solo travelling in panama

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Solo female travel in panama.

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Panama is a rather small country in Central America next to Costa Rica and Colombia . And as the name suggests, it is home to the impressive Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. For such a small country, Panama is incredibly diverse, from beaches to jungles to deserted islands.

Panama is definitely worth the visit, but if you are travelling by yourself, you might be wondering if it is a safe location. Here is my complete guide to solo female travel in Panama.

Find out if it is safe, which places you should not miss out on, or which safety precautions you need to take while travelling. Let’s go!

I had spent a little more than two weeks in Panama , but you could easily spend more time in Panama, as there is so much to see and do.

Is Solo Female Travel in Panama safe?

First, yes Panama is safe! Back in 2017 I travelled to Panama by myself and I had absolutely no issues. It was also the first country in Latin America I travelled to.

Of course there are some places to avoid but if you do your proper research and use common sense, you will be completely fine! In fact, Panama is really safe to visit, only Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay are considered “safer” in Latin America.

I can highly recommend solo female travel in Panama to everyone. It is a great country to get an introduction to Latin America as well.

You do not necessarily need to speak Spanish , but of course it will make your trip a lot more enjoyable if you are able to speak a bit of Spanish. Some people will be able to speak a bit of English, but like in most Latin American countries, that is definitely not guaranteed. Therefore, make sure to know at least some basic Spanish phrases.

There are a lot of helpful online resources that help you learn a new language such as Italki. With Italki you can get one-by-one lessons with native speakers and there are also so many other languages to choose from!

Basic Facts about Panama

The official currencies are the Panamanian Balboa (PAB) as well as the US dollar . One Balboa equals exactly one USD. Because the Balboa only has coins up to 2 Balboa and does not come in bills, mostly the US dollar is used. If you go to the ATM you can only get USD as well

Panama shares borders with Costa Rica in the North and Colombia in the South.

The official language spoken in Panama is Spanish.

The capital city of Panama is beautiful Panama City.

But first, here are some resources you might need for your trip to Panama: Skyscanner : Find the cheapest flight to and from Panama Hostelworld: All the very best hostel deals italki.com : Brush up on some Spanish and speak with some native speakers. Sign up now and get $10 of italki credit if you ever spend $20 on lessons.

Places to Visit in Panama

Below you can find some of the places that I visited. All of these are popular backpacking destinations and all beautiful places you should visit when travelling to Panama. One benefit of Panama being relatively small is that you never have to fly within the country and can easily visit all these places by public transport.

Panama City

You can not travel to Panama without visiting its capital city: Panama City. Unless you are coming from Costa Rica or with a boat from Colombia you will most likely be starting your trip in Panama City and there are some great activities you can do in Panama City . Spend your time visiting Casco Viejo, enjoying some traditional Panamanian dishes and of course pay a visit to the world-famous Panama Canal.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro is a province in Panama, close to the Costa Rican border. Other than the mainland, you can also find several islands. Popular activities in Bocas del Toro include going on a boat tour and watching some dolphins, snorkelling, going out or scuba diving.

If you are planning on scuba diving, you can bring your own Scuba gear and dive equipment , but you can also rent it at the diving schools.

There is also a famous island pub crawl every Friday that is called Filthy Friday. It is a lot of fun, and you will be taken to a couple of different bars.

Boquete is a small little town in the middle of Panama, mostly known for its beautiful nature that surrounds it. From Boquete you can visit coffee farms , go hiking or hike to the volcano Baru that is located close by. I have not done it myself but you can do a hike up which starts late at night, so you will get to see the sunrise when you reach the top.

I heard it’s pretty exhausting but also worth it. Other than that you can go water rafting or enjoy the beautiful nature and wildlife in and around Boquete.

San Blas Islands

The San Blas islands consist of over 350 islands, of which only 49 are inhabited. They are home to the Kuna people. The most popular way of visiting the San Blas islands are as an overnight trip from Panama City or as a sailing trip to/from Colombia. The San Blas islands are one of the most beautiful places in the world (at least according to me).

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is a small, remote town on the Pacific coast. Instead of big supermarkets you will find small convenient stores, just a handful of hostels and no Wi-Fi in a lot of places. It is a great place to sort of escape for a bit. Everybody is super friendly in Santa Catalina , and it is an amazing place for surfers of all kinds of levels.

You can rent surf boards on the beach or at your accommodation and head to one of many surfing spots along the coasts. Also, you can take day trips to Coiba Island, which is close by. There you can enjoy the national park or go scuba diving and/or snorkelling.

Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Panama

To be fair, when I first arrived in Panama City, I didn’t really take too many safety precautions. I walked around with all my valuables or didn’t inform myself about which areas were safe to visit. Nothing bad happened, and I also never really heard any bad stories about Panama.

But I guess you can never be too careful! I have never felt unsafe in Panama (I have felt unsafe in Costa Rica before). Here are some safety precautions you should follow just to be safe. Most of these safety precautions can be applied to a lot of different countries.

Leave your valuables in the Hostel : Don’t carry all your valuables around with you, but rather leave them in the hostel if you can. You don’t need to leave your phone, but just remember to keep it close. Only take your credit card with you if you need to get cash out. And only take money with you that you need for the day.

