Top 10 Places to Visit in Panama
Panama surprised me with just how many different experiences could fit into one relatively small country. In two weeks, I snorkelled in a protected marine park, partied on a pirate ship, stayed at an off-the-beaten-path jungle hostel, chased waterfalls in the chilly highlands, explored a modern capital city, and sailed through the San Blas Islands on my way to Colombia.
Even with all of that, two weeks wasn’t nearly enough time to see everywhere I had saved on Google Maps. This list combines the places I personally visited with four destinations that remained high on my list—and that I would still love to return to experience.
1. Santa Catalina & Coiba National Park 🌟 Did This
Santa Catalina was easily my favourite place in Panama. The laid-back coastal town is one of the main gateways to Coiba National Park, where I had one of the most unforgettable snorkeling experiences of my life. I had hoped to go scuba diving, but even without diving, seeing the marine life and protected environment firsthand reminded me why ocean and wildlife conservation matter so much.
Coiba is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its incredible marine biodiversity. The experience was about more than seeing beautiful fish—it showed me why protecting these environments is so important.
💡 JD’s Tip: Leave enough time in Santa Catalina for a snorkeling or diving tour to Coiba. If you plan to dive, consider adding an extra day in case weather or ocean conditions affect your tour.
Santa Catalina was my favourite stop in Panama—and the gateway to one of the most unforgettable snorkeling experiences of my life in Coiba National Park.
2. Bocas del Toro 🌟 Did This
Bocas del Toro gave me a completely different side of Panama, with Caribbean islands, wildlife, beaches, and a fun social atmosphere. One of my most memorable experiences was joining a pirate ship party, but I also had the chance to see dolphins and explore more of the surrounding area. It offered the perfect mixture of nature and nightlife.
There is much more to Bocas than the main town, so it is worth leaving time for boat trips and island hopping. This was one of those destinations where the experience could change completely from one day to the next.
💡 JD’s Tip: Don’t spend your entire visit in Bocas Town. Take at least one boat tour to see the surrounding islands, beaches, and wildlife—and leave room for a little spontaneous fun.
My favourite photo from Bocas del Toro—I was ridiculously happy to be partying on an actual pirate ship!
3. Lost and Found Jungle Hostel 🌟 Did This
Lost and Found Jungle Hostel was one of the most unusual places I visited in Panama, which is exactly why I loved it. Hidden in the cloud forest of Chiriquí, it felt remote, adventurous, and completely removed from the usual tourist route. I’ve always had a soft spot for destinations that are a little off the beaten path, and this one delivered that experience.
It wasn’t simply somewhere to sleep; staying there was part of the adventure. The jungle setting and sense of isolation made it feel completely different from every other stop on my Panama trip.
💡 JD’s Tip: Treat Lost and Found as a destination rather than simply an overnight stop. Pack lightly, bring practical shoes, and give yourself time to enjoy the jungle surroundings.
My favourite photo from Lost and Found—I was so happy surrounded by jungle, mountains and a place that felt completely off the beaten path.
4. Panama City 🌟 Did This
Panama City was nothing like I expected. I wasn’t prepared for the enormous skyline filled with modern skyscrapers, especially after travelling through smaller towns, islands, and jungle destinations. At the same time, the city offers historic neighbourhoods, the Panama Canal, and access to wildlife experiences such as Monkey Island.
That contrast was what made the city so interesting: one moment you can be surrounded by towers and traffic, and the next you can be looking for monkeys near the canal. I am naturally more of a nature person, which is why Panama City isn’t higher on my personal list, but it still surprised me.
💡 JD’s Tip: Give Panama City more than a quick overnight stop. Set aside time for its history and the Panama Canal, but also consider a wildlife tour to experience the natural side of the area.
I probably spent far too much time watching ships pass through the Panama Canal—but seeing the locks in action was surprisingly fascinating!
5. San Blas Islands 🌟 Did This
The San Blas Islands became part of my journey when I sailed from Panama to Colombia. The archipelago offered tropical islands, clear Caribbean water, and a completely different experience from travelling overland. Sailing through the islands made leaving Panama feel like one final adventure rather than simply travelling to my next country.
The journey also provided an opportunity to experience the beauty of Guna Yala and learn more about the Indigenous communities connected to the islands. It was a memorable transition between two countries and deserves a place on this list.
💡 JD’s Tip: If you are sailing between Panama and Colombia, research what the journey involves before booking. It is an adventure rather than ordinary transportation, so pack lightly and protect anything that cannot get wet.
My favourite photo from the San Blas Islands—wet hair, tropical water and apparently a palm tree growing directly out of my head, lol.
