Panama
Mark Read
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Overview
This small country is home to the formidable Panama Canal, tropical escapes and Central America’s most cosmopolitan capital, with its sultry skyline of shimmering glass and steel towers. Panama travel offers everything from rainforest ziplining and white-water rafting to cloudforest treks with sublime vistas. On the coast, you can dive with whale sharks in the Pacific, snorkel the rainbow reefs of Bocas del Toro or set sail in the indigenous territory of Guna Yala. Meanwhile, surfers will be psyched to have world-class breaks all to themselves. Add to this the cultural riches of Panama City, and you have one of Latin America’s most captivating destinations. Not sure where to start planning your Panama trip? Get inspired with expert tips on top attractions, the best beaches, and the ideal time to visit.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos
Isla Bastimentos
Established in 1988, this 132-sq-km marine park was Panama's first. Protecting 130 islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, including the coral-fringed…
Panama City
This wonderful privately owned museum features the best collection of Panamanian art anywhere, an excellent collection of works on paper by Latin American…
Península de Azuero
One of Panama's top artisans, Dario López has been making colorful masks for folkloric dancers since the 1960s. These days most of his masks and satin…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This island's superlatives are threefold: it is the largest island in the archipelago yet has the smallest population (100 people) and it is the only San…
Panama City
Founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Ávila, the city of Panamá was the first European settlement along the Pacific. For 150…
Panama City
On a hill north of downtown, this 265-hectare park protects vast expanses of tropical semideciduous forest within the city limits, and serves as an…
Panama Canal
The easiest way to visit the Panama Canal is to head to the Miraflores Visitors Center, just outside Panama City. This modern center features a four-floor…
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Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
From drinking coffee in Chiriquí to watching ships pass through the canal, here are Panama's unmissable experiences.
Read articleBest Places to Visit
Panama is so much more than a window into the canal: Wildlife, chic cityscapes, outdoor adventure and idyllic beaches abound.
Read articleBest Time to Visit
From surfing and basking on sun-drenched beaches in the dry season to budget-friendly off-peak breaks, here are the best times to visit Panama.
Read articleThings to Know
Panama has both incredible wild spaces waiting to be explored and chic cities full of glamor – here's everything you need to know before you go.
Read articleTransportation
Panama may be small, but its attractions are mighty and not always easy to get to. Here's everything you need to know about getting around Panama.
Read articleVisa Requirements
From the vacation of a lifetime to the life of a digital nomad, we've got everything you need to know about entry requirements for Panama.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
From babies and toddlers to young children, tweens and teens, here are the best experiences in Panama for families of travelers.
Read articleBest Road Trips
Natural beauty, sugar-white beaches, rainforest roads – explore the best of Panama by car with these six spectacular road trips.
Read article
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