Take Ubers rather than taxis: In Panama, I had learned from my hostel that Uber are safer than taxis. Mostly because the routes can be tracked and drivers have gone through background checks. By taking Uber, you don’t take the risks of using unregistered taxis. Other than in for example Colombia, Uber is legal in Panama.

Be aware of your surroundings: Just listen to your gut feeling. If there are places you do not feel comfortable about visiting, then don’t do it. Be especially careful in places with lots of people such as bus stations.

Get a Panamanian Sim Card: Or just have access to the internet. That is necessary, so you will be able to call an Uber if you are in an area where there is no Wi-Fi. It also enables you to look up your location on a map or find things to do nearby. In a case of emergency, you will also be able to call for help.

Don’t walk around by yourself at night: Places that seem perfectly normal during the day can get a bit dodgy at nighttime. The chances of petty theft also increase once it is dark outside. So if you want to get from one place to another, either take an Uber or make sure you are with other people.

Listen to locals: Locals will know best about which areas are safe and which places you need to avoid. Therefore, make sure to ask locals for their opinion if you are unsure of anything.

Download Offline Maps: I highly recommend getting an app where you can download offline maps. Not just for Panama, but I use it for every country I travel to. I can recommend Maps.me . Offline apps of course are useful for safety reasons, but they also give you ideas about where to go and discover new surrounding areas.

Don’t travel to certain areas: Of course, not all areas are safe to visit. Colón has a higher crime rate, and you should either avoid it or be super careful. And of course, avoid the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia. This area is exclusively jungle and a popular route for smugglers, drug traffickers and FARC.

To conclude, I would suggest being a little more careful than you are in Europe or South East Asia and avoid certain areas. Other than that, I would definitely say that solo female travel in Panama is completely safe. There is not too much you need to worry about safety wise. It is a perfect country for first-time solo travellers in Latin America.

Where to stay in Panama as a solo female traveller?

Bambuda Castle, Boquete : Probably my favourite hostel I have ever stayed in. The hostel is in a castle with beautiful views of a volcano. It also has a pool as well as a Jacuzzi. They host dinners every night which you can join for $10 and a great way to meet other travellers.

Hostel Villa Vento Surf: This is the hostel I have stayed at in Santa Catalina. The vibe was really chilled out, the staff was friendly, and they also upgraded me from an 8-bed dorm to a 3-bed dorm. There are free breakfast pancakes, and you can rent surfboards as well.

El Machico Hostel: This hostel is located in Panama City in the Marbella neighbourhood, one of the safest areas in Panama City. The staff is friendly and there is a lovely pool to enjoy some beers. It is just a short walk to the ocean. I really enjoyed staying there.

Lost and Found Hostel: This hostel is a little off the beaten track and a nice place to stop at if you are coming from Boquete and want to go to Bocas del Toro next. It is kind of on the way. The hostel is up a hill and once you make it up there it is surrounded by beautiful nature. The hostel is eco-friendly, and you can enjoy some hiking tracks in the area.

When to travel to Panama?

Panama has two seasons: dry season and wet season. Dry season lasts from December to March, whereas wet season lasts from mid-March to December. Dry season is the more popular season for travellers to come to Panama. But to be fair, all year around is a good time to travel to Panama, I believe.

I travelled in July and August, and I barely had any rain while I was there. Temperatures are similar all year around.

How to travel around Panama?

Panama has a good public transportation system, and it is easy to make your way around Panama . In Panama City, there are a bunch of bus connections and a bigger bus terminal for long distance busses. It can be a bit confusing to know which bus to take, but it is easiest to just ask at your accommodation or to ask some locals.

Taxis and Ubers are widely available in Panama City. Just make sure to rather take an Uber rather than taxis at nighttime for safety reasons.

If you take long distance busses, you might have to stop over in David in between to switch busses. Overall, it’s not too complicated. Most drivers know where the popular backpacker routes are and tell you if you are in the right bus if you ask them.

Flying in the country is not really necessary. Unless you are coming from Costa Rica or by boat from Colombia, you will arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) outside of Panama City. You could fly to Bocas del Toro, but mostly you will probably just make use of public transportation or shuttle services.

The shuttle busses have the advantage that they take you somewhere directly, so you will save some time. They are a bit more pricey though.

Onward Travel from Panama

Panama to Costa Rica: The easiest way and most common way to leave or enter Panama is crossing over to Costa Rica by land. Because Panama is a rather small country, a lot of people combine a visit to Panama by also travelling to a lot of other countries in Central America. From Bocas del Toro it is around one hour to the border from where it is another one and a half hours to get to Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo is a great place to start off your Costa Rica itinerary .

Panama to Colombia: You can not cross over to Colombia via land, so the only way to get to Colombia other than flying is via boat. There are several companies that offer 5-day sailing trips through the beautiful San Blas Islands to Cartagena, Colombia. Not the cheapest option to travel, but I believe it must be an incredible experience.

Make sure to check out my best tips for solo female travellers in Colombia as well.

Panama to anywhere else: Panama has a bunch of airports, but pretty much all of them are for domestic flights. If you want to fly to Costa Rica, you can also fly from Bocas del Toro. For any other international destinations, you will always head back to Panama City and fly out of Tocumen International Airport (PTY).

