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Introducing Panama

Panama  fosters a traveler’s sense of exploration. From trekking the rainforest, sailing from island to island, exploring the ruins of Spanish forts, and getting to know its unique culture, this country has the makings of a great adventure.

When is the best time to visit?
Panama is a year-round destination, but many prefer to travel there during the driest season from mid-December to mid-April.

 Where to go in Panama?
Discover the classic destinations of Panama City and the Panama Canal, swim with colorful fish and lounge on the white sand beaches of the Archipielago de Bocas del Toro, visit the forested hills of the highlands, and fall in love with the colorful culture of the Peninsula de Azuero.

How many days do I need?
Spend at least a week exploring Panama’s natural wonders and scenic highlights.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 8 days · 10 days

Panama Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Casco Viejo, Panama City
Map of The Wonders of Panama - 7 Days
The Wonders of Panama - 7 Days

Panama is a beautiful country brimming with history and diversity, and this 7-day itinerary offers an exciting sampling of its many charms. You'll explore the capital, from its quaint colonial streets to its famous canal to its more modern attractions. Then venture out into the countryside, where you'll learn about the customs of indigenous locals, meet rainforest wildlife, and tour the Caribbean beach town of Portobelo.

Valle de Anton
Map of Ultimate Panama Road Trip: Panama City, Gamboa, Pacific Coast & More - 15 Days
Ultimate Panama Road Trip: Panama City, Gamboa, Pacific Coast & More - 15 Days

Panama is a great place for a scenic and adventurous road trip. In 15 days, this self-drive itinerary will take you around the most notable regions of the country. Begin in Panama City, then hit the road to discover the jungle, beautiful mountains, charming villages, and pristine islands. Some stops along the way include Gamboa, El Valle de Anton, Boquete, and the Pacific Coast.

Bocas del Toro
Map of Family Adventure in Panama - 7 Days
Family Adventure in Panama - 7 Days

Discover the colorful streets and magnificent beaches of Panama on this week-long, family-friendly trip. Spend a few days in Panama City, where you'll sail down the Panama Canal and explore the city's vibrant, historic neighborhoods. Then head to the Caribbean paradise of Bocas del Toro for beach time and wildlife encounters before ending your journey back in the capital.

Panama City Skyline
Map of Best of Panama City - 7 Days
Best of Panama City - 7 Days

Melding colonial history and bold modernity, the cosmopolitan capital of Panama is a thriving hub in Central America. With this active weeklong itinerary, you'll explore the city's best neighborhoods, boat through the Panama Canal, and take day-trips to nearby national parks and indigenous villages. Finish with a ferry to the Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama for a dose of beachy relaxation.

A waterfall near the village of Boquete
Map of Panama Multi-Sport Adventure - 11 Days
Panama Multi-Sport Adventure - 11 Days

Get ready for an active trip to an undiscovered region of Panama that combines beautiful landscapes, exuberant nature, and pleasant weather. On this 11-day multi-sport itinerary, you'll fly through a cloud forest, raft along a river, and trek up a volcano where you can witness two oceans from above before camping under the stars—an unforgettable experience!

The Pearl Islands
Panama Island Tour: Panama City, Pearl Islands & Bocas del Toro - 10 Days

This 10-day tour of Panama takes you from the city to the islands. Visit the world-famous Panama Canal and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Casco Viejo in Panama City. Then, venture to the Pearl Islands for some whale watching, hiking, and beach relaxation. Return to the city for more exploration, and head to Bocas del Toro for a few more relaxing free days by the beach enjoying nature walks and the surrounding waters. Spend a bit more time in Panama City to close out your visit.

Make the Most of Your Time in Panama

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal
How Many Days to Spend in Panama

You can have a great getaway in Panama in as short as a long weekend if you stick to Panama City and its immediate environs. However, spending at least a week to discover a more...

In five days you can experience island living in Bocas del Toro
Map of 5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Five days in Panama is a great amount of time to discover the highlights of Panama City and visit one of the country's many idyllic islands. First-time travelers seeking a...

With a week in Panama, you'll have time to go beyond the skyscrapers and Casco Antiguo of Panama City
Map of 1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

One week in Panama is an excellent amount of time to explore the country's vibrant capital, hike in its highlands, and cruise between idyllic Caribbean islands. Panama City is a...

