The destinations
- Panama City is the capital and main gateway, with the colonial quarter of Casco Viejo, the Panama Canal and rainforest on the city's doorstep.
- Bocas del Toro is a Caribbean archipelago of stilt houses, reefs, starfish beaches and a lively backpacker town.
- Boquete sits high in the Chiriquí mountains, famous for Geisha coffee, cloud forest hikes and Volcán Barú.
- Guna Yala, also called San Blas, is a chain of tiny palm islands governed by the Guna people, with simple island stays and clear water.
- The Azuero Peninsula is the folkloric heart of the country, with Carnival, colonial towns, turtle beaches and surf around Pedasí.
How to combine them
The classic first trip starts with three or four nights in Panama City, including a day at the Canal and a morning in Soberanía National Park. From there, two easy add-ons work well: a short trip to Guna Yala for one to three nights on an island, or a flight or long bus ride west to Boquete, followed by Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean side. Boquete and Bocas are linked by road and boat in about half a day, so they pair naturally.
With more time, or on a second visit, head to the Azuero Peninsula for quiet beaches, Isla Iguana and some of the country's best festivals, or continue along the Pacific to Santa Catalina for diving trips to Coiba National Park.
Choosing by interest
- **History and city life:** Panama City, with Casco Viejo, Panamá Viejo and the Canal, plus a day trip to the Spanish forts of Portobelo.
- **Beaches and islands:** Bocas del Toro for variety and nightlife, Guna Yala for pure simplicity, Azuero for empty Pacific sand.
- **Mountains and nature:** Boquete for coffee, hot springs and cloud forest, and El Valle de Antón for an easy weekend from the capital.
- **Culture and festivals:** Azuero for Carnival and folk dress, Guna Yala for Indigenous life and molas, and Colón province for Afro Panamanian Congo traditions.
Getting between them
Panama City connects to Boquete via David by domestic flight or long-distance bus, and to Bocas del Toro by short flights from Albrook airport. Guna Yala is reached by shared four-wheel drive and boat through the Guna checkpoint. Azuero is a few hours by bus or road west of the capital. If you are not sure how to fit them together, the free trip planner can help, and our places to visit list has picks in each area.