Explore the vibrant offerings of Panama City, where urban excitement meets natural beauty less than an hour away.

Day Trips from Panama City

Panama City stands as a dynamic urban center in Central America, showcasing a rich blend of historical and modern attractions. Its meticulously revitalized historic district, Casco Antiguo, encourages leisurely exploration, while the skyline adorned with skyscrapers provides a glimpse of the city’s growth. Moreover, the bustling banking sector boasts a diverse array of restaurants, upscale shopping venues, and vibrant nightlife. However, with lush landscapes and sunny beaches merely minutes away, why restrict your travels solely to the metropolis?

The isthmus is compact enough to allow for experiences in rainforests, coastal areas, and mountainous regions within a single day. The national parks surrounding the Panama Canal are teeming with biodiversity—a stark contrast to the urban sprawl of the capital.

Invigorating beaches line the coastline to the west of the city, providing a welcome escape from its relentless heat. If seeking further adventure, the Caribbean Coast, abundant in tropical flora and historical intrigue, is conveniently accessible within one hour.

Herein, we present a guide to the most exceptional day trips originating from Panama City.

Encounter neotropical fauna at Soberanía National Park

A vast expanse of lush rainforest envelops the Panama Canal Watershed, providing essential water requirements for the functioning of the canal. Soberanía National Park is among various national parks conveniently situated near the capital. Specifically, Soberanía lies approximately 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Panama City.

This park serves as a core component of a biological corridor stretching the isthmus from Panama City to Colón on the Caribbean seaboard. Comprising 223 square kilometers (86 square miles) of tropical ecotopia, Soberanía boasts a myriad of wildlife. The renowned Pipeline Trail, spanning 17 kilometers (11 miles), is celebrated among ornithologists, with 385 avian species recorded in a single day back in 1985.

Merely 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from the Pipeline Trailhead, visitors can find the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, an educational facility featuring vibrant hummingbird feeders and a 32-meter (105-foot) observation tower that offers breathtaking views of the jungle canopy.

Directions: Public transportation to Soberanía National Park is irregular and can lack reliability. The most practical approach is to drive, join a tour group, or take a taxi. The journey to the park takes less than 40 minutes. Access the Pipeline Trail through the port of Gamboa along the Chagres River. To reach this point, follow Avenida Omar Torrijos parallel to the canal until its end.

Enjoy refreshing Pacific breezes on Taboga Island

Adorned with vibrant pink and purple bougainvillea, Taboga—known as “the Island of Flowers”—was a beloved retreat for French artist Paul Gauguin, who almost made it his home in 1887. The optimal means of access is via ferry.

This island exudes a warm, enchanting Mediterranean vibe, characterized by winding streets and whitewashed homes throughout the quaint village.

The Iglesia de San Pedro, located in the main plaza, is recognized as the second-oldest church in the Western Hemisphere. Taboga features pleasant although unremarkable beaches, such as Playa Restinga, situated approximately 150 meters (492 feet) north of the primary pier.

During low tide, a small sandy spit connects this beach to Isla El Morro, where opportunities for snorkeling abound, as well as in nearby caves. Local fishermen offer excursions for $20 to $30.

Approximately one-third of the island serves as a sanctuary for brown pelicans, with thousands nesting in the hills from January to June. For those inclined towards hiking, trails lead to the summits of Cerro Vigia and Cerro de la Cruz.

Directions: Isla Taboga is positioned 20 kilometers (12 miles) offshore, with ferries departing multiple times daily from the Amador Causeway in Panama City.

Learn Afro-Panamanian history in Portobelo

Located nearly two hours from Panama City, Costa Arriba presents a lush expanse of Caribbean coastline rich in African heritage and traditions.

The village of Portobelo serves as its cultural and geographical nucleus. Typically tranquil, this small fishing community becomes vibrant during the Festival of the Black Christ (Festival del Cristo Negro), held on October 21 and attracting around 50,000 pilgrims from across the nation. This festival celebrates a 1.5-meter (5-foot) Black Christ statue located in the Iglesia de San Felipe.

