Custom travel planning to Panama

Panama works equally well for families, couples, adventure travelers, beach lovers, foodies, and even travelers who think they've "seen it all." In a single trip, you can explore the Panama Canal, wander a vibrant capital city, hike in the cloud forests around Boquete, relax on Caribbean islands in Bocas del Toro, or escape to remote Pacific beaches and private islands. If you're looking for a destination that offers incredible variety without spending a ton of time in transit, Panama is hard to beat.

Panama wins on cities (Casco Viejo is one of the great old towns in the region), on indigenous cultural diversity (Guna Yala, Emberá, and Afro-Caribbean communities), and on the off-the-radar San Blas Islands. Costa Rica wins on concentrated wildlife and more polished, well-worn infrastructure.

Panama doesn't get nearly enough credit for its food scene. Thanks to its history as a global crossroads, the cuisine blends Indigenous, Spanish, Afro-Caribbean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern influences in a way that's uniquely Panamanian. Panama City has become one of the most exciting food cities in Central America, with everything from ceviche bars and rooftop restaurants to local fondas serving traditional dishes. Beyond the city, you'll find incredible coffee in Boquete (including some of the world's most sought-after Geisha coffee, shoutout to Finca Lerida), fresh seafood on both coasts, and distinct regional flavors shaped by the country's diverse cultures.

Panama combines naturally with neighboring Costa Rica for a two-country Central America adventure, and the two pair beautifully overland. It also links easily with Colombia, which sits just across the Caribbean and is just a short flight away. Thanks to Copa Airlines' hub in Panama City, there are nonstop flights to destinations throughout Latin America, making Panama one of the easiest countries in the region to combine with places like Cartagena, Medellín, Mexico City, Peru, or the Galápagos. Even if you're not planning a full multi-country trip, we often recommend taking advantage of Copa's stopover program to spend a few days exploring Panama City before continuing on to your final destination.

Yes! Panama is one of our favorite honeymoon destinations for couples looking for something a little more unique and off-the-radar than Costa Rica or the Caribbean. We love pairing a few days in Panama City for incredible food & culture, then some time on the coast, whether that's overwater bungalows in Bocas del Toro or a secluded island on the Pacific side. If you have the time, add a few nights in the cloud forest for wildlife and coffee!

Assuming Panama's two coasts share one weather pattern. The Pacific side dries out from mid-December, but Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean is rainier year-round and peaks in December rain, so an early sunny Casco Viejo plan can still meet a soaked Bocas. The other trap is underestimating the San Blas Islands: reaching Guna Yala means a rugged 4x4 over the Cartí road plus a boat, four to five hours each way. We sequence regions and pad those transfers.

Book San Blas sailing, Bocas del Toro stays, and Boquete coffee-country lodges well ahead, especially over the mid-December to mid-April dry season and Easter week, when the best boutique properties sell out. If whales matter to you, time the Gulf of Chiriquí for July through October, peaking in August and September. We secure Geisha-farm tastings and the Emberá village visit in advance, too.