Why I love Panama

“In a world where wilderness and native cultures are disappearing, Panama – against all odds – continues with its essence intact. Trekking through rainforests, watching Congo drumming and sailing between pristine tropical islands offer wonder and delight. The wildlife viewing is astounding both in expected places, like the waters of Isla de Coiba, and in patches of preserved forest just outside the capital. For me...” Read More

Image of Carolyn McCarthy
Carolyn McCarthy
Writer

Top experiences in Panama

Recent articles

Finding the flora and fauna of Panama

While people often think of Panama in terms of its namesake canal, hat, and city, this little country is more than industry and urban glamour: it has a wild side. From resplendent quetzals (one of almost 1000 bird species recorded here) and neon frogs to a profusion of orchids and more than 1500 types of tropical trees, Panama contains one of the greatest assortments of fauna and flora in the world.

A critically endangered golden frog as seen at the El Níspero © Elmer Martinez / Getty Images
Steve Fallon
Lonely Planet Writer

Tips for exploring Panama's Guna Yala territory

Scattered along the Caribbean coast of Panama, the 365 tiny coconut islands of the San Blas archipelago make up one of Central America's most intriguing destinations. This is paradise as most of us imagine it, with coral reefs, sunken shipwrecks and tropical beaches found in every direction. Throw some thatched dwellings and powdery white sand in the mix, and what’s not to love?

Nalunega in the San Blas Islands © Westend61 / Getty Images
Carolyn McCarthy
Lonely Planet Writer

What to do on the Panama Canal: adventure, wildlife and village life

It’s an engineering marvel, a multibillion-dollar commercial behemoth, and by 2016 an ambitious project to make it even bigger will be complete. The Panama Canal, which joins the Atlantic to the Pacific, is certainly Panama’s greatest claim to fame. Moving mountains and carving through dense jungle, the creation of the canal in 1914 literally reshaped the natural landscape of this sliver of Central America. Less well known is that there’s a greener side to the canal, teeming with tropical wildlife, living indigenous cultures and outdoor adventure opportunities – all just a short hop from the capital, Panama City.

Massive container ships dwarf the canal landscape. Image by Will & Deni McIntyre / The Image Bank / Getty
Carolyn McCarthy
Lonely Planet Writer
Read more articles

Travel guides

Starting at $24.99

Image for Image for

Panama adventures

$1189 Nature & wildlife

Panama Experience

From San José, hit the beach and mountain retreats on your way to the locks of the world-famous Panama Canal at the centre of the Americas. Visit gorgeous islands and chill to reggae beats on Caribbean beaches. Search for the quetzal bird in cloud forests and shake your tailfeather in the clubs of Panama City. With your hotel and transport arranged by our CEOs, you can concentrate on choosing your own adventure.
$209.99 Boating & cruises

Gatun Lake and Monkey Island Sightseeing Cruise from Panama City

Join an exciting half-day eco journey along the Panama Canal and experience some of Panama's secret sights and sounds. You'll hop aboard a high-speed motorboat and marvel at the breathtaking flora and fauna surrounding Gatun Lake. Enjoy stops at Monkey Island and Sounds of Silence Island!You'll be picked up at your Panama City hotel and driven to Gamboa, where you'll meet your naturalist guide. First, you'll travel via a high-speed motorboat along the Panama Canal, navigating through ancient routes that once crossed the isthmus long before the creation of the lakes. You may come close to some of the large ships that transit the canal daily. After turning the engine off, you'll slowly cruise along the forested banks of Gatun Lake and head towards Monkey Island. A protected area and your first stop on the tour, Monkey Island boasts an incredible amount of wildlife. Stay on the lookout for capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, howler monkeys and various kinds of toucans.You'll then jump back on the boat and head to an even more remote location, Sounds of Silence Island. Here, you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy a picnic. You may also explore on your own while kayaking, swimming and fishing. If you prefer, just relax on the island and sip a cool drink while taking in the beauty of the area before returning to your Panama City hotel.
$269.99 Water sports

Sir Francis Drake Island Full-Day Scuba Diving Adventure

Visit Portobelo Bay, on Panama’s northern coast, and dive into the historic waters surrounding Sir Francis Drake Island. The water in Portobelo Bay is crystal clear and offers an abundance of marine life. On this exciting day trip from Panama City, you’ll enjoy a two-tank dive while you keep an eye out for the lost coffin of Sir Francis Drake!Portobelo is a small, beautiful fishing village with many historical ruins on Panama’s north coast. The history of this harbor town is obvious upon arrival; the town was founded in 1597, and the colonial Spanish forts, including the famous San Lorenzo Fort, have since been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Portobelo Bay is a notable location for more than one reason. It was the area where all the treasures from South America were transferred to Spanish galleons and taken back to Spain. This activity became very attractive to pirates and buccaneers, who would attack the boats and steal the treasures.The bay is also the final resting place of Sir Francis Drake, who met his death in 1596. He was placed in a lead coffin and cast out to sea off Isla Drake; divers still look for his coffin today, and you can join in on the search!Your two-tank dive includes a professional diving instructor, who is there to answer any questions you may have.
$29 Sightseeing tours

City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Experience Panama City on this hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing tour! From the Miraflores locks to the tall skyscrapers of Panama City, this tour shows you all the best of this capital city. Hop off the open-top bus at any of the stops around the city including the Miraflores locks, Isla Flamingo, the Biomuso, Parque Urraca and more. See some of Panama City's most famous attractions on this easy and convenient City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour! The complimentary recorded commentary throughout the tour along the Canal Route will give you interesting historical facts and background information on each stop. Visit the impressive Miraflores locks and discover how the Panama Canal works. This 50-mile (80.5-km) waterway first opened in 1914 and transports ships from sea level to 85 feet (26 meters) via a series of gravity-powered locks. Then, head to the Revolution Tower and admire the unique architecture of the structure. Stop at Mi Pueblito, a replica of an authentic Panama village, where you can watch different cultural performances and observe how homes were built using mud and straw. Hop off the bus for a visit to the Biomuseo, a unique building designed by Frank Gehry, to explore Panama's immense biodiversity. Stop at Parque Urraca, a green oasis among Panama City's high skyscrapers, and admire the lush landscape.If you feel like getting some shopping done while in Panama City, hop off the bus for a visit to the modern Multicentro, where you will find numerous restaurants, local shops and cafés. Try out a few authentic Panama dishes (own expense), including ceviche, corvina and sancocho. To explore even more shops and restaurants, stop at Isla Flamingo. 
$3099 Cycling

Cycle Central America

This trip provides a piece of magic; aboard your bike, pedal through the lush countryside of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama past gleaming lakes, enormous volcanoes, colonial towns, and sunny beachfronts across the Caribbean. These are iconic destinations and seeing them on two wheels gives a unique perspective on the region. The ride of your life is waiting to begin. All that’s missing is you.
$3450 Small group tours

Whale and Dolphin Wisdom Retreat 5-Day Tour

Imagine 5 magical days immersed in the energies of the Humpback Whales and Dolphins experiencing an intimate and transformational connection with these very special beings! Connecting with these wondrous spirits can be a profoundly moving, deeply healing and life-altering experience for many people. You will experience an adventure that will touch your very soul to the core.
See More Adventures
Panama photo credits