My Experience: Travelling Panama solo

I have had an amazing time in Panama! Therefore, I can highly recommend solo female travel in Panama to all of your female travellers. I have always felt safe and never had any bad experiences. I did feel a little uncomfortable on my first day in Panama City as I experienced a lot of cat calling.

That obviously is annoying, but I just learned to ignore it! Other than that, the people in Panama are really friendly. On my first day, someone on the street just stopped and welcomed me to Panama and wished me a great time. That was really nice! I just wish I would have known some more Spanish by then to be able to better communicate. (I only started learning Spanish two months before I went to Panama after I had booked my flights).

Originally I wanted to travel to Colombia, but I was not comfortable enough as I had never been to Latin America before. I had combined my Panama trip with Costa Rica and one city in Nicaragua, and two years later I finally travelled to Colombia.

It was amazing, but I was really glad that I had travelled to Panama before as it was the perfect introduction to Latin America. I loved that I had met so many solo travellers and that most of the hostels felt super social. Would love to return some day!

Why Solo Female Travel in Panama is Great!

• A lot of other solo travellers: My experience was that there were a lot more other solo travellers in Panama than I have met in most other countries. And also fewer groups. That made it a lot easier to connect with other travellers and find friends more quickly.
• It is safe: It is safer than most Latin American countries, so with a bit of common sense you will be completely fine. A good thing is you don’t have to worry about safety all the time, so you can fully enjoy your trip and focus on what is important.
• A lot of beautiful places to discover: You can enjoy time at the beach, hike to a volcano or visit the impressive Panama Canal. There are a lot of beautiful places to discover in Panama.
• A lot of great hostels: There are a bunch of awesome hostels in Panama, and in most of them it is pretty easy to meet fellow travellers. Most of them have great common areas to socialise.

Skyscanner : Find the cheapest flight to and from Panama Hostelworld: All the very best hostel deals italki.com : Brush up on some Spanish and speak with some native speakers. Sign up now and get $10 of italki credit if you ever spend $20 on lessons

If you have any other questions about solo female travel in Panama , please let me know! I would love to answer all of your questions. Also, would love to know your experiences if you have travelled to Panama by yourself before.

Talk to you later x

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*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase a product or service through these links I will earn a small commission. That money is used for covering hosting costs for the website and to keep the blog running. For more information read this  privacy policy .

Becky is a business graduate, working full-time in Marketing and trying to travel whenever possible. She has travelled to 40+ countries, most of them solo, and lived in 6 out of those countries.

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Great guide with everything I need to plan my travels! Thanks..

Hey Lehka! Glad you liked it 🙂

This is such an informative and comforting guide! I was due to travel to Central America and was feeling a bit nervous but this has given me a new confidence to visit Panama and Costa Rica ?

Thank you! Glad to hear that 🙂

I find most places are safer than a lot of people imagine. Good to know this about Panama. And I totally expect there to be areas that are unwise to go. That’s true in any big city. Glad you had such a great, easygoing time.

Hi Becky! Is it safe to hike alone? Aren’t you afraid? I don’t know what frightens me more: meeting a local with ugly intentions or a bear!

Hi Juliet! I mostly went hiking with people I had met in the hostel to be honest since that was a lot more fun. I only went hiking by myself once but it was fine. As long as you stay on the hiking path it should be okay. At one hike there was a stop where you had to pay a small entry fee to even get to the hiking track so that felt quite safe. But I prefer hiking with other people or going on a tour 🙂

Black Solo Female Travel Guide: A Solo Trip to Panama City

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A solo trip to Panama is not something you will regret. Between the food, monkeys, beaches, and culture, there are plenty of things to do alone in Panama. And as a solo female traveler, y’all know I have the tips to make it the best experience possible.

I booked this trip on a whim when I saw a flight deal. With a few pre-planned activities, not many, I let people’s recommendations guide me. It was a very freeing experience!

I think Panama is an excellent option for solo travelers to relax and get some adventure on their vacation. So here are my best tips for a Panama vacation guide.

FYI: This post may have affiliate links ! This means if you buy something using my link, I get a small percentage for mentioning/recommending it. Lucky for you it doesn’t change the price for you at all and it’s a super easy and generous way to say thanks for all the work I put into writing this post!!

Table of Contents

Is Panama cheap to visit?

Panama is one of the more expensive Central American countries. I would not say the U.S dollar stretches as much in Panama compared to Mexico (for example) because their currency is the U.S dollar. So relative to Central America, it is considered more expensive yet manageable.

While on your solo trip to Panama, I suggest budgeting at least $200 USD for tours. As a solo traveler, I found that most of my budget went towards my activities. In Casco Viejo and the other touristy spots, restaurants can be expensive. However, most other food and drink prices are comparable to living in Milwaukee or a bit cheaper. 

When is the best time to visit Panama?

For solo travelers, it is crucial to know when to visit Panama. This is because Panama has two seasons – dry and wet. The rainy season in Panama begins in April and lasts until December. Therefore the dry season is from January to March.

Also, remember that traveling in the rainy or shoulder season means cheaper flights. The rainy season may be referred to as “winter” by locals. Though there is a greater risk of not-so-good weather during this time, it is possible to have a great time like I did. 

Most travelers fly into Panama City’s  Tocumen Airport. This airport is roughly 30 minutes from downtown Panama City, and you can easily catch an Uber from here.  Flight prices vary, but mine was just over $300 USD roundtrip. Join Scott’s Cheap Flights for flight deals straight to your inbox.

