Panama

Key facts

• Region: Central America — Sovereign states
• Capital: Panama City
• Currency: Panamanian balboa (PAB) and the US dollar (USD), which circulate alongside each other at parity
• Languages: Spanish
• Main airport: PTY — Tocumen International Airport, serving Panama City
• Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season; the Caribbean side stays wetter year-round than the Pacific side

Overview

Panama is best known for its canal, but it also has Caribbean islands, highland coffee country, extensive national parks and one of the region's most modern capital cities. As a major financial and shipping hub, it has better infrastructure than most of Central America and uses the U.S. dollar. It borders Costa Rica and Colombia, so it works both as a standalone destination and as a link between Central and South America.

Airports

Tocumen International Airport (PTY) near Panama City is the main gateway and one of the busiest hubs in Latin America. Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC) at Albrook, also in Panama City, handles domestic and some regional flights. Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV) serves David, the main city of the western highlands. Bocas del Toro Airport (BOC) serves the Caribbean archipelago of the same name.

Main cities

Panama City is the capital and by far the largest city, with a modern skyline, the colonial Casco Viejo quarter and the canal within easy reach. Boquete is the main highland town, known for coffee, hiking and a cooler climate. David is the commercial centre of the west and a transport base. Bocas Town on Colón Island is the hub of the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Portobelo is a small historic port town on the Caribbean coast.

Places to go

The Panama Canal, with the Miraflores and Agua Clara locks, is the country's defining attraction. San Blas (Guna Yala) is an archipelago run autonomously by the Guna people and the best-known island destination. Bocas del Toro offers beaches, diving and jungle. Coiba National Park off the Pacific coast is a large marine reserve and UNESCO site. Boquete and the Volcán Barú hike are the main highland draws. Darién National Park in the east is remote rainforest, and the Pearl Islands are the closest island escape to the capital.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Panama, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked