Day Trips from Panama City

The surroundings of Panama City are so fascinating... They hide some of the best local activities such as tours through the Gamboa rainforest, whose lush natural enclaves are home to a rich fauna and flora.

Also, in the indigenous villages, the ancestral traditions of Panamanian music, culture and gastronomy are preserved. The fun seems inexhaustible and the Gulf of Panama is also a paradisiacal destination with dream beaches characterized by bright sand, crystal clear waters and amazing marine life. Some of the favorite hideaways are Taboga Island and San Blas Island. But that's not all, read on!

The natural beauty of Panama City and its surroundings make it the ideal destination for a hiking experience. You can start at Soberania National Park, which is located just thirty-five minutes from downtown. I assure you that the wilderness of this place will not leave you indifferent, since it is home to about 760 species of mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles.

Generally, you will go up El Camino de la Plantación until you reach the Canopy Tower viewpoint, one of the best places for bird watching. You will also come across waterfalls and places surrounded by wildlife and tropical plants. Keep an eye out for two-toed and three-toed sloths, and even black hawk eagles, black-cheeked woodpeckers and antshrike.

The main advantage is that it offers a low-intensity route, suitable for the whole family. But in any case I recommend you to join a guided tour, where an expert will take you through the most special corners that offer its 4 kilometers extension. This way, you can learn more about the flora and fauna that surrounds Panama City It will even be possible to admire the original stones of the Camino de Cruces built in 1527.

Details of interest

• Price: from 175 €, usually includes entrance to the National Park and Canopy Tower (if selected).
• Duration: approximately five hours.
• Disadvantages: not recommended for pregnant women or travelers with health problems.

Pack your comfiest sneakers for a fun, six-hour tour of the Gamboa Rainforest from Panama City. Here you'll find everything, including a natural sanctuary where hectic everyday life can't penetrate.

In addition, the Gamboa Reserve is a very relaxing and charming place, where some of Panama City's most interesting activities are hidden, such as riding the aerial streetcar and flying through the treetops to appreciate the panoramic views. And if you consider yourself an adventurer, you can take the cable car up to the highest peak at 85 meters above sea level.

Along the way you will be accompanied by the sounds of nature, such as the whistling of howler monkeys. You can also explore natural areas at the Butterfly Farm, the Orchid Center, the Frog Pond and the Sloth Sanctuary. Note that you will be at the foot of Ancon Hill, as the reserve was built in this area and is inspired by the old Tivoli Hotel of 1905.

When you book a guided excursion to the Gamboa Jungle, a comfortable return trip awaits you, as it usually includes a boat ride through the emblematic canal.

Details of interest

• Price: from 173 €, the cost usually includes entrance to the Gamboa Reserve.
• Duration: about six hours.
• Advantages: usually includes a boat ride to visit the Panama Canal.
• Disadvantages: not wheelchair accessible.

If you want to know the eastern side of the Panama Canal, you have to travel approximately fifty minutes to the Chagres National Park. This place allows you to connect with nature, through the soothing sounds of animals. To do this, you will immerse yourself in a canoe ride on the Chagres River, whose immensity gathers some of the best landscapes of the region.

At the end of the stretch you will find a refreshing waterfall where you can bathe. For this, it is advisable to wear your bathing suit under your clothes, as there are no places to change in the area. Of course, flip-flops or booties, mountain sandals and sunscreen are also a must for this trip. After escaping the heat and humidity of Panama City you will descend to the Embera Indian village.

Here a professional guide is likely to teach you about local life through gastronomy, rhythms and shows. In fact, the locals usually await travelers with a welcome dance. In this village you can see the process of making canoes and dresses, as well as buy handicrafts or get temporary tattoos, for which you will need cash. In addition, you will have a bathroom to change your wet clothes, so I recommend you bring an extra change of clothes.

Details of interest

• Price: from 101 €.
• Duration: approximately seven hours.
• Advantages: usually includes drinks, lunch and snacks.
• Disadvantages: if your accommodation is located in Playa Bonita or near Tocumen International Airport, pick-up may not be available.

Just outside the city you can experience an unforgettable adrenaline rush by joining a zip line adventure in the jungle. In the middle of nature an expert instructor will be waiting for you for a basic lesson before you start. Afterwards, you will be prepared with safety equipment that includes a helmet and harness to swing along a 2-kilometer cable system.

You will pass over Gatun Lake and its wooded areas, where the weather is more pleasant. In general, this outdoor adventure offers 5 zip lines and optional activities such as kayaking and horseback riding. The best part is that it usually includes transfers from your hotel or central points.

Details of interest

• Price: from 116 €.
• Duration: between three and four hours.
• Disadvantages: pregnant women should not participate in this activity for safety reasons. In addition, mosquitoes predominate in the area and can be a problem for people allergic to bites.