Getting around Panama alone 

Use Uber when traveling from the airport and around Panama City. I had heard some not-great stories about taxis surcharging tourists, so I did not use them. However, the Ubers are a great alternative and cost between $3-$6 USD one-way. To me, this is affordable considering that price is often unheard of in the U.S. 

When I did not Uber, I walked in Panama City. Staying in Casco Viejo made it easy to get to where I wanted to go quickly. Just make sure to wear sturdy shoes. Panama City has a lot of potholes. To prevent falling or tripping, you must look down where you often walk.

Panama City does have a metro. So if you are comfortable riding public transportation alone, it is doable. Their metro is relatively new, so there are not many lines. However, it costs 35 cents and can get you from Casco Viejo to Vía Argentina (downtown).

Where to stay in Panama as a solo female traveler

Selina Casco Viejo 

Casco Viejo is recommended for a Panama City itinerary.  So to be in the mix of it all, I recommend staying at Selina Casco Viejo . You get a lively atmosphere as a boutique hostel with superb amenities. Five nights cost me under $300 USD for a standard private room.

The Selina hostel chain started in Panama! And this one, you can tell, is for both solo travelers and remote workers. There are many social activities, topped off with a rooftop and co-working space.

Where to eat and drink alone in Panama

If you choose to stay in Selina, they have a rooftop bar, a taco spot named Tacos La Neta , and a cafe that sells breakfast, brunch, and lunch. For lunch or dinner with a view, head to Sabroso Panama and order the fish and plantains. Casco Viejo and Via Argentina also have lots of options. Walk around, and you will find someplace to eat!

You can also eat at a “Fonda” –  a local Panamanian restaurant. Many fondas and street food in Panama include variations of chicken and rice, empanadas, and tamales. Think of them as roadside cafeterias you can find sprinkled around the city. Again, expect to spend $10 or less – so it is excellent for budget solo travel in Panama!

Tips for creating a Panama travel guide

Watch wildlife on Monkey Island

Going to Monkey Island is a must for your solo trip to Panama City! It is an ethical and more responsible way to see animals native to Panama. You are initially in a boat on the Panama Canal, then head to Lake Gatún for the monkey watching. Bring water and sunglasses with you, though the breeze from the boat does not make it too hot.

I recommend Cesar’s tour on Airbnb Experiences . He, and the driver Eduardo, were great to be around and shared so much knowledge about Panama and the canal.  The price includes round-trip transportation from your hotel or hostel. Cesar also gives you some treats to feed the monkeys.

Take a day trip to the beaches 

While going to the beach solo is not my thing, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! Taking a solo trip to Panama means you can go and stay at beaches or make day trips. San Blas and Bocas del Toro were my two most popular recommendations. Check with your hostel or hotel to see if they have the hook-up for a tour and transportation service.

Walk around Casco Viejo

A stroll around Casco Viejo is a perfect, low-maintenance activity while on a solo trip to Panama. There are streets filled with shops, restaurants, a few historical buildings, and cafes to pop in and visit. On the Plaza de Francia, you can also get a nice view.

Watch a soccer/kickball game on the beach 

While walking around Casco Viejo, I stumbled upon a kickball game. Some locals told me that people come together and play on the beach when there is low tide. If you want to watch a little bit of it for yourself, walk towards the coast and view Plaza de Francia. 

Go on a food tour

Solo traveling in Panama needs to include a food tour! It’s one of my favorite ways to learn about a new culture. I found mine with Joey, a blogger who moved to Panama 10 years ago, on Airbnb Experiences . You can find dishes such as duck, chicken and rice, a sweet pork belly sandwich, and even ceviche in mini tacos. His tour was great and took me through multiple parts of the city, including Casco Viejo and Via Argentina. I’d recommend it to all solo travelers.

Stroll around the Malecón de Panamá

For an afternoon stroll while in Panama head to Avenida Balboa, aka the Malecón de Panamá, near the Mercado de Mariscos. It’s a beautiful oceanfront view where you can walk, run, or rent bikes. Or, you can do my favorite thing and people-watch with a snack on one of the benches. You can see locals and tourists hanging out on Sunday afternoons in good weather.

Do a jungle hike and Embera Village tour

Outdoor exploration is necessary as you solo travel in Panama. Do this tour to combine a jungle waterfall hike and learn about the Indigenous culture in Panama. You learn about the Embera people who live off the Chagres River. Unfortunately, since the government made their land a national park, they can no longer grow their agriculture which sustained them. Now, they offer tours for visitors to learn about their culture.

The entire experience is $95 and includes roundtrip transportation and lunch in the village. Bring extra cash to shop from the local artists. Also, wear comfortable clothing as the hike is a bit difficult. And bring a small backpack with extra clothes for post-swimming in the waterfall.

Enjoy one of the many rooftops

On my solo trip to Panama, I learned how much Panamanians love to party! From Tántalo to Selina’s rooftop, they love to go out from Friday to Sunday. On a Wednesday, I heard live music on the rooftop, and there was a band and dancers. So go out and enjoy yourself!

