Panama sits at the hinge of the Americas, where oceans meet and continents shake hands. The country’s story arcs from Indigenous trade routes to the bold engineering of the Panama Canal, which opened in 1914 and reshaped global commerce. Today, the capital’s skyline gleams beside a UNESCO-listed old quarter, while rainforests and coffee-covered mountains rise just hours away.

Fun fact: Panama is the only place on earth where you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific and set on the Caribbean from the same country—sometimes the same day. Its biodiversity rivals the Amazon, with sloths, howler monkeys, and resplendent quetzals found within easy reach of the city. The food scene is equally colorful: Afro-Panamanian flavors, Chinese-Panamanian kitchens, ceviche at the fish market, and inventive chefs redefining “fonda” classics.

Practical notes: The U.S. dollar is legal tender (the balboa is pegged at 1:1). Dry season runs roughly December–April; rainy season May–November (expect brief tropical downpours). In Panama City, stick to well-lit areas at night and use licensed taxis or rideshares. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, and a light rain jacket year-round.

Panama City

Panama City is a thrilling mash-up: glossy towers along the Bay of Panama, a 17th-century quarter (Casco Viejo) with bougainvillea balconies, and a working wonder of the world—the Panama Canal—just upriver. Jog the palm-lined Cinta Costera, climb Ancon Hill for parrots at sunrise, and linger on the Amador Causeway for sunset and skyline views.

Getting in: Fly into PTY (Tocumen International). Search fares on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. Tocumen to Casco Viejo is ~30–40 minutes by taxi, ~$25–35 depending on traffic.

Where to stay

• Browse stays on VRBO – Panama City or compare hotels on Hotels.com – Panama City.
• Top picks: The Bristol Panama (refined service in the financial district), Hotel Casa Panamá (boutique vibe in Casco Viejo), Wyndham Panama Albrook Mall Hotel (great for families and transport connections).

Eat & drink like a local

• Breakfast/coffee: Cafe Unido (single-origin Panamanian coffees and geisha pours), Kotowa (heritage roaster with excellent cappuccinos), and Mahalo Casco for fruit-forward smoothie bowls.
• Lunch: Mercado de Mariscos (order a mixto ceviche and fried patacones; eat at the outdoor stalls), El Trapiche for sancocho and carimañolas, and Mi Ranchito on Amador Causeway for whole fried corvina with city views.
• Dinner: Maito (widely acclaimed for modern Panamanian tasting menus), Fonda Lo Que Hay (inventive small plates riffing on fonda classics), La Vespa (bayfront Italian and seafood).
• Night: Tántalo Rooftop (DJ sets and Casco skyline), CasaCasco (multi-level dining and rooftop), and Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar (sip artisanal Panamanian rum in a cozy, speakeasy setting).

Days 1–6: Canal, Casco Viejo, Causeway, and Rainforest Edges

Start with Casco Viejo: the Plaza de la Independencia, the Metropolitan Cathedral’s gleaming facade, and the French Quarter promenade. Pop into the Museo del Canal Interoceánico for context before sunset cocktails on a rooftop.

Dedicate a day to the Canal. The Miraflores Locks viewing platforms and museum explain the lock system, then head to the new Cocolí locks area views along the causeway. If schedules allow, take a partial transit to feel the gates rise around you.

Leave room for nature: Ancon Hill at sunrise, the Biomuseo on the Causeway (Frank Gehry’s only Latin American building), and a boat safari on Gatun Lake where capuchin and howler monkeys leap between islets formed when the canal flooded the valley.

Hand-picked tours

• Panama Canal Partial Tour - Southbound Direction

  

  Be on the water as massive ships are lifted through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel. Few experiences deliver the Canal’s power like watching the mules guide a container ship beside you.

• Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Uncover Hidden Gems

  

  Stroll cobblestones with a local storyteller who threads pirates, convents, and rebirth into today’s cafés and galleries.

