📍 Panama

PANAMA COMPLETE: CANAL, CLOUD FORESTS AND ISLAND PARADISE

Giant ships gliding through jungle-carved canal, cloud forests dripping with orchids, turquoise islands dotting two oceans. Panama, bridge between worlds.

≈ 20
Days
2036
Km
6
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Cross Panama City and the canal, then reach Boquete and its cloud forests on coffee lands. Head to Santa Catalina for the ocean, then speed to Bocas del Toro and its Caribbean vibe. San Blas completes the journey, palm islets and clear waters among Guna communities. Panama connects two seas with disarming ease.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Panama City Casco Viejo

colonial quarter canal skyline rooftop bars

Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 1Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 2Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 3Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 4Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 5Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Pacific Lookout (Cinta Costera) and "PANAMA" letters
2
Casco Viejo — colonial alleys and squares
3
Fish market (waterfront market)
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset walk on the Cinta Costera with skyline views
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 5 km
Travel time: 15min
2
Day

Panama City Casco Viejo

colonial quarter canal skyline rooftop bars

Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 1Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 2Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 3Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 4Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 5Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Cerro Ancón — viewpoints over the city
2
Metropolitan Park — urban jungle trail
3
Panama Viejo — archaeological remains
🎯

Activities

→
Miraflores Locks (museum and Canal locks observation)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 98.1 km
Travel time: 1h38
3
Day

El Valle De Anton

El Valle De Anton - Photo 1El Valle De Anton - Photo 2El Valle De Anton - Photo 3El Valle De Anton - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Route Panama City → El Valle de Antón via Altos de Campana (views)
2
El Valle municipal market — crafts and local products
🎯

Activities

→
Warm-up walk in the caldera (central park)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 125 km
Travel time: 2h30
4
Day

El Valle De Anton

El Valle De Anton - Photo 1El Valle De Anton - Photo 2El Valle De Anton - Photo 3El Valle De Anton - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
La India Dormida hike (panoramic loop)
2
Orchid garden (APROVACA)
3
Butterfly greenhouse (Mariposario)
🎯

Activities

→
El Macho waterfall and suspension bridges (swimming possible)
→
Las Mozas waterfall — natural pools
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 201.9 km
Travel time: 2h31
5
Day

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina - Photo 1Santa Catalina - Photo 2Santa Catalina - Photo 3Santa Catalina - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
El Valle → Santa Catalina route (Pacific panoramas)
🎯

Activities

→
Playa El Estero — swimming and surf school scouting
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 265 km
Travel time: 5h
6
Day

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina - Photo 1Santa Catalina - Photo 2Santa Catalina - Photo 3Santa Catalina - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Coiba National Park — white sand spots and reefs
🎯

Activities

→
Boat trip and snorkeling (turtles, rays, dolphins depending on season)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 40 km
Travel time: 1h30
7
Day

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina - Photo 1Santa Catalina - Photo 2Santa Catalina - Photo 3Santa Catalina - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Playa Santa Catalina and coastal viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Beginner surf lessons at El Estero or advanced sessions at La Punta (depending on conditions)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 226.8 km
Travel time: 2h50
8
Day

Boquete

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10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Route Santa Catalina → Boquete via David (ascent to the highlands)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Río Caldera in Boquete (late afternoon)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 260 km
Travel time: 5h
9
Day

Boquete

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10 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Coffee finca (Geisha variety) — educational visit
🎯

Activities

→
Guided coffee tasting and roasting workshop
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10 km
Travel time: 20min
10
Day

Boquete

Boquete - Photo 1Boquete - Photo 2Boquete - Photo 3Boquete - Photo 4Boquete - Photo 5Boquete - Photo 6Boquete - Photo 7Boquete - Photo 8Boquete - Photo 9Boquete - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
3 waterfalls hike (The Lost Waterfalls Trail)
🎯

Activities

→
Bird watching in cloud forest (quetzal depending on season)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 30min
11
Day

