written by
Joanne Owen
updated 18.02.2025
Loaded with special things you probably didn’t know you could do, Panama is an utterly exhilarating destination. Encompassing a rich range of incredible landscapes — lush rainforests that are ripe for adventure and wildlife watching, sublime beaches, and old colonial cities — here’s everything you need to know about how to plan a trip to Panama. Designed to furnish you with inspiration for places to include in your itinerary, here we also also share practical detail on everything from when to visit and visa information, to what to pack.
When to do this: around 6 months before your trip
Before digging into the detail of how to plan a trip to Panama, a general guideline is to give yourself plenty of time to do big-picture research that will be vital when you come to firm up your plans and itinerary.
So, around six months before you’re thinking of going, while it's worth taking inspiration from the best things to do in Panama, it’s also very wise to set some parameters for your trip.
First factors to consider when planning a trip to Panama
How to plan a trip to Panama step 1: look at the big picture. Image: Playon Chico, Panama © Nori Jemil
Deciding when to go to Panama will depend on what you most want to do, and your budget, the latter coming into play as a result of some increased costs in the high season.
Overall, the optimal time to visit Panama is during the dry season, which runs from December to mid-April. This is, however, also the high season for tourism.
Here’s an overview of Panama’s seasons so you know what to expect around the year:
Dry season (December to April)
The December to April dry season is the best time to visit Panama for all kinds of activities — beach vacations on the Caribbean coast, surfing the Pacific coast, wild outdoor adventures in the jungles, and exploring cities.
Rainy season (May to November)
While the May to November rainy season in Panama sees smaller crowds and lower costs, bear in mind that conditions are less ideal for hiking.
Shoulder season (April to June, November to December)
Panama’s shoulder seasons — April through June, and November through December — strike a balance between pleasant weather, fewer crowds and lower prices. Just come prepared for occasional rains.
On balance, following a 10 days Panama itinerary is a great starting point to have in mind. In that timeframe you could, for example, experience vibrant Panama City, the lush volcanic valley of El Valle de Anton, the coffee-scented highlands of Boquete, and the tropical bliss of Bocas del Toro.
That said, if you’re short on time — and you can get to Panama pretty quickly to make the travel time worthwhile — it’s also possible to pack in tons of top experiences on a well-planned 7 days in Panama itinerary, and even a 5 days in Panama itinerary.
Alternatively, contact our local Panama travel experts to have them curate your perfect trip, tailored to your interests, for any duration.
Canopy trek, Boquete, Panama © Shutterstock
The cost of a trip to Panama depends on what type of travel style you’re in the market for — budget, mid-range or luxury.
In good news, Panama is generally an affordable destination, with even pretty luxurious accommodation and high-end activities often pleasing even the most budget conscious travelers.
Bearing in mind that costs can vary a lot, here’s an estimate of what a 10-day trip to Panama might cost, excluding international flights
Total: $1700
Casco Viejo, Panama City © Shutterstock
Good news — travelers flying from many countries, including the US and UK, don’t need a visa to enter Panama.
US citizens can stay up to 180 days, and UK citizens can stay for up to three months.
However, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from Panama, and you might also be asked to show proof of financial solvency through, for example, having at least $500 (or equivalent) in cash or a credit card.
Proof of onward or return travel is also necessary.
Also note, if you’re arriving by sea on that vessel that isn’t a cruise ship, you might need a visa. Check this with the Embassy of Panama or your government official government sources while planning your trip.
For more practical information, read our Panama travel advice.
Panama canal © Shutterstock
When to do this: 4-6 months before
Step 2 is when the excitement of your how to plan a trip to Panama journey ramps up — this is when you start discovering and selecting what you most want to see and do.
During your research and planning process, keep a note of anything that interests you, pinning possible places to visit on a digital map to build a picture of how they fit together.
If you’re traveling in a group, create a shared Google Doc or Google Map so everyone can add their personal must-visit places. That way, you can start building an itinerary that keeps everyone happy, while cutting down a lot of to-ing and fro-ing.
