Panama Vacation: The Perfect Itinerary for your 9-day trip
- Laion Cross
- Jul 1
- 17 min read
Updated: Jul 5
The following itinerary takes you on a journey that represents the best that Panama has to offer in a short time. It also showcases the diversity of culture and flavor. Very impressive given the small size of the country. Panama is teeming with different wildlife, topography, music, food and people.
This itinerary sends you in a wide circle in order to experience the unique characteristics of Panama.
Panama is an isthmus country with the Atlantic and Pacific separated by only 50 miles at the shortest distance. The Caribbean feel of Panama, however, is very different from the Pacific. The Pacific evokes a deep and mysterious expression that is unique and profound. The Caribbean has a lighter and often times more festive feel that conjures up impressions of Reggae and tropical cocktails.
In both settings, the islands and marine life are exceptional. The mountains also represent another dynamic of the country. Mountain life is very different from beach communities both historically and in today's time. Majestic views, cool temperatures, savory coffee and incredible waterfalls help define the essence of why the Panama mountains are an itinerary 'must'.
Given that the city also has its important attractions and impressive style, this itinerary focuses on getting you to the four best corners of Panama. If you put Panama on your bucket list, you'll need to get a wide enough array of settings and environments to achieve the full experience. Let's start with the city.
Day 1-2: Panama City
In all of Central America, Panama has, by far, the most modern and most pleasant capital city... Panama City. When I first visited Panama I was passing through on a trip from Mexico to Chile. That was in the late 90's. I was very impressed with the country and had no idea it was going to explode with growth for the next several decades as it did. I did have the pleasure of seeing the places that I'll describe in this article. The changes have been spectacular. Perhaps a little sad in some regards like change often is... but spectacular none the less.
First of all, the airport, Tocumen. Chances are that the international airport will be the first impression when you arrive to Panama. Tocumen (PTY) has grown into a regional hub. That is a far cry from the four walls and a soda stand that it used to be. After several waves of growth, it has developed from one bare-boned concrete square into two enormous and plush terminals.
From Tocumen, you'll have several options of taxis, shuttle vans, metro or Uber. For a nice balance of comfort and price I'd recommend the Uber option. It will get you to your hotel for about $20 USD.
Most visitors to Panama wind up staying in Casco Viejo (Old Town) for their first night for some very good reasons. To stay in Old Town is to experience Spanish colonial architecture brought back to life. A living museum with all of the modern conveniences. The trendy restaurants, shops, nice bars and clubs all give Old Town plenty of charm. Times have changed so much for Casco Viejo in these years that I have known Panama.
There were just a few blocks that were suggested to visit in the daytime only. Amazing the effort and capital that has come into the area. Even more amazing is the good work and consistency of the multitude of renovations. Today Casco Viejo is vibrant prime Panama City real estate and the most popular area for international visitors.
There is plenty to do in Old Town. A few recommendations include:
Walking around for a Spanish Colonial architectural adventure. Plaza de Independencia is a great place to start.
Other sites include: Inglesia San Jose, Plaza de Francia, and the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient.
These points of interest combine to give you a beautiful feel of what a stroll would be like in the distant past. The rooftop bars (Tantalo is a prime example), micro brews (Rana Dorada) the shops (artisan goods and souvenirs are ubiquitous), bars with live music (BlueMoon Tap House), and the fine dining (La Pulperia) all contribute to the Old Town experience.
Panama Canal (Miraflores)
The Panama Canal is often cited as the largest and most complex engineering marvel of the 20 century. Miraflores is a short distance from Old Town with a taxis or Uber (10-15 minutes). Getting to the lock at Miraflores is usually enough to check this important line item off the list of 'things to do' to the list of 'done'.
You'll be able to witness the process of large ships coming and going in the lock system. This involves filling large channels (called culverts) with water to raise the ship up (or drain down) to the appropriate level to allow the ship to continue its trek through the canal system. The Canal runs from the Pacific side at Panama City to the Atlantic side at Colon... or vice versa.
The canal was not possible without this sophisticated lock system. Miraflores gets you a close look at the engineering marvel of this system (six pairs of locks in total). The historical museum at Miraflores is also highly recommended.
