For many, the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Panama is likely its Canal, and maybe also malls and casinos. But let me tell you there is much more to this Central American country that is often overlooked in favor of its popular neighbor Costa Rica.
As a bridge between two continents, Panama is a country that offers a wealth of biodiversity, culture, and natural beauty. But even knowing that, you might wonder “Is Panama worth visiting?” and what you can do while you are there.
I spent five weeks exploring the country (and am set to go back next year), so let me answer that question by telling you all about the pros and cons of visiting Panama.
I traveled all over the country and got to know what Panama has to offer quite well, and while one particular con of visiting the country admittedly made me wish I had traveled there in a different month, I can say that Panama is worth visiting.

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Pros of Visiting Panama
As already mentioned, Panama offers more than one would assume, and as such, there are many things that make Panama worth visiting. The following six are the most significant pros of visiting Panama.
1. Biodiversity
Like its neighbor Costa Rica, Panama surprises with a wealth of biodiversity. It is the bridge of the Americas, where species from North and South America intermingled during the Great American Biotic Interchange 3 million years ago and caused an ‘explosion’ of biodiversity.
Today, Panama is home to 255 mammal species, 972 resident bird species, 222 amphibian species, and more than 1500 butterfly species.
There are also 10.444 plant species including 1500 tree species – more than in the US and Canada combined.
Some of the best spots to see Panama’s biodiversity are Soberanía National Park, Coiba National Park, Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Darién National Park, and the Chiriquí Highlands.

2. Rich Culture
Forged by Panama’s history, the country has developed a diverse culture that combines the Panamanian Indigenous culture, African influences, and European culture. And while all facets of Panamanian culture can be found in Panama City, the best way to experience it is to travel the country.
There are seven Native Panamanian groups which are Guna, Naso Tjer Di, Buglé, Bri bri, Emberá, and Wounaan. The best way to learn about their distinctive culture is to travel to their homes and have them share their craftsmanship, songs, dances, and way of life with you. All seven groups live in close connection with nature, and every single person can learn something from their cultures.
If you are only in Panama City for a day or two, you should at least head to the Mola Museum. Travelers with more time should head into the rainforest to the Emberá villages at the Canal watershed or travel to Guna Yala where they can visit Guna villages and their coconut plantations. I did the latter and learned a lot about their intriguing way of life and culture.

The Afro-Panamanian culture is especially present on the Caribbean coast, so head to the Bocas Archipelago and Portobello in the Colón province to experience the Congo culture. Learn about the congo drums and the paintings, and watch the dances that are a fusion of native Panamanian and African influences.
The European and particularly Spanish influence can be seen in Panama’s national dress “The Pollera”. Originally brought to Panama from Andalusia, it takes months to make the handcrafted dresses that are often passed down from generation to generation.
3. Natural Beauty
Despite its modest size of 74,180 km² (28,640 mi²), Panama boasts an incredible variety of natural landscapes. Thanks to this, it is possible to explore tropical rainforests, volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls, dive vibrant coral reefs, and much more while in Panama.
With over 1,400 tropical islands mostly split between San Blas (Guna Yala), the Gulf of Chiriquí, and the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama is a haven for ocean and beach lovers. In total, the country has 2,490 km (1,550 mi) of coastline.
Exploring Panama’s nature is all about stunning vistas, thrilling outdoor adventures, and relaxing in breathtaking environments. As such, the country offers something for everyone.

4. Scuba Diving
When talking about the great dive destinations of the Americas, few divers think of Panama. However, they certainly should, as Coiba National Park is part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor alongside famous diving destinations like Galapagos, Cocos, and Malpelo. While diving here, divers can encounter pelagic species including whales, whale sharks, white tip reef shark, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays.
Taboga Island and Taboguilla and the Las Perlas Island, all of which can be reached by ferry from Panama City are additional diving destinations in the Pacific.

On the Atlantic side, you get Caribbean diving. Hereby, especially diving in the Bocas Archipelago offers sponges galore. You can also dive in Portobello where Panama’s first underwater museum is set to open.
If you are not a diver but want to see Panama’s underwater world, you can book a snorkeling tour to Coiba, or snorkel on the Caribbean side. I, for one, loved snorkeling in Guna Yala as much as diving in Bocas.
5. The Coffee
Back in the 80s and 90s, Panamanian coffee was not in demand while both neighboring countries were known for coffee. And then, Geisha Coffee changed the rules of the game for coffee in Panama. At the Best of Panama Coffee Competition of 2005, Geisha coffee grown in Boquete sold for a record price.
In the following twenty years, the global demand for Geisha coffee has only grown. The mountain town of Boquete turned into a coffee hub with 20 coffee shops. and coffee lovers from around the world head there to visit the local coffee farms.
I visited Finca Don Pepe, and while touring the finca, I learned a lot about the coffee varieties grown in the rich volcanic soil of the surrounding highlands. Afterward, I got to taste test eight different coffees including the famous Geisha coffee.

