Few destinations can boast a variety of outstanding geographical diversity as Panama.
Driving here is less about cruising through wide-open spaces and more about taking winding roads to hidden, jungle-shrouded enclaves. On an isthmus otherwise poorly served by public transport, having your own car means easier access to a slew of memorable sites.
With your own wheels, it’s possible to have breakfast by the Pacific Ocean and lunch by the Caribbean Sea. Alternatively, you can spend your morning lolling on sugar-white beaches and your afternoon scaling rugged mountain peaks.
Moreover, you can experience the urban bustle of the capital and the teeming wilds of the rainforest all on the same day. The opportunities for adventure are endless.
Top Six Road Trips in Panama
1. Go west along the Pan-American Highway
Best Road Trip to See Panama’s Interior
Panama City to David; 448 km (278 miles)
The Pan-American Highway, running east-west through Panama’s Pacific lowlands, is the nation’s principal transport artery — a 500-km-long (310 miles) much-used paved road connecting the capital with el interior and eventually, the international border with Costa Rica.
Most travelers tackle the route with a non-stop bus from Panama City to David (7-9 hours), but doing this means missing out on Panama’s central provinces. Therefore, consider taking two weeks instead.
West of the capital, the highway skirts several low-key beach towns with scorching salt-and-pepper sands. You’ll start with Punta Chame, a windswept headland renowned for superb kitesurfing from December to May.
Continuing west, you’ll pass the high-rise condos and manicured golf courses of Playa Coronado before reaching the surf towns of El Palmar and Rio Mar, alongside the fishing village of Santa Clara and the hamlet of Farallón.
From here, it’s worth taking a one to three-day detour north to El Valle, a refreshing highland spa nestled among brooding peaks.
In Santiago, the capital of Veraguas, you can veer north into the mountains and explore the breathtaking walking paths around Santa Fe.
Alternatively, you can take an older, poorly maintained highway southwest, leading to Santa Catalina, a legendary surf town with Hawaiian-style waves. A short boat ride from there takes you to Coiba Island and its world-class marine park.
West of Soná, the old highway rejoins the Pan-American Highway at the checkpoint of Guabalá in the Chiriquí Province, with darker and greener scenery as it winds through the rugged foothills of Cordillera Central.
To the north, the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé offers hikes and cultural exchanges from the community of Soloy. To the south, Boca Chica provides access to tranquil Pacific islands, rich in marine life, including humpback whales (Sep-Nov). Ending your journey in David, Panama’s second city, sets the stage for your next big adventure.
2. The Azuero Loop
Best Road Trip for Culture Lovers
Divisa-Chitré-Pedasí-Tonosí-Chitré; 309 km (192 miles)
Full of music and pageantry, the Azuero Peninsula is known as the nation’s cradle of folklore. Sombrero pintados (painted hats), flower-festooned ox carts, fierce masks, and intricately embroidered pollera dresses symbolize the unique local culture known as típico.
Exploring Azuero’s mosaic of timeless villages is easy due to its dense road network and relatively flat terrain. Most will complete this road trip in two days to a week. The rugged west coast of Veraguas can only be accessed from a turnoff just east of Santiago.
Starting from Divisa on the Pan-American Highway, Highway 2 connects to the village of Parita, home to the beautiful church Santo Domingo de Guzmán, known for lavish altars and a stunning bell tower. Additionally, Parita features the master mask maker Dario López and his extraordinary creations.
Forty minutes south, the town of Guararé hosts the memorable Feria de La Mejorana every September, featuring dancing and traditional costumes.
In southeastern Azuero, the tranquil town of Pedasí showcases several beaches, including Playa Venao—a world-class surfing hotspot with consistent waves.
Highway 2 then leads you through Tonosí to the black sand beach of Guánico, offering a scenic loop back to Chitré.
3. Mountains and Islands
Best Scenic Road Trip
David-Almirante; 164 km (102 miles)
Bocas del Toro’s Caribbean coast hosts sultry rainforests and verdant offshore isles, making it a must-visit destination. This 4-6 hour drive from the Pacific starts around nine miles (14 km) east of David in the Chiriquí Province.
