A trip to Panama is an immersion in a natural environment with incredible biodiversity, almost as diverse as that of neighbouring Costa Rica. This Central American isthmus is indeed rich in varied fauna and contrasting landscapes with coral archipelagos, white sandy beaches bordering the Caribbean Sea, a real jungle, tropical forests, mountain ranges... A unique destination! And all you have to do is leaf through a tourist guide on Panama to see it. Panama is a bridge between Western American-style culture and the gentle way of life in Latin America. It is also its famous channel, of course, and a mosaic of cultures and atmospheres. Take the time to visit Panama City, a vibrant and modern capital, before finding yourself on a canoe to sail up a river to an Amerindian village! Then explore the mountainous region of Chiriqui before reaching the paradisiacal beaches of Bocas del Toro or the San Blas archipelago...

The must-see places in Panama

What to do in Panama ?

guide de voyage, - © Nicolas LHULLIER

Panama Canal must-see attractions

For a trip to Panama to be complete, it is imperative to visit its famous canal. It is one of the country's greatest treasures for the inhabitants and they are particularly proud of it. One should not believe that the observation of the liners is the only activity proposed by this extraordinary place. One should also enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature by going to explore some of the most beautiful national parks. Without forgetting ...

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When to go to Panama?

When to go to Panama? The high tourist season extends from November to early April, including the Panamanian summer school holidays. It is then the dry season, with little rain, sun and wind. The very high season takes place during the November holidays for national holidays (fiestas patrias), the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, the carnival in February and Holy Week. Hotel rates then increase significantly and it is advisable to book your room well in advance.

In the very low season (May-June) you may find the door closed in hotels and restaurants, many hotel owners take their holidays at that time, before the arrival of European tourists in July and August. In high season, the beaches fill up at high speed but don't worry, there are plenty of quiet spots! During this Panamanian summer, the days get slightly longer. On the one hand, the sun makes it easier to travel on the tracks, which are less muddy (don't worry, the roads in Panama are generally very good), while on the other hand, the wind sometimes makes it difficult to travel by sea in small boats. From April onwards, the most popular tourist places are less frequented and it is the best time to go to Panama for a holiday away from the crowds. The rains are heavy but they only last a few hours. They create a special atmosphere, with even greener landscapes, a beautiful ink-coloured sky and impressive thunderclaps!

  • Weather forecast
  • Budget
  • Procedures
  • Health
  • Discovery
Weather at the moment
Weather all year round

Panama has a humid tropical climate. It is hot all year round, with average temperatures of 28 to 31°C during the day. Weather and rainfall vary according to the seasons. The Caribbean side receives nearly 3 metres of rain per year, twice as much as the Pacific coast, but there are many microclimates. During the wet season in Panama, from late April to early December, heavy rains fall throughout the country, but they usually last only a few hours

Budget

Life in Panama remains relatively affordable for Europeans and North Americans, although prices have risen considerably in recent years. The most important items in the travel budget are hotels, domestic flights and guided tours. The national currency is the balboa in fixed parity with the dollar accepted everywhere. You can pay and withdraw with your credit card without any problems in Panama.

Procedures

It is not necessary to apply for a visa if you wish to stay in Panama for less than 180 days. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of return, and a return ticket may be requested by the Panamanian authorities at land border crossings

Health

If no vaccine is required to enter Panama, it is strongly recommended to be vaccinated against certain diseases such as hepatitis A and B. For children, all vaccines to be made in France must be made before departure. Please note: the authorities require a certificate of antiamarile vaccination (yellow fever) for all travellers originating from or coming from infected areas (South America). All neighbouring countries are required to comply with this formality. You may be asked for an original receipt.

While tap water is drinkable in Panama City, it is not drinkable everywhere else in the country. It is recommended not to drink from the tap. Avoid consuming ice cubes, as well as ice creams and sorbets purchased on the street. It is not always easy to know if the water has been purified or not

How to go to Panama? Our advice & tips

  • Organised trips
  • Going alone
  • Moving around

A good overview of Panama can be obtained by taking an 8-day tour. We will visit its famous canal of course but also its paradisiacal islands and its white sandy beaches. You can also meet indigenous tribes like the Kunas in the San Blas Islands, just to think of yourself as Robinson Crusoe.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Panama is a safe country, probably the safest in Central America. But as everywhere, the tourist can represent a privileged target and it is advisable to respect some elementary rules : do not provoke : do not provoke the potential thief (diamond necklace or reflex camera around the neck in popular areas, wallet in the pocket back of the trousers, backpack left unattended on a desert beach etc.) and beware of pickpockets in the crowd.