What to consider while pinning down your Panama itinerary wish-list:
Blue-gray Tanager, Soberania National Park, Panama © Shutterstock
Chiriquí Highlands: located in western Panama, the Chiriqui province as a whole is renowned for its biodiversity. Its cloud forests are excellent for spotting hundreds of bird species, with coffee plantation tours another must-do activity around these parts.
Parque Nacional Soberanía:accessible by public transport from Panama City, Parque Nacional Soberanía offers several hiking trails through lush tropical forest. Keep an eye out for tropical birds, such as trogons and toucans, and monkeys messing around in the canopy,
Boquete: nestled in the Chiriquí Highlands, Boquete is the place to come for hiking, white-water rafting and zip-lining adventures.
Santa Catalina: located in Veraguas province, the coastal town of Santa Catalina is popular with surfers, and also serves as a gateway to Coiba National Park, where diving adventures await.
Wild about nature and (ahem) wildlife? Read our beginners guide to the Panama rainforest.
Cloud forest, Chiriqui province, Panama © Alfredo Maiquez/Shutterstock
Panama City: don’t overlook spending time in Panama City before heading off for adventures in nature or the beach. Panama’s capital deserves a least a couple of days of your time so you can explore the historic Casco Viejo district — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, at the very least.
San Blas Islands: home to the indigenous Guna Yala community, the sublime San Blas Islands offer insights into traditional Panamanian culture, and they’re also ideal for idyllic beach vacations…
San Blas islands: boasting crystal-clear waters and loaded with white-sand beaches, Panama’s San Blas Islands are the epitome of a tropical paradise.
Bocas del Toro islands: located on Panama’s Caribbean side, the Bocas del Toro islands boast lush islands with numerous surf breaks and consistent swells, especially during the dry season.
Playa Venao: located on the Pacific coast, Playa Venao is renowned for its quality beach breaks, with waves for all experience levels.
Bocas del Toro, Panama © Damsea/Shutterstock
When it comes to getting around Panama, you’ll want to plan your journeys ahead of your trip to make sure you’ve factored journey times into your itinerary.
Here’s an overview of how to get around Panama
Panama City
While in the capital, make use of the affordable modern metro system.
Serving Panama City and its suburbs, the Metrobus network operates over 140 routes. To use it, buy a pre-paid Metrobus Card from metro stations and authorized retailers.
Intercity buses
Comfortable and cost-effective, these buses connect major cities and towns, with the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City serving as the central hub for departures.
Domestic flights
For longer distances, or to reach remote areas, domestic flights are efficient. For example, Air Panama operates routes that connect Panama City to regions like Bocas del Toro, and the Pearl Islands. Be sure to book early, though.
Car rental
With providers plentiful in major cities and airports, renting a car offers flexibility. Just be prepared for congested urban traffic, tricky rural roads, and make sure you have adequate insurance coverage.
San Blas, Panama © Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock
When to start: 5 months before
Around 5 months before your trip, it’s a good idea to book your flights and accommodation.
That way, you stand a better chance of securing your favored schedule and places to stay, while spreading the costs.
At this stage, book:
While our guide to how to get to Panama provides more detail, here’s an overview of that topic.
Several U.S. cities offer direct flights to Panama City. For example, United Airlines run direct flights from cities like Houston and Newark, American Airlines operate direct flights from Miami, and Copa Airlines run flights from Miami, Los Angeles and New York.
The flight time is 4-6 hours, depending on your departure city.
Traveling from the UK? Currently, there are no direct flights from the UK to Panama, so you need to choose from several one-stop flights that connect through European or American hubs.
For example, Air Europa operates flights from London Stansted to Panama City Tocumen International Airport with a layover in Madrid, while KLM offers flights from London Heathrow with a connection in Amsterdam.
Expect a total travel time of 13-15 hours, depending on the layover duration and connecting city.
Pearl Islands, Panama © Shutterstock
Accommodation in Panama covers everything from basic hostels through to business hotels in the likes of Panama City, and everything in between. Read on for a few recommended places to stay in popular Panama destinations.
Accommodation in different Panama City neighborhoods all have their own distinct vibe, with Casco Viejo coming out on top for first-timers and culture vultures. It’s packed with boutique hotels, restaurants, rooftop bars and attractions.
