Canal ships, island-dotted seas and cloud forest in the highlands.
Panama joins two oceans and two continents. Ships pass through the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks, a short ride from Panama City's skyline and the restored colonial streets of Casco Viejo. The San Blas Islands, governed by the Guna people as Guna Yala, are low palm-covered cays, Bocas del Toro is a laid-back Caribbean archipelago, and the highlands around Boquete grow coffee beneath Volcán Barú.
The capital is modern and easy to navigate, with ceviche at the fish market and rooftop bars over the bay. Beyond it, buses and domestic flights reach the islands and mountains. December to April is dry on the Pacific side, while the rest of the year brings afternoon downpours; Bocas often has its best weather in September and October.
Best time to visit Panama
January, February, March.
Places to visit in Panama
Panama City: A modern city of glass towers on the Pacific, with the restored colonial quarter of Casco Viejo and the canal on its doorstep.
Panama Canal: The engineering marvel linking the Atlantic and Pacific, best seen from the Miraflores Locks or on a partial transit by boat.
Bocas del Toro: A Caribbean archipelago of stilt houses, mangroves, starfish beaches and a laid-back, partly English-speaking culture.
San Blas Islands: An archipelago of around 365 islands governed by the Indigenous Guna people, with simple island stays on white sand.
Essentials
Currency: Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
Language: Spanish; English common in tourism and business
Plugs: Type A / B, 120 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC−5
Tipping: 10% in restaurants
Getting around: Buses and domestic flights; Uber and taxis in Panama City
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking