Is Panama Worth Visiting?
About 2.5 million people across the globe travel to visit Panama each year. This tropical country seems to have it all: sailing, snorkeling, and beaches; bustling, colorful, multicultural cityscapes; traditional indigenous villages in the nation’s jungle; and, the jewel in the country’s crown, the Panama Canal.
Yet, just because a place is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right destination for your trip. In this guide, discover what makes Panama worth visiting, whether it’s worth the price, and what factors to weigh when making your decision.
Is Panama Worth Visiting?
Yes! Or, at least that’s the answer from millions of happy visitors.
Writers can’t seem to stop raving about it. Writing for Atlas Obscura on his visit to Ancon Hill, República de Panamá, John Bromley Hewlett says,
“Ancon Hill has managed to retain a bit of its wilderness…[it’s] home to sloths, tamarins, coati and armadillos, and these wondrous animals are a main draw for many joggers and hikers in the area. Along with jungle creatures, the hill offers stunning views over the city and the Bridge of the Americas.”
Travel writer Rosie Bell describes the culinary scene in Panama City in her piece for National Geographic:
“As a UNESCO creative city for gastronomy, you’ll want to sample some of the city’s many flavours, with dishes and ingredients that derive from Panama’s African, Spanish and Native American influences. Fonda Lo Que Hay is unmissable for its visually arresting, modern take on traditional Panamanian cuisine — the signature dish of toasted yuca with tuna carpaccio and onion ceviche is a must-try.”
Even regular folks on trips sing the country’s praises. Indie travel blogger Tati calls her trip to Panama “amazing,” emphasizing it was “everything and more!” She goes on to describe her experience in Casco Viejo:
“Casco Viejo maintains that authentic and historic vibe. Every moment you spend walking the streets of this town is magical. The churches and surrounding buildings that have been there, are maintained and make you feel like you’ve just stepped onto the set of a movie. We made friends with not only out-of-town travelers, but also the locals! Everyone is so welcoming, and we felt very comfortable.”
Panama is a beloved country among world travelers.
The only downside? It can be expensive…depending on your point of view.
Is Panama A Cheap (Or Expensive) Destination?
Whether Panama is a cheap or expensive place depends on your point of comparison. Food, lodging, and transit cost quite a bit more in Panama, on average, than it does in Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.
But, it’s slightly less expensive than Costa Rica, particularly given its more favorable exchange rate. Moreover, the average cost of living (COL) in Panama, overall, is 39% cheaper than the average COL in the U.S.
Is Panama A Nice Place?
The people of Panama have a reputation for being nice. Beyond that, many travelers describe Panamanians as warm, welcoming, and exceptionally friendly.
This may come from the strong sense of family and community in Panama’s culture.
It’s also a relatively laid-back culture, so visitors don’t have to worry about being judged or inadvertently pissing someone off. Social anxiety can take a vacation.
Not Quite Nice & Clean
Unfortunately, Panama isn’t as “nice and clean” as neighboring nations. It has had an ongoing problem with air pollution, litter, and overflowing garbage cans. Too often, trash ends up in the water or the rainforest.
Projects To Eliminate Litter, Launched
Fortunately, the country is making strides to turn the tide. In 2022, Panama launched the National Marine Litter Action Plan 2022-2027. The plan tackles the problem simultaneously on several fronts, aiming to eliminate litter in 5 years.
Panama’s Urban and Domiciliary Cleaning Authority (AAUD) has been trying to change things with anti-litter campaigns. They also sponsor volunteer Beach cleanup days, which have been increasingly successful–particularly in eco-conscious towns like Puerto Armuelles.
7 Great Reasons To Visit Panama
There’s so much to experience in Panama. Here are seven reasons why a trip might be worth your while:
- Luxuriate in extraordinary resorts—from rainforest treetops to a beachfront castle
- Try food in Panama City, a place whose culinary culture is so phenomenal and rare UNESCO protects it as part of the world’s gastronomic heritage.
- Boat or cruise along the Panama Canal, one of the greatest achievements of international trade and marine architecture.
- Experience a whole new way of life with a visit to an authentic, indigenous Embera village, where people maintain their traditional way of life, spiritually connected to the jungle.
- Go fish in Gatun Lake, a freshwater lake in the canal filled with tilapia, peacock bass, marble cichlid, and tarpon.
- Explore the preserved colonial architecture of Old Panama, complete with cobbled streets and iron artifacts of the era.
- Sip tea and watch ships pass through The Miraflores Locks from the Miraflores Visitor’s Center’s observation deck—not far above its museum and gift shop.
Experience Panama With Caravan
At Caravan, every single one of our trips is all-inclusive. Everything from food and hotels to activities and transport is hand-curated by our experts and booked well in advance.
Our Panama Tropical Adventure Tour offers eight days of authentic, immersive cultural experiences, unforgettable wildlife, and leisure time at a luxury spa—all at one affordable price.
Call us at 1-800-312-321-9800 to learn more. Or, call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) to book your spot today.
