This post uncovers 13 of the most bucket list worthy things to do in Panama. We have lived in Panama since 2015 and know that Panama should be at the top of your travel bucket list if you’ve ever dreamt of exploring a tropical paradise filled with rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.

From staying in an overwater bungalow in the azure waters of the Caribbean, skydiving over the Pacific Ocean, or swimming with whale sharks inside a UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site, Panama offers a diverse array of experiences that will leave any traveler in awe.

There’s also an abundance of luxury resorts, hotels, and even overwater bungalows you can chose to stay in!

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3 Bucket List Things to do in Panama City, Panama

Panama City, Panama, is a dynamic Latin American metropolis where modernity seamlessly blends with historical charm. 

Visitors can marvel at the iconic Panama Canal, a testament to human engineering, or wander through the historic Casco Viejo district with its colonial architecture and vibrant street art. 

Panama City also boasts a thriving culinary scene, bustling markets, and lively nightlife, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking a taste of both tradition and contemporary allure.

Here are 3 bucket list worthy things to do in Panama City, Panama:

Visit the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. It was completed in 1914 and helps to save about 9,000 miles of travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans – which drastically cuts the delivery time and cost of goods for consumers around the globe. Whether you know it or not, the Panama Canal has been improving your life in this way for a long time!

At around a $5 UBER, It’s easy to get to the Miraflores Locks to see the Canal from anywhere in Panama City. They have a small history museum, gift shop, and an IMAX theater with a very well-done 3D movie about the history of the Canal. There are many highly rated Panama Canal Tours on Viator to check out as well!

Here’s a good 10 day Itinerary for a vacation to Panama

Go Skydiving in Panama City

Skydiving over the Pacific Ocean with the Panama City skyline in the distance is one of the wildest things to do in Panama. 

Now I’m not 100% sure that 20 years from now you will regret not jumping out of a plane (in Panama of all places), but skydiving is definitely on many a bucket list. If you’re the adventurous type then for around $499 for a tandem dive you can make it happen!

Learn more about skydiving in Panama City from Two Oceans Skydive or Skydive Panama.

Additional Reading for Panama City: Is Panama Safe? and the 5 Best Things To Do and Places to Stay in Panama City

Learn Spanish and Salsa Dancing in Casco Viejo

Learning Spanish and salsa dancing in Casco Viejo is an immersive and vibrant experience that allows you to connect deeply with the local culture. Casco Viejo is one of Panama’s 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and provides the perfect backdrop for this adventure.

You can spend your days here with a few Spanish lessons at Casco Viejo Spanish School, wandering the streets while admiring the colonial architecture, and enjoying the many trendy cafes and restaurants.

When night falls, get ready for your Salsa lessons, and afterward, you can practice dancing salsa at one of the many rooftop bars and nightclubs.

5 Bucket List Worthy Things to do in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bocas del Toro is a tropical Caribbean archipelago known for its stunning islands, world-class beaches, diverse marine life, and lush rainforests. 

Travelers flock to this idyllic destination to hike the jungle in search of sloths, snorkel the vibrant coral reefs, and relax on pristine golden-sand beaches. 

With its laid-back atmosphere, water sports like diving and surfing, and unique blend of cultures, Bocas del Toro offers a perfect escape for those seeking a tranquil yet adventurous island getaway in Panama.

Here are 5 bucket list worthy things to do in Bocas del Toro:

Stay in an Overwater Bungalow

The archipelago of Bocas del Toro on Panama’s northwest Caribbean coast is quietly becoming the Maldives of the Caribbean for affordable overwater bungalows. The islands are home to bungalows ranging from under $100 a night up to $2,000, but most are around the $300 range.

The two best overwater bungalows in Panama are Sol Bungalows and Nayara Bocas del Toro. These overwater bungalow hotels have different experiences, with Sol Bungalows offering an affordable and authentic experience while Nayara Bocas del Toro offers world-class, all-inclusive luxury.

With over 7 top choices for where to stay in an overwater bungalow in Bocas del Toro, you’re sure to find something that fits your budget and needs!

Learn to Surf

Surfing is one of the most exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding sports on this earth! And in Panama, you can go surfing on both the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts. 

Bocas del Toro is Panama’s premiere surfing destination and one of the best in the Caribbean. If you’re into 80-degree, clear turquoise water, palm-tree-lined coasts, and golden sand beaches (who isn’t?), then going surfing in Bocas del Toro will be an absolute dream. 

Surf schools abound, with cheap prices around $50 for a group lesson, and board rentals between $15-$25 per day.

Check out our Bocas del Toro Surfing Guide

See Sloths, Monkeys, Poison Dart Frogs, and Sea Turtles

Bocas del Toro is home to sloths, monkeys, and poison dart frogs, and many beaches throughout the islands are turtle-nesting beaches.

Taking a short hike through the jungle will reveal an abundance of poison dart frogs, and sloths are often seen just hanging out near popular areas for tourism. Local monkey species include the Capuchin, Howler, and the smaller (and cuter) night monkey.

Sea turtles can be found nesting and hatching throughout the year, and the local Sea Turtle Conservancy can help set up tours for you.

Visit an Indigenous Village and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Central America 

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This all-day adventure takes you from the islands of Bocas del Toro to the mainland cloud forest. You’ll hike up to an indigenous Ngäbe village called Alto Chorro de la Gloria and from there continue onto one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Central America: The Klosay Waterfall at Alto Chorro. 