Recommendation: You can book the Finca tour and coffee taste testing I did via Boquete Outdoor Adventures.
6. Affordable
Panama might not be among the cheapest countries in Central America. Nonetheless, it is a destination that offers affordable luxury, but can also be done on a backpacker’s budget. You can enjoy an amazing luxurious vacation in over-water bungalows or spend a few days sailing on a catamaran for less than you would at other destinations around the world.
If you are traveling on a budget, you can find affordable hostels in all popular destinations and can get around by taking the intercity buses.
With affordable direct flights from the Americas, it is also easy to get to Panama City. The city’s Tocumen International Airport is also known as the ‘Hub of the Americas’, and there are direct flights from North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. As of now, there are direct flights from Europe departing Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, and Istanbul.
Cons of Visiting Panama
Even the places that look like paradise are not perfect. Therefore, it is important to also think about the negative aspects when deciding whether or not to visit a destination. If you are a traveler, these are the relevant cons of visiting Panama:
1. The Long Rainy Season
Panama has a long rainy season that lasts from mid-April to mid-December. Which month sees the most rain varies from location to location, but overall, it is best to avoid September to November. In large parts of the country, they are the months with the heaviest rainfall.

The only exception is Bocas del Toro, which experiences a mini dry season in September and October before the rain returns in November. While it still rains, it is mostly at night and in the morning while the afternoon tends to be sunny. If you are heading to Bocas, the month to avoid is July.
If you want to hike in Boquete, it is best to avoid the height of the rain season. In October and November, it rains nearly every day, so you would be facing slippery trails. (There were mudslides in Boquete just after I left town, so I consider it too dangerous.)
I am by no means a stranger to visiting destinations in the off-season and particularly during their rainy season, but visiting Panama in October and November was a completely new experience.
I strongly recommend avoiding ‘el invierno’ (winter) – September 5 to December 2 – unless you are only heading to Bocas or want to experience the Mes de la Patria (Month of the Homeland) celebrations. If you want to avoid the crowds of the dry season, May to August are a better choice.
2. Mosquitos & Chitras
Thanks to mosquito population control measures, the mosquito situation in Panama has drastically improved. It is a stark contrast to the days when mosquitos and the diseases they spread stopped the French effort to build the Panama Canal. And yet, as is the case in many tropical countries, there is a risk of getting dengue and yellow fever.
Due to this, you always have to take measures to avoid mosquito bites. The blood-sucking pests are most common in coastal and jungle areas, and their population spikes during the rainy season. Hereby, August marks the peak of mosquito activity in Panama.
To avoid getting bit, using mosquito repellant and wearing long sleeves is vital when you head into the jungle – especially if you are hiking the Pipeline Road in Soberanía National Park. Despite using repellant, I got eaten alive.

As someone who loves to swim, I do not like to use DEET as it negatively affects aquatic life. Instead, it is best to use a natural deterrent with citronella oil. If you have never used one, you might have to try different ones to find the one that works best for you.
Chitras (sandflies) are also present in Panama and their bites tend to itch for a week. To avoid them, using an oily insect repellant is recommended.
3. Transportation Infrastructure
Due to Panama’s topography, you will always find yourself traveling along the Pacific coast on the Pan American Highway. There are no other main roads running from the Eastern to the Western part of the country.

