Tourist map of Panama: What to see and visit?
The different regions to discover
Explore Panama's main tourist attractions
1. BOCAS DEL TORO
Head north to the Bocas del Toro archipelago: a corner of paradise moored on the Caribbean coast, where time seems to stand still. Mangroves, red coral, giant tortoises, sloths and dolphins are just some of the treasures to be found in the Bastimentos Marine Park, where nature alone is king... A seaside destination to savour, all in an assured Afro-Caribbean ambience. What's more? Bocas del Toro is an excellent stopping-off point on your way to Costa Rica.
2. PANAMA CANAL
"You don't know Panama if you haven't visited the canal," Panamanians proudly assert. Watching the gigantic ships pass through the jungle, along the narrow waterways, and then through the locks (Miraflores, Gatun and Pedro Miguel), remains an unforgettable spectacle. The Panama Canal Zone offers a wide range of excursions: visits to locks and museums, trips on the transisthmian train, day cruises, biodiversity discovery (Isla Barro Colorado, Parc Soberania...), hiking where history and nature become one, sailing on Lake Gatun... Of course, "the finest work of engineering of the 20th century", as Gustave Eiffel liked to say, remains the country's number-one tourist attraction.
3. CHIRIQUI
The province of Chiriqui is famous for its flowers and coffee. The surrounding valleys are home to citrus fruits, vegetables, coffee (Boquete) and orchids (Cerro Punta). For the more sporty, La Amistad and Volcan Barú national parks offer sublime hikes through lush forest, ideal for quetzal spotting. The Gulf of Chiriqui, meanwhile, is a beautiful seaside resort on the Pacific in a wild, unspoilt setting. Bonus? Watch humpback whales pass by.
4. COCLE
Located in the center of the Isthmus, barely an hour and a half from the capital, the Coclé region is a land of contrasts, renowned for its craftsmanship and, more particularly, the manufacture of traditional hats. This province will satisfy nature lovers as well as those wishing to enjoy the extensive beaches of the Pacific coast. Activities are many and varied: trekking and hiking in the mountains, adventure (rafting, horseback riding, zip-lining...), water sports (surfing, kite surfing...), birdwatching, visits to typical villages (El Valle, Penonomé, Chiguiri Arriba)..
5. LE DARIEN
The more adventurous will head for Darien province, in the east of the country. There, you'll discover the jungle, the last natural frontier before the south of the continent, and one of the least explored in the world. There are no roads, only a few tracks between rivers, mangroves and waterfalls. This off-the-beaten-track destination offers an exceptional variety of flora and fauna, and a chance to meet the Wounan Indians, whose handicrafts are world-renowned. We offer multi-day expeditions into the heart of the Darien, where you'll discover, meet and experience nature at its best.
7. THE CARIBBEAN COAST
The Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal is located in Colón, in the north of the country. Don't miss a visit to the Gatún locks and a trip through their impressive gates. Remnants of Panama's turbulent past, the ruins of the fortresses of San Lorenzo and Portobelo, listed as World Heritage Sites, overlook the Caribbean Sea. The region is also home to the Embera Indians, who still live in the traditional way on the banks of the Chagres River. The dance tradition and interpretation of Afro-Panamanian culture are expressed with impressive visual richness in the dances of those now known as Diablos y Congos de Portobelo. The term "congo" is now applied to the dances, music and narrators of the folkloric performances recounting the history of these former prisoners. These ceremonies, which coincide with the four days of carnival, are not just "carnival" activities. February, in Portobelo and throughout the Costa Arríba region, is an opportunity to revive this colonial history.
8. THE PACIFIC COAST
The Pacific coastline abounds with fine sandy beaches, less than an hour from the Panamanian capital. You can relax there, or choose to explore the nearby islands, such as Isla Taboga or Isla Contadora in the Las Perlas archipelago, which will delight those who love lazing around and swimming. The beaches in the Bay of Panama are just as attractive for their charm and tranquillity, some of them still untouched by the tourist hordes
9. LAS PERLAS
Fishing, diving, swimming, admiring, discovering... Welcome to Las Perlas, an archipelago in the Pacific where fine sandy beaches and sublime seabeds lend themselves equally well to island hopping cruises and lazy holidays with your feet in the water. San José and Contadora, as well as 200 other islands and islets, await you, between lush green landscapes and turquoise waters that are home to turtles, dolphins and humpback whales. The archipelago is also renowned for its deep-sea fishing.
10. PANAMA CITY
Panama City is a city and two worlds sharing the same bay. On the one hand, there's business and finance, and on the other, the charm of history and the memories we love to share. The Panamanian capital abounds in cultural, natural and historical tourist attractions: lovers of colonial architecture can enjoy the charms of the Casco Antiguo. Panama City is also the ideal starting point for visiting the canal (Miraflores locks, museums and cruises), observing the tropical flora and fauna (monkeys, iguanas, toucans...), taking a sea excursion in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, or enjoying a day's shopping in one of the many shopping malls.
11. AZUERO PENINSULA
The region, which encompasses the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos, is the true guardian of the country's folkloric traditions. A stay here during Carnival will give you unforgettable memories! But this part of Panama is also home to unsuspected natural treasures: Isla Iguana and Isla Caña, to name but two, are home to sea turtles, frigate birds and iguanas.
12. THE SAN BLAS ARCHIPELAGO
The end of the world lies on the islands of the Comarca de Kuna Yala, an autonomous territory since the Kuna revolution of 1925. Between coral reefs, deserted islands, white sandy beaches and idyllic sunsets, we invite you to discover this archipelago and meet its inhabitants, the Kunas. Fervent defenders of their culture and territory, they will share their customs with you in a paradise-like setting. Here, more than anywhere else, discovering Panama is a well-kept secret. The Kuna Yala (San Blas) region is home to the Kunas Amerindians. In symbiosis with the sea, they move nimbly between more than 350 islands nestled between Panama and Colombia on the Caribbean coast. A Kuna General Congress governs this population of around 55,000 souls with complete autonomy, a special political status that goes a long way to explaining the integrity of the landscape. This is where the famous molas are made.
13. VERAGUAS
This undiscovered region of Panama is a 100% natural destination. Santa Fé, perched high in the hills, is a small, unspoilt village to discover on foot or on horseback, among waterfalls, orchids and coffee. The church of San Francisco de La Montaña is worth a visit in itself, and will delight lovers of Baroque religious art. The UNESCO-listed island of Coiba boasts a superb seabed, where visitors can watch humpback whales pass by.
1. BOCAS DEL TORO
2. PANAMA CANAL
3. CHIRIQUI
4. COCLE
5. LE DARIEN
6. ISLAS SECAS
7. THE CARIBBEAN COAST
8. THE PACIFIC COAST
9. LAS PERLAS
10. PANAMA CITY
11. AZUERO PENINSULA
12. THE SAN BLAS ARCHIPELAGO
13. VERAGUAS
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