Panama · Things to do
53 themed guides.
Lists by theme inside each destination: waterfalls, hot springs, plans with kids, what is free. Every guide flags what is open, closed or restricted and the price where it could be confirmed.
10 destinations180 places in the guideOpen, closed and restricted
53 themed guides · 10 destinations
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- 6 places
Casco Antiguo on foot
A half-day walk through the squares, churches and two museums of Casco Antiguo, ending at the bell-tower viewpoint of San Francisco de Asís.
- 5 places
City museums
The city's museums cover history, biodiversity, Guna textiles and contemporary art. Nearly all close on Mondays.
- 6 places
Free or nearly free
Walks and visits with no ticket or under US$6.
- 5 places
Nature in the city
Minutes from downtown there is forest, wildlife and sea. Go early: it gets hot, and rain is more likely in the afternoon.
- 5 places
Rainy-day options
Indoor plans for the rainy season, which in the city runs May to December.
- 5 places
Along the bay
You can walk along the waterfront, eat seafood and take the ferry to Taboga.
- 4 places
Seeing the canal up close
You can see the canal from the two locks with visitor centers, from a free stop at Pedro Miguel or on a partial transit by boat.
- 6 places
Birds and rainforest by the canal
Less than an hour from the capital there are trails, towers and a research island. Set out at dawn.
- 3 places
Emberá communities on the Chagres
Community tourism in Chagres National Park. Reached by dugout canoe from Puerto Corotú; you pay the community plus park entry.
- 4 places
On the water
You can take a boat on the canal, Gatún Lake and the Chagres River. Choose operators that do not feed wildlife.
- 5 places
With kids
Short visits with restrooms and shade, and a good return on travel time.
- 7 places
Bocas del Toro beaches
West of Isla Colón there are calm swimming beaches; to the east and on Bastimentos, beaches with strong waves. Check the currents before going in: there are almost never lifeguards.
- 7 places
By boat around the archipelago
The usual stops on day tours from Bocas Town. Ask whether the price includes the marine park fee (B/.10 for foreigners).
- 7 places
Wildlife and snorkeling
Places to see dolphins, seabirds, red frogs, manatees and turtles in Bocas del Toro, plus reefs for snorkelling or diving, most of them reached by boat.
- 5 places
Cacao and communities
There are cacao farms, Afro-Antillean villages and Ngäbe and Naso communities that welcome visitors. Several options work on rainy days.
- 6 places
Free or almost free
Plans that cost only the bus, a bike or a short water-taxi ride.
- 5 places
Restricted or seasonal
Places with limited access or that depend on the season and sea conditions. Check each entry before planning.
- 6 places
Trails and Volcán Barú
There are two routes to the Barú summit, plus Los Quetzales Trail and the cloud-forest trails around Boquete. Trails inside the national park require online registration and payment with MiAmbiente.
- 4 places
Highland coffee
In Boquete you can visit farms and roasters with tastings, and in January there is a fair devoted to coffee and flowers.
- 4 places
Waterfalls, hot springs and river
Bajo Mono has waterfalls you can swim in and Caldera has hot pools. There is also rafting, and the Volcán lakes.
- 4 places
Ziplines, rafting and Barú by night
You can cross above the cloud forest on ziplines and bridges, go rafting or climb Barú at night.
- 6 places
Free or nearly free
Plans with free entry or a few dollars. Some amounts come from guides rather than official sources; carry cash.
- 5 places
Volcán and Cerro Punta
On the west side of Barú are the Los Llanos route, La Amistad, the Volcán lakes, the Finca Drácula orchids and the Cerro Punta end of Los Quetzales Trail.
- 4 places
Islands for an overnight stay
The islands belong to Guna families and communities, who run the cabins. Lodging is rustic, with electricity for a few hours a day and meals included.
- 4 places
Snorkelling on reefs and wrecks
Snorkelling only: scuba tanks are banned except for authorized research. Currents change quickly between islands.
- 3 places
Guna communities and visiting rules
Gunayala is governed by its own congresses. Ask before taking photos, cover up away from the beach, and visit communities with a Guna guide.
- 5 places
Getting there, checkpoints and fees
You arrive by the mountain road to Cartí and continue by boat. A valid passport is required. Schedules are set by the General Congress.
- 6 places
Snorkeling and diving in Coiba
Day trips from Santa Catalina to snorkel or dive in Coiba National Park: islands, reefs and the usual stops, with what each plan costs and the level it requires.
- 4 places
Surfing in Santa Catalina
Near the village there is a reef break for experienced surfers, a sandy beach to learn on and a point for experts.
- 4 places
Marine life by season
According to official sources and operators, humpback whales are around from July to October, whale sharks from January to March and hammerheads mostly from April to July.
