What To Do In Panama

Sitting confidently between the Americas, flanked by the Pacific and the Caribbean, Panama draws in travelers with a rare kind of magnetism. This is a country that pulses with life in every direction. Its mountains churn out world-renowned coffee, its rainforests echo with the calls of howler monkeys, and its turquoise waters cradle islands that shimmer in the sun.

For those ready to experience a land where adventure and culture run side by side, Panama delivers with thrilling variety.

The Pulse of Panama City

Your journey might begin in Panama City, a metropolis that wears its modernity proudly without letting go of its past. Glass skyscrapers gleam under tropical light, but it’s the colonial heart of Casco Viejo that pulls you in. Cobbled lanes unfurl past faded facades and brightly painted balconies. Cafes spill onto the streets, their tables shaded by umbrellas and draped with the scent of fresh coffee and grilled seafood.

In Casco Viejo, every corner reveals something new. Churches rise with centuries-old grace, while boutique hotels and rooftop bars hum with contemporary charm. Step into the Biomuseo, Frank Gehry’s kaleidoscopic monument to biodiversity, where the story of Panama’s role in shaping the planet’s ecosystems comes to life. A stroll along the Cinta Costera leads you through salty air and warm breezes, with views of the city’s soaring skyline on one side and the lapping Pacific on the other.

Just outside the city, the Panama Canal steals the spotlight. This feat of engineering is mesmerizing in its precision and power. Watching massive vessels rise and fall with the locks is oddly hypnotic. But the canal is more than a marvel of mechanics. Nearby, Gatun Lake and Gamboa cradle rainforest trails and offer glimpses of wildlife at every turn. Sloths, capuchin monkeys, toucans, and caimans are all part of the cast here.

Culture That Lives and Breathes

Panama’s cultural heartbeat is rich with rhythm and resilience. Throughout the country, traditions flourish in dance, costume, and culinary artistry. The influence of African, Spanish, Indigenous, and Caribbean heritage has shaped something wholly Panamanian.

In the province of Colón, congo dances erupt in color and percussion. Drums echo stories of resistance and identity, passed from one generation to the next. At festivals like Carnival, especially in towns like Las Tablas, streets swirl with parades, feathers, sequins, and trumpets in one of the continent’s most vibrant celebrations.

Journey into the rainforest and you’ll find communities that have preserved lifeways tied to the land and water. A visit to an Embera village reveals a culture rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, and sustainable living. Guests are welcomed with warmth and openness, often accompanied by rhythmic music and food prepared with ingredients foraged from the forest.

Then there’s the coffee culture, especially high in the cool air of Boquete. Here, the land yields beans that rival the finest in the world. Visiting a plantation like Finca Lérida allows you to see the entire process, from cherry to cup. Sipping a pour-over in the place where the beans were harvested is more than satisfying; it’s intimate, nuanced, and alive with the taste of volcanic soil and altitude.

Wild Panama: Rainforests, Wildlife, and National Parks

Few places pack such biodiversity into such a compact space. Panama is smaller than South Carolina, yet it hosts more than 1,000 species of birds and over 10,000 varieties of plants. The country’s wild side appeals to hikers, wildlife lovers, and conservation-minded travelers alike.

In Boquete’s highlands, trails lead through cloud forests thick with orchids and towering trees. Hikers often spot the resplendent quetzal, with its jewel-toned plumage and flowing tail feathers. The Bajo Mono trail weaves through misty woods and past crashing waterfalls, offering quiet moments in the cool embrace of the forest.

Head southeast and you arrive at the Darién Gap. This impenetrable jungle is one of the last truly untamed regions in the Americas. It’s a place where jaguars roam and the forest hums with unseen life. This is no casual outing; only experienced guides and seasoned trekkers attempt it. But it remains a place of awe and primal beauty.

Even within the city limits of Panama City, nature asserts itself. Parque Natural Metropolitano offers shaded trails and scenic lookouts teeming with sloths, iguanas, and birdlife. It’s a quick escape for those who want a taste of the wild without straying far from the urban core.

