Is Panama worth visiting? Jack and I weren't sure if it would be a place we would enjoy and we were really looking forward to knowing if Panama was worth visiting during our trips. Panama is a small country in Central America, known mainly for the Panama Canal and the Panama hats, or at least that's all we knew before visiting it. Is Panama worth visiting? In short, the answer is YES, absolutely; there's no denying that it's a beautiful and unique Central American country. It's very clean and green, with expansive mountain views, misty rainforests, tropical beaches, a fascinating history, a diverse culture and fauna.
The government also seems to be implementing a lot of sustainable regulations. It is currently one of only three countries in the world with negative carbon emissions. That said, if you're planning a vacation in Panama or it's a place that's been on your list for a while, I would definitely recommend visiting Panama regardless of the cost. I have put together the best reasons to visit Panama below.
One of the best things that make Panama worth visiting is surfing. Panama has a wild coastline along the Pacific Ocean (in addition to sailing through the Caribbean Sea), which makes surfing crazy. There are some hidden bays that are ideal for beginner surfers, but also more exposed spots for advanced surfing. There are many national parks surrounded by towns and cities in the mountains of Panama, which are incredible bases for hiking. The scenery is breathtaking, with hikes through ancient rainforests and coastal walks.
The country also hosts many festivals to celebrate. If you visit during festivals and celebrations, you'll experience the country's culture and heritage first-hand. It's a wonderful time to visit. Panama is full of islands, especially off the Caribbean coast. There are some popular destinations such as Bocas del Toro and San Blas Islands.
The San Blas Islands are truly spectacular and should not be missed if you visit Panama. Panama's national bird is the harpy eagle, a magnificent bird that can be found deep in Panama's national parks. However, most people go to Panama to see the impressive quetzal, while other species, such as saw owls and hummingbirds, are also much appreciated. Did you know that every year there is a migration of whales along the Pacific coast of Panama? During the wet season, you can take boat trips to observe them.
It's a truly magical spectacle where hundreds of whales, sharks and orcas gather along the Pacific coast. The best place to see them is Pearl Island. Panama is a small country but it has a lot of places of interest. In addition to Panama City, some of our favorites were Playa Venao and Boquete. Adding these places to your list definitely makes Panama worth visiting.
If you're planning to visit Panama City, it's a good idea to choose a hostel for your stay. The city is quite expensive, and this is a good way to keep costs down. A good area to stay is Casco Viejo, the old city, as it is very central. However, it may be more expensive than other areas, so here are our two suggestions for Panama City. Located in the district of El Cangrejo, it was a good and safe place, very close to restaurants and the metro station.
We opted for the private room. However, they have dorms, the price was very reasonable and we had no problems at the hostel, which was clean. Our friend was staying at Seline Casco Viejo, which looked really good when we visited her. Seline hostels are a group of hostels located throughout Central America and are generally modern and busy hostels. We spent a night at Selina Playa Venao and we thought it was beautiful, but it was out of our budget, so we had to move.
Be careful not to confuse it with the other Selina River Hostel, which is on the same beach. If you're planning to visit Boquete, which you should do, there are plenty of accommodation options. The city is well developed for tourism with cafés, restaurants and bars. Even so, it hasn't lost its charm and has a lot of character: it's a pretty city that displays beautiful flower displays and front gardens, art and craft stores.
We stayed at the Arte Hostel, which seems to be closed. Another good option if you are looking for budget accommodation is the Agartha Hostel and Camping Panama is better known for the Panama Canal, which has 82 km of (partially) artificial canals that connect the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. It is a central passage through which merchant ships pass. This has helped to grow Panama's economy, making it a central hub for trade and services. In addition to the Panama Canal, Panama is also known for its biodiversity.
It has a huge selection of natural attractions, from birdwatching to hiking and adventure sports. Because of this, Panama attracts many naturalists, which in turn has influenced the Panamanian Government to take serious measures to preserve its wildlife. Panama is also known for the Panama hats, which surprisingly originate from Ecuador. However, they became known internationally from Panama, so the name of Panama Hat was retained.
The hats are made of toquilla palm and were originally worn by men, they are wide-brimmed, straw-shaped hats. Another thing that makes Panama so special is its cultural mix and heritage. The country has many influences that are shown through traditional crafts and art, food and music. In short, the best time to visit Panama is towards the end of the dry season. However, we visited in the wet season and thought it was fine.
Sure, it's raining (but not as much), and while it's not ideal for beach days, it was refreshing and fun. Panama has two seasons, wet and dry, and that's why it's known as a tropical destination. In general, it has a warm climate all year round with high humidity levels during the rainy season. If you're heading to the coast for a beach vacation, due to the humidity, the most comfortable time to visit Panama is during the dry season, between December and April. This is also the most popular time to visit, so expect higher prices.
