of Panama’s most sought after attractions, Museo de la Biodiversidad or Biomuseo, is a beautiful place. This spot is a museum dedicated to contemporary art and history. Its building is a beautiful work of abstract art, and inside it, you get to see some fantastic displays of the country’s origin. There are different exciting exhibitions on display, including an exhibit showing how the Isthmus of Panama was formed and its impact on our world. You can take a guided tour of the museum which lasts for about an hour, exploring the temporary and permanent exhibitions.
Biomuseo Ticket: All Exhibitions and Botanical Park Access
Duration: 1 hour
10. San Blas Islands (from USD 150.0)
The San Blas Islands are among the most beautiful places in the entire country. An archipelago of almost 400 islands, this place is also one of the most visited tourist spots in the country. The San Blas Islands, blessed with a generally unspoiled landscape, offers a relaxing and refreshing atmosphere for you to enjoy. With only 49 inhabited islands, this archipelago also provides you with all the seclusion and privacy you may need. Spend a whole day on a tour of this place, visit two or three islands and enjoy a wonderful time in the tropical paradise.
Tip from Content Creator
The unspoiled San Blas Islands are the definition of paradise on Earth. With perfect white sand and clear turquoise water, the majority are so tiny that you can walk around them in under 30 minutes. Tourism is still relatively new here and as such there hasn’t been major development of infrastructure yet, and it isn’t overrun with resorts and fancy hotels - just rustic cabañas for accommodation.
Of course, there are various options such as over-water, dormitory-style and en-suite cabins, but regardless you’ll find an authentic, tropical paradise experience where life is stripped back to its simplest pleasures.
San Blas Island-Hopping Day Trip from Panama City
Duration: 12 hours
11. Soberania National Park (from USD 65.0)
This national park is the best place to get a feel of Panama’s lush landscape and rich biodiversity. The park offers its visitors the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature with numerous trails through its thick vegetation. See diverse wildlife interacting with each other peacefully in their habitat and the region’s abundant tropical plant species. For an even fuller experience, you can take a guided tour of the park and not miss any of its incredible sites to behold.
Soberania National Park Admission Ticket
12. Amador Causeway (from USD 100.0)
Although Amador Causeway doesn’t get many visitors, it is an integral part of the country. This causeway is 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long and connects three islands. It is famous among locals and is lined with shops, restaurants, and many places to rent bikes and ride along the causeway. You can see and learn more about Amador Causeway by going on a full-day tour which also includes the Panama Canal and Old Town.
Panama Canal, Amador Causeway and Old Town Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Paradise awaits you in Panama
An exciting mix of cities and small towns, rustic villages, pristine beaches, beautiful islands, mountains, and lush landscapes make Panama one of the must-visit places. Surrounded by the Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans, it has all the features of a tropical paradise. With numerous exciting places to visit in Panama, you will always have something fun and exciting to do during your getaway.
Frequently asked questions about the best places to visit in Panama
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