Home to the most culturally diverse and fantastic places in Central America, Panama City will surely wow you with its heavenly beauty. The country offers varied landscapes to suit all interests. There are countless idyllic destinations you can explore and thrilling activities you can choose from. in addition to hostels and resorts, there are also Vrbo accommodations for tourists to stay. And to top it all off, these trips are only hours from the capital—Panama City. So what are you waiting for? Plan a Panama experience now, and enjoy this four-season paradise! This place is an amazing travel destination, and you’ll surely love every minute spent on your vacay. To help you out, here is a list of the best day trips from Panama City, Panama.
1. Colón
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Made against pirates // Hecho contra piratas. San Lorenzo, Colón #SanLorenzo #Colón #UNESCO #WorldHeritage #VisitPanama
Posted by Visit Panama on Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Colón is a bustling city located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, just a short distance from Panama City. The city is home to the famous Panama Canal, a must-see attraction for visitors. The Canal provides a unique insight into the country’s history and engineering marvels.
The city also boasts museums and historical sites, such as Fort San Lorenzo and the Gatun Locks. Colón’s vibrant street markets and shops offer a range of local products, including handmade crafts and traditional clothing. Visitors can also explore the nearby national parks, which offer a range of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.
2. Coronado
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Coronado is a beautiful beach town just an hour’s drive from Panama City. The town’s pristine beaches are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports such as surfing and paddleboarding. The clear blue waters are home to diverse marine life, making it a perfect destination for snorkeling and scuba diving.
The town’s lush tropical forests offer a range of activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, and zip-lining. The nearby golf courses provide a challenging round of golf while enjoying the stunning ocean views.
When you get hungry, head to the town’s many restaurants that serve a range of local and international cuisine, catering to all tastes.
3. San Blas Islands (from USD 145.0)
A Caribbean paradise in an indigenous zone, San Blas Islands is a must-visit spot if you’re wondering where to go outside Panama City. It will surely captivate you with its sandy beaches and azure waters. This region is a string of 378 tiny islands off the coast of Panama. The tour will give you the chance to visit four islands in one day (Perro Chico, Waily Lodge, Pelicano, and Natural Swimming Pool). You can take a vacation to this paradisiacal place anytime you feel like it because San Blas is a year-round destination. Get a change of pace with all sorts of activities you can do while here—may it be snorkeling in crystalline waters, sunbathing on white-sand beaches, kayaking or paddleboarding to explore the island’s surroundings, or swimming in clear blue waters.
From Panama City: 4 San Blas Islands Day Trip with Lunch
Duration: 1.0 day
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4. Anton Valley (from USD 175.0)
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure perfect for bonding with family or friends, then Anton Valley is the place to go. The tour is a bit of a hike from Panama City, yet it is worth the effort, for you will be walking along the valley’s numerous mountain trails and historic attractions. Anton Valley is a small town perfectly nestled on a dormant volcano and an area worth exploring, with the beautiful spots it offers. Nature and wildlife surround the serene town of farmers. You can also view tropical animals and flowers at the local zoo. Other attractions include the golden frogs, the square trees, and the market. The valley is indeed filled with splendor for nature hikers.
Anton Valley Highlights Tour From Panama City with Hot Springs
Duration: 8 hours
5. Panama Canal (from USD 135.0)
Explore Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific with an all-day tour worth every penny. An exciting boat ride, together with your local guide, will let you see the ships passing through as well as the flora and fauna on the canal’s shores. Then you get to visit Fort San Lorenzo and the new Agua Clara Locks. This Panama Canal boat ride will last up to about 90 minutes, and everything included aboard are soft drinks and water, continental breakfast, full lunch that includes various Panamanian dishes, and transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City.
Ocean to Ocean Panama Canal and Jungle Tour
Duration: 8 hours
6. Catamaran Sea Tours (from USD 99.0)
Have a beautiful fun-filled time under the sun with Panama’s most popular offshore excursion that will let you escape the city and take you to the closest island, Taboga Island. The catamaran is meant for a day enjoying the big deck and spending hours of sunbathing, all while moving to the rhythm of the music on board. You can also visit and discover the island’s village. Furthermore, along the way, you get to see the scenic views of the Panama City skyline, Cinta Costera, and the ships that are about to pass through the canal.
