I dodged designer dogs — like shih tzus and Pomeranians — in Panama City’s Punta Pacifica neighborhood.
Dozens of skyscrapers surrounded me. Inside the complexes were ritzy condominiums home to Panama’s wealthy elite. The neighborhood epitomized a city — a dense population, traffic, and tall buildings.
I’d be carted off to a completely new destination in less than a day. Boquete — still in Panama — was drastically different than Panama City.
A small rainforest town, Boquete is a place where few traffic lights exist, and American boomers have flocked for retirement. Instead of skyscrapers, I found lush mountains in every direction.
Fast forward another 48 hours, and I was transported to the coast of Chiriqui. Here, nothing reached for the sky. Instead, a flat ocean and sandy beaches met the horizon.
It was my first time in Panama, and in a matter of eight days, I felt like I had explored three completely different countries.
Panama is home to rainforests, cities, beaches, and a rich food scene
Nature lovers, beachgoers, luxury lodgers, partiers, families, retirees, adventurers, relaxers, foodies, city explorers, and history buffs can all find something to love in Panama.
In the country’s capital, the Casco Viejo neighborhood resembles New Orleans’s French Quarter. Its cobblestone streets, flower-filled windows, and historic squares ooze history. When the sun sets, jazz and salsa waft from nearby rooftop bars.
A short drive from Casco Viejo, you’re in the modern neighborhood of Punta Pacifica, which has previously been called a “little Dubai” and the “Miami of Latin America.” Here, shopping malls and designer clothes are within arm’s reach.
Beyond the city’s rich history, there’s a rich food scene. Panama City is home to some of the world’s best restaurants, like Maito, which placed sixth across Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. Between shrimp wontons and kanpachi tartare, the three-course dinner at Maito was the best food I had during my week in Panama.
Outside the capital, Panama is home to diverse destinations offering a range of experiences.
I headed to the coast of Chiriqui, where I spent three nights at Isla Palenque, a five-star private island resort. The trip was the ideal balance of exploration and relaxation.
I spent one evening with the resort’s lead naturalist guide. Together, we hiked into the jungle, where we discovered Panama’s rich biodiversity, which includes jaguars, porcupines, hummingbirds, critters, and two thousand butterfly species. The next day on the island was spent snorkeling and relaxing on a private beach.
Beyond the country’s 1,800 miles of coastline, Panama is home to 13 million acres of rainforest.
In Boquete, a small town in the heart of the country, I explored the rainforest and coffee plantations that fill the region. Here, I took in the cool 70-degree jungle weather, a refreshing break from Panama City’s hot temperatures, and sipped on some of the world’s most expensive coffee.
Between one plane ride within the country and a few longer drives, I had covered a range of environments and experiences, and there were plenty of destinations I didn’t make it to.
Bocas del Toro, an hour’s flight from Panama City and close to Costa Rica’s border, is home to nine islands and offers another type of vacation. Accommodations range from party hostels to luxury overwater bungalows dotting the shores.
I also missed a trip to the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of 378 islands. They’re home to Panama’s Indigenous Kuna people, and locals told me I could expect pristine nature, white sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters.
My only criticism is that to explore all Panama has to offer, you’ll have to hop on a plane ride or two. Thankfully, the country’s flagship carrier, Copa Airlines, was cheap and painless.
While a week offered a range of experiences, I wondered what I could’ve covered if I had extended my stay by another week or two.
I left singing the praises of Panama
While I have found something to appreciate in every place I’ve visited, I didn’t expect to find so much to love about Panama.
Beyond the country’s diverse environments and rich food scene, the Panamains I spoke with were eager to share and showcase their love for their home.
I experienced just a bit of that and still dream about the destination months later.
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