Weather
Tropical Panama has two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season runs from late April until November, but October and November are the wettest months. In August you'll probably encounter rain every day, but it's unusual for it to rain all day every day. The Pacific coast and Caribbean coast have slightly different climates, with the Caribbean coast being wetter throughout the year.
Wet or not, the temperature will still be hot. The annual average temperature in Panama is 86°F (30°C). Temperatures are a bit cooler in the rainy season but humidity is higher, so you may find these conditions more uncomfortable than hot and dry conditions. The higher-altitude highlands are always a bit cooler than coastal areas.
Crowds & Costs
The rainy season is low tourism season in Panama so costs are low and crowds thin. If you're traveling on a budget you may be able to find good deals on accommodation and flights to Panama in August. If this month is the only time you can take a vacation then there's no need to be put off, as long as you realize what will and won't be possible in the rainy season.
Where to Go
Visit the Pacific coast and off-shore islands to spot whales, sharks, and orcas in August. Humpback whales breed off the Archipielago de las Perlas (Pearl Islands) in southeastern Panama in August and September. Another place to spot cool sea life in the wild is the Coiba National Park on Coiba Island, a marine preserve in the southwest of Panama.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
As well as whale and shark watching, you can see loggerhead and green sea turtles nesting along the coast between May and September. Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast, or Isla Cañas (Cane Island), southeast of Panama City, are good places to see these graceful creatures.
Adventurous travelers can go white-water rafting near Boquete and Chiriqui, or go scuba-diving and surfing along the coasts.
Aside from these nature- and outdoors-focused activities, August is a good time to enjoy some big-city sightseeing in Panama City. The capital is full of cultural, culinary, and historic attractions that are appealing whatever the weather. Tour the visitor's center at the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, shelter from the rain at the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, and wander the streets of Casco Viejo, the atmospheric old part of town.
Events in August
Festival del Manito Ocueño. The small town of Ocu, between Chitre and Santiago, hosts this three-day folkloric event in the third week of August. It's among the best festivals of its kind in Panama.
Panama La Vieja Day. Panama City celebrates its founding in 1519 on August 15th. It's a public holiday in the capital.
Traveling to Panama in August? Check out these great itineraries
Panama's Pacific Coast: Panama City, Playa Reina, & Santa Catalina - 10 Days. Enjoy a mix of cultural attractions in Panama City with turtle spotting at Playa Reina and whale watching in Santa Catalina.
Best of Panama City - 7 Days. Melding colonial history and bold modernity, the cosmopolitan capital of Panama is a thriving hub in Central America.
The Wonders of Panama - 7 Days. Panama is a beautiful country brimming with history and diversity, and this week-long itinerary offers an exciting sampling of its many charms.