Morgan Freeman narrates a short film explaining some of the highlights of the Panama Canal. The other exhibits feature plenty of information of what make the Panama Canal such an important route of commerce in a perspective that is both informative and inspirational.
Cangrejo – An alternative place to stay for Day 1 or Day 8.
I have a soft spot for Cangrejo (name of this sector of the city translates to 'crab'). That was the area that I rented my first apartment when I came back to Panama for a contracted assignment opening up a supply chain for a Singapore Company. I guess it reminded my of my favorite eclectic neighborhood back home that is a friendly and diverse mix of neighbors with plenty of shops, bars, cafes and a nice park.
The main street in Cangrejo is Via Argentina. It's nice to walk down the street and pop into the various options. Meeting locals at the various pubs seems casual and natural. It is also more in the heart of the city if you have any sort of business or just want a change of scenery. Cangrejo gets an honorable mention as an alternative or addition to Casco Viejo.
As you can see above, my suggested itinerary only reserves one night in the city both beginning and ending your Panama journey. If you're a city person, you'll probably want to find travel suggestions for more city time. I feel that Panama City is a fabulous introduction to your vacation, however, my preference is spending more time in scenic settings near the ocean or in countryside mountains with vast views and waterfalls.
In a country like Panama that have both oceans so close together, I'd think that most travelers would want to experience both the Pacific and the Caribbean. This itinerary gets you back to the flavor of Panama City for your last night. But, continuing along we'll get you to the three best areas of Panama for outdoor adventure.
The next three destinations are about as far away from the capital as you can get. Santa Catalina (for Coiba National Park) is remotely located about 350 kilometers to the South West of Panama City. Boquete is even further going due West. Bocas del Toro is in the extreme North West corner of the country. Luckily Panama is a small country (about the same size as South Carolina...for a US reference).
It is also a very diverse county with both human, topographical and wildlife considerations.
So...if you really want to experience the best of what Panama has to offer..you have to experience all four corners (counting Panama City).
Day 2-4: Coiba – Santa Catalina
If you want to snorkel, dive or surf in Panama you have to get to Santa Catalina. It's the launching pad for Coiba National Park. Coiba is the largest island in Central America and is considered closely related to the Galapagos Islands due to its position in the Eastern Pacific Corridor. Here you'll find many endemic species and natural habitat that have been untouched and undeveloped. This is due in large part to the fact that Coiba Island has historically been a penal colony island for the better part of the last 100 years.
Because of the spectacular beauty of the islands and the intense marine life that the park offers, this has been a miraculous and ironic coincidence for a tourism sector boom. Santa Catalina itself is on the tourism circuit because of its famous wave that is year round. It's not common for any one small town to boast the 'best' of two important tourism categories. Santa Catalina surf with daily snorkel and dive tours to Coiba National Park ticks two boxes on why this is a 'must see' destination for your Panama itinerary.
Coiba Snorkel & Dive Tours: What to Expect
The tour starts at 8am and the boat returns around 4pm. It's a full day complete with lunch, snacks, drinks, equipment and guide. There are several excellent tour companies. For snorkel, Lago Bay highly recommends Premier Coiba, Discover Coiba and Watching Dolphins. Divers also have many options. We recommend Coiba Dive Center, Scuba Coiba, and Panama Dive Center.
I first came across Santa Catalina the same year that the penal colony was closed down...2004. The town had a handful of fringe surfers that came for the wave and could never bring themselves to leave. Many surfing legends set up small hostels and catered to die-hard surfers that came for long stays carrying a backpack and a board. That was the same year that the asphalt road was being constructed. It was a milestone when visitors didn't have to sign up for an extreme and tedious journey with a 4x4.
Often times, back then, wenches were necessary with every creek crossings. I heard all of the stories that the trip from Santiago was a full and grueling day. In short, I first experienced Santa Catalina when the hardest work was already done.
Santa Catalina Before Tourism: A Quiet Surf Town
In 2004, however, there was relatively no tourism, no town infrastructure and no communication. With the small local community the only outside communication was a single phone booth. Messages coming internationally or from other parts of the country would usually come in as a 'telephone game'.
Whoever happened to answer an incoming call would relay the message. Usually a single message would bounce around to a handful of people in town until it would arrive to the rightful recipient. 'Surfer Bob' would finally get the message that he no longer had a job back in his home country to go back to...or the like.
