Panama — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetSep 22, 2026

19 Best Things to Do in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Discover the top things to do in Bocas del Toro, from island hopping and surfing to unique wildlife tours and vibrant nightlife.

25 things in this story

Isla SolarteSightBocas del Toro, PanamaPandora shipwreck and reef dive site
Hospital PointSightBocas del Toro, Panamanamed after sickbay for United Fruit Company workers
Blue CoconutRestaurantIsla Solarte, Panamaalfresco resto-bar on Isla Solarte
Bocas TownHostelBocas del Toro, Panamacentral hub with most hospitality businesses
Calle TerceraNeighborhoodBocas Town, PanamaMain Street for souvenirs, diving, pizza
Bella BocasPlaceBocas Town, Panamamini-boutique
Mono Loco Surf SchoolPlaceBocas del Toro, Panamaoffers surf lessons
Cacao BlessingsRestaurantBocas Town, Panamachocolate bar
Indi Surf HouseHotelBocas Town, Panamaboutique with Buddhas and threads
Lil’ Spa ShopPlaceBocas del Toro, Panamaoffers treatments
Flying PiratesPlaceBocas del Toro, PanamaATV rentals on private land
Skully’s hostelHotelBig Creek, Panamamain branch for Flying Pirates ATV
Playa PaunchSightBocas del Toro, Panamasurf spot near Bocas Town
DumpersSightIsla Colón, Panamasurf spot on Isla Colón
Playa BluffSightIsla Colón, Panamaexpansive beach with waves for experienced surfers
Jager KnightsPlaceBocas del Toro, Panamaoffers catamaran tours
Filthy FridayFestivalBocas del Toro, Panamaisland crawl with parties and DJ sets
Bird IslandAttractionBocas del Toro, Panamarocky island inhabited only by birds
Manuel’s WallSightBocas del Toro, Panama
Lunch BoxSightBocas del Toro, Panama
Blue LagoonSightIsla Colón, Panama
La PiscinaSightIsla Colón, Panama
Tequila RepublicRestaurantBocas Town, Panama
Coco Loco BarRestaurantBocas Town, Panama
SpaceRestaurantBocas Town, Panama

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National GeographicAug 15

Walk the Streets of Panama City Like a Local—Here's How

For centuries, Panama has been a crossroads between worlds. The canal may have put it on the global map, but its greatest stories are found beyond the waterway — in neighbourhoods being reclaimed, ...

14 things in this story

American Trade HotelHotelPalatial 1917 building, formerly a gang base.
Casco ViejoNeighborhoodEvolved from neglected district to fashionable address.
Santa AnaNeighborhoodNeighbouring area with a raw and timeworn landscape.
El ChorrilloNeighborhoodNeighbouring area, fighting centred here in 1989.
Movimiento Cultural IdentidadPlaceNonprofit organizing community development programmes.
Café Coca-ColaCaféPanama's oldest cafe, licensed to use Coca-Cola name.
El Gato NegroRestaurantServes bowls of lentil soup.
Cementerio AmadorSightResting place of notable figures, including first president.
Museo Afro-AntillanoMuseumTraces history of Afro-Antillean culture in Panama.
Museo de la MolaMuseumDisplays 200 colourful molas reflecting Guna connection.
Museo del Canal Interoceánico de PanamáMuseumExplores Panama's role as a global trading hub.
Plaza de FranciaSightMemorialises French workers who died constructing canal.
Panama ViejoParkRuins of the city's original Spanish settlement.
Panadería La VenezolanaRestaurant

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Lonely PlanetAug 12

7 of the best national parks in Panama

Explore the ecological wonders of Panama in the nation

20 things in this story

Parque Nacional CoibaSightCoiba, PanamaUNESCO World Heritage Site, excellent for snorkeling and diving.
Parque Nacional Marino Isla BastimentosSightIsla Bastimentos, PanamaPanama's oldest marine park, safeguards Caribbean mangroves.
Volcán BarúSightChiriquí Province, PanamaHighest peak in Panama, dormant volcano with hiking trails.
Sendero Los QuetzalesTrailChiriquí Province, PanamaOne of the best places to spot the rare resplendent quetzal.
Parque Nacional Santa FéNature reserveSanta Fe, PanamaVast wilderness with waterfalls and diverse species.
Isthmian AdventuresPlaceSanta Fe, PanamaRuns a 4-hour adventure to multiple waterfalls.
Parque Nacional Omar TorrijosSightPanama City, PanamaTranquil rainforest with waterfalls and viewpoints.
Sendero de Las RanasTrailPanama City, PanamaEasy 2km path through humid valley with colorful frogs.
Mirador El CalvarioSightPanama City, PanamaViewpoint offering views of both Pacific and Caribbean waters.
El Tiffe waterfallSightPanama City, PanamaStunning waterfall accessible via multiday treks.
Cerro MartaSightPanama City, PanamaArduous 26km round-trip trail to the summit.
Parque Nacional PortobeloSightPortobelo, PanamaWild Caribbean beaches, ideal for snorkeling.
Playa HuertaSightPortobelo, PanamaSmall bay with crystalline waters, ideal for snorkeling.
Reef2Reef FoundationPlacePortobelo, PanamaRuns a coral reforestation project at Playa Huerta.
Puerto FrancesSightPortobelo, PanamaBeach with open-sea views and consistent breezes.
Playa BlancaSightPortobelo, PanamaFamous beach with white sands in a protected cove.
Venas AzulesSightPortobelo, PanamaNatural canal of mangroves around Isla del Padre.
Isla del PadreSightPortobelo, PanamaIsland around which Venas Azules is located.
Parque Nacional SoberaníaSightPanama City, PanamaAccessible tropical rainforest near Panama City.
Alto de PiedraSightSanta Fe, Panama

