Home to one of the country’s oldest operating coffee plantations and the 12th highest peak in Central America, Panama offers an exciting mix of history and adventure. Often referred to as the ‘Little Switzerland of Central America,’ this small slice of paradise is one of the most popular and sought after vacation destinations.
Journey Off The Beaten Path In Panama
Often referred to as the ‘Little Switzerland of Central America,’ Panama is home to the 12th highest peak in Central America. Situated 4,000 feet above sea level, in the shadow of iconic Volcán Barú, Los Establos Boutique Resort offers a unique experience that extends past most preconceived notions of luxury travel.
With more than 1,365 weekly flights, 82 American and European cities in 35 countries, including 16 direct U.S. destinations, you will always find a way to land in Panamá. Visit us and enjoy this destination that connects a continent, two oceans, and now, the entire world. A small destination, big in adventures, nature, and connection—just a flight away.
Explore diverse cultures, nature, and thrilling adventures—all in one trip. Go from the Pacific to the Caribbean in two hours. Connect with seven indigenous communities.Discover the most studied tropical forest on the planet. Dine in the world’s only capital known as a UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy. Witness the migration of whales, birds and schools of fish. Explore our ancestral cultures, African heritage and Spanish influences. No matter where you go, there’s so much to experience.
Panamá. Live for More.
In Panamá we’ve got diverse experiences, all within reach. From culture to cuisine, wildlife, nature and outdoor adventures, we dare you to do it all. Spend more time doing the things you love, and less time on travel in between.
Things to do in Panamá
Panamá finds itself not only at the crossroads between North and South America, but also between fast-paced cosmopolitan life and traditional earth-centered cultures, modernity and history, sun-drenched terrain and mysterious rainforest, science and nature, and exhilaration and serenity. It’s a unique country that rewards exploration, bringing together countless sights and sensations—all within 30,000 square miles. Panamá offers the perfect immersive adventure.
Culture & Cuisine
Our legacy is our people. It’s found in the traditions of 7 indigenous communities, whether in expert crafts or preserved dances and songs. It’s seen in the historic landmarks, from the oldest Spanish fort to ancient ruins. It’s tasted in the coffee they grow in Tierras Altas and Boquete, ranked one of the best in the world. Dare to discover more.
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Afro Culture in Panamá
Afro culture in Panamá is a vibrant and essential part of the country’s cultural mosaic. With history rooted in slavery and African origins, Afro-Panamanian influence has left a permanent mark on the nation’s very identity. Afro culture is so alive in Panama that more than 30% of the population proudly identifies as Afro-descendant.
The Afro-Panamanian community is concentrated mainly in coastal and urban regions, such as Panama City and the provinces of Bocas del Toro and Colón. In the latter areas you can experience Congo culture, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
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Coffee: the Pride of Panamá
Panamanian coffee is experiencing a meteoric boom. Discover the mountains and farms that cultivate and roast one of the best-ranked coffees in the world in the districts of Tierras Altas and Boquete. Get to know the processes and people that have achieved the highest standards in the coffee industry and immerse yourself with all your senses in the incredible Panamanian coffee culture.
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Rural and Agritourism in Panamá
Agricultural tourism in Panamá is a unique adventure in the heart of nature. During this trip, you will be able to discover how the food that reaches your table is grown, while enjoying the beautiful landscape. In Panamá, you can harvest fresh fruit straight from the trees and learn about growing products like strawberries and apples, which are two crops that are very uncommon within the region.
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Indigenous Communities in Panamá
Learn about tradition and nature through the eyes of Panamá’s 7 indigenous communities. Most of them live in protected territories, located all over the country. In these, Panamá’s 7 native ethnic groups (Guna, Naso Tjër Di, Ngäbe, Buglé, Bri bri, Emberá and Wounaan) practice ancestral forms of government, preserve dances and songs, and hold on to their deep cosmological beliefs and cultural expressions.
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Taste of Panamá
Sit down at the table with us and enjoy the 1,000 flavors we have for you. From super fresh fish and seafood to international, traditional recipes and ancestral dishes with local ingredients.
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Folklore & Music
Panamá is the result of an encounter of cultures that came from every corner of the world, but there are 3 very marked identities that define our DNA. The influence of our Spanish ancestors in the folklore of the central provinces, that of our African grandparents creators of the Congo culture and that of our Afro-Antillean communities that define above all, Bocas del Toro.