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas Del Toro - Photo 1Bocas Del Toro - Photo 2Bocas Del Toro - Photo 3Bocas Del Toro - Photo 4Bocas Del Toro - Photo 5Bocas Del Toro - Photo 6Bocas Del Toro - Photo 7Bocas Del Toro - Photo 8Bocas Del Toro - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Route Boquete → Almirante (Caribbean), then boat to Isla Colón
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of Bocas Town (Isla Colón) on foot/by bike
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 175 km
Travel time: 3h30
12
Day

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas Del Toro - Photo 1Bocas Del Toro - Photo 2Bocas Del Toro - Photo 3Bocas Del Toro - Photo 4Bocas Del Toro - Photo 5Bocas Del Toro - Photo 6Bocas Del Toro - Photo 7Bocas Del Toro - Photo 8Bocas Del Toro - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Playa Estrella (Starfish Beach) via Bocas del Drago
🎯

Activities

→
Light snorkeling and palm tree/beach walk between Bocas del Drago and Playa Estrella
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 35min
13
Day

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas Del Toro - Photo 1Bocas Del Toro - Photo 2Bocas Del Toro - Photo 3Bocas Del Toro - Photo 4Bocas Del Toro - Photo 5Bocas Del Toro - Photo 6Bocas Del Toro - Photo 7Bocas Del Toro - Photo 8Bocas Del Toro - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Red Frog Beach (Isla Bastimentos) — large Caribbean beach
🎯

Activities

→
Taxi-boat Isla Colón ↔ Bastimentos and walk through coastal vegetation
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6 km
Travel time: 20min
14
Day

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas Del Toro - Photo 1Bocas Del Toro - Photo 2Bocas Del Toro - Photo 3Bocas Del Toro - Photo 4Bocas Del Toro - Photo 5Bocas Del Toro - Photo 6Bocas Del Toro - Photo 7Bocas Del Toro - Photo 8Bocas Del Toro - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Day excursion to Zapatilla islands via Bahía de los Delfines
🎯

Activities

→
Snorkeling on reefs, wildlife observation (dolphins weather permitting), wild beaches
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 25 km
Travel time: 1h30
15
Day

San Blas Isla Perro Chico

guna yala turquoise pristine palm island

San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 1San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 2San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 3San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 4San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 5San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 6San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 7San Blas Isla Perro Chico - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Bocas → Panama City transfer to Cartí and boat to San Blas
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming on sandbanks, snorkeling on wreck near Isla Perro
→
Final stroll in Casco Viejo (plazas, churches and ramparts)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 430 km
Travel time: 10h
16
Day

Panama City Casco Viejo

colonial quarter canal skyline rooftop bars

Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 1Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 2Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 3Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 4Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 5Panama City Casco Viejo - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Morning at San Blas (natural pools), boat return then drive to Panama City
2
Final views of the skyline from Cinta Costera
🎯

Activities

→
Final stroll in Casco Viejo (plazas, churches and ramparts)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 140 km
Travel time: 3h

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

PANAMA ADVENTURES AND BEACHES: FROM THE JUNGLE TO PARADISE ISLANDS

📅 17 days 🛣️ 1740.9 Km

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Dry Season (December-April): Peak tourist season with minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures (24-32°C), and excellent conditions for outdoor activities and beach visits. Highest prices and crowds.

Shoulder Season (May, November): Good weather with brief afternoon showers, moderate prices, and fewer tourists. Excellent value while maintaining pleasant conditions for most activities.

Green Season (May-November): Higher rainfall with lush landscapes, significantly lower prices, and fewer crowds. Morning activities work well before afternoon rains arrive.

Regional Variations: Caribbean coast wetter year-round, Pacific coast has distinct dry/wet seasons. Mountain areas cooler with different precipitation patterns than lowlands.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 16 and 24 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Panama?

Central American bridge with canal engineering, biodiversity, and cultural diversity. Experience traditional cultures, incredible nature, and historical significance. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and engineering marvels. Panama provides diverse experiences with natural wonders and cultural authenticity. ⚠️ SAFETY NOTE: Panama is generally safe in tourist areas, though standard precautions apply regarding petty crime in cities. Avoid displaying valuables, use official transportation, and stay in well-established tourist zones. Some remote border areas with Colombia should be avoided due to security concerns.