Domestic flights serve the country well as well as the long-distance bus network. The more or less powerful motor boat (lancha or panga) or the wooden pirogue (box) are often the only means of transport in the archipelagos and in the middle of the jungle in the absence of a track or road. The crossings offer emotional moments! However, make sure that there are enough life jackets in the boat.

Prepare for your trip Panama

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Panama travel inspiration

8 days
Average budget
  • When to go?
    Printemps, Automne, Hiver
  • With whom?
    Solo, Couple, Famille, Amis, Groupe
  • Themes :
    Culture / Patrimoine , Faune et flore, Découverte, Aventure / Sports et loisirs

8 days in Panama
Quotatrip
All tours
20 days
Average budget
  • When to go?
    Printemps, Automne, Hiver
  • With whom?
    Solo, Couple, Amis
  • Themes :
    Culture / Patrimoine , Faune et flore, Découverte, Aventure / Sports et loisirs

Most of Panama in 20 days

Pictures Panama

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Practical information
When to travel?

When to go to Panama? The high tourist season extends from November to early April, including the Panamanian summer s...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Panama has a humid tropical climate. It is hot all year round, with average temperatures of 28 to 31°C during the da...
Read more about it

Budget

Life in Panama remains relatively affordable for Europeans and North Americans, although prices have risen considerab...
Read more about it

Formalities

It is not necessary to apply for a visa if you wish to stay in Panama for less than 180 days. The passport must be va...
Read more about it

Health

If no vaccine is required to enter Panama, it is strongly recommended to be vaccinated against certain diseases such...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Panama is a safe country, probably the safest in Central America. But as everywhere, the tourist can represent a pri...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

A good overview of Panama can be obtained by taking an 8-day tour. We will visit its famous canal of course but also...
Read more about it

Getting around

Domestic flights serve the country well as well as the long-distance bus network. The more or less powerful motor boa...
Read more about it

Featured articles Panama

Le Panama Jazz Festival c'est pour bientôt !

The Panama Jazz Festival is coming soon!

From January 12 to 17, 2015, Panama City will swing thanks to the Panama Jazz Festival where many local and international artists will perform. This festival is one of the most important cultural events in the country.On the program: Panamanian star Ruben Blades, Benny Golson, Claudia Acuña, Miguel Zenón, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, Pedrito Martinez and many others. The concerts will take place at the Auditorium of the Ciudad ...

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La nouvelle édition Country Panama vient de sortir !

The new Country Panama edition just came out!

As part of the launch of our Country Panama edition, His Excellency Philippe Casenave organized a reception at the Residence of France on November 26th. Participants included actors from the Franco-Panamanian tourism and economic sector, representatives of the National Institute of Culture, the Ministry of External Relations and Tourism. Nicolas Lhullier presented his work in front of more than 180 people gathered that evening. Prizes were ...

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Triple Corona à Playa Venao !!

Triple Corona in Playa Venao !

On the 2nd and 3rd of July, on the mythical Venao beach on the Pacific coast of Panama, a surfing competition will take place that will bring together the best surfers in the country. The Venao beach is world famous and currently in full tourist development with in particular the new HOSTEL SELINA with an international and funky spirit and the high level training center SURF DOJO set up a few months ago by Frédéric Lacoste, a Frenchman who ...

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L'Amérique centrale : 7 pays et au moins autant de bonnes raisons d'y aller

Central America: 7 countries and at least as many good reasons to go there

When we think of Central America, we think above all of the breathtaking landscapes of Costa Rica. However, this exceptionally rich language of land holds many other treasures. Because Central America is no less than 7 countries located between Mexico and Colombia: Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. Seven lands, like so many pretexts found to discover volcanoes, natural parks, colonial villages, Mayan ...

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