What are the best things to do in and around Panama?

One of the best things to do in Panama is to visit an Emberá Indian village.  The Emberá people are one of 7 indigenous tribes in Panama and many of them still live in traditional villages deep in the rainforest. 

 

The Emberá people are warm, open and welcoming and are equally curious about the visitors who come to meet them.  They are eager and happy to share about their culture and traditions with others.  Spending a day or an...

One of the best things to do in Panama is to visit an Emberá Indian village.  The Emberá people are one of 7 indigenous tribes in Panama and many of them still live in traditional villages deep in the rainforest. 

 

The Emberá people are warm, open and welcoming and are equally curious about the visitors who come to meet them.  They are eager and happy to share about their culture and traditions with others.  Spending a day or an overnight with the Emberá people is like stepping into a National Geographic film.

 

                                     

 

The Emberá people have the quality of life the rest of the world is searching for.  The people are very happy and content without most of the trappings of the modern world.  In most Emberá villages there is no electricity, internet and no cell phone signal.  It is so refreshing to see the peaceful and happy faces of the Emberá children without video games, cell phones and iPads. 

      Many villages can be easily accessed in a 1 day tour or an overnight tour for complete immersion into the Emberá culture.  You leave Panama city around 8:00 am and return by 5:00 pm for the day tour, and early afternoon the next day for the overnight tour.

     You will drive for about an hour out to the boat ramp on Lake Alajuela and embark in a handmade (very stable) dugout canoe to travel about 45 minutes across the lake and up the river to the Emberá village.  Upon arrival in the village you will be given a traditional greeting of music and then given a fascinating presentation about the Emberá culture, traditions, how they live and survive today. 

You will be served a traditional lunch of delicious fried fish and patacones (plantains) with fresh fruit. 

   After lunch you have the option of taking a short hike with a village elder to learn about medicinal plants, and/or take a refreshing swim in the river, take pictures, talk with the Emberá people, get a temporary tattoo or purchase some of their exquisite world class baskets made from palm fibers or sophisticated cocobolo wood or tagua seed carvings. All items are handmade by the Emberá people and often charge $1.00 per day that it took the artist to make the basket or carving! 

Tourism is their only source of income, as they live inside the Chagres National Park that was created around them in 1984.  This park protects the water source for the canal.  However the park department prohibits the Emberá from traditional hunting, commercial agriculture and any materials they would like to harvest from the forest to use to build their houses, or boats, they are required to pay a fee to the park.  So your visit and purchases in the village help the Emberá people sustain their chosen lifestyle, culture and traditions.

Finally, your day tour visit will end with a presentation of women's shamanic dances and some celebrational music and dancing, that you may be invited to participate in.  Be careful, the Emberá say that if you don't dance, you have to live with them in the village for 8 months! 

As you get ready to board the dugout canoe to head back down the river, your head and heart will be filled with new friends and great memories of your day or overnight with the friendly and warm Emberá people.  It is truly an unforgettable experience. 

 

 

Go see the 16th century Spanish stone fort at San Lorenzo on the Atlantic coast in Colon Province. It is one of the great historical treasures of Panama and rarely visited by tourists. 

 

Henry Morgan, the Welsh pirate, liked it enough that he stormed the fort with his band of miscreants and killed the Spanish defenders.

 

You can have a great time just by driving there and seeing the spectacular views of the confluence of Rio Chagras...

Go see the 16th century Spanish stone fort at San Lorenzo on the Atlantic coast in Colon Province. It is one of the great historical treasures of Panama and rarely visited by tourists. 

 

Henry Morgan, the Welsh pirate, liked it enough that he stormed the fort with his band of miscreants and killed the Spanish defenders.

 

You can have a great time just by driving there and seeing the spectacular views of the confluence of Rio Chagras and the Atlantic ocean, plus some very impressive old cannons and stone fortifications.

 

Go! 

 

 

 

For me the best things to do in Panama would be about the same best things to do where you are now.  What is best for you? 

 

If you love the outdoors Panama is great for biking, hiking, sightseeing, hunting for orchids in the mountains, checking out waterfalls, boating, fishing, horseback riding, ATVing, scuba, snorkeling, golfing, river-rafting, kayaking, surfing following the "beckoning road", climbing trees, bird watching, searching for...

For me the best things to do in Panama would be about the same best things to do where you are now.  What is best for you? 

 

If you love the outdoors Panama is great for biking, hiking, sightseeing, hunting for orchids in the mountains, checking out waterfalls, boating, fishing, horseback riding, ATVing, scuba, snorkeling, golfing, river-rafting, kayaking, surfing following the "beckoning road", climbing trees, bird watching, searching for wildlife .... You name it.  I think Panama has it all for outside activities.

 

Shopping, movies, health clubs, horse races, the auto show, concerts, boxing, soccer and baseball are all fun things to do.  Finding good to great restaurants is wonderful.  Checking out the party scene of discotheques,  bars and lively casinos might just be a great ticket for you.

 

You can do just about anything and everything in Panama.  I believe the only real limits are in your mind.

If you are first time visitor to Panamá, you might like to visit the canal, which offers a variety of interesting things including a 4 floor museum with videos on the premises.  Visitors to the center can see all the locks function, and ships from all over the world, as well as a good quality restaurant.  The fee for entrance is $10 / adult.  This might take about 4 hours of your time. The best time to arrive is early morning....

If you are first time visitor to Panamá, you might like to visit the canal, which offers a variety of interesting things including a 4 floor museum with videos on the premises.  Visitors to the center can see all the locks function, and ships from all over the world, as well as a good quality restaurant.  The fee for entrance is $10 / adult.  This might take about 4 hours of your time. The best time to arrive is early morning.  The reason is that usually later in the day, between 1 pm and 3 pm, there are no ships crossing the canal, other than yachts and other small boats. There are many tour operators, or people at the hotels will coordinate this tour for you.