Hike Cerro Ancón

Cerro Ancón is the highest point in Panama City. You can do this hike solo as it is popular with tourists and some locals. Or, you can find a tour service that leads a hike from $25+ as part of a group tour. It’s an ideal opportunity to stay active while on your solo trip to Panama. 

Why Panama is worth visiting as a solo traveler

If you are a city girl like me, I think Panama City is worth the visit. I loved the big city vibe. Their downtown has a lot of modern buildings and it can get busy. But overall, it is not overwhelming and safe if you are a savvy and courteous solo traveler.

Also, I think a solo trip to Panama suits multiple travel personalities. The variety of beaches, adventure, food, and cultural activities makes it easy to find what you like to do. And if you want to leave Panama City, there are places to choose from, including Boquete (the town with Volcano Baru), and Bocas del Toro for beach life.

My experience being a Black solo female traveler in Panama City

As a Black solo female traveler, I had a pleasant experience in Panama. To be honest, there were a lot of Afro-Panamanians who looked like relatives back home. I think the familiarity made me more comfortable, so I have the diaspora to thank for that! But, overall, I would return to Panama. I feel like there was more Black history to be learned. 

I did get quite a few stares while on my solo trip to Panama City. However, they looked more like stares of curiosity than disdain or disgust, mainly when I spoke Spanish. The only thing I did not like as a Black solo female traveler in Panama was the catcalling.

Final advice on traveling solo in Panama

Would I go back to Panama as a solo traveler? Yes! Going on a solo trip to Panama requires the same caution you would have in the U.S. I stayed in Panama City primarily, though there are so many other towns and beaches to explore. I can for sure see myself going back sometime in the future. There is a grittiness yet modern feel to the city. Until then, plan a trip to Panama to see it for yourself.

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Sojourner White is a remote social worker, train travel queen, and award-winning travel journalist. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin she has been a digital nomad and called both Spain and Germany home. Through her platform Sojournies, she helps 9-5ers fulfill their career goals and bucket list dreams to find freedom and flexibility outside the office. Sojourner has been featured in Buzzfeed, PopSugar, The Matador Network, HuffPost, and Thrillist and written for Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Fodor’s, Insider, Lonely Planet, Viator, and more.

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Excellent Content!!! Thank You For Sharing All Of Your Insights. All The Best To You!

How long were you there? Or what’s your recommended length of time?

I was there for 6ish days I think! But I think your time depends on what you want to do. If you want to stay at the beaches longer I’d add some time.

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Solo Female Travel in Panama

I recently returned from 2 and 1/2 weeks of solo female travel in Panama and wanted to get all my thoughts and recommendations into one post for anyone planning their own trip. Or for anyone daydreaming about travel–you’ve come to the right place. Panama had been on my bucket list for years (mainly because of the San Blas Islands) and, spoiler alert, I had the most incredible time exploring this country. This blog will focus on solo female travel in Panama based off my experience there, but know that these tips and this itinerary would also work for a friends or couple trip!

Panama Overview

I spoke to a local guide whilst visiting the Panama Canal and got some fascinating insight into how the people of Panama classify their country. Panama is located between Costa Rica and Colombia, and I feel like most people consider it to be in Central America.

Back in the day, it was part of Grand Colombia and, therefore, part of South America. When Panama became its own country, it was no longer considered part of South America and got lumped into Central America. But the locals say “Mexico, Central America, and Panama” so clearly feel separate. It has a large Caribbean influence but doesn’t identify as Caribbean. At one point, part of Panama belonged to the U.S. Not to mention the indigenous Guna people, who have been living on the islands and in the jungle near the border of Colombia for centuries.

Panama is the sum of all these influences, yet something entirely its own. It is the link between Central and South America, and its canal is the link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A truly fascinating location.

*Panama uses US dollars and has the same outlets as the US. The primary language is Spanish, but you can stumble through most interactions in English and very basic Spanish.*

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Getting There

Speaking of location, I could not believe that Panama City is only a 5 hour flight from Chicago. I flew direct with Copa Airlines into Tocumen International. It’s also only 5 hours from New York and 3 hours from Miami. This country has so much to offer and is quite easy to get to from the States. It’s on the same time zone as New York City, which is another perk for American travelers–no jet lag!

Covid 19 Considerations

At the time of writing, Panama was accepting vaccinated travelers with no testing or quarantine requirement. I had to fill out a health questionnaire and show my vaccine card and that was about it to get in. I did have my vaccine card checked once to get into a restaurant, and masking was required even outdoors. It felt safe in terms of COVID.

To get home, I had to test within 24 hours. I used the BinaxNOW test via the Navica app. After logging into the app, I had people walk me through the test and then verify my results. It was quick and super convenient, but always check the most up-to-date requirements at the time of your visit.

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Getting Around

During my time of solo female travel in Panama, I realized that each place I went had it’s own preferred transportation. In Panama City, Uber was the way to go. It was safe and very cheap–each ride was usually less than $5, and from Casco Viejo to the airport I believe it was around $20.

To get from Panama City to Bocas del Toro there are 2 main options. One is by bus, a 10-12 hour journey. If you prefer to fly, it is only a 1 hour flight. I decided to save time and fly. Just note that the flights to Bocas leave from a different airport (not Tocumen International). So if you fly into Panama from another country and want to go directly to Bocas, you have to take about a 45 minute drive to the other airport (Albrook). There are only a couple flights each day, so I would book as far in advance as possible.

