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.
Last updated: Oct 20, 2009
Tips & articles
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Panama’s handicrafts
15 June 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Panama guide takes you through the major Panamanian handicrafts. The...
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YOUR top 10 countries for 2010
19 November 2009
A couple of weeks ago, we published our list of hot destinations for 2010. You sure had a lot to say!...
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From Panama to Colombia…by boat
28 July 2009
Getting from Panama to Colombia without an airplane is no easy task. But rather than hot-footing it through...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Panama to Columbia by boat - any recommendations?
by cheers_jane 4 replies, last post 31 July 2010
Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for boats that travel Panama to Columbia via San Blas? I was looking at the Darien Gapster…
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Info on Sailing Panama to kuna yala and back
by jcsm 2 replies, last post 30 July 2010
Hello to all, I wanted to know, if anyone has already sailed from Panama to Kuna Yala and back? Where can I get some info on sailing…
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Ixbalanque Spanish school in Copán
by talyco73 6 replies, last post 29 July 2010
Hi! I've been looking through a lot of posts here and decided to register instead of just lurk.. :) I have done some traveling to C.A.…
Panama
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 Martin Torrijos
- 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)
Related Groups
Our favourite Panama Blogs (beta)
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The Allure of Costa Rica and Panama for Families
Blog: Ciao Bambino! - 1 July 2010
Beginning in the 1970’s, Central America gained a big following among surfers and hard-core eco-explorers; especially Costa Rica, because over a quarter of its land is set aside as protected nature preserves. Even so, most families did not consider a trip to Costa Rica, Panama, or Central America in general as a viable option for traveling with kids—until recently. I’ve been traveling to Central America since the early 1990’s and twice in the last four years, I’ve taken my wife and kids on guided tours to Costa Rica and Panama.
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Sunning it up in San Blas
Blog: Boodle's Adventure - around the world in 365 days - 16 June 2010
Sniff! I cannot believe how quickly time flies and that we’ve left the amazing continent of South America already - We flew out of Colombia and up to Panama a few days into June. From the ‘white city’ of Sucre, to the beaches of Uruguay and the people of Colombia, I LOVE THIS CONTINENT! Oh well, got to keep moving north or there will be no hope of getting to Europe.
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How about a San Blas island to yourself?
Blog: Cogs Watch - 15 June 2010
