Tourist Attractions in Panama

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Panama

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Panama

The Republic of Panama is an extremely beautiful and hospitable country located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The best time to visit this country is from January to May, when Panama has a dry season.

The main attraction of Panama is its unique nature. The picturesque beaches of Bocas del Toro, San Carlos, Nueva Gorgon, Bastimento with their white sand are perfect for leisurely family bathing, as well as for surfing or underwater fishing.

Fans of hiking should definitely visit Boquete, Cerro Punta, Soberania National Park and climb to the Baru Volcano. Another popular tourist destination in Panama is a visit to the local Indian tribes that have managed to preserve their authentic culture and way of life.
As a memento of their visit to this wonderful country, tourists take back home molas – hand-woven woven items of bright colours produced by the Kuna women, local coffee of excellent quality and hats.

Top-24 Tourist Attractions in Panama

Panama Canal

 4.6/5

4060 reviews

One of the most popular places in Panama is its canal. This amazing creation of human hands was officially opened in 1920, although the first ideas of such construction date back to the 16th century. There are many tourist excursions on the Panama Canal, and the best place to watch ships is at the walls of the Miraflores locks.

Volcán Barú

 4.6/5

477 reviews

Panama’s highest point is the dormant volcano Baru, located in the west of the country. Its height is 3,474 metres above sea level. In good weather from the top of Baru you can see the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Baru Volcano is a popular tourist attraction and its summit can be reached via the Quetzales route.

Panama City

 0/5

The capital of the state, founded in 1519, is the famous Panama City. Here the ancient ruins of Panama Viejo and modern neighbourhoods are organically combined. It is forbidden to swim in the coastal waters of Panama City, but less than an hour’s drive from the capital, tourists will find the sandy beaches of Coronado, Gorgon, San Carlos and Rio Mar.

Bocas del Toro

 0/5

The capital of the province of the same name, the city of Bocas del Toro, has many hotels, restaurants and entertainment centres. But it is popular due to the fact that from here it is easy to get to the famous Panamanian archipelago. On the islands of the archipelago, tourists go diving and surfing, as well as deep-sea diving.

Panamá Viejo

 4.6/5

9725 reviews

The ancient city, erected in 1517, is today part of Panama City. Panama Viejo constantly had to defend itself against Indians and pirates, until in 1671 one of these attacks ended with the almost complete destruction of the city. Today, the ancient neighbourhoods of Panama Viejo are open to the public.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Parque Nacional de Isla Coiba

 4.9/5

327 reviews

One of the largest islands in Panama has given its name to a unique national park in this country. The park is home to about 760 species of fish, and from April to September many turtles come to Coiba to lay their eggs. For its excellent diving conditions, Coiba is called “the new Galapagos”.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Bridge of the Americas

 4.5/5

871 reviews

Built in 1962, the Bridge of the Americas was the first non-divisible bridge between the southern and northern United States. After a major expansion in 2004, its capacity reached 35,000 vehicles per day. The bridge looks particularly spectacular when illuminated at night.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Archipielago de San Blas

 4.8/5

6 reviews

The beautiful San Blas Archipelago is only half an hour’s boat ride from Panama City. It is home to the Kuna Indians, who have managed to maintain an independent economy and culture from Panama. Visitors come to San Blas to dive, fish, see the daily life of the Indians or simply relax on the clean local beaches.

Boquete

 0/5

In the valley of the Caldera River lies the small town of Boquete. Tourists from all over the world come here for a variety of holidays. In Boquete you can go fishing, ride horses through the jungle, visit coffee plantations, or go river rafting on canoes or inflatable rafts.

Guna Yala Comarca

 0/5

One of the most popular beaches in Panama, Comarca Cuna Yala, is located on an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. It is inhabited by the Kuna Indians, who rent huts and cook food for tourists who want to experience a real “wild” holiday. The purest sand and clear waters of the coast make Comarca Cuna Yala ideal for family holidays.

Sendero Los Quetzales

 4.7/5

113 reviews

One of the most beautiful hiking trails in Panama is the Sendero de los Quetzales trail. The trail owes its name to the extremely beautiful and rare quetzal bird, which can be found in the local forests. The Sendero de los Quetzales starts near Baia Boquete and leads through Cerro Punta to a viewpoint 2,500 metres above sea level.

