Panama City and the Canal

• Miraflores Locks: The closest locks to the city, where you can watch massive ships rise or descend. Includes a canal museum and cinema—perfect for understanding the engineering behind the canal. (2–3 hours)
• Gatun Locks: The most impressive set of three-stage locks on the Atlantic side, larger in scale, with opportunities for a boat experience. (2 hours)
• Casco Viejo: A UNESCO-listed colonial district blending churches, theaters, plazas, and street bars, with a distinct vibe day and night. (Half a day)
• Panama Viejo Ruins: The archaeological site of Panamá Viejo, where you can climb a tower for views of the city and modern skyline. (1–2 hours)
• Amador Causeway: A causeway connecting small islands, offering great views of the canal entrance, the Pacific, and the city skyline. (1–2 hours)

Islands and Nature

• Bocas del Toro Archipelago: A Caribbean island chain known for Red Frog Beach, dolphins, mangroves, and coral reefs—great for snorkeling and island-hopping. (2–3 days)
• San Blas Islands: Hundreds of white-sand islands with indigenous culture. Access requires 4WD and boat travel; bring cash and be ready to pay entry fees. (1–2 days)
• Chiriquí Highlands and Boquete: Coffee plantations, cloud forests, and hikes up Volcán Barú. Cooler climate, ideal for escaping the heat. (1–2 days)
• Metropolitan Natural Park: A rainforest on the city’s edge, perfect for half-day hikes, birdwatching, and sloth spotting. (Half a day)

Other Highlights

• Colón and the Free Zone: A city on the Atlantic side of the canal, combining a shopping discount district with colonial architecture.
• Santa Catalina: A Pacific fishing village and surf town, ideal for a relaxed stay.

Travel Tips

Panama’s attractions fall into four main regions: the canal and city, Caribbean islands, Pacific islands, and the western highlands. These areas are spread out, so plan your itinerary by region. Canal viewing times depend on ship schedules—check the daily timetable in advance. Saint Blas and Bocas require advance booking for transport and lodging, and trips may be adjusted due to weather. Boquete’s high elevation and cooler climate make it a good contrast to city stays. With just 3–4 days, prioritize the canal, the old town, and one island to get the best taste of Panama.