Introducing Panama
Travel Alert: Some areas of Panama are risky for travellers; see the Dangers & Annoyances section for details.
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Unfettered by tourist crowds, Panama’s natural gifts shine. Although most backpackers to Central America set their sights on tourist-soaked Costa Rica and Guatemala, it’s hard to shake the feeling in Panama that you’re in on a secret the rest of the traveling world has yet to discover. Although the ‘gringo trail’ has already swung south to the Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro, the careless overdevelopment plaguing most Costa Rican beach towns is still refreshingly absent here. In fact, Panama’s highlights are still very much off-the-beaten-path destinations, though it’s likely that this will change in the years to come.
Until its anticipated tourism boom explodes, however, Panama remains accessible to backpackers on a budget, and there’s no shortage of beaches, mountains and rain forests to explore. The Archipiélago de las Perlas in itself could occupy your entire trip, with its endless islands and islets, sublime beaches and pristine waters. Parque Nacional Volcán Barú is home to Panama's only volcano and some incredibly scenic trekking opportunities, while the Interior is a veritable bonanza of colonial towns, exquisite handicrafts and the country's friendliest people. Panama is also home to one of Central America’s most independent indigenous groups, the Kuna, who live autonomously in the Comarca de Kuna Yala; as well as one of the last true frontiers in the Americas, the infamous Darién Province.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Pure beach bliss, idyllic islands and small towns on a tour of Costa Rica & Panama
- Travel through Central America's narrow isthmus and discover Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama
- See for yourself how the Panama Canal works
Last updated: Feb 7, 2012
Tips & articles
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Paradises on Earth
9 February 2012
Gin-clear water at bath temperature, a breeze ruffling the coconut palms, and sand as fine and white as sugar –...
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Top 10 Panama highlights
23 August 2011
At the heart of the Americas, Panama is also the crucial link. The Panama Canal joins the Atlantic to the...
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The world’s best secret islands
12 April 2011
Looking for a romantic spot that’s (almost) all yours? Here’s a list from our brand new Best in Travel 2011...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: rental car Gue/El Sal/Hon-travel with children-safety issue-itinerary
by djosev 16 May 2012
Thank you so much for your feedback so far! #1 Very informative. I read the Petén area (Tikal) can quite muddy in rainy season and a…
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Re: Mosquitoes and others things
by riven1950 16 May 2012
The only way to avoid mosquitoes in Panama is not to go! Seriously, I live on the NC coast and I see more mosquitoes here than I saw…
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RE: flights from Quito to Havana
by jgcp 16 May 2012
After much investigation on these flights we ended up flying COPA via Panama to Cuba and this included the visa we needed to enter Cuba.…
Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in Panama
Browse more cities in PanamaFeatured property
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Mamallena Backpackers
Panama City
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Panama
Things to do
- All things to do (240)
- Activities (50)
- Entertainment (34)
- Restaurants (48)
- Shopping (18)
- Sights (85)
- Tours (5)
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Our Top Picks For Panama
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1 Parque Internacional La Amistad
The Panamanian side of this bi-national park is an off-the-beaten-path destination for serious trekkers
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2 Archipiélago De Bocas Del Toro
Panama's tourist mecca serves up Caribbean vibes, jungle-fringed beaches and plenty of surf and sun
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3 Boquete
The perfect highland escape for anyone seeking fresh mountain air, cloud forest hiking and the country's best coffee
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4 Parque Nacional Volcán Barú
This stunning highland park protects both Panama's highest peak and its most famous mountain trail
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5 Parque Nacional Coiba
This far-flung ecological wonder is home to Panama's most unique terrestrial and marine ecosystems
Fast Facts about Panama
- Area
78,200 sq km (slightly smaller than South Carolina)
- Capital
- Electricity
120V, 60Hz
- Head of State
President Ricardo Martinelli
- Country Code
507
- Budget
US$20-30 per day
- Languages
Spanish, Kuna & 14 others
- Costs
Hostel in Bocas US$7, bottle of beer US$1, 3hr bus ride US$6, set lunch US$3
- Time
GMT minus 5 hours
- ATMs
Widely available
- Famous for
Panama Canal, panama hats, Manuel Noriega
- Population
3.19 million
- Phrases
Panameños (Panamanians), chévere (cool), chau (bye), discúlpeme (excuse me)
Our favourite Panama Blogs (beta)
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Highlights of Year 2 as Digital Nomads.
Blog: Never Ending Voyage - 1 March 2012
Two years ago today we left the UK with a one way ticket to Rio de Janeiro and a carry-on size backpack containing all of our possessions to start a business and a new life as permanent travellers. We had no idea how things would work out but two years later we are still living [...]
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Five Years on the Road: Our Trans-Americas Journey “Road-a-versary” By the Numbers
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 27 February 2012
Happy Anniversary to us! Or should we say “road-a-versary” (thanks Julie)? Today is day 1,825 of our Trans-Americas Journey road trip. That’s five years of active travel on the road not counting a couple of stretches when we were unexpectedly stuck in one place for reasons beyond our control (looking at you, Chevrolet). We’re not very good at math Our initial description of the Journey predicted three years and 75,000 miles to cover North, Central and South America from the Arctic Ocean to Tierra del Fuego.
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I get around: ten non-traditional means of transportation
Blog: See Simi Travel Blog - 30 January 2012
Getting from one place to another always proves to be an interesting and important part of the travel experience. So why not mix it up a little? This week we explore some memorable modes of transportation: planes, trains and automobiles have been excused from the list. (But parachutes, jungle trams and motorbikes made it).
