Panama holidays
Panama holidays at a glance
On the Caribbean side, the Bocas del Toro archipelago has a laid-back island feel, with overwater lodges, coral reefs and jungle trails.
The San Blas Islands, home to the indigenous Guna, are a scatter of palm-fringed islets with some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.
On the Pacific side, the Pearl Islands offer quieter beaches and the chance to spot humpback whales between July and October. Panama’s wilder history is never far away either, in the colonial forts, shipwrecks and city walls left by centuries of pirates and smuggled gold.
Panama City is a modern, high-rise capital with a restored colonial quarter at in Casco Viejo, where cobbled streets open onto shaded plazas and rooftop bars look out across overlook the bay. The ruins of Panamá Viejo, the original 16th-century settlement, are a short taxi ride away.
Beyond the city, the canal is the big draw. Watch ships pass through the Miraflores Locks, then head into Soberanía National Park on the eastern bank, where the Pipeline Road is one of the finest birdwatching trails in Central America.
Further west, the Chiriquí highlands around Boquete offer cool mountain air, cloud forest and coffee farms, while much of the country is still covered in rainforest, with birds and mammals found nowhere else.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Panama
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Don’t skip Panama City. Give Casco Viejo at least two nights and take time to explore the food scene. If you can, add the San Blas Islands. They’re as remote and beautiful as anywhere in the Caribbean.
When to visit Panama
From mid-December to mid-April is the best time to visit Panama. This corresponds with drier weather on the Pacific Coast and beyond, and encompasses key festivals around Semana Santa and Carnival, making this the busiest travel period.
Temperatures are perfect throughout the country for enjoying the beaches, cities and highland activities, with little humidity and less chance of rain. The only exception is the Caribbean coast, where the equatorial climate means it can rain any time of year. The upland regions such as Boquete and Chiriqui Highlands can be chilly at night.
May to November represents the rainy season in Panama. However, rainfall is sporadic and even in the wettest months can come in short sharp bursts, leaving the rest of the day sunny and dry. The Azuero Peninsula and Pacific coast always remain drier than the Caribbean or the highlands. Panama City and the famous canal make a great destination to visit year round. Unlike many of its neighbours Panama lies outside the hurricane belt so tropical storms are extremely rare.
Places to visit in Panama
Panama is compact enough to combine the capital, the canal, the highlands and an island or two in a single trip. Most holidays start in Panama City and fan out from there. Here’s where we recommend spending your time.
Panama City
Few capitals let you watch a container ship squeeze through a century-old canal lock in the morning and be birdwatching in dripping rainforest by lunch. Panama City and the Panama Canal region do exactly that, and the history behind both runs deeper than the postcard version suggests.
Boquete holidays showcase Panama’s scenic highlands, where cooler temperatures, rolling hills and lush coffee plantations offer a refreshing contrast to the tropical coast. Centred on the charming town of Boquete, the Chiriquí Highlands combine beautiful mountain scenery, fresh air and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to slow the pace of your Panama holiday.
Bocas del Toro Islands
Bocas del Toro, Panama pairs warm turquoise waters, jungle-cloaked islands and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country. Near the Costa Rican border, this idyllic archipelago is known for its pristine beaches, protected marine environments and relaxed pace of life, making Bocas del Toro holidays a perennial favourite.
Top Things to do in Panama
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across Panama, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Watch giant cargo ships narrowly squeeze through the locks of the world-famous canal linking the two sides of the Americas – an astounding feat of engineering.
Discover the wildlife-rich rainforest of the Panama Canal by boat.
Uncover a bloodthirsty history of conquistadors and pirates in the former Spanish stronghold of Portobelo.
Accommodation in Panama
With over 40 years’ experience in travel to Latin America we have an unrivalled portfolio of accommodation to choose from across Panama. We also regularly inspect the products that we offer meaning you can book a holiday in Panama safe in the knowledge that we’ve done all the hard work for you.
Secluded lodge in harmony with its stunning natural surroundings, offering smart and stylishly decorated jungle cottages.
A rustic mountain lodge offering a good range of outdoor activities.
Stylish Boquete country hotel with luxurious rooms and contemporary décor, including huge windows to emphasise the glorious views.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Panama
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Escorted Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays to Panama. Use the options below to filter by region, holiday style and duration.
