The most popular time to visit Panama is during the dry season from December to April. The wet season, however, offers the same same pleasant temperatures as well as cheaper prices, smaller crowds, and greener interior landscapes.
Discover Tailor-Made Panama Vacations
With scenic beaches and lush tropical rainforest, a trip to Panama promises to be unforgettable.
A vibrant mosaic of culture and nature, strategically cradled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Panama is a travel gem just waiting to be discovered.
Much has been written in recent years about its dynamic modern capital, its lush rainforests, and its pristine white-sand beaches, but the nation's true heartbeat is its diverse population of over 4.4 million people, a colourful blend of Mestizo, Native Americans, and other heritages. Their welcoming spirit will inform every aspect of your visit, which can be as relaxed or as action-packed as you desire. This relatively small country at the juncture of two continents packs quite a lot into its long, S-shaped geography.
Featured Highlights
- Marveling at the iconic Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
- Exploring the colourful streets of Panama City’s historic Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Trekking through lush rainforests in Soberanía National Park
- Snorkeling in the clear waters of Bocas del Toro
- Touring the coffee farms of idyllic Boquete
- Relaxing on the white-sand beaches of the San Blas Islands
Featured Panama Trip Ideas
Perfect for families, couples, beachcombers, and adventurers, Panama is one of the most fascinating destinations in Central America.From VIP tours of the Panama Canal to private yacht charters in the San Blas Islands, Goway can help see the country in your own unique way, customizing your itinerary to suit and surpass your expectations.
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Skyline & Sand: Panama City & Bocas del Toro
Panama City and Bocas del ToroExperience the best of Panama on this unforgettable journey, featuring an exciting boat tour near the Panama Canal, wildlife viewing in the rainforest, and leisure time on the idyllic beaches of Bocas del Toro.
8 days
From C$3,783/p.p.
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Highlights of Panama: City, Jungle & Coast
Panama Canal and Panama CityExperience the culture and stunning landscapes of Panama on this journey, from the bustling streets of Panama City to serene beaches and lush jungles.
9 days
From C$4,544/p.p.
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Deluxe Panama: Panama City, Boquete & Bocas
Panama City and Bocas del ToroDiscover Panama’s vibrant culture and diverse landscapes on this independent journey, from the Panama Canal and Boquete’s coffee farms to the beaches of Bocas del Toro.
11 days
From C$7,396/p.p.
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Classic Panama: City, Highlands & Caribbean
Panama City and Bocas del ToroVibrant cultures and stunning ecosystems await in Panama, where historic cityscapes meet lush rainforests and azure beaches.
11 days
From C$4,576/p.p.
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Discover Panama: Panama City & Santa Clara
Panama CityVenture into Panama’s history while marveling at the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal. From lush rainforests to serene beaches, unforgettable moments await.
7 days
From C$2,298/p.p.
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Panama & Colombia In Style
Cartagena and Panama CityFrom lush jungles to city streets, this journey unfolds across Panama and Colombia's Caribbean coast. Seek wildlife on the canal, then relish Cartagena's lively nights.
7 days
From C$5,026/p.p.
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Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Skyline & Sand: Panama City & Bocas del Toro
Panama City and Bocas del ToroExperience the best of Panama on this unforgettable journey, featuring an exciting boat tour near the Panama Canal, wildlife viewing in the rainforest, and leisure time on the idyllic beaches of Bocas del Toro.
8 days
From C$3,783/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Panama: City, Jungle & Coast
Panama Canal and Panama CityExperience the culture and stunning landscapes of Panama on this journey, from the bustling streets of Panama City to serene beaches and lush jungles.
9 days
From C$4,544/p.p.
Request a Quote
Deluxe Panama: Panama City, Boquete & Bocas
Panama City and Bocas del ToroDiscover Panama’s vibrant culture and diverse landscapes on this independent journey, from the Panama Canal and Boquete’s coffee farms to the beaches of Bocas del Toro.
11 days
From C$7,396/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Panama: City, Highlands & Caribbean
Panama City and Bocas del ToroVibrant cultures and stunning ecosystems await in Panama, where historic cityscapes meet lush rainforests and azure beaches.
11 days
From C$4,576/p.p.
Request a Quote
Discover Panama: Panama City & Santa Clara
Panama CityVenture into Panama’s history while marveling at the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal. From lush rainforests to serene beaches, unforgettable moments await.