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Historic Sites & Landmarks in Panamá
Panamá connects the world, and not only because it’s the bridge between North and South America. For centuries Panamá has been a crossroads for humanity and a meeting point for peoples, goods and ideas. Settled thousands of years ago by ancient civilizations, the land that has become modern-day Panamá boasts a rich mosaic of cultural diversity where indigenous roots meet African heritage and Spanish influence. It is also a place that many travelers have passed through for hundreds of years.
Outdoor Adventure
Our landscapes were made for adventure. Home to lush peaks and cool-weather valleys, and both the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, you’ll find thrilling and enriching activities throughout. Catch stellar waves in Pedasi and Tonosi. Dive in the preserved Coiba National Park. Hike to a hidden waterfall in Panama City. Dare to do it all.
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Hiking in Panamá
Rich in tropical flora, diverse wildlife, and picture-worthy sights, Panamá trails offer something for every hiker, from easy and scenic excursions with city views to challenging and secluded trails around extinct volcanoes, islands, and lush rainforests.
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Panamá: a First-Rate Fishing Destination
With world record fishing, more than 2,900 km (1,800 miles) of coastline and the perfect conditions to do it at any time of the year, Panamá is an unparalleled destination for sport fishing. Whether you prefer deep sea fishing, inshore fishing, or are into freshwater fishing, Panama has what you are looking for. Join the hundreds of travelers from all over the world who come to Panamanian waters to practice this sport. Here you will find some of the best places to fish for large species and freshwater fish.
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World-Class Surfing in Panamá
Panamá is a surfer’s haven. We welcome you to the stunning shores of our fishing villages, vibrant cities, and secluded beach towns. Here, you’ll find community, passion, and waves fit for every surfer, no matter the experience level. With more than 1,800 miles of coastline between two bodies of water – the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea – Panamá is a diverse country with multiple year-round surfing destinations. Here’s your guide to surfing in Panamá.
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Top Beaches and Islands
Panamá, uniquely positioned as the isthmus connecting North and South America, provides a unique beach experience with coasts on the Pacific and Caribbean oceans! With over 1,800 miles of coastline and more than 1,400 islands and cays, Panamá is a sea lover’s dream. Our country is renowned for world-class surfing, fishing, and diving, welcoming first-timers and seasoned adventurers.
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Diving & Snorkeling in Panamá
Discover the magical and incredible Panamanian marine world while snorkeling and diving. Diverse marine wildlife and beautiful sights await you in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. You don’t have to choose between the coasts on your vacation. If you so wish, you can dive or snorkel off the Caribbean and Pacific on the same day; each offers unique experiences not found in the other. With warm temperatures that rarely fall below 24C/75.2F and often reach 30C/86F. Here are the top snorkeling and diving spots in Panamá.
Wildlife
Our wildlife is rich and diverse. We’re the home and a place of pilgrimage to more than 1,000 bird species. Turtles nest on more than 200 of our beaches. Thousands of humpback whales swim through our waters. We’ve got abundant marine life in Bocas del Toro, come diving any day of the year. Dare to get wild with us.
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Birdwatching in Panamá
Panamá is home and a place of pilgrimage to more than 1,000 bird species. The tropical isthmus hosts diverse migratory and endemic birds due to its geographic location between North and South America and the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Panamá is home to 10% of the world’s known bird species and 107 endemic species and has more of a variety of birds than the United States and Canada combined. Panamá is also one of the five migratory bird corridors in the world.
All that makes Panamá the perfect year-round destination for bird-watching, though each season may bring different sightings. From endemic to migratory birds escaping the North and South American winters, Panamá is a sanctuary of color and song.
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Panamá Whale Watching
Panamá attracts thousands of humpback whales twice a year, making it a prime destination for whale-watching. An oasis of warm water and wildlife protection, our country prides itself on caring for the whales that call our Pacific Ocean home during the breeding and mating seasons. Panamá resides in one of the only two regions worldwide where humpback whales from the Northern and Southern hemispheres migrate for breeding during the dry and wet seasons.
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Sea Turtles in Panamá
On the Sandy shores of Panamá, sea turtles live, grow, and thrive under our warm sun and safe beaches.
