Day Trips from Panama City: Discover Panama’s Natural Beauty and Culture
Panama City is a fast-paced urban dynamo that’s quickly becoming a Central American powerhouse, offering a perfect blend of modern attractions and natural beauty. The city’s spruced-up historic quarter of Casco Antiguo invites endless strolling while soaring skyscrapers overlook the Pacific. However, with pristine nature and sunny beaches on your doorstep, why confine yourself to a busy city?
Moreover, the isthmus is compact enough that you can sample rainforests, oceans, and mountains in a single day. The national parks in the Panama Canal watershed are alive with biodiversity—a marked contrast to the concrete jungles of the capital.
Breezy beaches pepper the coastline west of the city, providing a much-needed respite from its relentless heat and grind. The Caribbean Coast, rich in tropical vegetation and buccaneering history, is merely an hour away. Below is a guide to the best day trips from Panama City, showcasing the rich diversity of activities available.
Encounter Neotropical Fauna at Soberanía National Park
Soberanía National Park, located about 27 km (17 miles) from Panama City, is a dense tract of luxuriant rainforest that plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Panama Canal. The park is part of a biological corridor spanning the isthmus and brims with nature. Notably, the park’s 17 km-long Pipeline Trail is legendary among birdwatchers; an impressive 385 avian species were spotted here in a single day back in 1985.
Around 1.6 km (1 mile) from the trailhead lies an ecological education facility with hummingbird feeders and a stunning 32 m-high observation tower, providing superb views over the jungle canopy.
Traveling to Soberanía: Public transport to Soberanía National Park is infrequent and often unreliable. Therefore, it’s best to visit by car, with a tour group, or via taxi. The park is less than a 40-minute drive away, accessible from the port of Gamboa.
Enjoy Refreshing Pacific Breezes on Taboga Island
Taboga, known as “the Island of Flowers,” boasts a hot and soporific Mediterranean atmosphere with its rambling streets and charming white-washed houses. The best way to reach this lovely island is via ferry.
While on Taboga, visit the Iglesia de San Pedro, which is the second-oldest church in the western hemisphere. The island also features pleasant beaches, such as Playa Restinga. When the tide is low, a small spit of sand connects to the Isla of El Morro, perfect for snorkeling.
For those who enjoy hiking, trails lead to the summits of Cerro Vigia and Cerro de la Cruz, where you can soak in stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Getting to Taboga: Ferries to Isla Taboga depart several times a day from Panama City’s Amador Causeway, located just 20 km (12 miles) offshore.
Learn Afro-Panamanian History in Portobelo
Located nearly two hours from Panama City, Portobelo is a vibrant village rich in African history and culture. This tiny fishing town comes alive during the Festival of the Black Christ, which attracts around 50,000 pilgrims each October to honor a 1.5 m-high Black Christ statue.
Portobelo also hosts the biannual Festival Diablos y Congos, a lively celebration mocking slavery while honoring emancipation, reflecting a tradition that dates back centuries.
Traveling to Portobelo: Buses depart every 15 to 30 minutes from Panama City, making the journey manageable. It’s essential to be cautious in Colón and consider options that allow you to avoid the city entirely.
Peek into the Past with a Visit to Fuerte San Lorenzo
Fuerte San Lorenzo, one of the best-preserved Spanish fortifications in the Americas, is located about an hour and a half drive north of Panama City. This historical site, perched on a clifftop promontory overlooking the Caribbean Sea, offers an opportunity to learn about the region’s colonial history.
After exploring the fort, take a short drive to the Gatún and Agua Clara locks on the Panama Canal, where you can watch massive ships traverse the locks.
Getting to Fuerte San Lorenzo: Driving is the primary means of accessing this site, as there’s no public transport available. Guests should take Route 9 to reach both the fort and the nearby locks.
Enjoy the Wildlife at Monumento Isla Barro Colorado
Shrouded in lush jungle, Gatún Lake is integral to the Panama Canal, enveloping the ecologically rich Barro Colorado Island, home to the renowned Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute since 1946. This unique habitat offers visitors an exceptional insight into local biodiversity through guided hikes that delve into the area’s ecology.
Visiting Barro Colorado: Visits to the island are strictly controlled and should be booked well in advance. Early morning boats to the island leave from Gamboa and take around 40 minutes.
Frolick on the Beaches of the Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast is a sought-after getaway for nearly all Panama City residents, with numerous laid-back beach communities ideal for relaxation. Traveling west on the Pan-American Highway, Punta Chame welcomes kite surfers and beach enthusiasts alike.
About 45 minutes from Punta Chame is Playa Coronado, a popular destination featuring a golf course, resort, and shopping areas. Just a 20-minute drive along the highway leads to the surf spots of El Palmar and Río Mar.
Getting to the Pacific Coast: Expect about a two-hour drive from Panama City to Punta Chame via the Pan-American Highway. Alternatively, westbound buses depart frequently from Albrook bus station, providing convenient travel options.
