Panama Tour Blog by Caravan Tours

In our Caravan Panama travel blog, you’ll find unique articles on what to see and things to do when vacationing in Panama, in Central America. Learn more about the history behind the Panama Canal including the canal locks, Gatun Lake, the Miraflores Visitor Center Museum, the Amador Causeway, the Bridge of the Americas, and Casco Viejo, the “Old Quarter” of Panama City.

beach setting panama

Everybody loves traveling to see new sights, meet new people, and experience new cultures. And if you’re looking for a country that offers all three, Panama is the best place to be. Even though travel restrictions occurred these past few years due to COVID-19, things are back to normal, and it’s relatively safe to fly and explore the world again.

But when it comes to your safety and security when traveling, is Panama safe? Is it an excellent Latin American country to visit and explore? The short answer is yes! Apart from it having a competitive economy, Panama provides tons of safe extracurricular activities you’ll surely enjoy while traveling the country. 

Experience the Beauty of Panama as a Tourist

Panama is a country that’s located in Central America. It’s surrounded by two coastlines, the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. It stands out from other Latin American countries because it has an isthmus, which forms a land bridge. This bridge connects North and South America.

And Panama is where the world-famous canal is located, which is its namesake, “Panama Canal.” It’s the most well-known and important shipping route connecting the North Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea with the North Pacific Ocean. It’s also known as an engineering miracle.

In terms of tourist activities, they have many that you’ll want to experience. Some of these activities are as follows:

  • Mountain trail hikes
  • Beautiful beaches and coastlines
  • Enjoy the unique city life
  • Experience fine dining, contemporary art, and fantastic music

Top Attractions to Visit in Panama

When it comes to specific attractions, there are many you can choose from. You can enjoy the sights and experience the lifestyle in the city. Moreover, these attractions will allow you to enjoy the culture that Panama is preserving. It is filled with friendly people, and you won’t have difficulty embracing them as they’re welcoming and warm.

Therefore, don’t hesitate to check out their top destinations. Some of these attractions are as follows:

  • Panama Canal
  • Casco Viejo
  • Miraflores Visitor Center
  • Amador Causeway
  • Cinta Costera
  • Panama Metro
  • Avenida Balboa
  • Monkey Island
  • Biomuseo
  • Gatun Lake
  • Multiplaza Pacific

There are also cruise and sailing tours you can enjoy. Of course, it’s entirely focused on the Panama Canal since it’s the top attraction in Panama and probably in Central America. So it’s best to book a tour with a reputable touring company to ensure that you get to enjoy these activities while you’re in the country. One example of an excellent and trustworthy tour company is Caravan.

Is Panama a Safe Country to Visit in 2023?

Before going to a country you have never been to, you should worry about your safety first. You must be aware of what might happen to you and your family if you’re in a country you’re unfamiliar with. So when it comes to the question, “is Panama safe to travel to?” a resounding YES would be the answer!

In general, Panama is relatively safe for travelers even though they have high crime rates in terms of petty crimes. So, as a tourist, you will want to take extra precautions. Remember to be wary of your surroundings, especially if you’re traveling alone, to ensure that you don’t experience any danger.

Some factors to remember in Panama regarding warnings & dangers:

  • Overall risk: Panama is safe to visit. But bear in mind that some violent crimes might happen at night. So it’s best to take extra precautions on the streets, especially in major cities.
  • Transportation risk: Be careful on buses and bus stops because that’s where pickpockets and petty thieves like to hang out.
  • Pickpockets risk: In Panama, pickpockets are very prevalent. Therefore, the risk is high. They are a common occurrence, especially in the streets. So it pays to stay vigilant while you’re out and about.
  • Robbery attempt risk: In situations where an attempted robbery occurs, make sure not to resist and give all your belongings. Remember, your life is more important than material things.
  • Scams risk: Scams are available wherever you go. But in Panama, there’s a medium chance you’ll encounter a scam artist trying to rip you off. Some common scams are when a person sends you free drinks, taxi scams, and more.

And as usual, it’s best to have a travel checklist to ensure that you have everything covered, such as insurance, passports, and all your traveling documents. For U.S. citizens, it’s best to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts. At the same time, review the Country Security Report for Panama for extra information.

Why Choose Caravan as Your Touring Company in Panama?

Caravan has a wide range of traveling tours in Latin America. We offer the Panama Tropical Adventure and Panama Canal Cruise & Tour. Plus, our rates are low compared to others. In fact, we are known as the Costco of tour companies, yet we’re consistent with providing excellent customer travel experience.

With great value and a broad appeal to its audience, many people are booking with us right now, as 2023 is the perfect year to make new memories with friends and family. In addition, the rates have inclusions that won’t worry you if you’re on a tight budget.

Their promos include the following:

  • Lodgings
  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Activities

Furthermore, there are no add-ons that you need to think about. The best thing about our tour packages is our simple rates, yet showcases the most awesome things you can do in Panama as a tourist. Plus, booking with a tour company means you’re safer from scams and other risks. 