Panama City to Taboga Island All-Inclusive Catamaran Day Trip
Duration: 6 hours
7. Portobelo & Isle Grande Beach (from USD 179.0)
Get away from the stresses of everyday life by sightseeing at Panama’s historic sites in the city of Portobelo, then take a break to a private beach of Isla Grande located just five minutes from the coast in the Carribean Sea. Your stop in Portobelo will be worth it as you roam around its old Spanish town and fortress, while your destination, Isla Grande, will give you a satisfying trip to its clear blue waters. Landing and facility fees, bottled water, driver/guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned minivan, round-trip boat, and entry/admission to Isla Grande are all included.
Panama City: Isla Grande Beach and Portobelo Private Tour
Duration: 9.0 hour
8. Rainforest hiking (from USD 184.0)
Enjoy a getaway from the city and explore the beauty of El Valle de Anton, one of the best places to visit near Panama City. This wild side of Panama is nestled within the crater of a dormant volcano. Spend your day appreciating the area’s fertile ground and pleasant temperature on foot and in the air all while learning about its flora and fauna. The cool mountain air will enhance your hike as you journey toward El Chorro Macho Waterfall and the rainforest canopy for an adrenaline-infused zipline adventure.
Full-Day: Hiking, Waterfall, and Zipline Adventure from Panama City, Panama
Duration: 7 hours
9. Lake Bayano (from USD 164.0)
Looking for more adventurous activities near Panama City? This tour will take you on a journey to one of Panama’s least-known areas but also one of its most fantastic treasures, Lake Bayano. The lake supplies Panama City and other areas with electricity. It is surrounded by indigenous communities of Madungandí, Kuna, Embera, and Wounaan people. Gear up for amazing views and wild encounters as you follow through a challenging route through cave passages, canyons, and caverns. Inside you will see heaps of bats, fishes, and lizards, plus you get to climb up and down big boulders and rocks and deep water holes that surround the cave.
Bayano Canyoning from Panama City
Duration: 10 hours
10. Mamoni River (from USD 135.0)
Don’t miss out on this full-day adventure tour down Mamoni River! The itinerary starts at around 7am with round-trip transport from your hotel. You will be taken to the river to go whitewater rafting at around 9:30am, so be sure to pack your swimwear, sneakers, and a good sunscreen the night before the trip. Throughout the paddling, you get to experience passing through the scenic beauty of the river’s waterfalls, which range from Class III to Class V+, with your experienced guide. Note that the itinerary varies with the actual water level, and the guide will choose a boat according to the water level at the time of your trip.
Full-Day Mamoni White Water River Rafting
Duration: 11 hours
11. Embera Indian Village (from USD 175.0)
Go back in time to Central America more than 600 years ago and witness the lives of the Embera people, a tribe deep in the rainforest of Panama. This tour will give you the privilege to interact with these quiet people. Feel free to wander around and watch as they proudly share their traditional living with visitors. As you will discover the community’s culture and traditions, the simplicity of olden times will undoubtedly touch your heart. The tour includes Panama City hotel pick-up and drop-off, national park entrance fees, bilingual guide (Spanish and English), transportation by boat, and lunch prepared by the Embera community.
From Panama City: 5-Hour Embera Indian Village Tour
Duration: 5 hour
12. Monkey Island (from USD 122.0)
This eco-cruise will delight you with a full-day tour along the length of the legendary Panama Canal, an opportunity to scour the banks of Gatun Lake for wildlife, and a stop at Monkey Island to meet monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and exotic birds. The price includes the services of an English-speaking guide, all activities (such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming), roundtrip transportation (travel by boat, air-conditioned minibus, and on foot), entrance fees, and lunch in a floating house. Note that this tour runs only on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Panama City: Jungle & Gatun Safari Tour on the Panama Canal
Duration: 1 day
Get ready for a jam-packed excursion
So there it goes—the top excursion spots you can choose from the next time you plan to set foot on Panama. Check for availability and book one of the tours in Panama City immediately! Don’t forget to bring a camera, because you know what they say—"pics or it didn’t happen.“
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Panama City, Panama
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