I never considered myself a resident of Santa Catalina. I was traveling mostly from Panama City to Santiago for business. It was easy to fall into a routine of shedding the world, however, for up to a week or so at a time.
The heart of Santa Catalina back in the early years was the Jammin Pizzeria. When there was electricity there was surf music. When there wasn't, the Italians would steadily crank out artisan pizzas from their wood burning stove oven.
An enormous, never ending candle that they invented would always be lit. Cold beers could easily devolve into tequila shots. With no rhyme or reason it seems like every third night or so would have girls dancing on the bar and one local in particular howling at the moon. Sporadic lawlessness and raw could be some words for the old days.
Mostly, however, there was tranquility and introspective surf. It was a great time to get to know yourself while sharing the experience with a small band of fellow soul adventurers.
The first time I visited Coiba was during the year that it closed as a penal colony and opened as a park. I recall that a boat or two went out during the course of the week. The occasional visitors would meander in and when there was a threshold of warm bodies available for a tour...the boat would launch.
To get enough for the boat would often times take a few days. Later, in 2005 Coiba National Park became a World UNESCO Hertitage site and has since been attracting a steady stream of visitors. These days, there are daily tours that launch with plenty of visitors on any given day for the twenty or so boutique tour agencies in town. No worries. Coiba National Park is HUGE. It's easy to go to one of the many islands and be the only boat within sight!
From Hidden Gem to Essential Panama Destination
Santa Catalina is still considered remote and Coiba National Park is still relatively untouched, but, it looks like the area is firmly on the 'must see' Panama travel map. . Like I had mentioned above, the changes are fantastic. I do look back on my first years in the area with nostalgia. The changes in life keep changing. Happy for each chapter. Honestly, most travelers wouldn't have the time nor the inclination to have made the journey without today's infrastructure. The incredible changes have been helpful for a normal itinerary...especially this 9-day one.
OK. wiping the crocodile tear and getting back to the travel portion. Jammin Pizza is still around and it still has some of the best pizza that I've had outside of Italy. Today there is a Swiss family that has meticulously copied all of the recipes from their Italian predecessors. I must admit that the pizza is equally as good and can even be slightly more consistent.
Estero Beach is where you'll find the beach break at Santa Catalina. Oasis Beach Bar is a Santa Catalina anchor destination at Estero. This gem has been around since the old days and has only gotten better. Surfers of all skill levels and ages can take lessons right in front of the bar while more restful members of any group can sip cocktails and watch the madness or miracles unfold. The food is also excellent. Sunset at Estero is highly recommended for your first afternoon in the area.
Other than surfing and diving there are now places to rent kayaks to check out the small island in front of town. Horseback riding, yoga, massage, paddle board and bird watching are other noteworthy activities. The Lago Bay blog library helps get you in the activity mix with the Top Ten Activity Page.
Lago Bay: Making Coiba More Accessible
Lago Bay has been part of the changes in the area to help make a Coiba experience accessible on a short or tight itienery. The Lago Bay Airstrip will now get you from Panama City in only 45 mintues instead of an entire day. This is currently through private charters with several plane options for different group sizes. That information can be found at...fly.
Vacation homes at Lago Bay are also a good choice for individuals or groups that want to have a spacious and natural experience. The flora and fauna at Lago Bay is spectacular with a lake system and endless gardens to host an impressive array of non-human residents like parrots, eagles, gators, iguanas and flowing flocks of tropical song birds. Taking an adventure hike through the Lago Bay lake system, beach and gardens in a highly recommended experience. Find out more at Stay
Day 4-6: Boquete, the #1 mountain experience in Panama
Boquete is another gem that has gone through incredible changes over the same time frame. Coffee has been part of the town's history for over a hundred years...but has taken on new dimensions ever since Bouqete has been proclaimed the best and most expensive coffee in the world. Geisha coffee helped to put Boquete on the international coffee map. Tourism has been just as sudden and even more impactful.
