Panama is known as the “Hub of the Americas” due to its unique location in Central America, with airlines from Canada, USA, South America and Europe arriving daily in Panama City. Rainforests, desert, and beautiful beaches on both its Caribbean and Pacific coasts, are all within driving distance of the capital city.
Must Experiences
- Private cruise and tour of the famous Panama Canal, learning about its history and seeing Puente de las Américas (Bridge of the Americas).
- Take the Transoceanic train route, 48km across the Isthmus of Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. The line runs alongside the Panama Canal and its locks, passing through emerald green rainforests, the historic Gaillard Cut and over slender bridges in Gatun Lake.
- Private walking tour around the cobblestone streets of Casco Vieje, the old Spanish Quarter, with a Geisha Coffee and Panama Chocolate tasting experience. Then visit the local markets and buy your must-have Panama hat.
- Host your welcome party or gala dinner in one of our many colonial ruins or Haciendas, with local Tamborito dancers and a Panamanian jazz band entertaining the guests.
- Head to the rainforests, only 30 minutes from your city hotel room. Visit the Panama Rainforest Discovery Centre and take a boat ride to Monkey Island with a chance to see howler monkeys, sloths and crocodiles.
- Enjoy a Rum Distillery Tour and taste the local alcoholic beverage Seco before visiting La Rana Dorado Brewery to taste its local craft beer.
- Catamaran cruise to the Pearl Islands for a day of kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming on its sandy beaches. A Robinson Crusoe BBQ lunch is served on the beach with optional beach games for teambuilding.
- Visit a traditional Emberá tribal village in the rainforest, learning about their culture and interact with the locals. Panama has 7 indigenous tribes.
- 4×4 Jeep safari to the top of Volcan Baru.
- Adventure experiences aplenty – kayaking on the Chagres River, white water rafting in Chiriqui, sea- kayaking in the Gulf of Chiriqui, ATV drives and the Gamboa Tree Trek Zipline in the rainforest.
Must eat: Sancocho de Gallina – traditional soup stew with chicken, yam, cilantro, water and salt served with a side of rice. Carimanola – fried yucca roll stuffed with meat and boiled eggs. Desserts such as Mamallena (bread pudding) and Helado de Pipa (coconut water ice cream). For dinner restaurants, try Fonda lo Que Hay, Maito, Brutto and Wahaka.
Best Nightlife: Lazotea or Tantalo rooftop bars for sundowners over Panama City. End the night dancing at La Tana.
Best time to visit: The dry and most popular season is December-April but the wet season also offers less crowds, better travel deals and a break from the heat. Avoid November as it is usually the wettest month with many national holidays. The best time for whale watching is July-October.
Top Tips
- Time your travels in January each year to visit the Panama Jazz Festival and Boquete Flower and Coffee Tasting Fair. In February, witness the sights and sounds of the colorful Panama Carnival with dances, bands and parades throughout the country.
Our recommended DMC: The local travel team at Accento Incentives, led by Kenelma Mendoza, will help you design the perfect program combining bush, beach and city breaks throughout Panama.