While the main route along the Pan American Highway is frequented by long-distance buses, you will have to switch buses several times to get to destinations such as Santa Catalina or Boquete.
Additionally, the bus schedules found online are usually unreliable, so you have to head to the bus terminal to inquire about the times. I tentatively preplanned my route via Rome2Rio, and even their listed bus schedules did not reflect reality.
Consequently, it is often more convenient to book a tourist shuttle when traveling from one destination to another within Panama. The shuttles tend to be direct transfers and are both faster and more comfortable. Once again, not all available routes are listed online so reach out to your accommodation and inquire about transfer options.
If you think about flying to make your life easier, you should know that flying from one destination to another in Panama comes with a connection at Panama City’s Albrook Airport. That is unless you want to charter an entire plane.
There are plans for a train line connecting Panama City and David, and I really hope it can be built in an environmentally friendly way. Until then, I’ll stick to private shuttles whenever possible.
Overall, the travel time will always be longer than you expect it to be.
4. Road Conditions & Driving Style
The varying road conditions and at times interesting driving style are another con of visiting Panama. I would describe it as ‘driving in Mexico meets Egypt and Vietnam’. There is a logic to it all, but it does take some getting used to driving in Panama. The same goes for merely being a passenger in a moving vehicle (outside of Panama City).
When it comes to road conditions, Panama has everything from new, wide roads to narrow pothole-filled roads. If you do not know the road conditions of your route, it is best to assume that you need a car with high clearance so you do not damage it if you cannot avoid the potholes.
Based on what I’ve experienced, the section between Almirante and Chiriqui Grande is among the worst roads. The shuttle driver drove on left side to avoid potholes so much, that I was starting to wonder if Panama had suddenly switched to driving on the left side of the road.

Driving along the narrow winding mountain roads can be a challenge even for good drivers, and becomes even more difficult when it rains or at night. When it rains, you have to be extra careful as there can be mudslides, and sometimes even road collapse. Unless you know the route, it is best to avoid driving after dark.
You are also bound to encounter some rather aggressive drivers and all too often, drivers change the land without using the indicators. I was glad that my first experience of driving in Panama was on Isla Colon, where I only had to deal with limited traffic.
Tips for Visiting Panama
Did this list of pros and cons of visiting Panama convince you to travel there? If so, these travel tips will be rather useful for you:
Don’t forget to apply reef-safe sunscreen — If it is sunny, there is a good chance you will get severely sunburned if you do not use sunscreen. So do yourself a favor and apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen to protect your skin.
Bring cash — I usually withdraw money upon arrival and then withdraw more when I need it as I do not like having a lot of cash on me when I am traveling. However, there is a maximum withdrawal limit of 250 USD, which means it can get quite expensive. There is always a withdrawal fee even if your own bank does not charge you. It would be one thing if you did not need a lot of cash, but there are quite a few more expensive tours you have to pay in cash.
Mosquito repellent is your best friend — I already mentioned that mosquitos are a con of visiting Panama, so bring the good stuff or buy something locally. Otherwise, you might as well consider yourself a blood bank.
Be aware of the travel times — Panama might not be a large country, but it takes longer to get from Panama City to Boquete or Bocas del Toro than you would think. This is especially the case if you decide to travel by bus.

My 4 Favorite Activities in Panama
When I think of all the things I did in Panama, it is these four things to do in Panama that stand out the most. They are what makes me want to return to Panama despite having a love-hate relationship with the country. Therefore, I can only encourage you to include them in your itinerary, if you want to make the most of your trip.
Bird Watching
With more than 1000 bird species, 107 of them endemic, there is no denying that Panama is a paradise for birders. But even knowing this, I was awestruck because the diversity and sheer number exceeded my expectations.
With Ancon Hill and Metropolitan Natural Park, there are great places to go bird watching even in Panama City. The nearby Panama Rainforest Discovery in Soberanía National Park is another great option.

However, my favorite place to go bird watching in Panama was Bocas del Toro. Hereby, I recommend staying at Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge. Adjacent to Isla Bastimentos National Park, this lodge is the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to see birds and wildlife.
There are rainforest trails on the property and thanks to the knowledgeable naturalist guides, you will be able to see an incredible amount of birds without ever leaving the property.
If you want to see more birds, the lodge also offers many excursions, including boat tours to Isla Zapatilla and Isla Páros (Bird Island).
Sailing in Guna Yala (San Blas)
If you want to explore a natural paradise while also learning about the Guna, sailing Guna Yala, formerly known as San Blas, is a must.
In total, there are around 365 islands, many of which have been turned into coconut farms. And while there is no way to see all of them, a sailing trip allows you to experience the highlights of Guna Yala.
While you can visit Guna Yala as a day trip, I can only encourage you to spend a few days there so you can see more of what this pristine area on Panama’s Caribbean coast has to offer.
I was fortunate enough to spend four days on a catamaran with I Travel By Boat and did not want to leave once the sailing trip was over. It was undeniably one of the two highlights of my time in Panama.
Throughout the trip, I got to swim in the crystal clear water, snorkel at the vibrant coral reefs of the West Holandes Cays, and explore islands where we met members of the Guna community. Hereby, we visited a local village and wandered around local coconut plantation islands, where we got to know the families acting as current caretakers of the islands.