• Gatun Lake: Monkeys & Exotic Wildlife by the Canal

  

  Glide among islets where capuchins, tamarins, and birdlife abound—an easy half-day nature fix close to the city.

• Day Tour in San Blas Islands All Included Visiting 4 Islands

  

  Trade skyscrapers for Guna Yala’s palm-ringed cays. Expect early departure, crystalline shallows, and hushed beaches.

Getting to Boquete (morning of Day 7)

• Fly PTY→DAV (David): ~1 hour, ~$60–160 one-way. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Then 45–60 minutes by taxi or shuttle to Boquete (~$35–50).
• Bus: Panama City Albrook to David (~7–8 hours, ~$18–20), then local bus/taxi to Boquete (~45 minutes, ~$3–35). Comfortable but longer.
• Rental car: 7–8 hours on the Pan-American Highway to Boquete; roads are good. Expect ~$40–70/day plus tolls/fuel.

Boquete

Cradled by the cloud forests of Volcán Barú, Boquete is Panama’s highland escape—cool mornings scented with coffee blossoms, rivers tumbling through ferny ravines, and rainbow-bright birds flashing between guava trees. It’s the country’s coffee capital, with boutique estates producing some of the world’s priciest geisha beans.

Days here are unhurried: hike to hidden waterfalls, cross canopy bridges with toucans for company, soak in hot springs, and linger over farm-to-table dinners under a shawl of mountain air.

Where to stay

• Explore VRBO – Boquete cabins and villas or compare hotels on Hotels.com – Boquete.
• Insider tip: Coffee estates like Finca Lérida or historic inns near the river offer serene settings; in-town stays put you close to cafés and breweries.

Eat & drink in the highlands

• Breakfast/coffee: Sugar & Spice (giant cinnamon rolls, egg scrambles), Kotowa and Café Ruiz (estate roasters; try a geisha pour-over), and Colibrí for garden brunch.
• Lunch: Boquete Sandwich Shop (famous for stacked subs), Sabroson (Panamanian platos del día), and The Fish House (casual seafood).
• Dinner: The Rock (riverside steaks and truffle mashed potatoes), RetroGusto (wood-fired Italian), Panamonte’s dining room (old-world ambiance and local trout).
• Evening: Boquete Brewing Company (food trucks and live music), tapas on Avenida Central, or a nightcap by the fire if evenings turn cool.

Days 7–10: Coffee Country, Waterfalls, and Cloud-Forest Trails

Hike: Choose the Lost Waterfalls Trail (3 cascades, moderate; go early for birds) or the Pipeline/Quetzal trails for higher odds of spotting resplendent quetzals in fruiting trees. Hire a local guide if birding is a priority.

Bridges & adrenaline: Boquete Tree Trek’s hanging bridges cross canopy and rivers; zip-lines whir above the forest with volcano views on clear days.

Coffee immersion: Tour an estate (e.g., Café Ruiz or Don Pepe). Walk the planted rows, visit a beneficio, then taste several varietals—learn how terroir and altitude shape flavor.

Summit sunrise: Take a pre-dawn 4x4 to Volcán Barú’s top (if skies are kind, you’ll glimpse both oceans). Recovery soak at Caldera Hot Springs afterward.

Getting to Playa Blanca/Buenaventura (morning of Day 11)

• Drive: ~4.5–5 hours Boquete→Playa Blanca via David and the Pan-American Highway (fastest door-to-door, good road conditions).
• Fly + transfer: DAV→PTY (~1 hour; search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com), then ground transfer ~1.5–2 hours to Playa Blanca.
• Intercity bus: Boquete→David local bus, then David→San Carlos/Farallón coach (ask to be dropped near your resort) and short taxi. Budget-friendly but slower.

Playa Blanca (Buenaventura)

Welcome to Panama’s “Pacific Riviera,” a string of long, sandy beaches and mellow surf just a couple of hours from the capital. Playa Blanca and neighboring Buenaventura balance resort comforts with easy day trips into the mountains of El Valle de Antón.