Book Your Panama Tour with the Help of Caravan

Are you thinking of visiting Latin America this 2023? Is it going to be your retirement gift to yourself? Panama is the right country you must consider if you’re looking for a safe place to visit. And with Caravan’s simple and affordable rates, you will always go right.

Furthermore, we have more Latin American tours in various countries, such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. So wherever you want to go, we’re here to guide you. So don’t hesitate to contact us today at 1-800-CARAVAN or +1-312-321-9800 or fax us at ‍312-321-9845.

Close to El Valle Panama is Grand Playa Blanca Panama, a four-star resort and spa located in a tropical setting on the Pacific coast, less than an hour and a half from Panama City.

Translated, Playa Blanca means “white beach” and the area boasts what could arguably be the best unspoiled beaches in the country.

This is a fabulous beachfront hotel resort with 220 guest rooms, gorgeous suites and all the amenities including a swim-up bar, a quiet pool, several Jacuzzis, mini-golf, and a games area.

What to Do At Playa Blanca

Many travellers to Playa Blanca Panama choose this resort for its wonderful accommodations, natural beauty, and outdoor activities. On the priority list for many tourists is a hike to the nearby waterfall or participation in a canopy tour or rainforest jungle trail hike (paved for easier walking).

Playa Blanca Panama resort offers refreshing drinks, a swimming pool in a beautiful setting, and a handy snack bar for those who aren’t ready for a formal meal. Watch out for the “friendly” native birds. They seem to have a knack for finding the visitor with accessible snacks. Even toucans are known for coming right to the outdoor tables. Read more

More and more travelers from around the globe are discovering the beauty and impressive man made landmarks of Panama. You now have a lot of options for fully guided all inclusive Panama tour companies.

And, while many people vacation in Panama to explore this country’s Spanish colonial heritage or to enjoy world-class resorts, white sandy beaches and rainforest tours, Panama offers so much more.

 

Caravan Tours wants to show you the amazing man made landmarks in Panama. Enjoy fully guided Panama Canal cruises as you explore the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake, both of which remain the most popular tourist attractions in Panama.

On your fully guided Caravan Panama tour, you will have a chance to explore many of these exceptional man-made wonders. Read more

The Bridge of Americas Panama Canal (or Puente de las Américas in Spanish) was built along the Pan-American Highway in 1962. This four lane Panama land bridge offered a more efficient way for vehicle traffic to travel between land masses on the North and South of the Panama Canal. The United States initiated and funded this first Panama […]

This post includes additional Panama Canal tour information to help you plan your next Central America vacation. Panama is a tourist friendly Latin American country that keeps a rather low profile despite its natural beauty. The country is referred to as a traveler’s paradise, although most people only recognize this destination for the Panama Canal. […]

Nearly 300 of the roughly 14,000+ ships that pass through its three sets of locks annually are now Panama Canal cruises that cater to tourists from around the globe. The Panama Canal is approximately 48 miles long. Rather than vacationing on a cruise liner that passes through the Panama Canal in about 9 – 15 […]

Ship passing through Panama's Miraflores Lock with Visitor Center in the background

The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and Museum brings life and history into the construction and operation of the Panama Canal.

The primary focus of this modern Panama City attraction is the Miraflores Locks Museum, a four-floor interactive museum dedicated to the history and construction of the Panama Miraflores Locks. Museum guests are offered views of the Panama Canal from various platforms and depending on the canal’s schedule, can watch big ships and passenger liners passing through the locks.

 

Caravan Tours is a Chicago based all-inclusive tour company that also offers escorted tours of the Panama Canal. Included as part of Caravan’s Panama Canal tour is a morning visit to the Miraflores Visitor Center and Museum.

Caravan Tours uses highly knowledgeable local tour guides who to help all Caravan guests obtain a greater appreciation for the amazing history behind the building of the Panama Canal. Read more

The 2 mile (3.5km) Amador Causeway Panama (Calzada de Amador) is a must see tourist attraction located at the southern entrance of the Panama Canal near Panama City that links the four small Causeway Islands.

Built by the United States Government in 1913, Amador Causeway Panama is unique in that it is the road that connects Panama City (the capital) with four small Pacific Ocean archipelago islands. Read more

View of a mountaintop island on Panama river cruise

All inclusive Panama vacations bring tourists to what many people call Central America’s “Hidden Treasure.” Panama is the small country near the equator that connects Central America to South America. Though relatively small in size, it is brimming with culture shaped by European and Spanish traditions and a friendly population generally made up of Spanish speaking […]

Travel Panama with Caravan Tours and enjoy Colon Panama vacations, this country’s second largest city.

Colon is an extremely valuable port and commercial center for world trade. With a relatively small population of just over 76,600, Colon is located near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal on the North Central part of the country.

 

Since its early start in the mid 1800’s, Colon has maintained its charm as a “steamy Caribbean port” where just about everything goes. Tourists describe the city as vibrant, pulsing, and fascinating despite its apparent poverty.

Travel experts Lonely Planet say, “Colon Province is mostly undeveloped and virtually inaccessible, but steeped in a rich, accessible history.” Read more