15 reasons to visit Panama, NOW!

Reason #1 Panama does not have mass tourism (yet)

Most people who travel to this side of the world go to Costa Rica or Mexico. Panama is a lot more unknown and thus does not yet have mass tourism.

We traveled to Panama during the busiest week of the year. In high season (dry season) and the week of Carnival, when Panamanians themselves are on leave. But it just came out that way.

IT WAS QUIET EVERYWHERE! Mass tourism, that’s not here yet. Panama is an emerging vacation destination and so if you – like us, don’t like over-touristy places, this is your country.

Get up early to be at a waterfall before the big tourist buses arrive? There is no need to do that here.

Reason #2 Panama has beautiful islands

In Panama, you have beautiful islands on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. So you can swim in two seas during your trip!

In the Caribbean Sea you will find the island groups of Bocas del Toro and San Blas (Guna Yala). In the Pacific (Pacific) Ocean, in turn, you will find the archipelagoes of Coiba, the Pearl Islands and Boca Chica. And there is much more. So plenty to explore!

The islands often border stretches of pristine, green rainforest. The best of both worlds!

Not infrequently, you have the entire beach to yourself. Because remember: there is no mass tourism here.

Reason #3 The Panamanian underwater world is beautiful

Do you like to dive or snorkel? Then Panama should definitely be on your bucket list, because you will find an insanely beautiful underwater world here.

The uninhabited archipelago of Coiba is also known as the Galapagos of Central America, and that refers mainly to its marine life. Think humpback whales, which can often be seen between June and November, and orcas and whale sharks, which you can (usually) spot between January and March. But even if you don’t see them, here you are almost guaranteed to see dolphins, sea turtles, countless colored fish, and you name it.

Also in places like San Blas and Bocas del Toro you will enjoy a beautiful underwater world where you can see, for example, (harmless) sister sharks, dolphins, large starfish and beautiful coral.

You can snorkel here for hours and enjoy all the splendor. Just don’t touch anything please, and certainly don’t pick up starfish!

Reason #4 Panama has lots of wild life

If you compare Panama and Costa Rica in terms of wildlife, Costa Rica will probably be the winner. But after a month in Panama, we don’t actually feel that Panama is so inferior to Costa Rica.

Among other things, we saw sloths, crocodiles, caimans, sharks, dolphins, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, tamarins, different species of starfish, sea turtles, two species of toucans, the Quetzal, nose bear, … And the complete list of wildlife is much longer.

Rarely will you spot them “just like that” if you stroll briskly, but those who look around carefully will find lots!

Reason #5 In Panama you will find culture

Did you know that about 12% of the Panamanian population is indigenous? Panama has several indigenous tribes scattered throughout the country. The Emberra, Ngöbe-Buglé and Guna (Kuna) are some of them.

Personally, I loved seeing the unique costumes and realizing that these tribes in Panama still have their own regions and lifestyles.

The autonomous region(comarca indígena) of the Ngöbe-Buglé tribe covers nearly 7,000 km²! Many work in the coffee plantations in Boquete; you can still see many women there and in wide, traditional dresses (first photo).

Originally from the Darien, the Emberra tribe is found today in the Gamboa and Chagres region, just above Panama City. During an excursion you can visit several Emberra villages to learn more about their lifestyle and customs.

The San Blas Islands and much of the adjacent mainland belong to the Guna tribe. That region and islands are officially called Guna Yala. You often see the women selling molas (art) in Panama City, especially in the Casco Viejo neighborhood (second photo).

So in Panama you can still find real culture! But here, too, you see that young people are becoming more modern. So don’t wait until you no longer see traditional clothing on the streets!

Reason #6 Panama has pristine nature

Much of Panamanian nature is still unexplored. During my research for unique places, I came across beautiful waterfalls. Those places turned out to be accessible, but not without difficulty. For one particular waterfall, for example, you had to hike a full day through the jungle and then spend the night with an indigenous tribe living there. So, for adventurous people who want to get off the beaten path, there is plenty to explore.

But even if you do the “known route,” you won’t encounter any major entrance gates where you have to pay an entrance fee. Most of the hikes you will do here, are on private land. Often you have to give the farmer a few dollars to go through his (gigantic) ‘garden’. In return, he maintains the path. Beautiful right?

I think there are insanely many gems here that no one has seen yet!

Reason #7 Panama is safe

You’ve probably heard them, those stories about corrupt police in Central America. Denis visited Panama 20 years ago and did not have the most positive experience then either.

But, times have changed. The country sees the benefit of tourism and makes sure it is safe. In some neighborhoods, you see police on every street corner. Even in nightclubs you see them. Not to throw you in jail or to receive bribes, no, to show you that you are safe here. From every traveler who has come into contact with the police in Panama, we have heard only good stories.

Not for a single second, and I am really not exaggerating, did I feel unsafe. Panama is therefore among one of the safest countries in Central America.