Additionally, Portobelo hosts the biannual Festival Diablos y Congos, a lively and colorful event occurring in late February or early March that satirizes slavery while honoring the liberation of enslaved individuals—a cherished tradition with centuries of history.

Directions: Buses to Colón depart every 15 to 30 minutes from Panama City, completing the journey in approximately one hour. However, due to high crime rates, Colón is generally considered unsafe for tourists. Therefore, visitors can bypass the city entirely: eastbound buses link directly to Portobelo via Sabanitas. Inform the driver to disembark at the appropriate turnoff. The complete trip from Panama City to Portobelo typically takes between 2 to 3 hours via bus.

Peek into the past with a visit to Fuerte San Lorenzo

Situated approximately an hour and a half north of Panama City is Fuerte San Lorenzo, regarded as one of the oldest and most well-preserved Spanish fortifications in the Americas.

Located on a prominent cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, San Lorenzo was constructed to safeguard the Camino de Cruces—a transisthmian trade route connecting the Caribbean shipping routes with Panama City via the Chagres River.

After a thorough exploration of the fort, one can continue approximately 40 minutes to the Gatún and Agua Clara locks within the Panama Canal. The viewing platform at the Agua Clara Visitors Center offers the chance to observe large vessels navigating the locks.

Directions: Driving is the sole method to reach San Lorenzo and the Gatún and Agua Clara Canal locks. Utilize Route 9 to access San Lorenzo and Puente Atlántico for the Agua Clara Visitor Center. Note that public transport does not serve San Lorenzo or the locks.

Enjoy the wildlife at Monumento Isla Barro Colorado

Encased in jungle, Gatún Lake constitutes a 442-square-kilometer (171-square-mile) freshwater reservoir, integral to the Panama Canal. To create this lake, engineers built massive dams to redirect the Chagres River, effectively altering the biogeography of central Panama.

This transformation resulted in flooded forests, forcing wildlife to seek refuge. Some took higher ground, while others perished or became trapped on a newly formed archipelago.

Barro Colorado, the largest and most frequented island, hosts a premier biological research facility—the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)—operating since 1946.

The tropical forests on this island have undergone extensive study, attracting researchers and students dedicated to investigating local biodiversity. Day visits to Barro Colorado typically include an engaging hike with a multilingual naturalist who provides insights into the forest’s ecology and the history of the research station.

Directions: Access to Barro Colorado is strictly regulated. To ensure your visit, it is advisable to arrange your trip several weeks in advance via the STRI website. Early morning boats to Barro Colorado depart from the Gamboa docks (approximately a 40-minute drive from Panama City) and return in the afternoon. The boat will not wait for tardy guests, and it is essential to arrive at the docks with a reservation. The entire excursion typically spans from seven to nine hours.

Frolick on the beaches of the Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast is the preferred weekend escape for residents of Panama City. Westward from the capital lies a series of relaxed beach communities overlooking the ocean, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Traveling west along the Pan-American Highway, your initial destination should be Punta Chame (distinguishable from the town of Chame)—a windswept peninsula characterized by a secluded beach and a burgeoning kite-surfing scene. From December to May, wind speeds average between 15 to 25 knots, providing excellent conditions for the sport.

Approximately 45 minutes from Punta Chame lies Playa Coronado, a favored locale among expatriates from Canada and the United States, boasting a golf course, a resort, and a shopping mall.

A brief 20-minute drive along the Pan-American leads you to the surfing destinations of El Palmar and Río Mar.

Directions: The journey from Panama City to Punta Chame takes approximately two hours along the Pan-American Highway, passing through the towns of Arraiján and La Chorrera before arriving at the Pacific Coast. The turnoff for Punta Chame is located just before Bejuco. For those opting for public transport, westbound buses depart every few minutes from the Albrook bus station—simply alert the driver when reaching your stop along the Pan-American. Please note that access to some beaches may necessitate a taxi due to extended access roads from the highway.