In Bocas Del Toro you have to take water taxis everywhere. I found them to be a bit expensive for how short the rides are. Each ride was $5 per person. That really adds up if you plan on going into Bocas Town frequently during your stay. For example, I had to take a 5 minute ride from Bocas Town to my first accommodation, then to dinner one night and back, then to my next accommodation, then back to Bocas Town to leave. That’s already $25 per person for the bare minimum of moving around Bocas. Just something to keep in mind.

To get from Bocas del Toro to Lost and Found Hostel, I went to the water taxi center in Bocas Town and paid $25 for a water taxi/shuttle combo. The water taxi was about 30-40 minutes and the shuttle about 4 hours. They dropped me right at the bottom of the hill at the hostel, so it was very convenient.

At the Lost and Found Hostel there were many things to do in the area, and the best way to get around was by local bus. Each ride was $2.

From Lost and Found Hostel to Panama City, I took the local bus to the station in David. Then I took a big double-decker bus from David to Panama City. That was about an 8-9 hour travel day. There is an option for a night bus from David to Panama City if you would prefer.

To get to San Blas from Panama City, the transport should be arranged by the agency you book with and may differ from my experience. For my trip, a car came at 5:30 am. We drove about 3 hours total and then had to take a 45 minute water taxi to the sailboat. It was quite expensive (I think $120 or $130 round trip) and not the easiest ride. You literally drive through the tropics on a barely paved road, pot hole after pot hole, but it was totally worth it to get to paradise. There are other ways to visit San Blas which I’ll talk about briefly in a section below. It is also possible to fly there–it’s just more expensive.

Using Your Cell Phone

For solo female travel in Panama, I recommend buying a SIM card so you have access to the internet at all times. I relied on my phone in Bocas del Toro and Panama City for getting around, but in general, staying connected is more of a safety thing. I like being able to share my location with family if needed or look up information if I get lost. I spent about $10 for a Claro SIM card and one week of data, then topped up with another $10 for 2 more weeks of data. One thing to note is Claro did not have any service in the San Blas Islands, so I was completely off-grid for those 5 days. If you want some reception in San Blas, you are better off with a SIM card from Digicel.

Panama Weather

I visited Panama in December and enjoyed weather in the 70s/80s (except for the more mountainous area I visited–that got into the 50s at night). It is a tropical country, so it’s warm year-round. However, it does get about 9 months of rain so that’s something to keep in mind. It rained a bunch during my trip, but only “ruined” my plans one day (out of 17). January-March is the time with the least amount of rain. Another thing to note: it is too far south to be affected by hurricanes.

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Safety

I felt completely safe traveling alone in Panama and even met many other women doing the same thing (but over a decade younger than I am!). This goes to show that solo female travel in Panama is totally doable at pretty much any age. The locals were friendly (even with my lack of Spanish skills) and helpful. The worst I experienced was some very mild cat calling in Panama City that was easily ignored.

When I’m traveling alone, I follow some basic rules for every country. The big ones are: avoid being outside by yourself at night and watch your alcohol consumption.

No matter what country I go to, I always try to be back at my accommodation right after sunset. I do not want to be walking around at night by myself (if I’m with a group of people then I feel comfortable being out late). If it’s unavoidable and I have to walk back alone in the dark, I’ll coordinate a call with a friend so I’m on the phone and someone is there to make sure I get back ok. There was one night in Panama where it was unavoidable and I was out at night by myself. The sunset was quite early in December and I needed to grab dinner. I had to walk about 5 minutes and then take a 5 minute water taxi. Everything was totally fine, and I felt safe– it’s just not something I make a habit of doing when I’m traveling alone.

In terms of alcohol, I limit myself to 1-2 drinks each night (3 if I’m feeling crazy). When you’re traveling alone, there’s no one to watch out for you but yourself. Most people are kind so odds are you’d be ok, but you can’t rely on people you just met to take care of you if you overdo it. You have to be more cautious about how much you drink and be able to take care of yourself.

As I get older I also worry about stumbling while drunk and breaking an ankle or something like that haha. The last thing I’d want to worry about on vacation! This trip I spent 4 nights on a sailboat, and one night, we went out to an island “bar.” It was paradise and tempting to drink more in the moment, but I still didn’t overdo it. I did not want to stumble around on a swaying sailboat at night and fall overboard haha. Or be sick… just not worth the extra few drinks in my opinion.

Obviously, limiting your alcohol consumption means that your decision making will be done with a clear head. When you’re traveling solo, all the decisions are 100% on you, and trust me, you’ll want to feel good about them. I even did one solo trip completely sober which you can read about here .