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Condé Nast TravelerAug 11

Ever Heard of a Repositioning Cruise? Why Some Travelers Love These Lesser-Known Sailings

Writer Heather Greenwood Davis hops aboard Windstar's Star Seeker in Costa Rica as the ship makes its way from the Caribbean to Alaska.

4 things in this story

Curú Wildlife RefugeSightPaquera, Costa RicaExcursion to see scarlet macaws and howler monkeys.
Windstar's Star SeekerPlaceSeattle, United StatesShip making its way to Alaska by way of Seattle.
Panama CanalSightPanama City, PanamaJourney through the canal.
The Yacht ClubRestaurantAlaska, United StatesBright observatory with large, comfortable couches.

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Lonely PlanetAug 4

23 of the best destinations for fall travel in 2026

Fall smacks of leaf peeping, road tripping, the last bits of swimming and so much more. These destinations offer the best for fall travel across the globe.

20 things in this story

Fes el-BaliGuest houseFez, Moroccooldest section of the walled medina
ÖlüdenizSightFethiye, Turkeylagoon-side town great for paragliding
PataraAttractionKaş, Turkeytown with endless swathes of golden sand
ÇıralıNeighborhoodKemer, Turkeyprotected area where sea turtles nest
Nara ParkParkNara, Japanhome to over 1000 sika deer
Tōdai-jiMuseumNara, Japantemple with one of the largest bronze Buddha images
Alta Via 1TrailCortina d'Ampezzo, Italyclassic trek through the Dolomites
Lake TaupoSightTaupo, New Zealandarea with hot-spring complexes
Kerosene CreekSightRotorua, New Zealandwild-and-free thermal pool with hot waterfall
HobbitonSightMatamata, New Zealandfilm set
Waipoua ForestSightDargaville, New Zealandforest with towering kauri trees
Taos PuebloSightTaos, United States1000-year-old Native American site
Sangre de Cristos mountainsSightSanta Fe, United Statesmountain range in northern New Mexico
Albuquerque International Balloon FiestaFestivalAlbuquerque, United Statesiconic balloon festival
Bocas del ToroNeighborhoodBocas Town, Panamaarchipelago with beaches and watersports
Samburu National ReserveSightMaralal, Kenyareserve with kopje-studded plains and acacia hills
Maó (Mahón)NeighborhoodMaó, Spaincharismatic capital with Anglo-Spanish heritage
CiutadellaNeighborhoodCiutadella de Menorca, Spainformer chief settlement with Anglo-Spanish heritage
Camí de CavallsTrailMaó, Spain185km coastal circuit for hiking or biking
SeychellesNeighborhoodVictoria, Seychellesarchipelago with palm trees and white-sand beaches

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AfarJul 28

The Best Country for Living Abroad Is Closer to the U.S. Than You Might Think

Foreigners living in to Panama appreciate the country’s pleasant climate and how easy it is to travel to places like the San Blas Islands, pictured here. This article was originally published in 2023 ...

10 things in this story

PanamaPlacePanama City, PanamaVoted best country to live and work abroad for third year
MexicoPlaceMexico City, MexicoRanked No. 1 for ease of settling in since 2014
BrazilPlaceBrasilia, BrazilJumped to No. 5 thanks to ease of settling and leisure options
SpainPlaceMadrid, SpainRanked No. 1 for quality of life for fifth year
PortugalPlaceLisbon, PortugalRanks No. 8 thanks to moderate cost of living and good weather
LuxembourgRestaurantLuxembourg City, LuxembourgRanks No. 1 for job security and overall job satisfaction
ThailandPlaceBangkok, Thailand86 percent of expats are happy there; cites friendly locals
MalaysiaPlaceKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSits at No. 9 thanks to affordability and ease of finding housing
United Arab EmiratesPlaceAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRanked No. 4 due to impressive ratings on quality of life
Singapore Has 123 Hawker CentersPlaceSingaporeDishes worth queuing for