- 4 places
What is closed or limited in 2026
MiAmbiente is rebuilding the park headquarters over 24 months from April 2026. Meanwhile you cannot sleep on Coiba, Granito de Oro is closed and visits to the old prison are suspended from May 2026 for six months.
- 4 places
Departure ports for Coiba
Santa Catalina has the widest choice of tours and lodging. Pixvae is the port closest to the park and Puerto Mutis the closest to Santiago.
- 4 places
A day without a boat in Santa Catalina
On your arrival day or when the sea rules out Coiba, you can go to the beach, take a surf lesson or go kayaking near the village.
- 7 places
Forts and colonial heritage
The Portobelo and San Lorenzo fortifications have been World Heritage since 1980 and remain on the Danger List. Several forts and the church are under restoration, and some parts are closed.
- 5 places
Congo culture and festivals
Portobelo is a centre of Congo culture, inscribed by UNESCO in 2018, and of devotion to the Black Christ. Dates change each year.
- 5 places
Costa Arriba islands and beaches
The best beaches are reached by boat from Portobelo, La Guaira or Puerto Lindo. Bring cash: the islands have almost no ATMs or card payments.
- 5 places
Diving and snorkelling
Portobelo National Park's reefs are minutes away by boat. The site is chosen on the day depending on sea conditions.
- 4 places
Rainforest, trails and viewpoints
Two protected areas frame the route: Portobelo National Park to the east and the San Lorenzo area west of the Canal. For long trails, go with a local guide.
- 5 places
Islands, whales and turtles
Azuero's marine life depends on the season: whales from July to October and turtle arribadas from July to December. Isla Iguana is open year-round, with online payment to MiAmbiente in advance.
- 5 places
Beaches and surf in southern Azuero
From Pedasí to Cambutal there are more than ten surf spots. Venao has the most services; big waves arrive from May to August. There are usually no lifeguards.
- 5 places
History and museums
Azuero has places linked to the 1821 independence and to Belisario Porras, as well as colonial churches. Most Ministry of Culture museums open Tuesday to Saturday and are free.
- 5 places
Festivals and folklore
Azuero hosts Panama's best-known traditional festivals: Carnival in February, Corpus Christi in May or June, the Pollera in July and the Mejorana in September.
- 4 places
Dry Arc nature
The Dry Arc has arid land, dry forest, mangroves and protected coastline. For Sarigua, the dry season and an early start are best because of the heat.
- 5 places
Islands of the marine park
The islands are visited by boat from Boca Chica on day tours. They have no services: bring water, food and shade. The park fee is paid in MiAmbiente's system.
- 5 places
From Boca Chica
Boca Chica is the base for the gulf: island, whale, snorkel and fishing tours leave from its pier. Boca Brava is a few minutes away by boat.
- 4 places
Whales and turtles
Humpback whales arrive from July to October, and in the same months turtles nest on the mainland beaches. Keep your distance and follow MiAmbiente's rules.
- 3 places
Mainland beaches
Long beaches reached by road from David. They face the open Pacific: rip currents occur and SINAPROC carried out rescues in 2026.
- 4 places
Seasonal or restricted
Places and activities that depend on the season, new rules or owners' permission. Check the listing before booking.
- 6 places
Crater hills and the Caldera Route
The Caldera Route, about 30 km according to Visit Panamá, links four hills around the crater: La India Dormida, Cara Iguana, Macano–La Silla and Gaital. Cerro Gaital is a MiAmbiente protected area with an entry fee; the other sections follow rustic trails with river crossings and ridges without railings.
- 5 places
Waterfalls, pools and hot springs
Chorro El Macho has a trail, pool and zipline run by one operator. The Chorro Las Mozas pools are on the Antón River, Pozo Azul is about 25 km away and the hot springs are at the foot of Cara Iguana. In heavy rain the rivers rise quickly.
- 5 places
Golden frogs, orchids and wildlife
The EVACC Foundation sanctuary is where golden frogs can be seen in El Valle, in captivity. The Square Trees trail is next door; in town are the APROVACA orchid centre and the butterfly house.
- 4 places
Market, museums and petroglyphs
The market sells crafts and local produce. You can also visit the museum next to San José church (Thursday to Sunday), the Victoriano Lorenzo Museum and the pre-Columbian carvings of Piedra Pintada.
- 5 places
El Valle with kids
The short Chorro El Macho trail with hanging bridges, the Square Trees, the butterfly house, the zoo and the hot springs are all short, easy stops. The zipline requires a minimum age of 6.
A place can appear in more than one selection. The counts of the 53 guides do not add up to unique places; the full catalogue has 180 places.