When considering Central American Countries to visit, don’t sleep on Panama. Where else can you watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific on the same day?
This diamond-in-the-rough hasn’t caught up with Costa Rica yet but Panama is emerging as Central America’s Cinderella, and for good reason. From lush rainforests to white-sand beaches, jungle eco resorts to glass skyscrapers glittering above turquoise waters, Panama has it all.
Panama is famous for being the land bridge connecting South and North America, as well as the Old and New World. Its capital, Panama City stands today as a bridge between a fascinating past and an increasingly bright future.
Tucked beneath the backdrop of Panama City’s shiny skyline lies Casco Viejo, or Old Town. Here, visitors feel the city’s historic roots, and are drawn in by its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and lively plazas.
In 1519, Panama Viejo (Old Panama) was established as the first European settlement on the Pacific. For centuries, merchant ships traded goods across this narrow land passage
"There's a nostalgia here that hangs heavy, an uncontrived vibe, like time refuses to blink."
In 1671, Panama Viejo burned in a pirate raid led by Captain Henry Morgan, of more recent rum fame. In its place, Casco Viejo was built in 1673, just southwest of the original location. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Today, Casco Viejo continues to enchant visitors with glimpses of another lifetime. There’s a nostalgia here that hangs heavy, an uncontrived retro vibe, like time refuses to blink. A mix of Old World charm and modern enhancements bridges the gaps that separate the chapters of the city’s remarkable history.
"In 1671, Panama Viejo burned in a pirate raid led by Captain Henry Morgan, of more recent rum fame."
A short ride but a world away, the heart of modern-day Panama City beats with electric energy. Largely driven by the Panama Canal, it’s an international financial center many visitors dub Mini-Manhattan or Tropical Manhattan. Like the Big Apple, Panama City offers visitors a generous variety of cultural amenities. World-class restaurants, museums, and theaters await visitors looking to mix refined culture into their tropical getaways.
No modern city is complete without a robust nightlife and on that front, Panama City doesn’t disappoint. For those looking to dance the night away, there is no shortage of options.
With so much happening on the urban scene, it’s hard to imagine the rainforest lies just outside of this thriving city. It really is the best of worlds.
Adding to the list of reasons why you should visit Panama is how accommodating it is to exercise enthusiasts. Visitors readily notice that an active lifestyle is supported throughout Panama City. Cyclists enjoy at least one lane of the freeway that wraps around the city’s rim. On Sunday mornings, many downtown streets close off to vehicles entirely. Cyclists, runners, and walkers spread out and enjoy the roads to themselves.
"Cyclists enjoy at least one lane of the freeway that wraps around the city's rim. On Sunday mornings, many downtown streets close off to vehicles entirely. Cyclists, runners, and walkers spread out and enjoy the roads to themselves."
Beyond the city limits, touring cyclists are often found along rural roads and in small towns. Many are traveling along the Pan-American Highway, which stretches from Alaska all the way to Argentina.
Some tours even let visitors feed the monkeys that are accustomed to regular visits."
For centuries, countless interested parties dreamed of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Finally, modern engineering made building the Panama Canal possible. After the French tried and failed, the US intervened and in 1914, the Panama Canal opened. The 51-mile passage makes the world a little smaller, saving ships a 7,000-mile journey around South America.
About a 30-minute drive from Panama City is the crown jewel of Central America, the Panama Canal. One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, it is a must-see.
Spend an afternoon at Miraflores Visitor Center watching massive ships maneuver through the narrow canal locks. While there, don’t miss out on touring Gatun Lake, which forms about 21 miles of the Panama Canal. It’s one of Panama’s most fascinating, and often overlooked destinations.
Boat tours take visitors through the manmade Gatun Lake alongside towering container ships en route to and from the canal locks. Built by damming the Chagres River, it’s rich in biodiversity. Tour boats wind through the lake’s emerald coves and around Monkey Island. Guides point out different species of monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, and even crocodiles. Some tours even let visitors feed the monkeys that are accustomed to the regular visits.
San Blas Islands, home to the indigenous Guna Yala people, is one of Panama’s most beautiful and fascinating destinations, making it one of the most popular reasons to visit Panama. However, getting there can be a harrowing experience, yet visitors often count it among their trip highlights.
A collection of 360-plus sister islands, visitors find San Blas across Panama’s northern coast. Ferrying from one island to the next feels a lot like visiting different towns and neighborhoods within the same zip code. Watching locals go about their daily lives really puts into perspective all the modern amenities many of us take for granted.
San Blas is a self-governing territory rich in history and tradition. The Guna Yala people are very welcoming and friendly, but they keep things real. If you ever wonder what it’s like being on a deserted island, San Blas gives you a pretty good idea.
Snorkelers and scuba divers flock to its rich reefs and artifacts, including an old ship cannon off the shore of Dog Island. Bird watchers are mesmerized by the pelicans, gulls, and countless other migratory birds that fish along its shores.
Surrounded by so much raw, natural beauty, one easily sees how writers, artists, and musicians draw a lot of inspiration from this remote, tropical retreat. It really is every true island lover’s paradise.
Just a short catamaran hop from Panama City, Taboga Island is a popular day trip. Known as the Island of the Flowers, it lives up to its name.
Visitors enjoy Taboga’s colorful structures, calm beaches and rolling hillsides brimming with blooms. The small village is charming and inviting, and is the perfect place to spend a leisurely day strolling about.
For the more active and adventurous, a hike up Cerro de la Cruz is worth it. Breathtaking views of the Pacific await at the top, where visitors also get a bird’s-eye perspective of the ships lining up to enter the Panama Canal.
Cap the day with a beverage at one of the island’s open-air beachside cafes, then head back to the mainland where a host of options await to fill your evening.
"From Panama City to San Blas Islands, Casco Viejo to Isla Boca Brava, every visitor finds something to love here."
On the southwestern end of Panama, Isla Boca Brava is one of the country’s most pristine and peaceful islands. With a sparse population and little development, it’s perfect for visitors looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in untamed nature.
This large, forested island in the Gulf of Chiriqui feels untouched, and much of it is. Small, eco-friendly lodges offer a respite from the grind of daily life and all its demands. Visitors have no need for an alarm here, as the calls of howler monkeys ensure no one misses the gorgeous sunrise.
Biodiversity is one of the island’s hallmarks, and the mangrove forest lining the banks of its shores are testament. These salt-tolerant trees weave tangled webs that help nurture the development of marine life. They also serve the essential function of protecting the island from erosion and storms.
Hiking, kayaking, and island hopping are all available to visitors who want to get out and bask in the beauty of this remote island. Artists are drawn to the pottery studio at Selva Terra Resort, where they create memories from this special place to take with them. And for the horse lovers, there is a cattle ranch on the island that offers visitors the chance to work a little cattle and take a jungle trail on the way back.
Whatever visitors choose to do with their time here, they are surrounded by the calm created by the sound of the island’s gentle tide. It really is the perfect place to reset and recharge.
Whether visiting for the first time or tenth, there is little doubt a trip to Panama will not be the last. When visitors discover it, Panama pulls them back time and again.
No place else in Central America offers the unique mix of city sophistication and remote island offerings. From Panama City to the San Blas Islands, Casco Viejo to Isla Boca Brava, every visitor finds something here to love.