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Atlas ObscuraJul 24

The Afro-Antillean Museum in Panama City, Panama

During the construction of the Panama Canal hundreds of thousands of workers were imported from Jamaica and other Caribbean islands and were settled in tenement housing on the outskirts of Panama City. Each house was constructed as small as possible, often no more than a wooden shack raised on posts to keep the insects out, with communal bathrooms and a zinc roof. It was in one of these tenemen…

3 things in this story

Afro-Antillean MuseumMuseumThe museum was founded on December 23, 1980, by Reina Torres de Araúz in the building of the Former Christian Mission…
Cristian Mission ChapelSightConstructed by canal workers from 1909-1910.
El MarañónNeighborhoodIts population as of 1990 was 2,126; its population as of 2000 was 2,275.

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Atlas ObscuraJan 26

From Bay to Bar: Exploring Panama City’s Legendary Oyster Scene

Nothing tastes more definitively of the sea than oysters. Whether they’re served raw, steamed, baked, grilled, stewed, roasted, sautéd, or deep-fried, oysters offer diners a pure connection to the ocean. And every variety is distinct, with flavors and texture that speaks to the exact location and conditions where they grow. And no place celebrates this meaty, briny bivalve more thoroughly than…

9 things in this story

Hunt’s Oyster BarRestaurantCelebrates National Oyster Day with events and keepsakes
Panama City Oyster TrailTrailCollection of local businesses serving oysters
Gene’s Oyster BarRestaurantOldest oyster bar, known for freshly shucked oysters
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and GrillRestaurantWaterfront dining with sunset views and sautéed oysters
Bayou Joe’sRestaurantWaterfront destination leaning into Cajun cooking
Harrison’s Kitchen and BarRestaurantWaterfront destination with refined atmosphere
Hunt’s Oyster Bar and SeafoodRestaurant
U.S. National Oyster Shucking ChampionshipFestival
Tarpon Dock Seafood MarketMarket

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Condé Nast TravelerJan 5

Where to Travel in 2026, According to Your Sign

Japan, Colombia, Mexico, Finland—there's a lot to see in 2026, and your horoscope can tell you which will be the best fit.

4 things in this story

Route 66TrailChicago, United Stateslegendary highway for discovery and freedom
UluruSightYulara, Australiaspiritually charged, visually breathtaking, culturally profound
Chiriquí ProvincePlaceDavid, Panamalush region of mountains, forests, and coastline
Northern Chilean PatagoniaPlacePunta Arenas, Chileglacial lakes, volcanic peaks, healing waters

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Condé Nast TravelerDec 28, 2025

In Panama, Going Beyond the Capital City and Its Famous Canal

Road trips between the notoriously narrow country's Pacific and Caribbean coasts, reveal secret villages, untouched isles, and new-wave retreats.

26 things in this story

PortobeloNeighborhoodvillage on Panama's Caribbean coastline
Fort Portobelo-San LorenzoSightUNESCO-designated Spanish ruins
Church of San FelipeSightcathedral housing the Black Christ
Black ChristSightrevered statue in Church of San Felipe
Amy SheraldPlaceacclaimed portraitist, former guest
La Morada de la BrujaHotelartists' residency and hotel in Portobelo
Rose Marie CromwellPlacephotographer friend of the writer
Sandra EletaPlaceartist and owner of La Morada de la Bruja
Francis DrakePlacepirate who died off the coast
Guna Yala IslandsNeighborhoodarchipelago governed by Guna people
San Blas IslandsNeighborhoodformer name for Guna Yala Islands
El Gitano del MarPlace52-foot catamaran for island sailing
San Blas SailingPlaceoutfitter for Guna Yala catamaran trips
Arvin HaghnazarianPlacecaptain of El Gitano del Mar
Coline PotierPlacechef on El Gitano del Mar
Ibin's Beach RestaurantRestaurantrustic stilted restaurant on Banedup island
Ibin LinaresPlaceowner of Ibin's Beach Restaurant
El Valle de AntónNeighborhoodtown in extinct volcano caldera
La Compañía del ValleHotelluxe wellness stay in El Valle de Antón
Chris LenzPlaceowner of La Compañía del Valle
Azuero PeninsulaNeighborhoodpeninsula with cattle ranches and hills
Casa LoroHotelprivate retreat of Aerin Lauder
Reserva Ecológica PanamaesPlace1,527 acres of reforested ranchland
Playa Los PanamaesSightbeach with jagged boulders
Hotel La Compañía Casco AntiguoHotelhistoric section hotel in Panama City
La Morada de la Bruja—The Witch's AbodeHotel

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →