An exclusive Panama travel guide: all that you need to know

Panama is world famous for its Panama Canal – one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. Thanks to the Canal, trade completely changed with the inauguration of this man-made waterway that opened in 1914. It cuts through the country, linking the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, Panama plays an important role in global trade and politics. This Panama travel guide will help you plan your ultimate vacation in Panama.

With cheap direct flights from Canada and the USA to Panama, it has quickly become a famous tourist destination. The country is well developed and offers fantastic landscapes for tourists to enjoy. Flights to South America also transit through Panama and a lot of people choose to spend a few days in Panama City during their transit. 

You know what really surprised me? The number of Canadians or Americans that have moved to Panama after retirement. One in every ten people we met were Canadian. They couldn’t stop raving about the country and how happy they were with the move. Panama enjoys warm weather year-round and it makes it ideal for so many families to immigrate there.

Vacation in Panama

There may be so many reasons you could be thinking of a vacation in Panama. With a mix of architecture, beaches, wildlife, nature, you can’t run out of things to do in Panama. Panama is home to a dynamic city capital, rich indigenous culture and countless number of activities thus making it a favourite for those wishing to visit Panama with kids. This Panama travel guide will help you answer any questions you may have to help you plan your trip to Panama.

Is Panama safe to travel to?

Panama has a high crime rate, but it is generally considered a safe country to travel to. Petty crime rates are high and more common than violent crime and thus, make sure you are careful with your belongings. Like any other country, you must use your common sense and avoid going to secluded areas during the night or after sundown. Avoid any areas that are not recommended for tourists to visit. 

Things to do in Panama City

Panama City is where the international airport is and thus, a lot of tourists tend to stay in the city if they are spending only a few days in Panama. Panama City is extremely dynamic and vibrant, and you will be quickly able fill up your days just by staying in this area of Panama. Where to go in Panama City depends on what you wish to do and see and how much time you have. 

If you are in Panama City, try a hop on hop off bus to make the most of your time to explore the city.

Here are 5 things you can do in Panama City:

1. Panama Canal No visit to Panama is complete without visiting the Panama Canal. Each year a stunningly high number of 13,000-14,000 ships cross the canal and make their way from the Atlantic side to the Pacific side or vice versa. This man-made canal is 82 kilometers long and takes approximately 12 hours to pass between the canals two locks. The canal locks at each end lift ships up to Gatun Lake – an artificial lake that is 85 feet above sea level. This canal and the ships passage is truly an experience you do not want to miss. You can purchase tickets for a half day city tour of Panama City along with visiting the famous Canal here.
2. Panama Viejo: This former capital of Panama was founded in 1519 and is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. It was destroyed in 1671 by the Welsh privateer and is now in the suburbs of the capital city. Panama Viejo has been a World Heritage Site since 1997 as this old area is filled with ruins. 

3. Amador Causeway: This causeway is a vibe! Stretching 3 kilometers into the Pacific Ocean, the end of the causeway is filled with restaurants, shopping, and activities. Locals spend their weekends at the Causeway immersing themselves in all the water activities offered there in a distance, you can see the ships lining up to cross the Panama Canal. The Causeway offers beautiful views of the skyline of Panama City. 

4. Biomuseo: Right before getting on the Causeway, you cannot miss the vibrant colours of the Biomuseo. Designed by the world-renowned architecture Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is his only work in Latin America and the tropics. What makes the Biomuseo special is the story it tells of how the Isthmus of Panama rose from the sea. 

5. Casco Viejo: With charming cobble stones streets, lined with restaurants and local shopping, Casco Viejo is a must see. This is the place to witness local festivals at the square or purchase beautiful Panamanian Mola from the shops. You can even find the famous Panama hat here (Spoiler alert: this hat is not from Panama. Keep reading to find out where this hat is really from). 

A hop on hop off bus is the best way to visit all these places and make the most of your time in Panama. Depending on the time you have in the city, you can pick a pass accordingly. Click here to buy the bus pass.

When to visit Panama?

