Panama Rainforests

Rainforests are some of the world’s most biologically diverse habitats, so a visit to Panama's rainforests offers you the opportunity to see unique plants and animals you won't find outside of Central America. "Sounds neat, but what specifically can I expect to see?" you wonder. Panama's rainforest animals include monkeys, toucans, anteaters, jaguars, and sloths — all roaming free in their natural habitat.

You'll feel like a proper adventurer when you explore Panama’s rainforest, because these destinations are often in rural areas. Hiking trails extend into the hillsides and forests that surround these towns — for this reason, Panama's rainforests are popular with outdoor enthusiasts, but don't worry, there's plenty of jungle for everyone. Naturalist guides are available to help travelers understand the underlying composition of Panama’s rainforests and are valuable if you're hoping to trek through some of the country's extremely remote areas such as Santa Cruz de Cana, Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, Mogue, and Piñas Bay.

If you're a birdwatcher, this is your chance to see the harpy eagle — Panama's national bird, and the one of the largest and most powerful raptors in the world.

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Boquete

The small town of Boquete sits in the highlands of Panama’s Chiriquí province, snugly fitted into a lush valley and surrounded by towering mountains, gushing streams, and abundant coffee farms. Though once a sleepy mountain town forgotten by time, Boquete is beginning to see more and more tourists these days, and for good reason – its natural beauty is astounding and its range of activities spectacular. Panama’s only volcano, Volcán Barú, lies only 9 km away, providing visitors with excellent hiking, nature viewing, and camping. Boquete’s other attractions include white-water rafting, canopy tours, hot springs, botanical gardens, and more.

Isla Bastimentos

Located in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Isla Bastimentos is a sprawling 52 km island that is only a ten-minute boat ride from Isla Colón. The highlights of Isla Bastimentos are vast, ranging from the world-class snorkeling opportunities in Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos to the chilled-out beaches on the north side of the island.

Gamboa

Lying along the banks of the Panama Canal halfway across the isthmus, Gamboa is about a 45-minute drive from Panama City. With an abundance of natural beauty and an incredibly close distance to Panama City, this area is simply a must for anyone passing through the capital.

Piñas Bay

Piñas Bay (Bahía de Piñas) is set along Panama’s southern Pacific coast in the Darién Province, some 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the border with Colombia. Piñas Bay is Panama’s most incredible fishing spot—more than 200 deep-sea fishing world records have been set here, more than anywhere else on Earth. The area is also naturally beautiful and interesting culturally, so even non-fishers will find it a pleasant place to visit.

Mogue

Mogue is an Emberá village in the Darién. It’s definitely an off-the-beaten-path destination, but travelers that make it here will be rewarded with a unique look at a fairly traditional Emberá village.

Portobelo

Portobelo lies along Panama’s Caribbean coast to the east of Colón in an area known as Costa Arriba. During the Spanish colonial era, Portobelo was an important port town where goods and treasure from the Americas where shipped to Europe. These days the town is impoverished and widely unattractive. Its saving grace, however, lies in the crumbling ruins scattered inside and outside of town. There are also several decent places to scuba dive and snorkel along its coast.

Santa Cruz de Cana

Santa Cruz de Cana is one of the most remote places in Panama. Set within the middle of the Darién National Park, Santa Cruz de Cana (more commonly known as Cana) offers travelers true wilderness. There are no roads here and the closest village, Boca de Cupe, is a 2–3 day hike.

Volcán

The small town of Volcán is located in Panama’s western highlands along the west side of the Barú Volcano. The town itself is unremarkable but is close to several of the region’s best outdoor areas.