7 days
From C$2,298/p.p.
Request a Quote
Panama & Colombia In Style
Cartagena and Panama CityFrom lush jungles to city streets, this journey unfolds across Panama and Colombia's Caribbean coast. Seek wildlife on the canal, then relish Cartagena's lively nights.
7 days
From C$5,026/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do Goway's travellers say?
“I worked with Osvaldo for a trip to…”
I worked with Osvaldo for a trip to Columbia for my travel clients. He was very efficient, very understanding and addressed any concerns that came up. He is a stand out, fantastic rep at GoWay, and anyone working alongside him is lucky.
Thank you for all your hard work to make this trip one for the books for my clients. I look forward to working with him in the future.
Chantel Ballegeer“Fantastic Vacation! ”
Melissa at Goway was exceptional to work with on our trip to Costa Rica. 🇨🇷
She was professional, easygoing, and detail oriented.
Our vacation was paced well and allowed us to see all the highlights. All transfers and hotels were booked properly and we felt secure with all arrangements. We saw so many animals in such beautiful places. Thank you, Melissa!
Pamela Weinstein“A Very Special 40th Anniversary”
Hello,
We wanted a special trip to Peru to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary and with the help of Karen from Goway Travel we experienced something incredibly special indeed! Firstly, we had no idea that we could plan a unique personal tour just for the two of us! With Karen's help, we planned out every detail that we wanted included in our itinerary modifying things as we went along. She was very patient and helpful as we moved through the planning process until we were completely satisfied with the trip plans. From the moment we arrived at the airport in Lima, we had a personal guide and driver taking us to our first hotel and reviewing the details of our trip. We had personal guides at every place we went with pickup and return service to our hotel. The most spectacular and memorable moments were in Machu Picchu! Our guide was not only very knowledgeable but also very creative at taking our pictures in such a majestic place and that is something we will keep forever!
The coordination between the different guides and drivers at the different locations was relatively seamless. We always felt safely guided everywhere we went. I highly recommend Goway Travel and will definitely use them in the future!
Mario Dominguez“Costa Rica ”
Our experience was with Walter. He is very professional, knowledgeable, patient, kind and prompt. We wish he could be our driver on all our vacations...Thanks Walter from the Kidd's on our Costa Rica Vacation!!!
Jacquelyn Kidd“Pura Vida”
Our representative "RuthAnn" listen to our wants for this trip and within days developed an itinerary that was truly a great experience. Accommodations were top notch and we had the perfect mix of rain forest and beach adventures. If I could make a suggestion it would be do your research, there were allot of activities CR offers we weren't aware of but would've tried if time allowed. Guess we'll have to plan another trip!
Gary Humphrey“Virginia at Goway did an amazing job…”
Virginia at Goway did an amazing job planning our trip to Panama. Every aspect of the trip was extremely well coordinated. Her suggestions were spot on. It was a wonderful experience.
Andra“They were very responsive and delivered…”
They were very responsive and delivered as promised. Great hotel options.
The Kioro resort was paradise! Gorgeous, low key, unbeatable view and big rooms. Great service.
The drive from Arenal to the beach is a full four hours many curves and mountains. Not great for those who get car sick but Arenal was so beautiful. Just like Hawaii.
The Coast hotel was awesome as well. Very, very low key. No restaurant but a fantastic place right across the street and a 10 min walk to town with TONS of options. The ocean front rooms are the way to go with a big porch for meals and to watch the sunset. Staff was wonderful.
If staying in Tamarindo it is really easy to rent a golf cart to get around and that is what we did.
Many thanks for all your help. It was a great trip!
Jeannie“Galapagos & Machu Picchu”
Truly a trip of a lifetime. Everything was planned perfectly by Amanda from being picked up at the airport to be dropped off at the airport. All the tour were knowledgeable and friendly.
John“South America trip with Goway”
We used Goway for a short trip to South America. It was arranged easily and the details of the trip went well for our family of three. For simple trips we usually book things ourselves and are fine doing that in North America and Europe. When we have gone further, the value in a travel agency is in linking and arranging keys details in a trustworthy manner. In this trip we had a guide in each of two South American locations that were arranged by Goway. This went well and having this set up in advance gave peace of mind during the trip. Choosing the itinerary and hotels was also helped by the suggested items from Goway. We trust with our experience that we'll have a good outcome on trips such as this. The two private guides were helpful and nice to connect with.
