Tropical Islands, Coffee and City Life
Panama, a country famous for the Panama Canal and where rich people place their money, is so much more than that. With tropical islands to die for, coffee and surfing makes it a great option for backpackers. Somewhat forgotten when planning a trip to Central America, but worth a place on your itinerary!
This backpacking Panama travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to this tropical country!
Routes
Most people arrive Panama from Costa Rica with Bocas del Toro the obvious first stop. After enjoying the islands, get back to the mainland and make your way to Boquete for some coffee in the highlands. Then work your way east with a stop in the small surf town of Santa Catalina before arriving in the capital. From Panama City you can get to the Caribbean coast to explore the islands of San Blas with a potential transfer to Colombia!
If you are arriving from Colombia do the route above in reverse. If you fly into Panama City, go visit the San Blas islands before heading west if you plan on going up through Central America.
How much time do I need?
I recommend spending around two weeks in Panama. It all depends on if you will visit San Blas or not, as well as the smaller towns like Boquete and Santa Catalina. If you plan on sailing to Colombia and don’t have much time I recommend spending most of your time on Bocas del Toro, and maybe a day in Panama City before leaving for the boat. For this you would need about a week.
Top Activities in Panama
Panama can offer some of the best tropical islands in the region, as well as big city life in the country’s capital. There are also some laid back surf towns that are perfect for backpackers. If you’re into coffee, then don’t miss out on Boquete! Here are some of my best activities to do on your visit to Panama!
Explore the Panama Canal
The famous Panama Canal is a big attraction for people who spend some time in Panama City. Go to Miraflores Locks and spend some time at the visitors centre.
Party up in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is probably the most famous place for backpackers in Panama. These islands offer a tropical paradise and a great place to hang out and explore. If you’re there on a Friday go to the famous Filthy Friday party. It’s a pub crawl where the pubs are located on different islands, and you need to catch a boat that takes you to the next spot. It’s a crazy event that you can look up on Youtube for a taste of what it’s like!
Visit paradise on the San Blas Islands
San Blas Islands, or Guna Yala as the locals call it, are an archipelago of 378 islands where the Guna People live. These are mostly inhabited islands that are just stunning and gives a very special feeling as you step on them.
To see the islands there are plenty of excursion that take you out there on boats for a day or for several days. Go islands hopping and spend time chatting with the indigenous people and support their work, and step foot on islands where you’ll be the only ones on it!
For those backpacking and going onwards to Colombia (or arrive from Colombia), I cannot recommend enough booking a 5-day sailing trip between the two countries. The trip includes 3 days island hopping, food, and the passage across the Caribbean sea. The price starts at $600 per person. See our Sailing Guide for more details.
Surf in Santa Catalina
This tiny town on the Pacific Coast is growing as a go to place for surfers and backpackers alike. Enjoy some quiet time on the beach or some early morning waves in this surfers paradise!
Taste Coffee in Boquete
Boquete is a small town in the highlands known for its coffee plantations. Spend a few days relaxation in this laid back town and go on a tour to taste some of the delicious coffee of the region.
There are also hikes with the most famous one being Volcan Barú which gives you a stunning view of both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts!
Budget for Panama
Panama, like its neighbour Costa Rica, is a little bit on the expensive side. Being a little bit cheaper you can expect to spend $40-45 per day. This includes sleeping in dorms, eating local food and using local transportation.
If you plan on visiting the San Blas islands or sailing to Colombia, keep in mind the extra cost as it will increase your spending quite a lot. That being said it is completely worth the experience!
Food
In Panama try to find the local restaurants if you don’t mind the traditional rice, beans and meat type of food for about $3-5 a plate. Smaller meals like empanadas are found for around a $1 and a great way til fill up.
When by the coast or visiting the San Blas islands, you can get some delicious seafood straight from the locals. It is a must try for anyone, even those who aren’t big fans of seafood!
Accommodation
Accommodation in Panama can be found around $10-15 per night depending on your comfort. Prices on the likes of Bocas del Toro might increase depending on time of year, and if you spend the weekend there.
Transportation
Local buses in Panama are usually a bit better than the rest of Central America. Especially for longer distances they come with air condition and a fairly good standard. Patience is needed travelling through Panama as you can expect local people to hop on and off at any time along the road.
These can be booked on the spot at the bus station or for longer trips, through travel agencies. Going from Bocas del Toro to Panama City I recommend asking your hostel or finding an agency to book the boat back to the mainland, and the bus ticket in one.
Flying is also a possibility, for instance between Bocas del Toro and Panama City. Expect to pay around $150, so if you’re on a budget stick to the bus.
When to go to Panama
The dry season in Panama is between December and April and is the most popular time to go with almost guaranteed sunny days and blue skies. The rainy season usually means strong showers in the afternoon and more humidity.
Because of the location close to the equator, Panama has a comfortable but hot climate throughout the year.
Safety in Panama
Just like its neighbour Costa Rica, Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America. In the touristic places, expect to feel completely safe and just have a good time. Like anywhere in the world there are some general guidelines you should follow. If you spend time in Panama City, avoid certain areas especially after dark. Your hostel is a great help to map out the neighbourhood where you’re staying. Also, don’t forget travel insurance!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Panama, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Panama? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