Highway 21 climbs north from the Pan-American Highway, joining Highway 10 in Gualaca. As you proceed through bucolic farmlands, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean below.
Approaching the continental divide, the air becomes cooler, with barren rocks and fog creating an ethereal atmosphere. Notably, you’ll cross the dam and reservoir at the Fortuna Hydroelectric Plant, a favorite stop for photos.
Upon reaching the Banana Coast, you can pause for refreshments at Chiriquí Grande, the launchpad for the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. Though you can take your car on the ferry, leaving it in a guarded lot near the port is advisable due to the limited roads on the islands.
4. The Former Panama Canal Zone
Best Road Trip for Seeing the Canal
Balboa-Miraflores Locks-Centenario Bridge-Gatún; 83 km (52 miles)
Established by the United States in 1903, the Panama Canal Zone was an 8-km-wide (5-mile) strip between the oceans. This de facto state until its dissolution in 1979 can be explored on a long day trip from the capital.
Beginning in Panama City, Balboa retains its working port and much early 20th-century architecture. Heading north, Avenida Omar Torrijos Herrera runs along the canal’s eastern flank, passing prominent sights like the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks, where an excellent visitors center and viewing platform await.
As you pass through Paraiso, cross the Centenario Bridge and admire the Culebra Cut—an impressive channel carved through the continental divide.
The Madden Highway branches east through the jungle, eventually connecting with the northbound Transistmica Highway. Colon, the Caribbean terminus of the canal, should be avoided, but when reaching its outskirts, turn southwest toward the vast locks at Gatún, nearby the recently constructed Agua Clara locks accommodating Neo-Panamax vessels.
5. A Ride Through Panama’s Rivers and Rainforests
Best Road Trip for Wildlife-spotting
Panama City-Gamboa; 32 km (20 miles)
The protected rainforests near Panama City drain the vast quantities of water necessary for the functioning of the Panama Canal and form a biological corridor across both the Pacific and Caribbean zones.
A mile north from the former canal zone, a side-road leads to the Canopy Tower, a birders’ lodge in an old U.S. Air Force radar tower. Next door, the Plantation Trail, a 13-km round-trip route, features remnants of coffee and rubber tree stands.
The Plantation Trail eventually connects to the Camino de Cruces Trail, a 16th-century transisthmian supply route. Continuing north, you’ll cross the Chagres River at Gamboa’s old dredging port.
From Gamboa, take a boat to Barro Colorado, managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (advance bookings only). Alternatively, you can travel a short distance to the Pipeline Trail, a renowned birding trail celebrated for its diverse avian species.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Best Road Trip for History Buffs
Colón-San Lorenzo-Portobelo-Nombre de Dios; 123 km (76 miles); 1-3 days
Panama’s Central Caribbean Coast features exceptional ruins recounting tales of pirates and privateers. This trip can be completed in a day but is best enjoyed over three days to appreciate its historical significance.
West of Colón, a road heads north through Fort Sherman, connecting with the fortress of San Lorenzo. The commanding clifftop setting endured attacks by legendary figures such as Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan.
The remote Afro-Panamanian fishing communities along the Costa Abajo require a detour around Lake Gatún before heading south back to the coast. Offshore, Isla Grande is a weekend haven for Panama City dwellers but remains undisturbed during the week.
Continuing east on the Costa Arriba highway leads to the historic site of Nombre de Dios, founded in 1509, marking the terminus of the Camino Real, the first mule trail set by Spanish colonizers.
We recommend turning back unless you have a sturdy 4WD for the unpaved route, which can be washed out during the wet season.
Tips for Driving in Panama
There are many essential insights for navigating Panama. Driving in Panama City should be avoided whenever possible; metro trains and buses are more effective. Outside the capital, drivers tend to be courteous. Here are additional tips for a successful road trip:
- You will need a 4WD vehicle to get around.
- Overtaking on highways is common practice.
- Major roads are in reasonable repair, though minor roads may be potholed and sometimes unpaved.
- Be cautious of flash floods and landslides, especially in the wet season.
- Expect police stops and immigration checks along the Pan-American Highway.
- Protests may occasionally obstruct highway traffic for extended periods.
