We were lucky enough to spend 3 weeks on vacation in Panama. In this article, we share all our tips to help you plan your itinerary and your trip. Safety in Panama, budget, destinations, useful tips — we break it all down below.
Here’s our custom Google Maps list of recommended places in Panama.
If you have tips to share or questions, feel free to leave a comment. Happy reading!
Why Take a Road Trip in Panama?
Panama is an ideal road trip destination, offering the perfect mix of paradise beaches, tropical forests full of wildlife, and spectacular hikes. With well-developed transport infrastructure, it’s easy to explore the country using buses, flights, and boats.
Ideal Itinerary for a 3-Week Panama Road Trip
We chose a fairly classic itinerary, alternating between sea, beach, and mountains. To save time, we booked a $150 internal flight from Panama City to Bocas del Toro and took the bus for the return journey.
Lastly, we were lucky to have friends with a boat in the San Blas Islands, so we didn’t have to pay — which can otherwise be a big part of the budget!
Here’s our recommended 3-week Panama itinerary:
- San Blas Archipelago and its paradise islands – 5 days
- Bocas del Toro, animals and dream beaches – 5 days
- Boquete, in the mountains with waterfalls and jungle to spot the Quetzal – 2 days
- Santa Catalina & Coiba, surfing and incredible marine life – 4 days
- El Valle de Anton, hikes and nature inside a crater – 3 days
- Panama City, culture, skyscrapers, and national parks – 2 days
Each stop is detailed in a specific article.
Summary for 2 or 3 Week Road Trips:
| Location | 3 Weeks | 2 Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Panama City | 1 day | 1 day |
| San Blas | 5 days | 2 days |
| Bocas Del Toro | 5 days | 4 days |
| Boquete | 2 days | 2 days (can be skipped) |
| Santa Catalina & Coiba | 4 days | 3 days |
| El Valle de Anton | 3 days | 2 days |
| Panama City | 2 days | 2 days |
| Total | 22 days | 15 days |
Budget: How Much Does a Road Trip in Panama Cost?
Here’s an estimated 3-week budget per person (excluding international flights):
- Accommodation: ~€800 (€40/night)
- Food: ~€600 (€30/day)
- Transport & Activities: ~€400 (tours, collectivos, park entry)
- Domestic flights: ~€160 (Panama City > Bocas del Toro)
San Blas boat options:
- Day trip: ~$110 + $23 park entry
- Private boat (e.g. Click&Boat): €350–€600/day + transfer costs
Estimated total (excluding flights & San Blas): €2000 per person
Currency and Payments in Panama
Panama uses the Balboa, a local currency equivalent to the US dollar — and USD is widely accepted everywhere.
We withdrew money from any ATM using our Boursorama cards — it worked great. Withdrawal limit: $250 per transaction with ~$5 fee.
If you’re interested in Boursorama, it’s fast and convenient abroad. Check conditions, but it’s free if you use it. Here’s a referral link for an €80 bonus when opening your account.
How to Get Around in Panama
Panama offers many affordable and efficient transport options:
- Collective buses: Perfect for short distances — cheap and frequent.
- Private buses: Ideal for longer trips.
- Flights: One domestic flight to Bocas del Toro.
- Boats: To reach San Blas and Bocas del Toro islands.
- Taxis & Uber: Inexpensive and useful in cities.
Best Time to Visit Panama
The best time to visit Panama is during the dry season, from December to April. February is especially ideal: warm and little rain.
What to Eat in Panama
- Ceviche – Marinated fish dish
- Sancocho – Traditional chicken soup
- Arroz con Pollo – Chicken and rice
- Patacones – Fried plantains
- Grilled fish
- Caribbean-style lobster
- Banana chips
- Caribbean-style conch
- Yuca bites and street sandwiches (especially in Bocas del Toro)
Safety in Panama
Panama is generally safe, but here are a few precautions:
- Avoid walking alone at night, especially in Bocas del Toro.
- Don’t leave your belongings unattended at the beach.
- Use Uber instead of street taxis in Panama City.
We didn’t experience any problems, but staying alert is always best.e vigilant
Safety in Panama
Panama is generally safe, but here are a few precautions:
- Avoid walking alone at night, especially in Bocas del Toro.
- Don’t leave your belongings unattended at the beach.
- Use Uber instead of street taxis in Panama City.
We didn’t experience any problems, but staying alert is always best.
The list of animals we saw in green
Phone & SIM Cards in Panama
Two main providers: MasMovil (+Movil) and Tigo
Two main options:
- Rechargeable SIM cards: $5, $6, or $10 plans for 3, 5, or 7 days (unlimited)
- Monthly SIM with 4GB and unlimited WhatsApp/calls: $15
We chose option 2 and used just one SIM for two people thanks to good Wi-Fi everywhere.fi.
Do You Need a VPN in Panama?
Panama is considered a high-risk country for cybersecurity. Avoid public Wi-Fi and use a VPN to protect yourself from fraud.
Many travelers reported having their accounts hacked.
We chose not to take risks. After research and asking ChatGPT, we used Proton VPN, known for its security, pricing, and flexibility.
We talk more about Proton VPN on our Partner page — they also offer great deals!
Where to Stay in Panama
We booked everything through Booking.com — the more you book, the better Genius discounts you get. That helped us save quite a bit.
If we had to recommend one hotel: Bird Island — absolutely amazing!
We also found places via Home Exchange since we had previously hosted travelers. This gave us amazing stays in Playa Coronado, El Valle de Anton, and Panama City.
You can check our “Benefits & Partners” page for more on Home Exchange.
Binoculars (from Decathlon)
SPF 50 sunscreen (1x 200ml bottle was enough)
Snorkel and mask (or borrow them)
Mosquito repellent (didn’t work well against chitras*)
Venom extractor (we never needed it)
Flip-flops & towel
At least 2 swimsuits
Sunglasses
LifeStraw (rarely used)
*Chitras (sand flies) are tiny beach insects that bite like crazy. We eventually bought a repellent with eucalyptus & citronella from a Panama City supermarket — and it worked well for the rest of the trip.
We didn’t take malaria pills. We got bitten, but no illness — risks seemed low.
Our Favorite Hikes in Panama
- Cerro Cara Iguana – El Valle
- Cerro Picacho – Lagunas
- Cerro de la Cruz – Chame
- India Dormida – El Valle
- Three Waterfalls Hike – Boquete
- Cerro de la Cruz – Alto Campana
- Hiking on Coiba Island
- Bastimentos to Polo Beach via Red Frog Beach
- Parque Metropolitano – Panama City
- Cerro de Gaital – El Valle
- Estrella Beach – Isla Colón (Bocas del Toro)
Dedicated article coming soon!
Detailed Articles on Each Stop
- San Blas: Paradise Islands
- Bocas del Toro: Caribbean Life & Wildlife
- Boquete: Hikes & Quetzals
- Santa Catalina & Coiba: Diving, Snorkeling & Nature
- El Valle de Anton: Hikes & Nature
- Panama City: History Meets Modernity
Planning a road trip to Panama? Leave a comment with your questions or share your tips!
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