Group Panama Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Alción: Central America Discovery
Places visited: Panama City · Boquete and the Chiriquí Highlands · Caribbean coast · Monteverde and the cloud forest · Ometepe Island · Granada · Leon · Gulf of Fonseca and Eastern El Salvador · Suchitoto · Copan · Antigua and the highlands
22 days from £4,174
Tailor-Made Panama Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Signature Costa Rica and Panama Coast: Pacific route
Places visited: San Jose, central highlands and central valleys · Osa Peninsula · Boquete and the Chiriquí Highlands · Pacific Coast of Panama · Panama City
14 days from £3,800
Signature Panama: Canal, wildlife and beach
Places visited: Panama City · Boquete and the Chiriquí Highlands · Bocas del Toro Islands
12 days from £3,200
FAQs about visiting Panama
Panama is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- Do I need a visa to visit Panama?
British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Panama for up to three months. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have at least one blank page.
You may be asked to show an onward ticket and proof of funds, and you’ll need to complete an immigration and customs declaration, which the authorities recommend doing digitally before you travel. There’s also a departure charge of US$40, usually included in your ticket.
Always check the latest FCDO entry requirements before you go.
- How do I get to Panama from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Panama. Most routes connect through a European or US hub and arrive at Tocumen International Airport, around 30 minutes from the centre of Panama City. Total journey time is typically 12 to 16 hours depending on the routing. We’re happy to quote flights separately based on your dates.
- What language do they speak in Panama?
Panamanian Spanish is the official language of Panama; however, English is widely taught in schools and often used in Tourism, particularly in urban spots like the Panama Canal.
- How do I get around Panama?
We arrange private transfers between the main destinations. Panama City to the canal is around 30 minutes by car. Boquete and the Chiriquí highlands take six to seven hours by road, or you can fly to David and drive from there in about 40 minutes. Bocas del Toro is reached by a short domestic flight, and San Blas by small plane or a combination of 4×4 and boat. Taxis are widely available in the capital, and water taxis link the islands in Bocas.
- What currency is used in Panama?
Panama uses the US dollar, which makes budgeting straightforward. The Panamanian balboa exists as a local coin currency, but all paper money is in dollars. ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and most hotels and restaurants accept cards. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants, taxis and especially the San Blas Islands, where card facilities are limited.
- How long should I spend in Panama?
Ten days to two weeks gives you time to combine Panama City, the canal, the highlands and one of the island destinations. A shorter city break of four to five days works well if you’re focused on the capital and the canal. To add San Blas, Bocas del Toro and the Pacific coast, plan for two weeks or more. Panama also combines well with Costa Rica or Colombia.
- What countries does Panama combine well with?
Panama combines naturally with Costa Rica, as the two share a border and many of our holidays link the Pacific or Caribbean coasts of both. Colombia is a short flight from Panama City, with Cartagena and Bogotá popular add-ons. For a broader Central America journey, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico are all within reach, and our Travel Experts can help design a multi-country trip.
- What vaccinations do I need for Panama?
Check the latest health recommendations for Panama well before you travel. You’ll need a yellow fever certificate if you’re arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk, and vaccination is recommended if you’re heading to the mainland areas east of the canal, though not for Panama City, the canal area, the Pearl Islands or San Blas. For up-to-date advice, see the TravelHealthPro and FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- Is Panama safe to visit?
The main tourist areas of Panama City, the canal, Bocas del Toro, Boquete and San Blas are well visited and generally safe. As anywhere, take sensible precautions, particularly in the capital. Note that the FCDO advises against travel to the Darién region near the Colombian border, which is well away from the usual routes and not somewhere our itineraries go. Check the FCDO travel pages for current advice, and our Travel Experts will advise on anything specific to your trip.
- What is the food like in Panama?
Panamanian cooking draws on Caribbean, Spanish and indigenous influences. Ceviche is everywhere, especially at Panama City’s Mercado de Mariscos, and sancocho, a hearty chicken soup with root vegetables, is the national dish. Along the Caribbean coast, coconut rice, fried plantain and fresh seafood are staples, while the highlands produce good coffee and farm-to-table cooking. Don’t miss the empanadas from street stalls or a raspao, shaved ice with fruit syrup, on a hot afternoon.
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Featured Articles
Mary in our Marketing team shares some interesting facts about Panama.
This traditional Panamanian breakfast recipe is the perfect way to start the weekend. Topped with sausages, fried egg or cheese, this fried dough is a delicious treat!
Panama has justifiably been dominating our headlines, due to the celebration of the centenary of the Panama Canal which took place on 15th August 2014 – if you want to be a part of the hype take a look at our new Panama Canal Wildlife Tour.