My early experiences of Boquete were seeing a strawberry stand on one of the corners of the town square as being a primary attraction. Developer, Sam Teliaferro was just getting started building the first expat anchor at Valle Escondido. Boquete was on the map and it exploded as a retirement option for international expats. As a coffee magnet and a growing expat community, tourism also started booming because of the cooler temperatures and incredible hikes through the mountains. As infrastructure developed, Boquete has become very comfortable for travel without losing the charm and flavor of a small mountain-town in the highlands of Panama.
For starters in Boquete, I'd recommend taking a stroll around town center. The many cafes, bars and boutique shops are an impressive change from the wilds of Coiba National Park. The many businesses offer quality products and services to help get you back to civilization. Microbreweries, local cacao treats, fine dining and the best coffee in the world are all crammed into a short walk. Parque de la Biblioteca (Library Park) is an amazing town park for a stroll. Later, the fine dining and variety of pubs will draw you into the relaxing night life. Boquete is a pleasure.
Get your legs ready for a nice outing on day 5....the Lost Waterfalls Hike.
The Lost Waterfall hike is one of the most beautiful jungle excursions in Panama. You'll need to pack some water and maybe a snack because the hike will usually take a few hours. It's only a 2-mile hike but can get a little steep. You'll also want to consider plenty of time for stops at each waterfall. Three hours in total should do it.
Taking a taxi will get you to the entrance of the trail for less than $10. The fee for the hike is $7. You'll be asked to sign a book that helps the excursion crew keep everyone accounted for. Then...you're ready to get started.
The flora and fauna on the hike is impressive. You'll find a beautiful jungle canopy with plenty of tropical birds darting across the path. The path can get a little steep, especially between the second and third waterfall. Depending on your appetite for exercise, the hike becomes much easier with the goal of the second waterfall before turning back. However, the third waterfall is definitely worth the extra distance. You can do it!
A few dining and snack options in and around top center at Boquete include:
Buckle Tip Coffee Studio – for knowledgeable baristas that make a perfect cup.
Sugar and Spice – for snacks and sweets. The chocolate in Boquete is almost as famous as the coffee.
Nomad Restaurant and Lounge – for an 'all around' perfect dining experience.
Il Pianista – for your Italian cuisine fix.
Boquete Brewing Company – for an excellent micro brew with live music.
For the morning of Day 6...it's coffee tasting time. Wake up to a lesson on how to make coffee from bean to cup.
There are several coffee estates that offer educational tours for coffee. The tours take you through the process of the agricultural end. Elevation, sunlight, fertilizers, how to get optimal yields, picking etc are some of the factors involved in the science of growing coffee. Peeling, drying, sorting and cleaning the beans are all steps in the process. Then you get into the magic of roasting and grinding. After that...there's the good part...the tasting. Some of the coffee estates that have excellent tours in Boquete include:
I've been on both public and private coffee tours. Having a little coffee farm in the Santa Fe mountains has given me plenty of lessons on bean to cup. I appreciate my own Arabic and Robusta blend every morning. I occasionally like a more delicate coffee for a new experience. I definitely like to see the techniques involved in other farms and I feel that the tours are excellent lessons for all of the hard work it takes to bring you that cup of java each and every morning. I usually, however, like my coffee with a cowboy kick.
And...the 'cuppers' that spit the coffee out during tastings...well I've never achieved that level of 'sophistication'. Never did during wine tastings either. I'm putting in this aside just to note that when you do go on the tour...making all of the slurping noises and spitting out your coffee each taste is certainly optional.
Day 7-8: The Caribbean Islands of Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro completes the itinerary before closing the loop back to the city. Bocas is the epitome of Panama's Caribbean flavor and is a 'must see' in order to round out both a cultural and an outdoor adventure that will shine the best light on Panama Tourism. We've been to the raw and overwhelming natural beauty of Coiba National Park. We've also relaxed and hiked in the mountain setting of Boquete.
Now it's time to go full 'Jimmy Buffet' and get the best Caribbean experience that Panama has to offer.
Once again the changes have been impressive. I had the luck of encountering Bocas on that trip in 98. A short flight from David landed me into unexpected beauty with a tourism sector that was disorganized and delightful. With just a few European-style hostels there were already the beginnings of a tourism sector that was changing from solely a banana economy.
Live music was mostly a solo guitarist at one of the few restaurants and a boat tour was usually the result of some kids hustling business from the small stream of tourists coming and going. Now, Bocas is a mecca of tourism with Bocas Town being the hub. To get the remote island experience, tourists scatter out to the many island options that this impressive archipelago has to offer.
Getting there by plane or ferry will usually land you in Bocas Town first. On the Island of Colon, Bocas Town is the capital and hub of the archipelago. With plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and clubs, Bocas is about as much as you'll want in order to celebrate your excursion thus far. Walking around town center, bicycles and taxis are all good ways to get around. You'll need to decide on your appetite for action or lack of. There are plenty of great hotels to choose from...including the above-water bungalows featured on many photos of Bocas del Toro.
Bastimentos National Marine Park - Bocas del Toro
Established in 1988, this was Panama's first park. It was created to help protect an incredible habitat both above and below water. The corral reefs are stunning. The transition from Coiba to Bastimentos showcases the incredible difference between the two oceans. The park is teeming with monkeys, reptiles, sloths, and countless tropical fish around all of the multicolored coral formations.
The list of activities at the park is extensive. If you decide to stay on Bastimentos instead of Bocas Town's Colon, you may want to combine more nature time for your Day 8.
Some of the many activities include:
Hiking to Wizard Beach
Kayaking through the mangroves
Spotting dolphins at Dolphin Bay
Zip lining through the jungle canopy
Cacao Farm Tour (if you didn't get enough with the coffee tour in Boquete)
Checking out the bat caves in Nivida
Surf lessons
Snorkel and Diving Tours
Whichever Island that you decide to stay the night, there is plenty to do. After the wilds of Coiba and the more gentle terrain of Boquete with all of the modern conveniences...You'll be ready to figure out which path is best. Bocas Town represents the most nightlife. The other islands represent more opportunity for unplugging and connecting with the nature of the islands. Whichever you decide, Bocas del Toro represents the best Caribbean cultural experience that Panama has to offer.
Day 8-9: Back to Panama city
To complete our circular journey through the best of Panama we'll have to get back to the city on Day 8. After a morning activity in Bocas, it's time to get back to the concrete jungle of Panama City. The recommendations are back to Casco Viejo to finish exploring the Spanish colonial wonders of Old Town, or trying out the more modern area of Cangrejo (see above). There are many other options, but these two would be our recommendations for your 9-day itinerary.
Fly – Charter Flight
You may be wondering how to get to these four corners of Panama all within the time frame of our nine days? That is the kicker. I've taken the time to write a logistical article regarding the same. It's call 'The Loop' and it compares modes of travel in an 'apple to apple' format. The punch line is that flying is the best option. In order to have both Ocean experiences in the same visit...it is the only comfortable way of making the itinerary happen.
Currently at Lago Bay, we are striving to facilitate this option. Optimizing the logistics is easier said than done, however, we are doing our best to make this logistical path available.
Flying into Lago Bay, for example, turns a full day's drive into a 45 minute option. This comfortably gets you to your accommodation (Lago Bay perhaps?) on Day 2 so that you'll be relaxed and ready for the most explosive snorkel tour available in Panama. Private shuttle or private charter is optional for the Boquete leg. Getting back to Panama City from Bocas is definitely another charter flight. It makes another grueling travel day into a short one-hour puddle jump.
If you want to get the most updated information on our charter flight options, visit:
Putting together the right logistical format for your Panama itinerary is an important task. If we can help, feel free to contact us at Lago Bay for further information. Connecting these four points in the country is the perfect balance of the cultural and outdoor experiences that Panama has to offer. Hopefully we'll see you along the journey here at Lago Bay.
Itinerary for your 9-day trip in Panama
Day 1-2 Panama City
Panama Canal Miraflores
Casco Viejo
Day 2-4 Coiba – Santa Catalina
Day 2 (afternoon) Estero Beach at the Oasis
Day 3 Coiba National Park adventure tour
Lago Bay 4 (morning) nature walk
Day 4-6 Boquete
Day 4 Explore the town.
Day 5 The Lost Waterfalls hike.
Day 6 (morning)Coffee Tour at Dos Jefes
Day 6-8 Bocas del Toro
Day 6 (afternoon) Bocas Town
Day 7 Bastimentos National Marine Park
Day 8 (morning) Snorkel Tour
Day 8-9 Panama City
Cangrejo
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