Panama Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest Panama Content

With a week in Panama, you'll have time to go beyond the skyscrapers and Casco Antiguo of Panama City
Map of 1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

One week in Panama is an excellent amount of time to explore the country's vibrant capital, hike in its highlands, and cruise between idyllic Caribbean islands. Panama City is a natural gateway, and a day or two here gives you ample time to explore its cultural highlights and the nearby Panama Canal. Then, include Valle de Antón, Boquete, or Santa Fe for time in the country's mountainous interior, while the San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro are ideal spots for snorkeling and cruising among tropical islands.

Explore the culture and beaches of the San Blas Islands on this seven-day tour
Map of Panama City & San Blas Islands Sailing Escape- 7 Days
Panama City & San Blas Islands Sailing Escape- 7 Days

Blend city sightseeing with a remote island getaway on this blissful weeklong trip to Panama. Start by checking off the highlights of Panama City with a tour of historic Casco Antiguo, a spin around the mighty Panama Canal, and a day trip into the Afro-Panamanian culture and pirate history of Portobelo. Chart your course for the San Blas Islands next, boarding a luxury catamaran for four nights of sailing around a Caribbean paradise of shallow waters and uninhabited islands.

 Discover some of Panama's wildlife on this weeklong tour
Map of Rainforests, Cloud Forests & Beaches of Panama - 7 Days
Rainforests, Cloud Forests & Beaches of Panama - 7 Days

With a week to spare, you can check off Panama's jungles, cloud forests, and islands—and still have time to explore the vibrant capital. This nature-focused itinerary starts with a gastronomic walking tour of Panama City's historic center and then sends you into the highlands of Boquete to visit local honey and coffee farms. After an adventurous hike through the region's misty cloud forests, it's off to the Bocas del Toro archipelago for a cruise around its famed marine park and three days of sun, sand, and sea turtles.

Panama Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 10 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Panama - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Panama
Travel specialist Catherina Tittaferrante
active 6 hours ago

Catherina Tittaferrante

I create personalized tours based on our travelers' passions to show them the real Guatemala. I take care of logistics, organizing and confirming every single detail needed to make your experience...

read more...
Travel specialist Reyna Ulloa
active 1 day ago

Reyna Ulloa

My name is Reyna, a young professional from Masaya, Nicaragua. I am a university graduate of Tourism Management and Development, and I declare myself completely in love with Central America. I...

read more...
Travel specialist Emily Solís
active 7 hours ago

Emily Solís

Hello, I am Emily. I have a bachelor's degree in sustainable tourism. I am interested in knowing all about the culture, gastronmy, lige style of living, the beauties and the own particularities...

read more...
Travel specialist Juan Tittaferrante
active 1 day ago

Juan Tittaferrante

I spent much of my childhood traveling in North and Central America. I am considered Ladino, which is a mixture of two of the three Latin American cultural groups found in Guatemala. Passionate...

read more...

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Trip Reviews for Panama

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Panama's national treasures.
Panama | Aug 23 - Aug 29, 2024

E
Elisa V.
Franconia, VA | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2024
Excellent, the guides were effectively national treasures, especially Hernaldo! Hernaldo was such a delight to be around and it was great to have him tag along with us on adventures. Ray was fun too but he had to focus on driving so his input was limited. The places we saw were beautiful and interesting, the food amazing! Only negative was the hotel, the staff was good but the actual rooms and hotel itself has this sense of water logging throughout. Granted Panama is really really wet but... Read more

Excellent, the guides were effectively national treasures, especially Hernaldo! Hernaldo was such a delight to be around and it was great to have him tag along with us on adventures. Ray was fun too but he had to focus on driving so his input was limited. The places we saw were beautiful and interesting, the food amazing! Only negative was the hotel, the staff was good but the actual rooms and hotel itself has this sense of water logging throughout. Granted Panama is really really wet but this hotel smelled of mold throughout.

Hotel Review
Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
Panama City

Hotel staff is excellent, responsive and good. However the hotel definitely has a mold problem and some rooms have clear water damage (we had to switch rooms for this reason). Fix this and the hotel would be great!

