Panama is an amazing tropical country, boasting plenty
of pristine beaches and soaring mountains. The range
of natural landscapes in Panama is impressive, to say
the least, and visitors will surely not find a lack of
tourist attractions for Panama. There’s a
reason so many foreigners are investing in Panama
real estate. It’s hard to get bored here.
All the major tourist spots in Panama are fairly easy
to access, save for the Darien
Gap, and this culturally-rich land is full of interesting
and friendly people. The following is a short list
to give you some extra ideas for things to do in Panama.
Visit The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is without question the king of tourist attractions for Panama. Stretching from the Atlantic coast near the city of Colon on down to the Pacific coast near Panama City, this famed waterway is quite an engineering feat. There is a Panama Canal Visitors Center at the Miraflores Locks and you can find a nice museum here. Many cruises to Panama feature a trip down the canal, and you can always schedule a mini-cruise on the Panama Canal if you are looking for interesting day trip ideas. Taking a tour of the Panama Canal should make it to the top of your list of things to do in Panama.
Take a Panama City Historical Tour
Panama City is one of Latin America’s most dynamic
cities. Drawing comparisons to Rio
de Janeiro and Miami,
Panama’s capital is surely growing up. When
you are in Panama City, you might take the chance to add
an interesting tour of the Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo
districts. Panama Viejo was where the Spanish originally
founded the city, and the ruins here are all that remains
from battles fought with the English buccaneer, Henry
Morgan in 1671. The Casco Viejo district is one
of the country’s best examples of Spanish colonial
architecture. The historical buildings here were
built by the Spanish once they relocated the city.
Explore Panama City’s Metropolitan Park
Visitors to Panama City can escape the urban drone by simply heading to the city’s Metropolitan Park, which is among the more intriguing tourist attractions for Panama. It’s the world’s only rainforest found within the limits of a major city, and you can take guided tours of it to learn all about the native flora and fauna. You’ll be amazed at the fact that you are still in the city when hiking the trails found here. The adjacent Camino de Cruces National Park also has some great hiking trails that are suited for both beginners and advanced hikers.
Enjoy Panama Adventure Travel
Panama and adventure travel go hand in hand. Whether you are trekking about in the Darien Gap or in the San Blas Islands, Panama’s natural beauty is hard to deny. Visitors to the pristine and highly underdeveloped Bocas del Toro Islands will be treated to great scuba diving and snorkeling, while those heading to the Chiriqui Highlands will find a list of great adventure travel tours to take advantage of. The Chiriqui Province city of Boquete is a major Panama adventure travel hub. You can go horseback riding, ATV exploring, white water rafting and volcano hiking in Boquete, and the nearby town of Volcan is also full of agencies offering regional adventure travel pursuits. Treks in the dangerous Darien Gap region are reserved for the most adventurous souls. Birdwatching in Panama is excellent, and you can always arrange a fun birding tour.
Tempt Lady Luck at a Panama Casino
Panama might not be the next Las Vegas, but you can enjoy some time at a casino here if you enjoy a bit of gambling now and again and are looking for fun things to do in Panama. You will find a handful of casinos at some of the Panama City hotels, such as the Sheraton and the Marriot Continental. The Panama Canal Melia Hotel in Colon has a casino, and in the Chiriqui Province capital of David, you can enjoy some gaming at the Gran Nacional Hotel.
Do Some Island Hopping
Panama has hundreds of small islands and islets that are each little slices of tropical paradise. The San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro Islands are where scores of Panama tourists head. You’ll find some of the best beaches in Panama on these islands, and since so many of them are uninhabited, you can even arrange for a boat to drop you off on your own private one for a day of fun in the sun. Imagine having a tropical island all to yourself. Just remember to schedule a pick-up, unless you are keen on spending the night without lodging choices. Visitors to Panama City might head to nearby Taboga Island for a relaxing getaway, and the Pearl Islands also figure among the top tourist spots in Panama.
Go Scuba Diving
Snorkeling and scuba diving in Panama is about as good as it gets. On the Caribbean side of the country, the water is exceptionally clear and shallow. At destinations like the San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro, you can marvel at coral formations and reefs that are among the most pristine in the world. On the Pacific side, destinations like Contadora Island offer chances to dip below the surface. Here, the fish are large and the rock formations daunting. For a unique Panama scuba diving experience, you might take to one of the lakes found within the Panama Canal Zone. You can visit submerged relics that were used in the building of the canal. Of all the possible things to do in Panama, snorkeling and scuba diving are among the most rewarding.