The Islands and Beaches of Two Oceans

With two coastlines and over 1,500 miles of shoreline, Panama’s aquatic wonders never feel out of reach. The beaches and islands here speak to both thrill-seekers and tranquility chasers.

On the Caribbean side, Bocas del Toro stands out as a cluster of laid-back islands where bright wooden houses perch on stilts above the water. Coral reefs fan out beneath the surface, inviting snorkelers and divers into an underwater ballet of reef sharks, rays, and darting schools of fish. Surf breaks curl along Isla Colón and Bastimentos, where warm water and steady swells reward those with boards and balance.

Further east, the San Blas Islands offer something quieter and more ethereal. Nearly 400 islets, many no bigger than a soccer field, stretch across the ocean like pearls. The Kuna people who inhabit the region manage tourism with great care, preserving the delicate balance between visitor and environment. Days here are filled with swimming in impossibly clear water, eating fresh lobster grilled over fire, and swaying in hammocks beneath coconut palms.

Along the Pacific coast, Pedasí and Tonosí serve up rolling waves and rural charm. These surf towns are still off the beaten path, their shores graced with long, empty stretches of sand and warm, welcoming locals. Dive into the marine sanctuaries near Coiba National Park, where protected waters reveal whale sharks, manta rays, and phosphorescent plankton that light up the night.

A Brush with the Wild

Wildlife in Panama is not confined to reserves. It appears in quiet moments, on forest paths, and under moonlit skies. On the beaches, sea turtles nest year-round, with higher chances during the full moon. Walk the sands at night and you might see the silver gleam of a hatchling making its first trek to the water.

From July to October, the Pacific becomes a theater for humpback whales. Boats depart from the Gulf of Chiriquí and other coastal points, ferrying guests into open water for front-row views. The sight of a whale breaching, framed by blue skies and sea spray, leaves something unforgettable in its wake.

One of the most surreal experiences takes place during full moons when thousands of Halloween moon crabs emerge from the forest and march toward the ocean to spawn. The beach turns into a moving mosaic of color and claws, a silent spectacle of natural instinct and rhythm.

Survival in Paradise

For those looking for something entirely different, Panama offers a challenge that tests both body and mind. Desert Island Survival expeditions strand participants on a secluded tropical island where they learn to fish, build shelter, and endure the elements. Under the guidance of seasoned instructors, these 72-hour challenges turn sand and saltwater into a crucible for self-discovery. Nights pass under a canopy of stars, and the only soundtrack is wind, waves, and the beat of your own heart.

This is an invitation to shed distraction and reconnect with raw existence in a setting stripped of pretense.

What You’ll Eat and Drink

Panama’s culinary scene is an evolving celebration of its geography and cultural intersections. On every table, the sea plays a central role. Ceviche, bright with lime and flecked with cilantro, is everywhere from beach shacks to upscale restaurants. Arroz con mariscos combines rich broth with clams, shrimp, and squid, layered over fragrant rice.

Street vendors serve up patacones, twice-fried plantains, often topped with grilled meats or fresh seafood. In homes and local eateries, sancocho fills bowls with tender chicken, corn, and root vegetables. It’s a dish that feels like a warm embrace.

For a more spirited taste of the country, try a glass of seco herrerano. This sugarcane liquor, often mixed with fruit juice or served straight, is Panama’s national drink. And of course, there’s coffee. From the highland farms of Chiriquí comes some of the most sought-after beans in the world, known for their clarity, complexity, and sweetness.

Final Thought

Panama reveals itself through contrasts that never clash. It’s where skyscrapers rise beside mangroves, where sacred dances echo across plazas, and where wild animals share the stage with ancient ruins and crashing surf. Whether you come to hike cloud-kissed trails, sail to quiet islands, or sip coffee in a colonial courtyard, Panama meets you with intensity and grace.

This is not a place to rush. Let the country unfold with all its surprises, one moment at a time.