I wanted to share some other safety tips that I’ve compiled from my time traveling alone in Europe, the UK, Costa Rica, and Turks and Caicos:

• download Google maps offline. always know where you are and avoid getting lost.
• know your plans and look confident. Avoid looking like a confused and vulnerable tourist. Dressing how a local would dress also helps with this.
• don’t feel like you owe anyone anything or have to be nice if you feel uncomfortable in a situation.
• leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home including addresses of where you’re staying and any activities planned.
• know where to closest Embassy is.
• add your trip to the US Department of State STEP program (basically a safe travelers program telling the embassy where you are that they can access in case of emergency).
• purchase travel insurance.
• Keep money and passports secure but separate: I traveled with a travel credit card, a travel debit card, and cash. I would keep my credit card and small amounts of cash in my purse when I went out exploring. The other card and stashes of cash would stay behind, locked up in my room. ( BRING LOCKS .) I would separate them into different bags, though. Should one bag get stolen, at least I had reserves in another spot. This went for my passport and copy of my passport as well. I would keep those separated in different bags. Don’t forget to bring a copy of your passport in case you lose your actual passport!
• Be vigilant with your belongings. Traveling with a crossbody bag that zips is what I prefer–they feel the most secure to me because I can keep them in front and have my hand on it to make sure it remains zipped shut. I stay very aware of my surroundings, and I never get lazy and put things down. I always keep everything zipped up–nothing in pockets that can be snatched. If you follow these tips, there’s very little chance you will be the victim of pickpocketing/ getting robbed in broad daylight.

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Where to Stay

I plan the majority of my travels around activities and experiences, but when I reflected on my trip to Panama, I realized the accommodation was the star of the show. There were 2 hostels I’d had on my bucket list for years based on blogs I’d seen and travelers I’d met. Then I found an amazing deal on an overwater bungalow that I couldn’t pass up. I also knew I wanted to stay on a catamaran. So the trip kind of came together based on my lodging which is super rare for me.

Bocas Del Toro

Sol bungalows.

I started my trip in Bocas Del Toro at probably the most incredible place I’ve ever stayed: Sol Bungalows . I feel like overwater bungalows are on everyone’s bucket list (I’m looking at you Bora Bora and Maldives) but are sooooo cost prohibitive. Especially as a solo traveler. When I came across Sol Bungalows and saw they were just over $200 per night (which includes an amazing breakfast and access to paddle boards, kayaks, & snorkeling gear), I instantly booked myself in for a 2 night stay.

These bungalows were finished up in 2021 and were the perfect way to start my vacation. I was absolutely blown away by how nice everything was–I didn’t want to leave my room to explore Bocas at all haha. I spent time relaxing and reading, enjoyed incredible breakfasts and dinners prepared by the on-site chef, and even got a massage which was the best massage I’ve ever had.

The owners are so sweet and hospitable. They helped me plan out my days and booked tours & water taxis so I didn’t have to lift a finger. They gave great restaurant recommendations, too. I didn’t have to stress about anything and felt so relaxed and taken care of.

I will say these bungalows are best suited for couples (I’m pretty sure the other guests were on their honeymoon) or groups of friends. You can jump into the water right from your room, go SUPing and snorkeling, have amazing meals together, etc. However, I went by myself and would still highly recommend it for those who have room in their budget and want to feel extra pampered. I would stay again, even solo, in a heartbeat.

Bambuda Lodge

After 2 nights, I headed to a different part of the island to stay at Bambuda Lodge , a hostel that’s been on my bucket list for sooooo long. I’m happy to report that it totally lived up to my expectations. There’s an incredible pool, lounging nets, a water slide(!!), and just overall good vibes. During my time of solo female travel in Panama, it was important for me to get the hostel experience so I could meet other travelers and socialize. Bambuda knows how to create a fun environment where it’s easy for people to meet. They do happy hours, family style dinners, and daily activities that take all the pressure off trying to make friends–it just happens. I had the best time at Bambuda and met the best people.

The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel

Panama has a more diverse landscape than I’d realized, and after Bocas I headed inland to check it out. A lot of people go to Boquete which is famous for hiking (there’s a volcano) and coffee plantations. The Lost and Found Hostel is not in Boquete (it’s in nearby Chiriqui), but it’s a similar vibe–more mountainous and green. This is another place I’d wanted to stay at for years.

One thing to note: it’s not the easiest place to get to– you have to have a basic level of fitness. It’s up in the hills and can only be accessed by a 15 minute uphill trail, which you have to be able to do with all your luggage. Then once on the property, it’s built on an incline and has a ton of stairs. I was able to do it and I don’t really work out, but it’s something to keep in mind. I was definitely huffing and puffing.

They do recommend staying at least 2-3 nights if you make the effort to get there, and I totally agree with that. It’s more of an experience than just a hostel–there’s soooo much to do. I easily could have stayed 5 nights instead of 3. You should definitely check out their website to get an idea of what I mean. This is another hostel that has perfected the art of getting people together to socialize, hang out, and have fun with new friends. It’s great for solo travelers.

Panama City

There were two places I stayed at for just 1 night each because I was only there to head somewhere else (flight to Bocas, car to San Blas). The first was Hostel Mamallena which I stayed at the night before flying to Bocas because it was near the airport. It was basic but totally fine. The next spot was Magnolia Inn which I stayed at the night before heading to San Blas. I picked it because it was in a good location, and they offered free luggage storage. I really enjoyed my stay even though it was short.

When I was actually staying in Panama City to explore, I stayed in this Airbnb . It was so affordable and in the most incredible location. I’m not actually sure how it was so cheap because it’s in the heart of Casco Viejo. I also appreciated that there was a washer and dryer. Oh, and the bed was super comfy!

