Easily accessible and ripe with adventure, Panama is an ideal escape for adrenaline junkies looking to explore the great outdoors. While its neighbour to the north might receive all the press, Panama packs the same amount of punch without all of the crowds. Its fascinating history, colonial cities, vast cloud forests, and idyllic beaches make it a one-stop destination for intrepid travellers in search of going off the beaten path. The following regions in Panama are the best destinations for adventure. From hiking and kayaking to snorkelling and cruising, no activity is off-limits in this tiny but mighty country.
Panama City
Any travel to Panama will undoubtedly begin in the country’s capital of Panama City. Instead of immediately heading off to the countryside, consider wandering around the famous Casco Antiguo (Old Town). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is especially beautiful at sunset with its colorful squares, cobblestone streets, French influence, and welcoming locals.
Panama Canal
Just outside of Panama City is the famous Panama Canal. Needless to say, no visit to Panama is complete without a Panama Canal cruise.
Connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Panama Canal is a modern marvel of engineering. Its 100-year history has revolutionized transportation. Just one look at its many locks proves its universally recognized role as the eighth wonder of the world.
In a single day, cruisers can travel from one ocean to another. Yet they are not relegated to just stay put on the cruise ship. Numerous shore excursions illuminate the regional culture and history, but they also bring travellers up close to the natural diversity found here.
Visit to the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center allows visitors to dive into the extensive history and future visions of the Canal. It also affords panoramic views of the water so one can witness the locks at work in real-time.
Alternatively, choose an excursion that explores the Panamanian rainforest. The biodiversity along the canal is splendid, with numerous primates, birds, and even sloths found in the trees. Hike through the area to meet the local Emberá people and learn about their indigenous lifestyle; navigate a canoe through Changres National Forest; and go kayaking along Gatun Lake, the world’s second largest manmade lake.
Chiriquí
The Chiriquí region of Panama is a wonderland of beauty and one of the country’s most sought after adventure destinations. Nestled between Costa Rica and the Pacific Ocean in the western portion of the country, Chiriquí is chock-full of majestic hikes leading to massive waterfalls, meandering rivers ripe for white water rafting, expansive coffee estates offering delicious tastings, and towering cloud forests and mountains ideal for hikers and zip liners.
While David is the capital city Chiriquí, travellers will find Boquete to be the perfect base for exploration due to its location within the highlands and proximity to Barú Volcano National Park. The centrepiece of the park is the 12,000-foot high Volcan Barú, an extinct crater that invites mountain bikers, rafters, hikers, and fishers to its slopes. Those who submit its peak have been known to see both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans from the top.
The park also so happens to be the home of the legendary Quercus Trees, the oldest trees in the country. Birdwatchers will revel in the more than 220 bird species residing here, including the rare Resplendent quetzal.
Isla Palenque
Located within the Gulf of Chiriquí, Isla Palenque is just one of many islands resting off Panama’s pristine coast. This forest-filled private island paradise is perfect for those looking for barefoot luxury and Indiana Jones-level adventure.
The activities here range from ocean kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding along the coast and trekking through the jungle to a former archaeological dig site, to snorkelling and whale watching in the wildlife-rich water and island hopping to nearby neighbouring islands.
After all of this activity, rest can be found on one of the island’s seven secluded beaches—practically untouched by humanity.
San Blas Archipelago
Escape the archipelago of San Blas, a collection of 360 islands located off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Only about 50 of these islands are inhabited, which makes them ideal for those seeking solace and sun.
The main highlight of San Blas is its virgin mangrove swamps. Best explored via kayak, these undeveloped groves bring adventurers into contact with the indigenous Kuna people, who are wonderfully welcoming to visitors.
While diving might be prohibited in the archipelago, snorkelling and swimming bring water lovers up close to the playful dolphins, dolphins, goldfish, and turtles that make their home here.
Portobelo
Easily accessible from Panama City, Portobelo is a rarely visited beach village that was once famous for being one of the most important ports in America. Its integral role in trade during the colonial era has left it replete with pirate lore and Congo culture.
Surfing and scuba diving are particularly popular in Portobelo. The nearby island of Isla Grande boasts beautiful breaks for surf enthusiasts, while Playa Blanca at the top of the peninsula promises one of the most colourful reefs in Central America. Portobelo also has 16 dedicated dive spots, which are renowned for their residents as nurse sharks and barracudas.
Bocas del Toro
Panama is a surfing mecca with its numerous surf spots dotting the Pacific coastline. Bocas del Toro, however, is the most well known of them all—and for good reason. The waters here are crystal clear, so surfers have the unique pleasure of seeing the reef below as they cruise along the surface.
What’s more, the waves range from small rises to massive 20-foot barreling breaks. Both beginners and masters will therefore find Bocas del Toro a dream destination for their favourite water sport.
No matter the location, it is easy to find adventure in Panama. The country might be small in size, but the diversity of its waters, forests, rivers, jungles, and islands ensure there is something for every variety of thrill-seeker and outdoor lover.
Rainforest safaris, family beach vacations, epic hiking and rafting journeys, and stunning surfing and scuba diving escapes—they are all possible in Panama.
So what are you waiting for?