Panamá is a country rich in diverse habitats and ecosystems. Its geographic location between North and South America – and the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea – offers the ideal conditions for sea turtles to live and develop throughout their different life stages. Most of the world’s sea turtle species call Panamá home – five of the seven species worldwide live here – which has led to major conservation efforts led by local communities and groups like the Panamá Wildlife Conservation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
Wildlife Places to Visit in Panama
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Panama City
Panama City is much more than the country’s capital. Here you can pedal in front of a skyline with some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, enjoy the Pacific breeze as you ride along the Bay of Panama, walk among archaeological sites and trails, and see how colonial history and the night come alive in the same place. Panama City is a high-contrast destination where greenery, indigenous peoples and vibrant city life are waiting for you.
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Boquete
Boquete is a colorful, wooded valley surrounded by the mountains of Chiriquí, in northwestern Panamá. The valley of dreams? Maybe so. This is a recurring destination for those who dream of trails with waterfalls and exotic animals, climbing natural rock formations, tasting the best coffee and enjoying excellent seasonal meals. Discover this unique place where peace and adrenaline converge.
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Pacific Coast of Veraguas
The province of Veraguas in central Panamá is an exciting destination full of epic adventures. Its Pacific coast is a true jewel where lovers of the sea and wildlife coexist to enjoy the beauties of the region.
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Portobelo
In the province of Colón, facing the Caribbean Sea, you’ll find Portobelo. Legend has it that Columbus named Portobelo as soon as he saw it. The color of its deep blue sea, the white of its beaches, along with the intense green of its forests and mangroves, deserve no other name: it is a beautiful port. Come and discover it for yourself!
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Tierras Altas
The Tierras Altas region is a quite different place from the rest of Panamá. It is a mountainous district located in the extreme west of the country, in the province of Chiriquí. Take in its peaks, forests, rivers, and set out on an adventure among agriculture and culinary activities it has in store for you. Can you fathom how it feels to see both oceans at the same time? Well, in Tierras Altas, you can!
Its visitors are welcome at any time of the year, with the coolest temperature in the country: between 53 ºF and 77 ºF (12 ºC and 25 ºC).
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Riviera Pacifica
The Riviera Pacifica extends along the Pan-American Highway, a 25 mile (40 km) stretch of road dotted with beaches and mountains. On your way out of Panama City, just 50 miles (80 km), on your left, you’ll see a number of beaches where you can enjoy the best plans in the Pacific. And on your right, mountainous areas await that are brimming with trails, waterfalls, and adventures in a cooler climate. Which one sounds best to you?
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Pedasi, Cambutal & Venao
The province of Los Santos, located in the south of Panamá, is the cradle of folklore. At the end, towards the Pacific, there are two unique points: Pedasi and Tonosi. Here, you will enjoy natural beauties such as the migration of humpback whales from July to October. You can also visit Isla Iguana to dive over the oldest and largest coral reef in the Gulf of Panama and see many of the birds and iguanas that live there.
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Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is one of the favorite destinations among Panamanians and visitors. Just a 45-minute flight from Panama City brings you to the north-westernmost province of the country. Immerse yourself in its cultures, cross forest-covered mountains, sail through mangroves, swim among reefs, surf the perfect wave and discover the good vibes of Bocas.
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El Valle de Anton
El Valle de Anton is a beautiful mountain town nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano. Located on the mountain side of the Riviera Pacifica, a visit to El Valle de Anton will make the perfect compliment to your beach trip. Not only is there plenty to do and see there, but you’ll also beat the heat of the lowlands, as the town is 600 meters above sea level. In El Valle de Anton, expect to see beautiful landscapes, flower-lined streets and lush, green mountains. You’ll also get to enjoy fresh, crisp mountain air and temperatures ranging from 10º to 25ºC, making the valley the perfect place to hike.
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Taboga Island
Isla Taboga, or the Island of Flowers, is a volcanic island characterized by rich tropical plant life, as well as beautiful beaches and soft sand. Located on the Pacific side of the country in the Gulf of Panama, this majestic island is a short 20 kilometers from the capital, making it the best one-day getaway from Panama City.
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Gulf of Chiriqui
The Gulf of Chiriqui extends along Panama’s Pacific coast from the Costa Rican border to the Azuero Peninsula. It offers abundant vegetation, charming white-sand islands and one of the largest coral reefs in the Pacific, making it one of the best destinations for big-game fishing, diving and snorkeling. The gulf is also home to one of Central America’s densest mangrove forests, as well as Panamá’s largest island, Coiba Island. On your visit, you can tour within the islands and mangrove areas of the National Marine Park. Plus, due to the rich biodiversity of the gulf, you’ll also find lots of conservation projects that research and protect the area.