Authenticity & Character
I mean it's a best western, brand names aren't exactly full of character nor authentic.
Location
Fun spot, lots of interesting places to visit including bars, restaurants, and even a tea house!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The mold problem
Local specialist: Jesse Barrera
Jesse
Jesse Barrera
Local specialist in Santiago | Replied on Oct 14, 2024

Hi Elisa,

How wonderful to read that you, Marguerite, José and Kim enjoyed yourself during your 7-day adventure in Panamá 😁

We love when travelers feel at ease with our guides and enjoy having them around! They really do make a difference when exploring a whole new country. I'll be sure to pass along your praises to Hernaldo and Ray.

I'm sorry to hear the situation with the hotel and will definitely make changes so future travelers will have a better experience!

Please don't hesitate to reach out again for another adventure to Panamá!

All the best in your future travels,
Jesse

Wonderful family trip to Panama
Panama | Dec 23 - Dec 29, 2023

J
Jennifer C.
Northbrook, IL | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2024
Our guide Jose in Panama City was wonderful. He was very informed and took great care of our group on both canal tour and metropolitan park. Same with Sophie in Bastimentos. Both excellent.
Travel transfers to and from airports were seamless.
American Trade Hotel was a great choice. Wonderful location, rooms, amenities and staff.
Red Frog was a great experience. The Villa at the resort was terrific, but very far from anything. A golf cart to get around was essential and our Villa...
Read more

Our guide Jose in Panama City was wonderful. He was very informed and took great care of our group on both canal tour and metropolitan park. Same with Sophie in Bastimentos. Both excellent.
Travel transfers to and from airports were seamless.
American Trade Hotel was a great choice. Wonderful location, rooms, amenities and staff.
Red Frog was a great experience. The Villa at the resort was terrific, but very far from anything. A golf cart to get around was essential and our Villa didn’t have one. We had to rely on calls for pick ups, which weren’t that reliable and created unnecessary delays and stress. This is really the main issue with the resort and really should be addressed. Also, we were repeatedly told towels were coming at the Beach Club but they never arrived after 4 hours. Things like Villa transportation and towels depreciate from the first class price point.
Finally, really appreciated Lucia’s periodic check-ins throughout our trip.
Overall, very pleased and will use KimKim again.
Thank you.

Local specialist: Lucía Barrios
Lucía
Lucía Barrios
Local specialist in Managua & Panama City | Replied on Sep 19, 2024
Dear Jennifer, Sorry for the late reply on this., thank you so much for your valuable feedback. We're happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Panama, especially with Jose, Sophie. We apologize for the transportation and towel issues at Red Frog. As previously discussed in our chats, I shared your comments with Red Frog, and they have reviewed your stay with their team. While the resort team did not receive any concerns during your visit, they’ve assured us that had they been aware, they... Read more

Dear Jennifer,

Sorry for the late reply on this., thank you so much for your valuable feedback. We're happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Panama, especially with Jose, Sophie. We apologize for the transportation and towel issues at Red Frog. As previously discussed in our chats, I shared your comments with Red Frog, and they have reviewed your stay with their team. While the resort team did not receive any concerns during your visit, they’ve assured us that had they been aware, they would have addressed the issues immediately. They deeply apologize for the situation, value guest experiences and regret the inconveniences you faced.

To enhance future stays, they’ve upgraded their fleet of golf carts for more reliable transportation around the property.

We truly appreciate your insight, as it allows us to ensure an even better experience moving forward. We’re happy that you still enjoyed your overall experience, and we look forward to assisting with your next trip!

Warm regards, Lucia

Great Natural Place in the World to Visit
Panama | Sep 12 - Sep 17, 2023

W
William A.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023

We had a great time and the service was impeccable. The hotel and boat we stayed at were beautiful and we would definitely do this trip again.

Local specialist: Reyna Ulloa
Reyna
Reyna Ulloa
Local specialist in Managua | Replied on Aug 05, 2024

Hi dear William, nice to greet you!

Thank you very much for your kind words,
It was a pleasure to structure this trip for you, and hope we have the opportunity to assist you again in the near future! :)

Warm regards,