PanamaTravel Guide

If you’re a first-time visitor wanting to soak up the essence of Panama, then it’s a no-brainer. You simply have to stay in Casco Viejo which is Panama City’s historic district! This charming neighbourhood and Cultural World Heritage Site is where you can explore most of Panama’s attractions from museums and churches to a monument that was a fortress against pirates! Hotel La Compañia is arguably the hotel to stay in for both luxury and a history lesson. It’s made up of three wings: the French Colonial wing, constructed by Jesuit priests in 1739; the Spanish Colonial wing, dating back to 1688; and the American wing, originally an upscale department store, first built in the early 1900s. The five-star Central Hotel Panama Casco Viejo is another winner, situated on the Plaza de la Independencia and featuring a spa, swimming pool and rooftop bar.

Isla Grande is in the Colón province with a tiny population, which means that you can look forward to peace and quiet in abundance, while enjoying beautiful white sand beaches. It’s one of the best areas to stay for a classic beach holiday experience. Coco Tal Hotel is a budget-friendly option, boasting its own private stretch of beach. Then there’s Paradise Island Beach Hotel, close to Punta Beach, which also has private access and offers fun activities like beach volleyball and a game zone.

del Toro comprises part of Panama’s mainland and a huddle of islands in the Caribbean Sea. It’s a wonderful escape for nature lovers, offering a balance between relaxation and adventure. Eco-certified Hotel Bocas del Toro has glorious waterfront views, and extras such as kayak rentals and in-room massages. Slightly easier on the pocket is Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort. It’s also on the beachfront with an outdoor pool and a choice between standard rooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite.

The Panama Canal is an engineering masterpiece and a world-famous, highly impressive attraction in Panama. Tours of the canal are available where you can learn about its history and how it operates.

Highly recommended is taking a Panama Canal cruise to appreciate this magnificent artificial waterway responsible for connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and dividing the Americas. Luckily these cruises are sought-after worldwide, so you’re spoilt for choice with providers for this once-in-a-lifetime experience! But you don’t need to be aboard a cruise ship to see the canal. Head to the Miraflores Visitor Centre in downtown Panama City to see the Miraflores Locks where the huge ships are lifted or lowered into the water of the Pacific Ocean port of Balboa. You’ll also be able to see other vessels passing through the canal.

Panama has had a massive impact on the planet’s biodiversity after the formation of the isthmus, which “split” the ocean in half and caused changes in currents and climates, while linking two continents. It’s less than 64km (40 miles) at its narrowest part. The Biomuseo showcases the efforts the country and its people are making to safeguard the environment. Explore eight galleries and various temporary and permanent indoor interactive exhibits before strolling through the Biodiversity Park.

The hot springs of Caldera are a collection of springs all of varying temperatures, heated by the thermal energy from Barú Volcano, where you can relax, soak your travel-weary body and take advantage of the many benefits of the mineral-rich spring water. You’ll need to book a 4x4 safari to get there – check if your hotel offers this excursion.

Treat yourself to one of the greatest train rides in the world – the Panama Canal Railway. The journey lasts around an hour from Panama City’s Pacific terminus to the Caribbean port of Colón. On the way, you’ll speed through gorgeous jungle scenery and cross over Gatun Lake, admiring these sights thanks to the panoramic windows. Be sure to have a tour booked on your arrival (the train departs for Panama City again in the afternoon) or board the bus to return to Panama City.

The Soberanía National Park just 45 minutes out of Panama City is a must for families looking for a fun-filled day out wildlife spotting, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the dry rainforest and the Chagres River. A dry forest, by the way, has several months without rainfall and is home to a wide variety of animals. Alternatively, lace up your hiking boots and work up a sweat with a hike up Pipeline Road, known for its abundance of feathered beauties (it broke the record for the most bird species spotted in a 24 hours).

The San Blas Islands are an archipelago of about 365 islands and cays. Spend a day island-hopping by boat. Plenty of tour operators in Panama City can take you to San Blas by 4×4 and water taxi (lancha). If you opt for the 4x4, it leaves from Panama City and takes you on a 2.5-hour journey through the mountains to the main port of the San Blas Islands, Cartí. From here, you will be able to visit the islands by boat.

There are countless world-class eateries across the country, but one that always pops up on the “best restaurants” lists is Maito, serving up authentic Panamanian favourites made using ingredients sourced from small-scale farmers and producers. You’ll find it in the upmarket suburb of Coco Del Mar, just off the Pacific Coast.

Another must for local fare is El Trapiche in Panama City. This restaurant has been delighting its patrons with a mouth-watering mix of satisfying comfort food and gourmet masterpieces since 1983.

For casual dining at its best, head to Magoo’s Fish Tacos in Panama City and fill up on, yes, you guessed it, fish tacos and beer and fabulous cocktails

If you’re already familiar with classic Spanish and Mexican street food, plenty of what you’ll find in Panama will look and taste familiar. Tuck into a chicken and pineapple empanada (hand-held pie) or munch your way through a tortilla with delicious fillings. It shouldn’t be too challenging getting your hands on street-food either – there are vendors stationed on almost every street corner, especially in the main cities. You can even opt for a street-food eatery and taste your way through the menu. Concolon is a popular spot on St Luke Street in Panama City.

Which is the largest, most famous shopping mall in all of Panama? Albrook Mall, hands down. As the second-largest one in the Americas, it offers access to a variety of the best shops in Panama City. It’s mapped into different segments, each carrying the name of an animal to make it easier to navigate, and there are loads of entertainment options too, from a cinema to a bowling alley.

Multiplaza Panamá in Punta Pacifica, a Panama City neighbourhood, is another popular mall, ideal for shoppers looking to splurge on upscale brands like Cartier and Gucci. It’s known for its “Luxury Avenue”, sporting more than 30 high-end local and international stores, sure to satisfy every shopaholic.

Buy local during your visit by going to one of the many markets scattered across the country. You’ll find your fair share of local artists and artisans on Avenida Central, a famous pedestrian street close to Casco Viejo, dotted with family-owned cafés, department stores and small-scale vendors. Panama is also full of bustling flea markets, fish markets, farmers’ markets and artisanal markets – all great for grabbing a bite to eat or even a souvenir. The America’s Market in San Miguelito, 15 minutes on the subway from Panama City is a goodie. Here, you can find everything from local handicrafts to kitchenware, watches to antiques.

Starfish Beach in Bocas Del Toro is so named due to the many starfish that speckle the ocean floor. These creatures are visible through the waves, to the delight of snorkellers. The waters at Starfish Beach are calm, making it a great spot for travellers with children, and its leafy palm trees and year-round clear skies add to its picture-perfect appeal.

You can access this pristine white sand beach with a visit to the ever popular Red Frog Beach Island Resort, also in Bocas Del Toro on Isla Bastimentos. It’s popular among loved-up couples and one of the best beaches to make the most of the Caribbean Coast, lined with bars and restaurants to enjoy in between all that fun in the sun. And keep your eyes peeled for the beach’s namesake: the red frog

Isla Perro (Dog Island) Beach can be found in the magical San Blas archipelago, which comprises a whopping 360 islands (with over 300 of those uninhabited). That’s a whole lot of beach to choose from! Isla Perro is undoubtedly one of the most magical, offering the clearest, warmest waters and a fascinating shipwreck just waiting to be explored. So, grab your snorkelling gear! This is an underwater adventure you don’t want to miss.