6. Boquete 🌟 Did This
Boquete showed me yet another side of Panama. After tropical beaches, Caribbean islands, and humid jungle, I suddenly found myself in the cool and sometimes surprisingly chilly highlands. I enjoyed chasing waterfalls and exploring the green mountain scenery, even if I wasn’t quite prepared for the temperature change!
That contrast is part of what makes Panama so interesting. You can go from sweating beside the ocean to reaching for another layer in the mountains—all within the same country.
💡 JD’s Tip: Pack a sweater and a rain layer, even if the rest of your Panama trip is focused on hot destinations. The weather in Boquete can feel much cooler than you expect.
Chasing waterfalls in Boquete—and discovering just how green, wild and surprisingly chilly Panama’s highlands can be.
7. Darién National Park ❌ Missed This
Darién National Park was one of the places I most wanted to experience, but it required more time and planning than I could fit into my two-week itinerary. Its remote rainforest, wildlife, rivers, and Indigenous cultures made it one of the most fascinating destinations on my saved list. As someone who loves nature and less-travelled places, I think this could have become one of the highlights of my trip.
Darién is Panama’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting an extraordinary range of rainforest ecosystems and wildlife. It is not a destination to approach casually or without preparation. Visit Panamá – Darién National Park
💡 JD’s Tip: Research this destination carefully and arrange an experienced local guide. Darién is remote, and visiting the national park is very different from attempting to travel independently through the Darién Gap.
8. Portobelo ❌ Missed This
I wanted to travel farther east from Panama City and explore more of Panama’s Caribbean coast, but I couldn’t make it work with the time I had. Portobelo appealed to me because it combines historic forts, Afro-Panamanian culture, tropical forests, beaches, and opportunities for snorkeling and diving. It sounded like another destination where Panama’s history and nature exist side by side.
Portobelo would have given me a very different experience from Panama City without requiring me to leave history behind. Its surrounding national park also offers jungle, waterfalls, wildlife, and Caribbean marine life. Visit Panamá – Portobelo
💡 JD’s Tip: Don’t treat Portobelo as only a historical stop. Leave enough time to explore the surrounding coastline, national park, beaches, and marine environment too.
9. El Valle de Antón ❌ Missed This
El Valle de Antón remained on my list because it sounded like the kind of destination I normally love: mountains, hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, and cooler air. The town sits within the crater of an extinct volcano, giving it a landscape completely different from Panama’s coastal destinations. After enjoying the waterfalls and mountain scenery around Boquete, I think El Valle would have been another great nature stop.
Visitors can hike trails such as La India Dormida, see Chorro El Macho waterfall, visit local markets, and learn about the endangered Panamanian golden frog. Unfortunately, fitting another inland destination into my route just wasn’t possible. Visit Panamá – El Valle de Antón
💡 JD’s Tip: El Valle can be reached from Panama City, but consider staying overnight instead of rushing through it as a day trip. There appears to be enough hiking and nature in the area to justify more time.
10. Playa Venao ❌ Missed This
Playa Venao was another Pacific coast destination saved on my Panama map. Known for surfing, beach life, and its social atmosphere, it sounded like somewhere I could have slowed down for a few days while still having activities available. Even though I had already visited Santa Catalina, I was curious to see how the two beach destinations compared.
The area also offers yoga, kayaking, hiking, ecotours, and seasonal wildlife experiences, so it isn’t only for experienced surfers. I simply couldn’t fit another Pacific beach stop into an already packed two-week route. Visit Panamá – Playa Venao
💡 JD’s Tip: If you are visiting both Santa Catalina and Playa Venao, allow enough travel time between them. Distances on a map can be misleading when your route involves smaller roads and multiple transfers.
Final Thoughts
Panama is a country of contrasts. I went from snorkeling in a world-renowned marine environment to staying in a remote jungle hostel, partying on a pirate ship, chasing waterfalls in chilly mountains, standing among city skyscrapers, and finally sailing through Caribbean islands toward Colombia.
Two weeks allowed me to experience an incredible amount, but it also made me realize how much I was leaving behind. Darién, Portobelo, El Valle de Antón, and Playa Venao were only four of the destinations I missed. Isla Iguana was also on my list, and I had considered taking the train from Panama City to Colón, but there simply wasn’t enough time. My Google Maps was—and probably still is—covered in saved places!
Santa Catalina may have been my favourite stop, but every destination revealed a different version of Panama. Whether you’re interested in wildlife, marine conservation, beaches, hiking, history, nightlife, or modern cities, Panama makes it surprisingly easy to experience several completely different kinds of travel in one country.
Two weeks gave me a glimpse of Panama’s incredible variety—but with this many islands, beaches, jungles and mountains still waiting, I know I barely scratched the surface.
