The 8 best places to visit in Panama

01.12.2023 - 19:53 / lonelyplanet.com / Frank Gehry

There’s so much more to Panama than its world-famous waterway.

Yes, its canal is a whopper – and something you won't want to miss – but this Central American country offers lots more besides. With myriad islands, wildlife-rich tropical forests and miles of pristine coastline on two oceans, it'll keep you under its spell for weeks.

Squeezed between Costa Rica and Colombia, this narrow land bridge and biological corridor may be compact, but it packs a lot in.

From a cosmopolitan capital filled with state-of-the-art skyscrapers to the splendid isolation of the Guna Yala Archipelago, there’s a good chance you’ll want to extend your trip here. Especially once you hear about its adrenaline-fueled adventures in the highlands around Boquete and the island hopping opportunities in Bocas del Toro.

These are the best places to visit in Panama.

Central America’s most stylish capital is a tale of three cities. Downtown is a skyscraper-packed hub of international finance, glitzy shopping malls and upscale restaurants. Across the bay, tombstone-like ruins are all that’s left of the original city, Panama Viejo, which was sacked by pirates in 1671.

Next comes Casco Viejo, which, after an ambitious restoration, has become the city’s hippest neighborhood. Boutique spots like the American Trade Hotel and stylish rooftop restaurants and bars such as Casa Casco fill the pastel-colored colonial mansions that line its cobblestone streets.

Planning tip: To escape the urban jungle, hike the trails of the Parque Natural Metropolitano, or cycle along the scenic Amador Causeway, where the striking Frank Gehry-designed BioMuseo celebrates the natural and cultural history of the isthmus.

The world’s most famous shortcut, the Panama Canal – dubbed “the big ditch” – has been a vital trade route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans since it opened in 1914. An awe-inspiring feat of engineering, this artificial marvel operates around the clock and moves more than half a billion tons of goods a year.

Planning tip: The easiest place to watch the canal’s mechanics in action is from the viewing platforms at the four-story Miraflores Visitor Center – try to time your visit with the arrival of a mega-ship, and don’t miss the 3D movie. You can get even closer to the locks on a partial (six to seven hours) or full (10 to 12 hours) canal transit with Ancon Expeditions.

Adrenaline junkies should head to the highland town of Boquete, where adventurers have their pick of rappelling, rock climbing and rafting. From the foothills of Volcán Barú, you can hike up to the summit for a show-stopping sunrise, or whizz above the slopes on a zip line.

Hiking along its misty cloud forest trails in search of hidden waterfalls and elusive quetzals, shrouded in greenery