 

In addition, the most important other things to see and do in Panama are:

Of course, there are many other picturesque places along the country, beaches, mountains, country coffee farms, resorts, hotels and casinos.  There are excellent native (indigenous) places and tours, like the Emberá community and San Blas.  El Valle de Antón has a great public market and good weather.  You could also see Bocas del Toro, Isla Grande, Taboga Island, and the first hemisphere train between Panama City and Colón (round trip is $60 + / person and takes around 90 minutes), partial and complete canal transits.

 

Some of these places are many hours from Panamá City, but you can also go by local airplane.  It all depends on the time you plan to stay, and if you want adventure or a relaxed visit.  There are hotels by the canal with beautiful views, very modern hotels in the city, as well as at the beaches or in the mountains, but also very modest hotels from which to chose.

 

(Panama Canal Museum, Panama, pictured.)

Panama offers you a wide variety of things to do. In Panama you can have a good time at a beach, city or forest. Everything is near to the city [Panama City].

 

For example: You can visit the Coronado Hotel Beach & Resort, which is an hour and a half drive from the city.  There you can spend a good time playing golf, swimming in the pool and have a good Panamanian and international food.

 

Alternatively, you can stay in the city and...

Panama offers you a wide variety of things to do. In Panama you can have a good time at a beach, city or forest. Everything is near to the city [Panama City].

 

For example: You can visit the Coronado Hotel Beach & Resort, which is an hour and a half drive from the city.  There you can spend a good time playing golf, swimming in the pool and have a good Panamanian and international food.

 

Alternatively, you can stay in the city and take a walk around the city in Cinta Costera, which is a great place to spend time with family, friends, pets etc. 

What are the best things to do in and around Panama?

 

Wow, where do I start?

 

When we moved from the UK, one of the most important things for us was the need for lots of outdoor activities. Our children had been brought up outside doing things kids should be doing and I had come from a sporty background.

 

We love the fact that there is so much to do here in Panama; such diversity. I remember commenting to my...

What are the best things to do in and around Panama?

 

Wow, where do I start?

 

When we moved from the UK, one of the most important things for us was the need for lots of outdoor activities. Our children had been brought up outside doing things kids should be doing and I had come from a sporty background.

 

We love the fact that there is so much to do here in Panama; such diversity. I remember commenting to my husband one day how amazing it was that we could spend the morning hiking in El Valle, in the lush, cool tropics with waterfalls and stunning mountain views, then spend the afternoon on the beach, with equally stunning views, swimming and surfing, all in the same day!

 

If sightseeing is your thing, in the city (Panama City) alone, you have all the beautiful and fascinating things to see there. You can visit the Canal, wander round the old city of Casco Viejo, stroll along the Cinta Costera, and Ancon Hill, where you get stunning views of the city  and ocean and Amador Causeway These are but a few.

 

Visit the National Parks such as Soberania, where you can enjoy walking, hiking and biking. There are waterfalls and breathtaking beauty.

 

There are some fabulous tours, such as Embera Village, Monkey Island, Whale Watching, Fishing, Diving & Snorkling, City tours, and the list goes on.

 

There are also many hidden treasures: waterfalls, mud baths, zoo's, secret beaches, little artisan markets; practically something for everyone!

 

If you like your sports there is baseball, football, tennis, golf, horseback riding, climbing, just to name but a few. If shopping is your thing, there are plenty of markets and huge malls, ranging from inexpensive to designer. 

 

We are certainly never bored.  There is so much to do here in Panama that we often wish we had more hours in the day.

 

 

 

But down here in Panama, people get out. I think what you will find is most people just go everywhere, they look at all sorts of things, then they find what they enjoy doing and that is what they continue to do.  Of course, all this depends on every single person.

Ecotourism in Panama is great. We have protected islands here such as Isla Coiba, which to me, rivals the Galapagos. Whether you like diving, snorkeling or bird watching, Coiba has such an abundance of wildlife that you will not be disappointed. Isla Coiba is more for people who are prepared to “rough it” because there is not much in the way of facilities there, since it is a protected area. You will not find a hotel there. Instead, you will find amazing, unspoiled nature.

There are so many things to do in the entire country of Panama. Because the climate is great year-round, you can do anything “outdoorsy” you can think of. There are so many different golf courses. You can walk on the beach. You can get involved in different water sports such as snorkeling or beachcombing. You can join dance classes. You can join a hiking group. You can start doing triathlons.
 
A good friend of mine came to Panama and at 60 years old starting doing...

There are so many things to do in the entire country of Panama. Because the climate is great year-round, you can do anything “outdoorsy” you can think of. There are so many different golf courses. You can walk on the beach. You can get involved in different water sports such as snorkeling or beachcombing. You can join dance classes. You can join a hiking group. You can start doing triathlons.
 
A good friend of mine came to Panama and at 60 years old starting doing triathlons. He lost 35 pounds and is now typically in the top three ranking of every triathlon he enters. So that was definitely a lifestyle change for him and something that he hadn’t experienced before prior to coming to Panama.

 

(Panama will serve again as the Pan American Pro Championship for the Ironman triathlon 70.3 Series. Bridge of the Americas, the Panama Canal, Panama, pictured.)

 

 

 

What is the one thing that comes to mind when you hear the word PANAMA? For many people, it is probably the PANAMA CANAL, and with good reason. Often considered one of the modern wonders of the world, it would be a crime to leave Panama without visiting its world famous locks. 

 

 

What is the one thing that comes to mind when you hear the word PANAMA? For many people, it is probably the PANAMA CANAL, and with good reason. Often considered one of the modern wonders of the world, it would be a crime to leave Panama without visiting its world famous locks.