Mark Fritz“Amazing Argentina Adventure”
A bit late in sharing, but had to let others know of my clients amazing trip and service.
From: Allison L
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 1:51 PM
To: Kimberly H
Cc: Tony
Subject: Argentina Trip
Hi Kim,
We're back.
We had an amazing time! Everything on the itinerary went as scheduled. It was seamless. Thank you for all your attention, direction and assistance. Argentina is a beautiful country and there was so much more to see. If we have the opportunity, we will definitely return. Buenos Aires is a vibrant and beautiful city.
All our tour guides were amazing and met us promptly at each airport. We communicated through Whats app, and everything worked out. We had seasoned guides who assisted us and gave us more history than we imagined.
Max was our guide in Buenos Aires. He is so friendly, funny, knowledgeable and so accommodating. He found ways to elevate every tour we went on. Such a pleasure to have him as our guide. We would highly recommend him, and he definitely gets 5 stars.
Belin was our guide in Mendoza. She is a pleasure to tour with. Her knowledge of Mendoza and its history was so intriguing. Her calm, personable and pleasant demeanor was easy to be around. We loved having her as a guide and highly recommend her with 5 stars.
Joao was our guide in Iguassu. Again, another seasoned tour guide with a great command of not only Argentina but of his homeland Brazil. He enhanced our tours with his knowledge, directed us to the best views of the Falls and was so accommodating. Always prompt and even found us a great local spot for lunch. He is a great guide, and we highly recommend him with 5 stars.
Our hotel Melia Recoleta Plaza in Buenos Aires is a pleasantly small, comfortable, boutique hotel with very accommodating staff and the location in town was so walkable and convenient.
If there was anything I could eliminate from the itinerary, it would be the Argentine Experience. Although the staff were all very personable and engaging, the meal experience itself and interactions with 5 other couples was not as interesting as I would have hoped.
Our hotel Casa de Uco in Mendoza was sleek, modern and peaceful. The views of vineyards and mountains were spectacular. We were pleasantly surprised to see a bottle of wine, wine glasses and alfajores cookies waiting for us when we arrived. The Mendoza Wineries tour was outstanding.
Our hotel Iguassu Grand Resort in Iguassu was indeed grand. Beautiful, large hotel with very personable staff.
The final hotel in Buenos Aires, The Holiday Inn Ezeiza Airport, was also clean and modern with a pleasant staff. It's not close to anything but does have a great steak house restaurant on site.
Working with Condor Travel Argentina and Brazil was a pleasant experience. I'm not sure how to provide survey responses for these tours and tour guides, but if a survey is sent to me, I would definitely respond.
Thanks again Kim for a wonderful and memorable trip, 5 stars for you also.
--
Regards,
Allison
Kim HTravel Information about Panama
Get to know Panama before you go.
Best Time To Visit
The dry season runs from December to April in Panama, offering near-perfect weather as well as bigger tourist crowds.
Pre-booking is key during this period, when both prices and demand are at their peak.
Panama’s wet season runs from May to November, with most regions of the country experiencing daily rain. This means that visitor crowds are thinner and prices a bit lower. The country’s interior is also at its greenest at this time of year, while whale watching and surfing are at their finest.
Holiday-wise, Panamanians love to celebrate, marking Christmas and Easter in elaborate fashion and hosting a number of major festivals throughout the year, including Dia de la Independencia in November and Carnival in February/March.
Read our full guide to the Best Time to Visit and let us help you book your perfect Panama journey.
What do the experts say?
U.S. dollars are used interchangeably with Panamanian balboas (at a 1:1 rate). There’s no need to exchange currency if you’re carrying U.S. cash.
Many assume Panama is just about the canal. In reality, it’s also a paradise for beaches, highlands, and indigenous culture — from Caribbean islands like the San Blas to the coffee region of Boquete.
Panama has more bird species than the United States and Canada combined — over 1,000. For birdwatchers, it’s one of the richest destinations in the world.
A visit to an Emberá indigenous village along the Chagres River is a cultural highlight — arriving by dugout canoe, sharing traditional food, and learning about their way of life in the rainforest.
Globetrotters should ensure they visit Isla Coiba, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, today it’s one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Americas, often compared to the Galápagos for its marine biodiversity.
Places To Go
Handcrafted journeys to our most popular places to visit in Panama
Panama City
Panama City is the political and administrative centre of the country and is also its capital and...
Panama City is the political and administrative centre of the country and is also its capital and largest city. Located in the Pacific entrance of the world-famous Panama Canal, Panama City hosts...
San Blas Islands
While on a Panama vacation, you can visit the San Blas Islands situated off the Isthmus of Panama...
While on a Panama vacation, you can visit the San Blas Islands situated off the Isthmus of Panama to the east of the canal, an archipelago that is made up of approximately 378 islands and cays, only...
Bocas del Toro
Located 32 km (19.88 mi) from the Costa Rican border, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in Panama...
Located 32 km (19.88 mi) from the Costa Rican border, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in Panama that is made up of six islands, several uninhabited islets and two national parks to be enjoyed on a...
Panama Canal
The world-famous Panama Canal which has to be seen on a Panama vacation is synonymous with the...
The world-famous Panama Canal which has to be seen on a Panama vacation is synonymous with the country and connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. Upon its...
Panama City
Panama City is the political and administrative centre of the country and is also its capital and...
Panama City is the political and administrative centre of the country and is also its capital and largest city. Located in the Pacific entrance of the world-famous Panama Canal, Panama City hosts...
San Blas Islands
While on a Panama vacation, you can visit the San Blas Islands situated off the Isthmus of Panama...
While on a Panama vacation, you can visit the San Blas Islands situated off the Isthmus of Panama to the east of the canal, an archipelago that is made up of approximately 378 islands and cays, only...
Bocas del Toro
Located 32 km (19.88 mi) from the Costa Rican border, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in Panama...
Located 32 km (19.88 mi) from the Costa Rican border, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in Panama that is made up of six islands, several uninhabited islets and two national parks to be enjoyed on a...
Panama Canal
The world-famous Panama Canal which has to be seen on a Panama vacation is synonymous with the...
The world-famous Panama Canal which has to be seen on a Panama vacation is synonymous with the country and connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. Upon its...
Travel Styles
Explore Panama by Travel Type
Ways to Travel
Discover your perfect travel style—crafted for every dream and journey.
Collections
Curated journeys that capture the spirit, beauty, and essence of travel.
Ways to Travel
Discover your perfect travel style—crafted for every dream and journey.
Collections
Curated journeys that capture the spirit, beauty, and essence of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Panama?
Do I need a visa for Panama?
Most countries do not need a visa to visit Panama.
Can I visit both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts in one trip?
Both coasts are easily accessed on one vacation and highly encouraged to appreciate the country’s diversity.
What is Panama famous for?
Panama is best known for the Panama Canal, its well-preserved colonial architecture, its pristine beaches and water, and its lush rainforests full of exotic wildlife.
How do I visit the Panama Canal?
The Canal is accessible from Panama City, where day trips and longer visits can easily be arranged. Among Goway’s offerings are an afternoon tour involving a visit to the Miraflores Locks, a presentation from the Panama Canal Authority, and a swing through the town of Balboa.
Is Panama safe for tourists?
Panama is considered fairly safe, but visitors should take normal safety precautions in both urban and rural settings.
What is the food like in Panama?
Panama’s cuisine is a flavourful blend of Indigenous, Caribbean, and European influences, with common staples including rice, beans, corn, tropical fruits, and seafood. Sancocho (a hearty meat and vegetable stew) is a national favourite, as is arroz con pollo. Fresh ceviche is a must along the country’s long coasts.
Can I combine Panama with Costa Rica?
Yes. With their close proximity, Panama and Costa Rica make a wonderful combination holiday, as do Panama and Colombia.
What currency is used in Panama?
The local currency is the Panamanian balboa, which is interchangeable with the American dollar.
Are the San Blas Islands worth visiting?
Very much so. Boasting pristine beaches, clear waters, and swaying palms, the San Blas Islands are the perfect place to relax and unwind. They are also a good place to get to know the local Indigenous cultures. Respecting those customs is critical, though, and it is also worth noting that while visiting you will be largely disconnected from the digital world.
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