We Explored All of Panama
Simply wonderful. This scouting trip for our retirement turned out to be better than expected. We spent almost a month exploring all corners of Panama—Isla Colon, Boquete, Boca Chica, Santa Catalina, and Pedasi. We’ll definitely be back soon!
Simply wonderful. This scouting trip for our retirement turned out to be better than expected. We spent almost a month exploring all corners of Panama—Isla Colon, Boquete, Boca Chica, Santa Catalina, and Pedasi. We’ll definitely be back soon!
A month-long vacation before our retirement…
On this extended vacation to Panama, my husband and I were looking forward to lots of beach time and getting to know the country. We are considering a future move and Panama is top on our list. We chose to focus our time in Pedasi, Boca Chica, Bocas del Toro, or other good beach areas for Seniors, and spend minimal time in Panama City. Anywhere knew exactly what we needed, and planned the perfect relaxing vacation for us to explore this country.
Stunning views at Boca Chica…
Boca Chica is a more lively fisherman’s town compared to the other beaches. It is very easy to take a boat out to do some snorkeling and swimming at the surrounding islands. We ate mostly at Hotel Bocas del Mar, a boutique hotel we treated ourselves to for this trip. The views from the hotel are stunning!
The relaxing beachfront time we needed…
We ended our trip at Pedasi, which has beautiful beaches and a relaxing atmosphere. There are not too many tourists and it's an easy walk to the waters. There is no lack of choice for food — every Restaurant we tried had good food, and there were a variety of cuisines available. We stayed at Casa de Campo, which also ended up being our favorite place for the whole trip. The owner and staff were great and very accommodating.
Places you'll stay
Panama City
Panama City is a hub in every sense of the word. Located in the Gulf of Panama along the Pacific Coast, Panama City sits in the heart of the country and serves as the main artery through which the rest of Panama receives its visitors, commerce, and culture.
Destination
Isla Colón
Isla Colón, the bustling centerpiece of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is primarily known for Bocas town, the waterfront town upon which nearly all the amenities of the archipelago are built. Outside the town, however, are plenty of places to play. These include beautiful beaches, picturesque swimming holes, and incredible surf spots.
Destination
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.
Destination
Boca Chica
Boca Chica is a small fishing village along Panama’s central Pacific coast that acts primarily as the gateway to both the Gulf of Chiriquí National Park (Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí) and the neighboring island of Boca Brava. The natural beauty of this place is impressive, but it’s still off-the-radar for most tourists. The town itself is modest and mainly local; however, there are a scattering of nice accommodations and restaurants within the immediate vicinity.
Destination
Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is shaping up to be one of Panama’s hottest destinations. Located along the Pacific Ocean in the Veraguas province, it has some of the most consistent surf in the country and is the jumping-off point for trips to Parque Nacional Coiba, a massive national park with amazing scuba diving and hiking trails. Santa Catalina's somewhat remote location has kept Santa Catalina devoid of large tourist crowds, but the word is out, and people are starting to show up.
Destination
Chitré
Chitré, capital of the Herrera province, is the largest city on the Azuero Peninsula. For most, Chitré serves as a convenient place to refuel or transfer buses before heading down the peninsula, as there is an ample amount of stores, restaurants, and accommodations in town. However, Chitré also has a vibrant Azuero culture and a history of its own, with a sprinkling of places that visitors will find attractive.
Destination
Pedasi
The tiny town of Pedasí is slowly emerging as one of Panama’s up-and-coming tourist destinations. Located in the southeastern corner of the Azuero Peninsula, it is tidy, charming, and friendly. The buildings are decorated with some wonderfully intact Spanish-colonial architecture, and there are a number of pristine beaches close to town. Visitors to Pedasí can take trips to the wildlife sanctuary of Isla Iguana, which lays just off the coast, or head down the Azuero 34 km to the surf-haven of Playa Venao.
Destination
Incredible Stays
Hotel Recommendation #1
A hand-picked stay in Panama City.
Hotel Recommendation #2
A hand-picked stay in Isla Colon.
Hotel Recommendation #3
A hand-picked stay in Boquete.
Hotel Recommendation #4
A hand-picked stay in Boca Chica.
Hotel Recommendation #5
A 9.1/5 guest-rated stay in Santa Catalina.
Hotel Recommendation #6
A hand-picked stay in Chitre.
Hotel Recommendation #7
A hand-picked stay in Pedasi.
Hotel Recommendation #8
A 7.6/5 guest-rated stay in Panama City.
Curated to you
Insider-led Panama Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