However, if you don't mind a little rain, it may be cheaper to visit it during the wet season. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't rain all day long, often just periods of light to heavy rain for a few hours straight, rather than continuous showers. Jack and I were traveling around Panama for 3 weeks and we didn't have any problems nor did we hear that anyone had problems. As with visiting any country, there is always an element of risk, however, we feel very safe in Panama, even more so outside the city. There are some areas of Panama City that it is recommended to avoid, one being the area surrounding the old city.
However, we walked through this area on our way to the old city from the metro station and, although it was obviously poorer, we had no problems. Scams are quite common in Panama, so it's crucial that you stay alert, always check your exchange rate and never pay anything in advance. We always negotiate everything in advance, we distrust pickpockets and we don't accept free drinks. As with most places we visit, I wouldn't walk alone at night either.
If you drink at night, stay in well-known areas such as the old town. The crime rate in Panama is low to moderate and most crimes occur at night. Is it expensive to visit Panama? Yes?. Panama is expensive due to the US dollar, which it has adopted as its own currency, and to foreign influence and the increase of expatriates, who have driven up prices over the years years. Don't be fooled by its location.
Panama, as well as Costa Rica, which borders it to the north, are expensive countries to visit. Jack and I spent almost 3 weeks in Panama and decided that it was a place we needed to go to, as it was eating up our savings too quickly. We knew it was more expensive than in other countries like Colombia and Indonesia, although we didn't expect it to be as expensive as before. The prices aren't much different from those in Western countries, especially if you're not careful about where you go and what you do. One thing that was affordable was transportation, especially Uber and local taxis.
We found that they were cheap and, in fact, made getting around much easier than expected. We ate local food instead of going to Western restaurants, which also helped keep costs down. How many days do you need in Panama? As with all trips, it totally depends on the reason for your visit and the type of trip you are taking. We spent three weeks in Panama, which was enough for us to see what we wanted. If we had a bigger budget, we would have stayed a little longer.
Remember that Panama and Costa Rica are very similar countries in typography, climate and culture. If you want to visit both countries, I suggest that you spend two weeks in each one. Jack and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Panama and can't think of any reason, other than the cost, why we wouldn't recommend Panama as a place to visit. Is Panama City worth visiting? Yes, to a large extent.
Panama City is a bustling metropolis full of culture and innovation. It has some beautiful areas to visit, such as Casco Viejo and the Metropolitan Natural Park next to the Panama Canal. The downtown district has many rooftop bars that offer great panoramic views of the Panamanian skyline. As you can see, Jack and I really enjoyed Panama.
It is a country that is a paradise for any lover of nature and animals like us. Without a doubt, we think Panama is worth visiting, and although it's not affordable, there are ways you can try to keep costs low, such as considering where you stay and eat, preparing meals at home, and using local transportation to get around. For a backpacking trip, we suggest leaving Cartagena in Colombia on a sailing trip to the San Blas Islands and heading to Panama City, Playa Venao, Boquete and Bocas del Toro before crossing the border with Costa Rica in Guabito. So is Panama really worth visiting? Panama is truly a wonderful place. Make sure you have properly budgeted for this trip, as it can easily get expensive.
Abigail Dalton is the owner and creator of I'm Going On An Adventure, a blog that helps travelers find unique destinations around the world. It focuses on affordable travel and outdoor adventures, and offers first-hand experiences to help its readers plan their perfect trips and create the best memories. It also helps travelers plan the vacation of their dreams with personalized travel services where they create fun-filled itineraries. When she's not writing about her travels, you'll find her taking long walks in the countryside looking for mushrooms or enjoying a fresh, fruity white under the sun, with her toes tucked into the sand.
We've packed our bags, we've packed our bags and now we live in our self-converted Ford Transit, ready to travel to Europe. Before moving to our van, we traveled to countries such as Thailand, Panama and Indonesia, where we lived for six months. Is it worth visiting Thailand? Exploring the Land of Smiles. Visiting Panama City during the off-season (April to November) can help you save money on flights, accommodation and activities. If you prefer to eat seated in restaurants and cafés, Panama City has plenty of options to choose from.
Many high-end restaurants in Panama City also offer stunning views of the city's skyline and the ocean, making for a memorable dining experience. It's important to note that while the U.S. dollar is widely accepted in Panama City, smaller businesses and vendors may not have change to buy higher bills. Getting around Panama City can be expensive, but there are ways to keep transportation costs under control. Regardless of your budget, it's important to keep in mind that Panama City offers a wide range of experiences and attractions for travelers of all types.
The old town of Panama City (Casco Viejo) is a beautiful place to learn about the history of Panama. International flights to Panama tend to be cheaper towards the end of the wet season, from September to November. Panama is best known for the Panama Canal, which has 82 km of (partially) artificial waterways that connect the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. If you're looking for an affordable way to explore Panama City, there are plenty of free and low-cost attractions to choose from.