Panama sees warm weather year-round and is a popular tourist destination no matter what month you visit. Typically, January to mid-April is the most popular time to visit because the country is driest during these months. However, other months bring in a ton of local festivals and events and thus, the best time to visit Panama would depend on what you wish to get out of your trip to this Central American country.

Currency in Panama

The local currency is Panamanian Balboa (PAB) BUT, US dollars is more popular. Although the local currency (PAB) still exists, you will rarely see this currency in use. US dollars is most seen and is the preferred currency for day-to-day expenses. Infact, Panama was the first Latin American country to adopt US currency as its own. 

Where to stay in Panama?

Panama has so many different options. From hostels to hotels, from AirBnb’s to VRBO, from resorts to even all-inclusive resorts, there are accommodation styles suitable for every single type of traveler. Accommodations are typically quite cheap in Panama – no matter what month you visit. 

Getting around in Panama

There is local transportation that is relatively safe to take when travelling around Panama. There are tour buses, or you can rent a car. Driving a car is safe and quite easy in Panama. Panama was part of USA before (not anymore) and follows the same laws as the US. This makes it simple for those driving or wishing to rent a car during their stay. 

Must visit places in Panama

• San Blas islands: These are an archipelago comprising of approximately 365 islands and cays. 49 of these islands are inhabited but you can dock on these islands. They lie east of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean side. San Blas islands consist of some of the most beautiful islands in the world but there are no big hotel chains on the islands because the Kuna’s own everything. Kuna Indians are the native people that live on San Blas islands. If you are planning to visit San Blas Islands from Panama, you can do a 3-day or 4-day island hopping tour. You can even chose a day trip to these beautiful islands from Panama City.
• Bocos Del Toro: Located on the Caribbean side, it is comprised of Panama’s mainland as well as a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Bocos is known for its laidback and vibrant vibe and is underdeveloped. Bocas is home to a tropical rainforest and some of the areas indigenous cultures. Getting to Bocas is a bit more challenging. A 45-minute flight from Panama City or a 9-hour bus ride followed by a 35-minute boat ride or a 1.5 hr ferry ride.
• Boquete: One of the prettiest cities in Panama, Boquete is a small and scenic mountain town on the Caldera River in Western Panama. The town is surrounded by the Chiriquí Highlands that is known for its coffee plantations and the Baru Volcano National Park. 

There are many other beautiful towns and places to visit in Panama, but these three regions along with a visit to Panama City will fill a week or two of your itinerary to Panama. 

5 Fun facts about Panama

• Panama is widely known for the Panama Hat, but do you know that this hat is infact, made in Ecuador? The hat because very famous in Panama because it was popular amongst Americans that were crossing the isthmus to reach California during the Golden Rush. 
• A stamp helped US Senators decide that the Canal would be built in Panama instead of Nicaragua. Panama, unlike Nicaragua has no volcanos thus making it safer to build the Canal.
• The emergent of the isthmus of Panama contributed to human evolution. Homo Sapiens exist because of the change in climate pattern caused by the emergence of the isthmus of Panama. Without Panama, humans would still live on trees. 
• Panama is the only place in the world where you can see the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic. 
• Panama was the first country outside the United States in which Coca-Cola was sold. 

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading our Panama travel guide. I hope this guide will help you plan your next vacation to Panama. Visiting Panama was kind of a whim for our family in December 2021 when we thought the pandemic was coming to an end. We left Canada for our trip right when they were announcing another lockdown because of the increasing cases due to a new strain of virus that they had found. We felt so much safer in Panama. People kept their distance and were respectful of others and their space. 

Panama was a refresher for us amid all the madness. It was a much-needed break and the girls loved seeing all the beautiful wildlife that Panama is so famous for. 

If you are planning to visit neighbouring Costa Rica, make sure you read our blogs on Costa Rica Here! Both these Central American countries have been wonderful destinations to visit. Both these countries have made Central America one of our favourite regions to visit. The abundance of wildlife, beaches, rainforests, volcanos, friendly locals, and vast variety in landscapes make it a paradise of tourists. 

If you have any questions or want to reach out, feel free to reach out on here or through social media. DM us with any questions on you have on visiting Panama.