Urban cosmopolitanism meets pristine beaches: welcome to Panama
With its potent cocktail of a stunning skyline and colonial charm, Panama City is by far Central America’s most sophisticated capital.
But to truly experience Panama’s soul, you need to venture beyond the glittering metropolis and the world-famous canal. A whole tropical paradise awaits, offering a universe of experiences tucked into Central America’s slender waist.
Visitors who explore Panama’s interior and coastline will discover pristine, unspoiled beaches, indigenous archipelagos, lush coffee plantations, and quaint towns built in the caldera of a 500,000-year-old volcano. The country is a vibrant crossroads of east and west, where every turn presents a new adventure.
Here are some of the hotspots that await you in this remarkable country:
A Caribbean Escape
Needing to disconnect? The Bocas del Toro island chain is laid-backness incarnate. This idyllic archipelago off Panama’s northwest coast offers the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life. With its vibrant coral reefs and turquoise waters, it’s a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. Beyond the underwater world, you can explore bioluminescent bays, unwind on secluded beaches, or enjoy the sizzling nightlife in the town of Bocas. It’s a place where the rhythm of life slows down, inviting you to simply relax and recharge.
The World-Famous Canal
Panama’s Canal needs no introduction. This marvel of modern engineering has been a global trade artery for over a century, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. But how best to see it? You decide, with options that include day trips from the capital to the Miraflores Locks, where you can watch massive cargo ships pass through, or more extended journeys that take you on a partial transit. For a more immersive experience, you can even explore the surrounding rainforests and the Gatun Lake, a massive artificial lake that forms a major part of the canal.
History and Modernity
Panama’s chic modern districts, with their towering skyscrapers and bustling energy, feel like Miami reloaded. However, it’s in the historic heart of Casco Viejo where the country’s past truly comes alive. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets lined with colonial convents, vibrant plazas, and beautifully restored houses. Here, you can feel the echoes of imperial Spain, explore art galleries and boutique shops, and dine at world-class restaurants. It’s a living museum where every corner tells a story of Panama’s rich history.
Adventure and Coffee in the Highlands
For outdoorsy types, the highlands of Panama offer a welcome change of pace and climate. Boquete, in Barú Volcano National Park, is a hub for adventure seekers. Here, you can hike through cloud forests, go white-water rafting on the Chiriquí Viejo River, or soar through the treetops on a canopy tour. Boquete is also famous for its coffee plantations, particularly the highly sought-after Geisha coffee, one of the world’s most expensive varietals. Taking a tour and sampling a fresh cup is an essential experience for any coffee lover.
The Indigenous Realm
For those with fantasies of being Robinson Crusoe, head to the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean. This archipelago of over 365 islands and cays is a tropical hideout that’s the antithesis of a tourist trap. Managed by the native Kuna people, the islands are a testament to their deep respect for nature and their traditional way of life. There are no large hotels or resorts, just rustic cabanas and the warm waves and vibrant coral reefs tended by the Kuna. It’s a truly authentic and unforgettable escape.
What kind of adventure in Panama appeals to you the most?
All Panama Trips
- Camino Real Trek Panama
- Coastal Darien Explorer Panama Tour Package
- Costa Rica & Panama Combination Tour Package
- Journey Between the Seas – M/V Discovery Panama Tour Package
- Panama Canal Expansion Tour
- Panama Discovery Tour
- Panama Family Adventure Tour
- Panama Multi Sport Tour Package
- Realm of the Harpy Eagle Panama Tour Package
- The Best of Panama Tour
Panama Custom Trips
Camino Real Trek Panama
If the mossy river rocks, the gurgling translucent waters and the majestic, ancient trees could talk... ... they would tell epic stories of long mule trains hauling the King's gold, of dashing incursions by pirates against Castilla de Oro’s New World fortifications and many untold story tales.
Coastal Darien Explorer Panama Tour Package
From the moment you leave the urban skyline behind, the route unfolds like a time-lapse of Panama’s natural and cultural evolution—modern highways giving way to narrow country roads, forested valleys, and riverside hamlets where life moves with the rhythm of the land. Your Naturalist Guide provides both context and curiosity as you trace this path eastward, setting the stage for the wild and remote experiences ahead.
Costa Rica & Panama Combination Tour Package
This trip takes you to three distinct areas in Costa Rica and three in Panama: the Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde Cloudforest and the central Pacific coast; Panama City, the Chiriqui Highlands and Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast.
Journey Between the Seas – M/V Discovery Panama Tour Package
A journey in the Discovery is a feast of intense, sensory experiences: the aroma of remote places, the texture of unknown things, the multicolor tapestry of nature, the accent of unheard languages, and the exquisite flavor of what has never before been tasted; that is the incomparable feeling of penetrating the secrets of other worlds, other lives.
Panama Canal Expansion Tour
Since the SS Ancon made the first ocean-to-ocean transit through the Panama Canal on August 15, 1914 more than a million vessels have transited through the waterway bringing commerce, cultures and people from all corners of the world closer together.
Panama Discovery Tour
Journey to a land where ancient history collides with modern marvels, and breathtaking natural beauty unfolds at every turn. This is Panama, a country of staggering contrasts, where you can stand in awe of a 21st-century engineering feat one day and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of an indigenous community the next.
Panama Family Adventure Tour
Take a boat trip on the Panama Canal led by an expert naturalist guide, a dugout canoe trip to an Embera Indian village in Chagres National Park, kayaking on the Chagres River and hiking the La Chunga Trail, a canopy zipline tour in the highland cloudforest of Chiriqui Province, a boat trip through the mangroves of Bastimentos National Park to Salt Creek, snorkeling, beach time at Boca del Drago.
Panama Multi Sport Tour Package
Experience Panama in a very active and adventurous way! With many fun outdoor activities that require good physical condition you get to know the beauty of this country on this active adventure tour.
Realm of the Harpy Eagle Panama Tour Package
An exploration of the realm of the Harpy Eagle, the world’s most powerful bird of prey and Panama’s national bird. This unforgettable adventure takes place along the historic Gulf of San Miguel, where the Spanish discoverer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa became the first European to set eyes on the Pacific Ocean back in 1512.
The Best of Panama Tour
This immersive 9-day journey across Panama with Lost World Adventures traces the country’s defining contrasts—from the historic locks of the Panama Canal to the cloud forests of the Chiriquí Highlands and the secluded Pacific islands of Boca Brava.