Visit Escudo de Veraguas, the famed island from David Attenborough’s Planet Earth II

Escudo de Veraguas is easily one of the top 10 most beautiful islands in the world and is completely undeveloped aside from a small settlement of indigenous fishermen. The island, which sits a 3-4 hour motor boat ride from Bocas Town, wasn’t known to the world until it was uncovered by David Attenborough in the opening scene of his Planet Earth 2 Documentary Series:

We recommend going on a Catamaran or Sailboat tour of the area where you can stay for a few days and be free to explore by dinghy while sleeping in a comfortable bed. Day tours can also be arranged either through Bocas Town or the area of Chiriqui Grande.

Check out Surf N Sail for private charters to Escudo de Veraguas!

3 Bucket List Things to do On Panama’s Pacific Coast

Panama’s Pacific coastline is 1,000 miles of stunning tropical landscapes with several archipelagos, beaches of every color sand from volcanic black to pearl white, and numerous world-class surfing, scuba diving, and fishing spots.

Travelers to this side of Panama will not want to miss the migration of humpback whales, snorkeling with whale sharks, and dancing all night under the light of the full moon. Here are 3 things to do on Panama’s Pacific coast that are worthy of your bucket list!

Swim with Whale Sharks at Coiba National Park from Santa Catalina

Coiba National Park is a UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site that was once a penal colony and is now one of the world’s best places to see whale sharks.

These gentle giants, the world’s largest fish, can often be seen gliding gracefully through the clear depths, creating a surreal underwater spectacle. Snorkeling and diving tours can be arranged through the mainland beach town of Santa Catalina, which sits about a 1-hour boat ride from the island. 

Go Whale Watching in Panama In the Gulf of Chiriqui

The Pacific coast of Panama, especially around the Azuero Peninsula, Isla Coiba, and the Pearl Islands, provides prime opportunities to witness the annual migration of humpback whales.

These majestic creatures can be seen from July to October as they migrate from colder waters to warmer tropical waters for mating and calving. Boat tours are available to observe these impressive mammals breaching and tail slapping against the backdrop of Panama’s picturesque coastal landscapes. The best month for whale watching in Panama is September, when visitors will have the highest success rate in seeing whales.

Dance all night at a full moon party in Playa Venao

Playa Venao on Panama’s Pacific coast is known for two things: electronic music and surfing. If you’ve ever wanted to dance the night away on the beach with neon lights and the full moon alighting the ocean, this is the place in Panama to do it. There’s a party going on somewhere every night here, but keep your eyes open for extra special events surrounding the full moon.

1 Bucket List Thing to do in San Blas Islands, Panama

Panama’s San Blas Islands are a stunning archipelago of approximately 365 islands and cays located about a 2.5-hour drive northeast of Panama City. This area is called the Maldives of the Caribbean because the majority of the islands here are small mounds of powder-white sand, palm trees, and nothing else.

The San Blas Islands are located within the Guna Yala Comarca, an indigenous territory that enjoys autonomy from the Panamanian government. No foreigners can own land within any of Panama’s 5 comarcas, so almost all accommodations and things to do in San Blas are run and managed by the local indigenous Guna People.

Here’s 1 bucket list thing to do in San Blas Islands, Panama:

Be the only person on an island in San Blas

You can truly live out your uninhabited island dreams in Panama’s San Blas Islands and even sleep all alone, Survivor style, on your own uninhabited island. We recommend checking out the islands by Catamaran, but you can also hop on a group tour from Panama City for 1 or 2 nights as well.

The benefit of chartering a Catamaran here is that you’ll have a nice place to sleep, be mobile to see more of the archipelago, and be able to explore the less traveled areas. However, if you don’t mind roughing it a bit (the islands are completely off-grid with limited fresh water and electricty) then you can also sleep in a locally made overwater bungalow!

2 Bucket List Things to do in Boquete, Panama

Boquete is Panama’s best mountain town, where the climate, flora, and fauna are so different from the rest of Panama that you will feel like you’ve entered a new country. The area is most popular for its award-winning coffee, amazing hiking and waterfalls, and cooler climate. Boquete is only a 30-minute drive from David, Panama’s second-largest city, so getting here is easy at just a 50-minute flight from Panama City.

Here’s 2 bucket list things to do in Boquete, Panama:

Watch the Sunrise from a Volcano at Volcan Baru

Volcán Barú is the highest point in Panama, reaching an elevation of approximately 3,474 meters (11,398 feet). You’ll start this hike early in the morning (it will still be dark) so you can reach the summit by sunrise where, with some luck and clear weather, you’ll be blessed with an incredible sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. On clear weather days, you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from the peak of Volcan Baru, the only place in the world where this is possible!

For those who aren’t into hiking up a mountain in the dark, you can also organize a Jeep or 4×4 tour!

Taste one of the world’s best (and most expensive) Coffees: Panama Geisha Coffee

Boquete is home to Panama Geisha coffee, the coffee that once sold for $1,029 per pound, and is known as one of the best coffees in the world. Panama Geisha coffee is renowned for its exquisite flavor profile, characterized by vibrant floral and fruity notes such as jasmine, bergamot, and tropical fruits, and is also referred to as the “Champagne” of coffee.

Take a tour of a coffee farm in Boquete and afterward, enjoy a tasting of the many incredible coffees that are grown in this region, including Panama Geisha. The coffee trade is booming in Boquete as well as tourism, so coffee farm tours (and coffee farms in general) abound. Several tours can be found on Viator, or this company specifically states tasting the Geisha Coffee as part of their tour.

Is Panama on your Travel Bucket List?

As you can see, Panama offers some incredible things to do. Our favorites are swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and surfing. We definitely want to hike Volcán Barú one day and sail around the San Blas Islands. Visiting Escudo de Veraguas is also a dream of ours! What things to do on this list will be on your bucket-list now? Let us know in the comments!

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