Right now place is temporarily closed.
Please re-check in future

Taboga Island

 4.5/5

342 reviews

The famous island of Taboga is located in the Gulf of Panama near Cape Bruja. Here you can relax on the beach, visit a miniature 17th century church, and admire the impressive rain forest or watch a colony of brown pelicans. For outdoor enthusiasts, Taboga offers underwater or ocean fishing, overnight camping on neighbouring islands or kayaking.

Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park

 4.8/5

99 reviews

The island of Bastimentos, part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is home to the national park of the same name. More than 85% of the park’s territory consists of the waters of the Caribbean Sea. The Bastimentos National Marine Park is home to crocodiles, several species of turtles, monkeys, sloths and more than 60 species of birds.

Open time

Santa Catalina

 0/5

Until the 1970s, Santa Catalina was an ordinary fishing village that changed dramatically when surfers discovered this attractive destination. Today, the village’s infrastructure offers surfers comfortable hotels, cafes and equipment hire. In addition to surfing, you can also go underwater fishing or diving.

Amador Causeway

 4.8/5

195 reviews

The road from the mainland of Panama City connecting the archipelago to the four islands is called Amador Causeway. This road was built in 1913 and was initially used for a US military base. Today, Amador Causeway is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Pearl Islands

 4.5/5

18 reviews

A group of islands in the north-east of the Gulf of Panama are called the Pearl Islands. Back in the XVI century they were famous for their production of this organic mineral, but the “red tide” of 1938 destroyed the “pearl” molluscs of the local waters. Today, the main tourist attraction of the Pearl Islands is Contadora Island. Its sandy beaches and clear waters are ideal for a leisurely holiday.

Parque Internacional La Amistad

 4.6/5

554 reviews

In September 1988, La Amistad International Park was formed on the border between Panama and Costa Rica, which is mostly made up of rain forest. Tourists visit this amazing place for river rafting and hiking, as well as to learn more about the culture of the local Indian tribes.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Las Lajas

 4.5/5

219 reviews

The 14 kilometre long Las Lajas beach is extremely beautiful and is located just off the Pan-American Highway. Clean sand, small waves and a gentle slope to the warm water, as well as many well-appointed bungalows and hotels, make Las Lajas a popular holiday destination for visitors to Panama.

Open time

Fort San Lorenzo

 4.6/5

1817 reviews

The Panamanian forts of Portobello and San Lorenzo are magnificent examples of colonial military buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Located at a distance of about 50 kilometres from each other, these structures have been rebuilt after destruction more than once in their history. The main visitors to Portobello and San Lorenzo are fans of military architecture.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Darien National Park

 4.4/5

251 reviews

Panama’s largest national park is Parque Darien. Located on the border with Colombia, Darien National Park has been part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 1983. It is home to two Indian tribes that have managed to preserve their traditional way of life. There are two sections of Darien Park available to tourists.

Open time

Puente Centenario

 4.4/5

678 reviews

To relieve the strain on the Bridge of the Two Americas, the Centennial Bridge was opened in Panama in 2004. This structure is currently the main bridge over the Panama Canal. The original engineering design of the bridge makes it a popular tourist attraction, and the structure looks especially attractive in the night lights.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Biomuseo

 4.6/5

8233 reviews

The famous modern architect Frank Gehry has placed his Biomuseum at the beginning of the Panama Canal. This original structure, with a total surface area of about 4,000 m², was built to draw the attention of tourists to the unique nature and culture of the Panamanian state.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Anton Valley

 0/5

Not far from Panama City in the crater of an extinct volcano lies the tiny but very popular town of El Vaye de Anton. Here come mainly lovers of outdoor activities. But these types of entertainment are not exhausted. Here you can also swim in hot springs, ride horses through the mountains or visit the local Sunday fair.

Parque Nacional Chagres

 4.6/5

1345 reviews

The park was established to protect the unique ecosystem of the Chagres River, which provides drinking water for the capital of the country. All conditions for tourists’ recreation have been created here: water skiing and scooters, fishing, overnight stays in the rainforest and unique goods produced by the local Indian tribe.

Open time