If you’re in the market for an upscale experience, places to stay in Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacifica are largely of the swanky skyscraper variety and offer sweeping sea views.
Accommodation on the San Blas Islands also covers all tastes and budgets — from solo backpackers on a budget, to couples seeking romance.
If you’re trying to cut down costs, Isla Perro Chico boasts a lively backpacker vibe, and plenty of affordable basic accommodation in stunning natural settings.
Looking for a romantic escape? Check out places to stay on Isla Chichime, or a luxurious eco-stay on the private Isla Coco Blanco.
Accommodation in Bocas del Toro is similarly varied, with Isla Colón’s Bocas Town being an affordable and convenient place to stay.
For beachfront luxury and eco-friendly accommodation, focus your search around Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos.
Meanwhile, Isla Solarte has several stunning secluded eco-lodges, with luxury options like Nayara Bocas del Toro offering upscale villa accommodation.
Panama's national dress © Shutterstock
When to do this: at least 4 months before
To save yourself time and hassle when you arrive in Panama, and to make sure you don’t miss out, look to pre-book any must-do activities and tours.
Questions to consider and take action on: what should be booked in advance of my trip to Panama?
If any of the following have made it onto your final Panama itinerary, it’s best to book them before you travel.
Internal flights: planning to transfer to Bocas del Toro or Pearl Islands by plane? Booking flights in advance is advisable, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Island excursions: staying on the island theme, if you want to spend time with the San Blas Islands’ indigenous Guna Yala community, it’s best to pre-book your experience. Tours typically transport, meals and accommodation, which might affect other plans.
Meanwhile, island-hopping tours are popular over on the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Usually including snorkeling, dolphin watching, and stops at pristine beaches, it’s aadvisable to secure an advance slot on these trips.
Hikes and nature tours: while many trails can be explored independently, it's often worth hiring a guide if you want to do a deeper dive into local flora and fauna.
Panama Canal tours: to get up close to the canal, per-book a transit tour.
Tours of Panama City: to better understand the city’s history, book a guided walking tour through Casco Viejo.
Guna Yala community, Panama © Shutterstock
When to do this: three months in advance
To give yourself time to weigh up different options — and for peace of mind — it's best to attend to a few key admin matters a few months ahead of your trip.
Decisions to make:
Travel insurance is 100% recommended for peace of mind wherever you travel — trips don’t always go to plan.
Look for a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage, giving yourself enough time to compare options a few months ahead of your trip.
While wi-fi is widely available in the likes of big hotels, that’s not always the case in rural locations and coverage might be patchy
So, either consider buying a local SIM card when you arrive, or else get an eSIM ahead of traveling.
The latter offers the convenience of being able to activate your data plan without needing a physical SIM card, and provides the peace of mind that comes from being able to get set up before you arrive, such is the service provided by Travelsim.
Yes, for sure. While cards can be used in bigger hotels, restaurants and stores in urban areas, cash will be essential in rural areas.
You’re likely to get a better rate exchanging currency back home before traveling than using ATMS or local exchange services. Shop around before taking the plunge.
Crafting traditional moles © Shutterstock
When to do this: one week before
Around a week before your trip, it’s time to check you have all your documents and itinerary details, and give thought to packing.
What to do:
We suggest taking digital and physical copies of all your booking confirmations, and compiling all the details of your day-to-day itinerary — plus booking confirmations, addresses and useful contact details — into one handy document.
In terms of clothing, you’ll mainly need lightweight, breathable fabrics that suit the tropical climate, plus swimwear and a light jacket for cooler highland regions.
It’s also worth bringing a light rain jacket if you’re visiting in the wet or shoulder season.
Also be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for exploring cities and villages, and decent hiking boots if you have plans to nature trails.
Insect repellent and plenty of sunscreen are also must-haves.
Having carefully planned your trip as outlined above, you’ll be well placed to enjoy a vacation to remember.
Alternatively, to forgo all the hassle of planning, have our local travel experts curate your perfect Panama itinerary.
That way, all the work of booking transfers, accommodation and tours will have been handled for you, and you’ll have access to support throughout your trip.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 18.02.2025
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Panama
