Panama — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The canal between two seas, the World Heritage old town of Casco Viejo, and mysterious Caribbean islands”
Panama is a country that bridges two continents and two oceans — the Panama Canal is a marvel of engineering that changed world shipping; Panama City sets modern skyscrapers right beside the World Heritage old quarter of Casco Viejo; the Bocas del Toro archipelago lies in clear green Caribbean waters; the San Blas Islands belong to the indigenous Guna people; and the highland town of Boquete sits on fragrant coffee mountains — the business and tourism hub of Central America.
Panama at a glance
Choose a city in Panama
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Panama right for you?
Why people love Panama, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Panama Canal
At the Miraflores Locks, watch enormous ships pass through — an engineering marvel in operation for over 100 years.
World Heritage Casco Viejo
An old quarter of Spanish-French colonial architecture, with cafes, bars, and a photo spot in every corner.
Bocas del Toro
A Caribbean archipelago of clear blue water, with coral snorkeling, seaside bungalows, and surfing.
San Blas Islands
The territory of the indigenous Guna people — tiny islands with crystal water ringed by coral, an authentic off-the-grid experience.
Boquete — coffee & hiking
A highland town in the Chiriqui mountains, cool and pleasant, with world-class Geisha coffee and natural hot springs.
Rainforest at the heart of the continent
Soberania Park for birdwatching and monkeys beside the canal, with sloths, crocodiles, and toucans in the wild at the center of the continent.
Panama vs its neighbors
| Panama | Costa Rica | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $51–109 | $57–120 | $43–91 |
| Visa for Thai citizens | Check with the embassy | Check with the embassy | Check with the embassy |
| Known for | Canal · old town · islands | Nature · biodiversity | Old towns · coffee · hiking |
| Currency | USD | Colon (CRC) | Peso (COP) |
| Getting around town | Metro-bus-taxi | Bus-taxi-car rental | Metro-bus-taxi |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
City & history
Base in Panama City — the canal, Casco Viejo, skyscrapers, shopping, and seafood over 3–4 days.
See this plan → 🏝️Sea & islands
Caribbean Bocas del Toro for coral snorkeling and waterfront bungalows, plus indigenous San Blas.
See this plan → ☕Nature & adventure
Hike Volcan Baru in Boquete, Geisha coffee, hot springs, and colorful birds in the cloud forest.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍲
Sancocho
Stewed chicken soup with taro, corn, and herbs — Panama's warm comfort food.
📍 National dish - 2🍚
Arroz con Pollo
Chicken rice cooked with spices, a golden yellow, served at family gatherings.
📍 Main dish - 3🌽
Tamales
Ground corn filled with marinated meat, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed — festive and morning-market food.
📍 Festive - 4🦐
Ceviche
Raw fish or shrimp cured in lime with cilantro and onion, fresh, cold, and refreshing, at seaside spots.
📍 Seafood - 5🍌
Patacones
Green plantains fried flat twice, crisp outside and soft inside, eaten with salsa or black beans.
📍 Side dish - 6🥤
Chicha
Fermented or fresh-fruit juice, sweet and served cold, refreshing for the heat at any meal.
📍 Drink
- 1⚓
Miraflores Locks
Watch cargo ships pass through the Panama Canal locks, with a museum explaining the full history.
📍 Panama City - 2🏛️
Casco Viejo
A UNESCO World Heritage old quarter with restored colonial buildings, cafes, bars, and bay views.
📍 Panama City - 3🏝️
Bocas del Toro
An archipelago of clear blue water, colorful coral, surfing, diving, and wooden seaside bungalows.
📍 Caribbean Sea - 4🌊
San Blas Islands
The autonomous territory of the indigenous Guna people — white-sand islands ringed with coral, no luxury resorts.
📍 Gulf of Panama - 5☕
Boquete
A highland town in green valleys, with world-class Geisha coffee, natural hot springs, and hiking trails.
📍 Chiriqui Province - 6🦜
Soberania National Park
Rainforest beside the Panama Canal, with toucans, monkeys, and crocodiles — first-rate wildlife hiking.
📍 Outskirts
🚆 Getting around Panama
Panama City Metro
Two metro lines are open (Line 3 under construction), connecting the city, cheap, using a Metro Card.
Metrobus
Air-conditioned buses across Panama City and its suburbs, economical and convenient.
Tocumen Airport
PTY is the aviation hub of Central America, connecting worldwide, with a 20–30 minute taxi into the city.
Boats and ferries
Boats to Bocas del Toro and San Blas; some routes use a small plane from Panama City.
Car rental
Great for getting to Boquete and eastern Panama. Roads are good but rain makes them slippery — bring a GPS.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Panama
A bridge between two continents
Panama is the link between North and South America, with a culture blending many ethnicities and indigenous peoples.
Carnival festival
The pre-Lent Carnival, with parades, music, and colorful costumes nationwide.
Tipping is customary
A 10% restaurant tip is normal. Panamanians are friendly and welcoming to tourists.
The US dollar is used
Panama uses the USD alongside the balboa, so no need to exchange money — carry your card with ease.
Hot and humid climate
Rain is frequent from May to December. Bring a light raincoat and sunscreen every day.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / small hotel $23–57
Eat comida corriente (cheap set meals), take the metro and buses, and stroll Casco Viejo for free.
Comfort
🛏️ 3–4 star hotel $57–129
A Panama Canal tour, seafood, Casco Viejo bars, and a day island trip.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury hotel / island bungalow $143+
A private island resort, a private canal tour, upscale steakhouses, and a spa.
🗓️ When to visit Panama
Dry season
Jan - AprClear skies, calm seas, clear diving, and good hiking — the best time to visit everywhere.
Early rainy season
May - JulLush and green, with afternoon-evening rain. Lodging prices drop and the crowds thin.
Mid rainy season
Aug - NovHeavy rain, especially on the Caribbean side, with rough seas possible and the cheapest prices.
Festivals & year-end
DecThe weather starts to dry out, with New Year festivities and February's Carnival — busy with tourists.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Panama — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Panama?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Panama
How many days should I spend in Panama?+
5–7 days — Panama City 2–3 days (canal, Casco Viejo) + Bocas del Toro or San Blas 2 days + Boquete 1–2 days. This route covers city, islands, and nature.
Do Thai citizens need a visa?+
Check the latest visa requirements with the embassy before traveling.
Is Panama safe?+
The main tourist areas (the restored Casco Viejo, Bocas del Toro, Boquete) are safe. Avoid leaving tourist areas at night without a guide, and keep valuables at your hotel.
How do I travel between cities?+
Bus + boat + small plane — Panama City to Boquete is a 6–7 hour bus or 1-hour flight. For Bocas del Toro, take a boat from Almirante or a small plane from Panama City.
Tips before you go to Panama
- Panama Canal — book the Miraflores Locks tour ahead for your first morning.
- Casco Viejo is walkable, but be careful of un-restored areas. Use Uber/taxi after 8 PM.
- Panama uses the USD, so no need to exchange money — carry your card and small cash.
- Book San Blas early; islands have limited lodging and you must go through the indigenous Guna.
- Type A/B plug, 110V like the US — Thai devices need an adapter and a voltage converter.
- Boquete in Jan–Mar has the Feria de las Flores coffee festival, worth timing your trip for.