Things to do in Panama

25 things to do in Panama

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Transit the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks

  Watch massive cargo ships being raised and lowered through the Miraflores Locks, a marvel of engineering. Visit the museum and observation decks to understand the canal's history and operation.

  Panama City

• Wander the colonial streets of Casco Viejo

  Explore Panama City's UNESCO-listed historic quarter, with its pastel-colored buildings, plazas, churches, and vibrant nightlife. Discover artisan shops, rooftop bars, and street food vendors.

  Panama City

• Snorkel the crystal waters of Isla Coiba

  Dive or snorkel in the protected waters of Coiba National Park, home to whale sharks, manta rays, and pristine coral reefs. The former penal colony island is now a biodiversity hotspot.

  Coiba Island, Veraguas Province

• Explore the ruins of Panama Viejo

  Walk through the archaeological site of the original Panama City, founded in 1519 and sacked by pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. The iconic cathedral tower stands as a testament to the city's turbulent past.

  Panama City

• Visit an Emberá village in Chagres National Park

  Take a dugout canoe up the Chagres River to a traditional Emberá indigenous community. Learn about their medicinal plants, basket weaving, and traditional dances.

  Chagres National Park, Panama Province

• Birdwatch on Pipeline Road in Soberanía National Park

  Walk one of the world's premier birdwatching trails, where over 500 species have been recorded. Spot toucans, trogons, antbirds, and sometimes a harpy eagle in the lowland rainforest.

  Soberanía National Park, Panama Province

• Relax on the white sands of Bocas del Toro

  Island-hop through the Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro, visiting Red Frog Beach, Starfish Beach, and Dolphin Bay. Enjoy laid-back reggae vibes and fresh seafood.

  Bocas del Toro

• Hike to the Lost Waterfalls in Boquete

  Trek through cloud forest trails to discover three spectacular waterfalls hidden in the highlands near Boquete. The misty trails offer chances to spot resplendent quetzals and howler monkeys.

  Boquete, Chiriquí Province

• Sample ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos

  Eat incredibly fresh ceviche at Panama City's bustling fish market on the waterfront. Choose from corvina, shrimp, or octopus preparations with lime, onion, and ají chombo peppers.

  Panama City

• Cross the Bridge of the Americas

  Drive or walk across the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Built in 1962, it connects the canal's two banks and offers panoramic views of ship traffic.

  Balboa, Panama City

• Explore Darién National Park's jungle

  Venture into Central America's largest protected area of tropical forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site teeming with jaguars, tapirs, and harpy eagles. Only visit with experienced guides.

  Darién Province

• Ride the Panama Canal Railway

  Take the historic train from Panama City to Colón, the world's first transcontinental railroad. Watch the canal, Gatun Lake, and tropical jungle pass by your window in about an hour.

  Panama City to Colón

• Drink Geisha coffee in Boquete's highlands

  Visit a finca in the volcanic highlands where some of the world's most expensive coffee is grown. Tour the plantation, learn the processing methods, and savor a cup of floral, citrusy Geisha beans.

  Boquete, Chiriquí Province

• Visit the San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)

  Sail or fly to the autonomous Guna Yala archipelago, where over 300 islands are managed by the indigenous Guna people. Swim in turquoise waters and buy traditional molas—colorful textile art.

  Guna Yala Comarca

• Watch the sunset from Ancon Hill

  Hike the short trail to the top of Ancon Hill for 360-degree views of Panama City's skyline, the canal, the Bridge of the Americas, and Casco Viejo. Titi monkeys inhabit the forested slopes.

  Panama City

• Dive the waters of Bocas del Toro

  Explore Caribbean dive sites around Bocas with nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, and vibrant coral gardens. Several wrecks and the famous 'Hospital Point' offer variety for all skill levels.

  Bocas del Toro

• Tour the Biomuseo, Frank Gehry's colorful museum

  Visit the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway, Frank Gehry's first Latin American design. The exhibits explore Panama's role as the land bridge that reshaped global biodiversity.

  Panama City

• Hike Volcán Barú at dawn

  Summit Panama's highest peak (3,474 m) to watch the sunrise over both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on clear nights. The grueling pre-dawn hike rewards with unforgettable 360-degree views.

  Volcán Barú, Chiriquí Province

• Party on Calle Uruguay in Panama City

  Experience Panama City's vibrant nightlife strip, packed with upscale clubs, rooftop lounges, and salsa bars. The weekend scene runs until dawn with a mix of locals and international visitors.

  Panama City

• Explore Fort San Lorenzo on the Caribbean coast

  Visit the haunting ruins of this 16th-century Spanish fort perched above the Chagres River mouth, repeatedly attacked by pirates. The jungle-clad ramparts overlook the Caribbean Sea.

  Colón Province

• Eat patacones with everything in Portobelo

  Try thick twice-fried green plantains served with fresh fish, ceviche, or stewed meats at a beachside fonda in Portobelo. Pair with a cold Seco Herrerano, Panama's sugarcane spirit.

  Portobelo, Colón Province

• Kayak through Gatun Lake's monkey islands

  Paddle through Gatun Lake's calm waters to islands inhabited by capuchin, howler, and spider monkeys. Crocodiles, toucans, and sloths are regularly spotted along the shoreline.

  Gatun Lake, Colón Province

• Admire Black Christ at Portobelo's Church

  See the life-sized 'Cristo Negro' statue in the Iglesia de San Felipe, a 17th-century carved figure revered across Panama. Every October 21, thousands of pilgrims process through town for the Festival del Cristo Negro.

  Portobelo, Colón Province

• Zipline over the cloud forest in Boquete

  Soar on the 'Tree Trek' zipline course through Boquete's misty canopy, crossing gorges and waterfalls on over a dozen cables. The longest line stretches over 900 meters above the valley floor.

  Boquete, Chiriquí Province

• Visit Taboga Island, the Island of Flowers

  Take a 30-minute ferry from Panama City to this volcanic island with colorful hillside houses, a 16th-century church, and sandy beaches. Paul Gauguin once lived and painted here.

  Taboga Island, Gulf of Panama