So you’ve been to Cozumel and Cancun, visited Guatemala and have traveled around Costa Rica.  And now you want to expand your Central America travel experiences.  It’s time to check out Panama.  

The Republic of Panama sits over a narrow isthmus connecting Central America and South America.  The narrowest section is only 80 kilometers across, and the saying goes that Panama is the only place in the world where you can watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific.  (this may also be possible in Tierra del Fuego, but is not nearly as accessible)  In spite of this narrow geography and small size, the country is home to a massive variety of landscapes, ecosystems and travel opportunities.  

When to Go

The climate of Panama is tropical, and aside from the usual dry / wet season cycle there is not much seasonal variation in temperature.  The dry season runs from January to May, and this is by far the best time to visit.  Keep in mind though that it can rain at any time.  By visiting during the dryer months you are simply increasing your chances of sunny skies.

You can also save yourself a lot of trouble by planning around the local holidays and festivals. (something that holds true when traveling anywhere)  Specifically, you may have trouble finding accommodations during times like Semana Santa and Carnaval.  

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the seven days leading up to Easter.  Many Panamanians travel to visit family during the week.  Carnaval (Carnival) week is the pre-Lent festival, and Panama has one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the world, with live concerts and parades.  During both weeks, hotels will be booked, many streets and business will be closed and travel will be difficult.  

What to Do

Panama is the most industrialized country in Central America but also has the second largest rainforest in the western hemisphere.  It also has around 1,500 miles of coastline, hundreds of small islands and miles of bucolic countryside.  With this veritable smorgasbord of environments, there really can be something for everyone.  

You can explore the largest city in Central America and go shopping in the largest mall in Central America. You can walk through 400-year-old buildings and fortifications in Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo and Colon.  You can hike through rain forests and jungles, swim and snorkel in warm Caribbean waters and go beach-combing on expansive Pacific beaches.  You can enjoy the solitude and beauty of a tiny island or rent a bike to explore one of the small coastal towns.  The choices can actually be a bit overwhelming, but keep reading for a breakdown on where to find some of the best.  

Language

Spanish is the official language of Panama.  Around 90% of the population speaks Spanish as their native tongue, with the other 10% speaking indigenous languages.  Most tour operators and hotels will have people on staff that speak at least some English, but if you venture out of the well-traveled areas it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of Spanish.  As always, learning a few key phrases and words before your visit can go a long way.  

(Panama City skyline, from Cerro Ancon)

Panama City Attractions

When the locals mention "Panama", they are talking about Panama City.  The city is located on the Pacific coast, just east of the Panama Canal.  With an impressive skyline, sprawling downtown and waterfront districts, the metro area is home to over 1.2 million citizens.  Just about any visit to Panama will start in Panama City.  

If you are interested in shopping, the Albrook Mall is a gigantic indoor mall, with food court and movie theater.  You can also check out the Multicentro Mall, the largest mall in Central America.  Don’t expect any bargain basement prices, however.  These malls are in wealthy areas and cater mostly to affluent citizens. The Mercado de Artesanias is a wonderful spot for Kuna handcrafts and art, and the Central Avenue mall is a pedestrian mall with good deals and decent food offerings.  

(in transit of the Panama Canal lock system)

The Panama Canal is a must-see for any visitor to the country.  Cutting directly through the continental divide (the Gaillard Cut), the canal provides a shipping shortcut that bypasses South America.  The canal is an engineering marvel.  A system of locks and artificial lakes make up the canal route, for a total navigable distance of 77 kilometers.  

Tour companies offer boat trips through the canal.  A full length tour will send you all the way to Colon and back to Panama City through the canal.  This tour will take most of the day.  But I highly recommend the partial-transit tour, which lasts about five hours and takes you to Gamboa and back to the city.  

A partial-transit canal tour will start from Isla Flamenco on the Amador Causeway.  The company will bus you to Gamboa, where you will board the tour boat at the east end of Lake Gatun.  You’ll cruise down the Chargres River through the Gaillard Cut and eventually transit the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks.  The Centennial Bridge and the Bridge of the Americas are noteworthy sites along the way as well.  

(sunset view, from the Amador Causeway)

And speaking of the Amador Causeway, I should mention that this is an excellent place to spend an afternoon.  You can rent bicycles or rollerblades and race up and down the miles-long concrete path.  A few restaurants on the interconnected islands towards the end of the road provide food and drinks.  The causeway is also a good vantage point for watching the sunset over the Canal Zone.  

Coming up in Part 2, we'll take a look at more attractions in and around Panama City, and then later we'll branch out to cover other areas of the country and look at a sample itinerary.