Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit

Kate and I are about to leave Panama, but before we do, we wanted to compile a list of our Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit. This guide is based on our personal experience and great tips we’ve picked up from other travelers along the way. Hopefully you enjoy our guide! Panama was picked as the number one place to travel to in 2012 by the New York Times. Although it’s a small country (about the size of the state of South Carolina), it has a great variety of amazing attractions such as:

• Tropical rain forests
• Mountains
• Beaches on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts
• Over 1500 islands
• And oh yes, the 8th wonder of the world, the Panama Canal

It’s difficult to think of any other destination in the world that offers such a variety of attractions so close by and so easy to get to for US citizens.

Kate and Brian in Panama!

This list of Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit encompasses a bit of everything Panama has to offer:

Panama City, Panama:

If you only have a few weeks to travel, fly into Panama City. Panama City is the biggest city in Central America. It’s both a thriving center for business and an entrance to the beautiful countryside of Panama. “PC” has a beautiful skyline reminiscent of many large international cities. There are many areas around the city for dining and dancing. Most backpackers stay in Casco Viejo, the historic district that resembles a combination of New Orleans and Sevilla, Spain. Panama City is most known for its access to the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. During your stay in Panama City, we recommend having lunch at the local fish market, where delicious ceviche, among other things, is served by the cup for only $1.25.

Santa Fe, Panama:

This hidden gem is a tropical mountain town that you cannot miss. Santa Fe enjoys one of the most extreme micro-climates in the world, with daily temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the traveling secrets of Panama, this small town is known for its mountain vistas, waterfalls,  beautiful rivers, and cloud forests. Walking in Santa Fe you will be stunned by the streets lined with orchids and fruits trees.

Bocas Del Toro, Panama:

This surfers’ paradise of clapboard houses was built by the United Fruit Company in the early 20th century. Bocas is a relaxed community of Panamanians and expats. The friendly atmosphere is very welcoming to backpackers and tourists. Travelers to this island town have a reputation for canceling future plans. Make sure to spend multiple days on the island of Bastamientos, a picturesque beach where you can enjoy waves and great snorkeling.

Boquete, Panama:

The gorgeous mountain town of Boquete is another hidden gem of Panama. This charming village is 75 to 80 degrees with a welcome breeze year round. The weather is so nice, natives have dubbed the town “The Land of Eternal Spring”. Boquete is known for its coffee and flowers — you can visit many different coffee plantation tours in the nearby hills. Tip: Take a short trek to the “Lost Waterfalls” to see three gorgeous waterfalls. For adventurous travelers, try the 26km round-trip hike to Panama’s tallest peak, Volcan Barú. Check our full post on Backpacking Boquete, Panama here.

Santa Catalina, Panama:

Santa Catalina is a fishing village that existed in quiet seclusion until discovered by adventurous surfers in the 1970’s. Today, Santa Catalina offers a smattering of surf camps, low cost hostels and hotels, and great vibes. Santa Catalina is still secluded, as the closest town with an ATM, grocery store, and other basic services is Soná, which lies about an hour away. This tropical paradise offers some of the best surf in Panama. If you want to relax and view the beautiful underwater wildlife in the Pacific, head to Isla Coiba, a Panamanian National Park located just off of Santa Catalina.

Recap:

After Kate and I visited all of these places, Santa Fe was our favorite for of how low key it is. Santa Fe seems to be what Boquete was 20 years ago — there is not much development here due to the protection of the cloud forest. Santa Fe is a great place to kick back, hike, visit multiple beautiful waterfalls, and more. I look forward to expanding more about this town in a future post.

We hope you enjoyed our Top 5 Panama Destinations for Backpackers to Visit list! Which of these destinations have you traveled to? Are you planning a backpacking trip to Panama? Leave a question or comment below and we’ll be happy to help 🙂