Side note: if you are in Panama City, you should know which neighborhood not to go in. Like many big cities there are neighborhoods to avoid, such as ‘El Chorrillo’. But chances are that someone does address you if you accidentally walk the wrong way. Nice to know: the government is full steam ahead to improve those neighborhoods as well.

Reason #8 Panama is a top destination for surfers

Do you like surfing or would you like to learn to surf? Then, too, Panama is your ideal destination.

On the Caribbean side, Bocas del Toro is THE surfing paradise. Consider Bluff Beach on the main island of Colon, or Wizard Beach on the island of Bastimentos. Both beaches are miles long.

On the Pacific side, the most popular surf spots are the dark beaches of Santa Catalina and Playa Venao. Renting a surfboard often costs you as little as $10 a day.

Reason #9 Panama has the most beautiful city in Central America

Cities in Central America are generally not that highly regarded. But everyone loves Panama City!

In Panama City, you’ll find the popular Casco Viejo district. This is the old part of town, once a bit shadowy, but now super hip. The prettiest rooftop bars, the hippest eateries and beautiful, renovated buildings in cosy streets. And all with a beautiful skyline in the background of the ‘new city’.

And even that new city full of skyscrapers has its charm, if you, like us, love the city life and skyscrapers. The neighbourhoods of Punta Paitilla and Marbella are the most beautiful areas with skyscrapers. Therefore, if you stay in Panama City twice (at the beginning and end of your trip), it is nice to sleep in both the old city and the new city.

Want to get out into nature? Panama City is the only city in the world to have a patch of rainforest! You’ll find the Metropolitan Natural Park with many wildlife. Getting there early in the morning is the message! If you want to escape the city for a while, you can do so with lots of fun trips. The city has an ideal location, there is a lot to do nearby!

Reason #11 Panama is small

Panama is 2.5 times the size of Belgium, with 3 times less the population. Most of the country is just pure nature. Because it is a relatively small country, you will have a good impression after a 2 to 4-week round trip.

Although even in 4 weeks it is difficult to have seen everything. We originally wanted to combine Panama with Costa Rica, but it soon became clear that there is enough to see in Panama to travel for a month. And I can list at least 10 more places I would have loved to see, but didn’t have the time.

If you like beautiful beaches and enjoy hiking in the jungle, you can have fun for months, if not years.

Reason #13 Panama is easy to travel

Public transportation in Panama is not always the fastest, but it is very well organized. You can travel all over the country by local bus, and it’s cheap, too.

Admittedly, those who have been to Mexico before will miss the convenience of the ADO bus in Panama. Although almost every tourist takes roughly the same route, public transportation is not yet fully geared to this.

If you have a little more to spend, a shuttle does save a lot of time. We often took shuttles, but also found the bus very chill, especially in terms of leg room.

All in all, traveling in Panama is very accessible and easy.

And those in Panama City can also just use Uber. 

Reason #14 Panama is a bird watcher’s paradise

We are not those bird lovers or spotters. But in Panama it turned out that we quite like birds!

From the Quetzal to toucan to woodpecker, how beautiful birds can be. Never before have we taken so long on a 2-kilometer hike. Constantly we were looking for wildlife and thus also beautiful birds to spot.

The best places to see birds? In Soberiana National Park you will see the most species of birds, in Boquete you can spot the rare Quetzal. We saw the Quetzal (see photo) on the Pipeline trail in Boquete.

Reason #15 The Panamanians are super friendly 

Should we book that excursion online or locally? “We’ll do that on the spot, probably you’ll be thrown to death with the same excursion all the time.” No way, not the case at all in Panama.

Not once were we “sold” an activity or saw rows of offices offering an excursion. You can simply arrange most tours via WhatsApp or the website and possibly pay (in part) online.

And what a wonderful way to travel. A country without intrusive people. All super friendly and most of all very grateful if you book a tour through them.

I thought the people in Mexico were so sweet, but the people in Panama are just as sweet as far as I’m concerned.

You are greeted on the street, they like to chat, and welcome you as a tourist with open arms. And what I find very special is that the Panamanians are really visibly proud of their country. But we understand that by now, just imagine living in such a beautiful country!

Conclusion: Panama has it all

The most beautiful islands, beaches, mountains, culture and unspoilt nature. Why don’t more people go here? Is it a lack of marketing? I think so. That is precisely why I am writing this article. Somehow, of course, Panama may remain that unknown pearl, but I have also seen that tourism is moving the country forward. And that the people are eager to welcome more travellers.

The country is full of spots that have yet to be discovered by tourism. When we wanted to deviate from the beaten track, we found that it was quite difficult because ‘no tourism’ also brings disadvantages. I think many beautiful places will be discovered once tourism really takes off here. Because although we went in the busiest week of the year, it was extremely quiet almost everywhere.

I repeat, mass tourism is nowhere near here. Want to enjoy that? Then don’t wait too long!

Convinced? Then you probably want to know how much you need to save for such trip. Read what a trip to Panama costs here.