🏖️ Panama offers exceptional beaches on two oceans:
🌊 Caribbean coast (Atlantic):
- San Blas: paradise islands, Kuna culture, turquoise waters
- Bocas del Toro: Caribbean ambience, snorkeling, dolphins
- Portobelo/Isla Grande: quiet beaches, Afro-Caribbean culture
🌅 Pacific coast :
- Las Perlas: luxurious archipelago, diving, sport fishing
- Coclé province: accessible beaches (2 hours from Panama City), seaside resorts
- Isla Taboga: « island of flowers », 20 km from the capital
- Gulf of Chiriquí: wild beaches, humpback whales, fishing
Panama stretches between two oceans, offering direct access to a rare diversity of seascapes. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, the country offers a wide variety of places to swim, relax by the sea or explore underwater. Each coast has its own characteristics: the Caribbean beaches, such as those of Bocas del Toro or the San Blas archipelago, lend themselves to relaxation and snorkeling in clear, shallow waters. On the Pacific side, sites such as Coiba Island and the Azuero Peninsula attract scuba divers and nature lovers alike. Far from a uniform seaside tourism, Panama offers a combination of farniente, immersion in local cultures and adventures at sea.This article provides an overview of the best places to enjoy the Panamanian coast, depending on whether you want to swim, relax or explore.
The beaches of the Caribbean coast (Atlantic): snorkeling and paradise islands
The Caribbean coast and the islands of the Atlantic Ocean offer both must-see tourist attractions and idyllic beaches worthy of postcard landscapes. Here, you can visit historical relics, observe tropical flora and fauna in natural parks and discover Amerindian villages with ancestral traditions. Then it’s time to relax and get away from it all, with white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms and coral seabeds….
San Blas Archipelago – Paradise Islands
Swimming in turquoise waters, lounging on white-sand beaches fringed by coconut palms, exploring the seabed and, of course, unforgettable encounters with the Kunas Indians! All this withwatertemperatures averaging25 to 28 degrees all year round.
Bocas Del Toro – Wild Archipelago
Head north of Panama, just a few kilometers from Costa Rica, for a stay in the heart of the Bocas del Toro archipelago. On the program: Afro-Caribbean ambience in the streets of Bocas Town, exploration of the Bastimentos National Marine Park, swimming among the starfish, dolphin watching, meeting the Ngobe Buglé Indians..
Portobelo & Isla Grande – Afro-Caribbean ambience
To enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Colon region, head for the Costa Arriba. The deserted beaches of Isla Mamei (off the coast of the small village of Puerto Lindo) or the livelier beaches (especially at weekends) of Isla Grande are ideal destinations for a day’s seaside escapade.
Pacific Coast beaches: surf, wildlife and beach resorts
If you prefer a seaside stopover, with your feet in the water, the Pacific coast offers several types of accommodation that will delight both lovers of large hotel complexes and travellers looking for peace and quiet. To round off your trip to Panama with a seaside stay, we recommend the provinces of Chiriqui, Coclé or Panama City.
Las Perlas, Dream Beaches and Turquoise Waters
Fishing, diving, swimming… Welcome to Las Perlas, a Pacific archipelago where fine sandy beaches and sublime seabeds lend themselves equally well to island-hopping cruises and lazy, toes-in-the-water holidays. 210 verdant islands and islets await you, along with turquoise waters that are home to turtles, dolphins and humpback whales. The archipelago, a 20-minute flight from Panama City, is also renowned for its deep-sea fishing.
Coclé Province, Colorful Beaches
The Pacific coastline of the Bay of Panama boasts fine sandy beaches that are ideal for a lazy, toes-in-the-water holiday… Located just 2 hours from the capital, the bay’s beaches stretch from Punta Chame to Playa Blanca; these long stretches of white, grey or black sand line the Pacific coastline. They are the refuge of many city dwellers on weekends and during the vacations, and a dozen seaside resorts have settled here. Santa Clara, Farallón and Río Alto are among the region’s finest beaches.
Close to Panama City, Authentic setting
The charming Isla Taboga, 20 km south of Panama City, boasts a pleasant beach and splendid stretches of protected rainforest. It’s nicknamed the « Island of Flowers » because at certain times of the year, the air is fragrant with the scent of plant species.
Gulf Of Chiriqui, Wild Beaches And Water Sports
Lovers of beaches and water sports will also find what they’re looking for in the Gulf of Chiriqui and the many surrounding islands… Starting out from Boca Chica, charming waterfront lodges offer a beautiful seaside stopover, in a wild setting where it’s possible to watch humpback whales pass by or practice sport fishing…