Given that Estafania, the catamaran’s captain and founder of I Travel By Boat, knows many of the locals, it was an enriching experience that granted me a deeper understanding of the lifestyle and culture of the Guna. There is no way the commonly offered day trips or overnight stays on one island can compete with this journey by boat.
Whale Watching
Thanks to its geographical position, humpback whales from both hemispheres visit the Pacific coast of Panama, and as such, the country is a great place to go whale watching. Hereby, whales from the northern hemisphere can be found from December to April, while southern whales frequent the coast from July to October.
The best places for whale watching in Panama are Taboga and the Las Perlas Archipelago off the coast of Panama City, Isla Iguana east of the Azuero Peninsula, Coiba, and the Gulf of Chiriqui.
When it comes to marine animals, whales were my first love, so it is no surprise that I take every chance to go whale watching. However, I did not expect to see whales as I did not explore the Pacific coast until November. Then, Panama delivered its wildlife magic, and I got to see a mother humpback whale and her calf in the Gulf of Chiriqui.
Eating Panamanian Food
I cannot say that Panama as a whole is a foodie destination, but let me tell you that Panamanian food is amazing if you find restaurants serving the authentic cuisine of the country.

However, doing so can be surprisingly hard, as international restaurants are significantly more popular. As such, there are only two Panamanian restaurants in Casco Antiguo (Casco Viejo), which is known as the foodie hot spot of Panama City.
Foodie recommendation: Order ‘Arroz Con Pollo Estilo Panameño’ at Restaurant El Nacional in Panama City. It is a combination of four different Panamanian dishes and tastes amazing.
If you want to learn how to cook Panamanian food at home, you should add a cooking class in Panama City to your itinerary.
Panama FAQ
How much time should you spend in Panama?
There are plenty of things to see and do in Panama, so you could easily spend more than a month there without running out of new activities. If you want to experience the bare minimum, you need at least two weeks. You can still make shorter trips worth your while, but you will undeniably miss out on great places all over the country.
If you have two weeks in Panama, it is best to split your time between Panama City, Guna Yala, Bocas del Toro, and potentially also Boquete.
What is the best time to visit Panama?
If you want to enjoy all Panama has to offer, the best time to visit the country is during the dry season from mid-December to mid-April. Hereby, January to March sees the least amount of rain and is therefore ideal for all kinds of outdoor adventures including hiking near Boquete and other parts of Chiriqui.
September to November are the rainiest months and are therefore the worst time to visit Panama. Hereby, the only exception is Bocas del Toro, which experiences a semi-dry season in October. Having explored the country in October and early November, I advise against visiting the country during this time of the year.
Travelers looking for cheaper prices without traveling in the rainiest months should consider traveling to Panama in May or June.
Is Panama a good destination for solo travelers?
While Panama is generally considered a safe destination for solo travelers, travelers must do detailed research as even in Panama City safe and ‘not recommendable’ areas border each other. Do your research and be aware of your surroundings to ensure a great time in Panama.
From a solo traveler’s perspective, it is easy to meet new people and join group tours or book solo experiences. Hereby, Boquete is an exception, as many tours are only offered for a minimum of two people.
If you are traveling on your own and are traveling on a budget, there are plenty of great hostels in all popular destinations in Panama.
Is Panama worth visiting?
I love Panama, but I also hate it. It is a country that has awakened very conflicting emotions in me. I loved places like Guna Yala and Tranquilo Bay in Bocas, while others seemingly drained my desire to travel. And yet, I have to say that Panama is worth visiting.
It might seem like a weird conclusion, but when it comes down to it, Panama is a marvel of biodiversity and culture. So while it is not a country I would want to spend months at a time, it is a destination I want to visit again for shorter trips. After all, my time in Panama had so many incredible moments ranging from enriching interactions with Indigenous people to seeing a baby humpback whale jump out of the water.
With that being said: I will not be visiting the country again during the rainiest part of the rain season. The excessive amount of rain ruined so many of my plans despite me expecting a lot of rain. Do yourself a favor and plan your trip outside of these months. I am quite sure that is the secret to having less of a love-hate relationship with Panama.
More about Panama
If you are planning a Panama trip, you might also be interested in these travel guides:
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I loved your article about Panama, it made me want to go to Panama. Thank you for sharing your valuable time and article with us.I look forward to your new posts and travels.