The Panama Canal connects to wonderful locations via boats that sail daily. If you plan to spend at least 7 days in Panama City I recommend joining a guided experience to reach the popular Monkey Island, where you will learn about its history and conservation. This way, you will be immersed in the biodiversity and get to know the habitat of the capuchin monkeys.

Specifically, in the reserve it is possible to see howler monkeys, lemurs and tamarins. Along the way you will come across colorful boats that represent Panamanian commerce and tourism. In addition, you will pass by protected islands where you will see toucans, caimans and crocodiles. For an enjoyable visit it is important to respect the animals, follow the instructions and take advantage of the guide's enriching comments.

Interesting details

• Price: from 64 €.
• Duration: between three and four hours.
• Advantages: includes round-trip transportation by minibus, as well as an expert guide.
• Disadvantages: not wheelchair accessible.

If your idea of the perfect vacation includes sparkling sand and crystal clear waters, you definitely need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to Taboga Island. This place is about an hour away by ferry or boat and is very attractive for swimming, water sports or spending the day tanning. If you book a guided experience, on board you will also find recreational activities that will make the trip more interesting.

It has a historic charm and at the back is a pristine bay. From here you may visit a village known as the village of flowers, where the second oldest church in Latin America is hidden. Also, keep an eye out because from June to November there is a better chance of spotting dolphins on the Pacific Coast.

If you plan to visit Panama City with children, this can be a good plan, since the area is surrounded by life. In fact, you can rent snorkeling, diving or kayaking equipment from 5 €.

Details of interest

• Price: from 93 €.
• Duration: approximately six hours.
• Advantages: usually on board you will have meals, open bar and swimming equipment.
• Disadvantages: not recommended for children under 6 months old or pregnant women between 8 and 9 months.

Another must-do destination on your itinerary is a full day at Isla Grande, a private beach where you can swim in crystal clear waters and appreciate the colors of the coastline. It is the perfect experience to recharge your batteries and explore hidden places close to Panama City. Here you can take refuge under palm trees and appreciate the Panamanian Caribbean, with delicious seafood dishes in front of the sea.

In addition, you can approach the town of Portobelo, between Colon and Panama City, where you will find ruins of the first fortifications of Panama, including the Fort of Santiago. During a guided tour you can learn about the Afro-Caribbean history and culture of the area, as well as snorkel, walk through colorful passages and visit the Túnel del Amor mangrove swamp.

Details of interest

• Price: from 157 €, the cost may include the entrance to the private beach of Isla Grande.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Disadvantages: due to the length of the trip, it is not recommended for short itineraries.

You've probably heard of the San Blas Archipelago, a popular Panamanian destination where you can enjoy a tropical landscape at the height of the Caribbean. Specifically, it is made up of the Waily, Pelican and Perro islands. To take advantage of its territory, I recommend you sign up for a group tour, which is characterized by turquoise waters, stops at the island of Ucubusi to see coral reefs snorkeling and a wide range of water sports.

During this experience you can also visit one of the filming locations of the House of Paper known as Pelican Island, where several scenes of Tokyo and Rio were created. Additionally, you will see fish, starfish and spot a sunken ship in the depths of the iconic Dog Island.

If you want to immerse yourself in the secrets of the islands, you have two options. You can dedicate a whole day to stroll among its natural pools, snorkel or kayak and see starfish. The itinerary is shorter, but enriching and quite affordable, as you can get options from 114 €.

Another alternative is to live a paradisiacal experience by booking a 4-day excursion to the San Blas archipelago. Generally, there are organized tours that include the boat trip from island to island, 3 nights in a private cabin with shared bathroom on Waily Island and some meals. This way, you can live like a local and get the most out of your vacation. Both options allow you to visit the indigenous Guna community to learn about their way of life, gastronomy and traditions.

Details of interest

• Price: one-day getaways start at 144 €, while you can stay 4 days for around 518 €.
• Duration: if you visit the island and its surroundings in one day, you will need approximately 14 hours. While longer excursions take approximately four days and three nights.
• Advantages: both options offer you all the necessary amenities depending on the number of days selected, as well as the company of a local expert.
• Disadvantages: It does not usually include entrance to the Guna Yala region.

• Plan your route: it is important to have an itinerary with the places to visit to establish the safest routes, transfers and precautions. If you do not know Panama City very well, it is advisable to book a guided experience.
• Adequate clothing: take fresh clothes, extra changes of clothes and special sneakers for the type of destination you plan to visit.
• Use sunscreen: Panama is a country with high levels of UV rays, so it is important to take care of your skin and apply sunscreen every three hours.
• Safety: Panamanian corners are safe and the locals are delighted to welcome travelers, however it is important not to leave without being informed of the risks. For example, in Colon, beware of street gangs.
• Travel insurance: it is important to take out travel insurance for peace of mind, and you may be asked for it at immigration.
• Passport: some tours or activities require an identity document to participate, it is also one of the travel requirements requested at Tocumen International Airport.