Best Places to Vacation in Panama internationalliving.com

Panama is a little powerhouse in more ways than one. It’s a bustling business destination, home to the Panama Canal and Tocumen International Airport, known as the Hub of the Americas. It’s easy to travel here, and there are so many beautiful vacation spots, visitors are spoiled for choice.

I’ve been living in and writing about Panama for over a decade, and I haven’t gotten bored yet. Far from it. A few hours travel can get me to exciting places like the Darién Jungle or quiet little havens like Isla Contadora. Scientists, adventure seekers, ecotourists, luxury travelers…there’s something for everyone in Panama.

Visiting for the first time? Here are three incredible destinations that show three different sides of Panama.
The Best Places to Vacation in Panama: The Islands

At the top of my list are the Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro, near the Costa Rica border. The unassuming main island, Isla Colón, is home to a little party town, also called Bocas del Toro. A little-known foodie destination, tiny Bocas is home to great restaurants, including Om Café, The View at Oasis, and Buena Vista.

Here’s a little tip: The province, the archipelago, and the provincial capital all share the same name, so the latter is referred to simply as Bocas Town to avoid confusion.

Bocas Town occupies a tiny portion of the island—you can walk, bike, ride the bus, or hail a taxi (both land and water taxis are available) to explore the rest. From Bocas Town to Big Creek to Bluff Beach, you’ll find little inlets and beaches, secluded eateries, and plenty of places to stay.

It’s quintessential Caribbean, with turquoise waters, exuberant green foliage, and, yes, some rainstorms, too. (There are never hurricanes here, as all of Panama is outside the hurricane belt.) Sometimes there are brief power or water outages, but it’s worth it to be somewhere this uncrowded and unspoilt.

I usually spend a couple nights in Bocas Town. During the day, you can book tours to surrounding islands and snorkel spots. Hospital Point, Coral Cay, Starfish Beach, and Zapatilla are some of the most popular ones, and with good reason.

After a few days in town, I like to spend a couple nights somewhere quiet, like Jungle Paunch, where the only thing you’ll hear at night are the howler monkeys as they move through the rainforest canopy.

If Bocas doesn’t sound like your cup of tea The islands of Guna Yala, formerly known as the San Blas islands, may be more your speed. They tend to get more media attention. And they are undeniably among the most beautiful places on earth. For me, I like a place with nightlife and great restaurants. But if you’re looking to really and truly get away from it all, then by all means, book a stay in Guna Yala.

Here, the Guna (formerly spelled “Kuna”) live much the way they did when the Americas were first “discovered.” The Guna have their own autonomous government and they are diligent about protecting their reserve lands, allowing only low-impact, sustainable tourism. You won’t find any big-name resorts here—only eco-friendly huts and small hostels.

Remember, you’ll be in traditional dwellings (typically with mosquito netting over beds) no matter where you stay in Guna Yala. Don’t expect upscale cuisine or air conditioning…and don’t “bug out” if there are a few bugs.