Expect golden sunsets, calm mornings ideal for paddleboarding, and lazy afternoons by the pool. Golf, horseback rides on the sand, and boat-fresh seafood keep each day varied without losing the relaxed beach rhythm.

Where to stay

• Browse VRBO – Playa Blanca or compare hotels on Hotels.com – Playa Blanca.
• Resort picks: The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama, Autograph Collection (signature golf, spa, and El Faro Beach Club), Hotel Playa Blanca Beach Resort (all-inclusive fun), Royal Decameron Panama (multiple pools, nightly shows).
• Want a beach near the city instead? Consider The Westin Playa Bonita Panama or Dreams Playa Bonita Panama (both about 25–35 minutes from downtown).

Where to eat

• On-site: At Buenaventura, try Mansa for coastal Panamanian flavors and El Faro Beach Club for ceviche and grills by the sea. At Decameron/Playa Blanca, reserve the à la carte seafood and steak restaurants for variety.
• Nearby bites: In Coronado (20–30 minutes), Picasso Bar & Restaurant is a longtime favorite for thin-crust pizzas, tacos, and weekend brunch in a leafy courtyard. Roadside fondas serve fried fish with patacones—look for crowds of locals at lunch.

Days 11–14: Beach Time, Golf, and El Valle de Antón

Beach & water: Mornings are best for calm seas—rent paddleboards or kayaks. Stroll south to Farallón’s rock outcrop for photo ops, then settle into a palapa with a raspado (shaved ice) in hand.

Golf & wellness: Tee off at the Nicklaus-design Buenaventura Golf Club, then book a spa treatment using local botanicals. Sunset horseback rides along the beach are an unforgettable, gentle way to close the day.

El Valle day trip: Drive ~45–60 minutes into a crater-born valley. Shop the artisan market for molas and tagua carvings, walk the forested trail to Chorro El Macho waterfall, or hike La India Dormida’s ridge for valley panoramas. Reward yourself with a countryside lunch of sancocho and yuca frita.

Heading back to Panama City or the airport

• Playa Blanca→Panama City: ~1.5–2.5 hours by car via the Pan-American Highway depending on traffic. Plan extra time for weekday afternoons.
• Departures: For onward flights from PTY, search Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you flew into David, you can also return a rental there and fly DAV→PTY.

Suggested Day Blocks at a Glance

• Days 1–3 (Panama City): Casco Viejo, Amador Causeway, Biomuseo, rooftop sunset; classic Panamanian dinners.
• Days 4–5 (Panama City): Panama Canal partial transit and Gatun Lake wildlife; Cinta Costera stroll.
• Day 6 (Panama City): Optional San Blas Islands day trip for Caribbean-blue waters.
• Day 7 (Travel to Boquete): Morning flight or bus; afternoon coffee tasting in town.
• Days 8–10 (Boquete): Waterfall hike, hanging bridges/zip-line, birding, hot springs; optional Volcán Barú sunrise 4x4.
• Day 11 (To Playa Blanca/Buenaventura): Drive or fly+transfer; sunset swim.
• Days 12–14 (Playa Blanca): Beach time, golf/spa, El Valle de Antón day trip; farewell dinner by the sea.

Good to know: Canal operations occasionally adjust transit schedules during dry-season water conservation—book canal transits a few days ahead and check times. In rainforest areas, pack quick-dry layers and a light poncho; in Boquete, evenings can dip to the low 60s°F (15–17°C). Tipping is appreciated (10% at restaurants).

In two weeks, you’ll trace Panama’s whole arc: an engineering marvel in motion, a walkable colonial district, misty ridges perfumed with coffee, and wide-open Pacific beaches. Expect to leave with a palate for ceviche, a pocket of geisha beans, and a head full of skyline-and-sunset memories.