Guna Yala (San Blas Islands)

Sailing the San Blas Islands was a huge bucket list item for me, so it was something I was willing to spend more money on. I do not recommend this option for budget travelers–you can do relatively affordable day trips and 1 nighters if you’re desperate to visit but don’t have much money. However, if you only come for 1 day or 1 night, you will not see the best that this area has to offer….to the point where I don’t even know if it’s worth doing at all. You just cannot get far enough into the islands which is where the real beauty lies.

The affordable huts are extremely basic. I met a couple who spent one night on one island in a hut, and they did not enjoy their time in San Blas. And then if you book a more luxurious hut, it’s just as expensive as the sailing option but you are landlocked. Another way travelers visit on more of a budget is by booking a sailing trip to Colombia (one of the most popular ways to get from Panama to Colombia for backpackers). I think you can find something like that for around $500 and it takes a few days.

I ended up using a company called I Travel By Boat to set up my San Blas sailing holiday. It’s basically a woman who has built relationships with the local Guna people and captains of sailboats/catamarans, and she curates a trip based on what you’re looking for. I told her I wanted to stay on a catamaran for 4 nights and the dates I wanted, and she sent me information about which boats she thought would work best. Then she set up all the logistics like getting there and communicating with the captain.

I had the most spectacular time on this sailing trip and would highly recommend booking through this company. Make sure to do your own research, though, because there are many options out there. I can only speak on what I personally did, which I loved and would do again. It is expensive but it was such an incredible way to see the islands, get off-the-grid, relax, interact with locals, eat amazing food, admire the sea, and all the things. The price per night included all our food and alcohol, too, so once you factor that cost in, it’s not as outrageous. You get breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day (really nice, fresh food), and the alcohol was always flowing if we wanted.

Activities and Tours: What To Do

There is no shortage of things to do during your time of solo female travel in Panama. My style these days is finding the balance between exploring/relaxing and socializing/me time. I’ll let you know everything I got up to, then I’ll mention some things I heard about but didn’t get a chance to do on my trip.

Bocas Del Toro:

• stay at Sol Bungalows and truly RELAX. Book yourself in for a massage. Read that book you’ve been wanting to while you work on your tan. Sign up for any dinners offered (the food was amazing). Snorkel or SUP or swim or kayak right in front of your bungalow. Enjoy the beautiful accommodation.
• Visit Isla Zapatilla. You can join a tour that will take you around for the day– you’ll see dolphins and starfish and search for sloths on your way to what’s considered the most beautiful island in Bocas. Lunch is an additional fee but part of the schedule (weather permitting they will bring lunch to you on the island).
• Explore Bocas Town. There are shops to browse that are less touristy and sell local handicrafts. There are lots of good restaurants to choose from as well. I was recommended Octo, Tacos La Neta, Om (Indian food), Ultimo Refugio, and Receta Michila.
• At Bambuda, lounge in the hammocks and enjoy the view from the pool. Meet fellow travelers during happy hour and family dinner. Do not miss the waterslide–it was sooooo fun! I also did the jungle hike to a secluded beach and loved it.
• There’s a place called Floating Bar/Blue Coconut that I had on my list to check out. It looks super cute, but since I experienced an overwater bungalow in Bocas, the vibe felt similar and I felt ok skipping it.
• There’s a place called Up in The Hill that does coffee and chocolate tours and I would have loved to visit but I ran out of time.
• There are lots of different beaches that you can cruise to and spend the day at in Bocas. I didn’t feel this was super necessary for my personal trip (I was staying at some dream accommodations and wanted to spend more time there) but know there’s options if you’re wanting to schedule in more beach time than I did.
• If you stay at Sol Bungalows, the owners have a fantastic list of activities you can choose from that they’ll set up for you.
• you can get your scuba certification in Bocas if that’s something of interest! There’s also some cool dive spots if you’re already certified.

The Lost and Found Hostel:

If you stay at this hostel, all the activity options are made very clear for you upon arrival. There’s hiking, coffee tours, horseback riding, canyon jumping, etc (not to mention just enjoying the actual hostel). I had my eye on a few things and then chatted with other travelers to see what people were thinking about doing. Each day we got a nice sized group together to do one of the activities.

Welcome to the sailing life. If it’s your first time, get ready to become addicted! What you do each day will depend on your captain, but in general I can tell you what to expect. You’ll wake for breakfast and coffee (and usually a swim) before sailing away to a new spot. Then you’ll have a chance to relax, swim, snorkel, go to shore, sunbathe, etc. Before you know it, it’s time for lunch and back to whatever activity you desire. I personally did a lot of reading and swimming then I’d take a sea shower right before sunset and get ready for dinner. The sunsets were breathtaking in San Blas. After another wonderful meal and as many drinks as you’d like, the evening is yours. We did a lot of star gazing and chatting, and one night we even went to an island bar and danced under the stars. In Guna Yala you also have the chance to interact with locals and buy handicrafts, just let your captain know if you are interested.

• walk the trails at Metropolitan Park and enjoy sweeping views of the city
• go to Cafe Unido for coffee (I went more than once!)
• visit Museo de la Mola to learn about the history and significance of this indigenous clothing made for and by women
• I would have loved to do a guided food tour but the timing didn’t work out for me. I can say without a doubt that my favorite local cuisine was the meal I had at Fonda Lo Que Hay .
• Explore Casco Viejo by foot. This neighborhood is stunning and is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay.
• Visit the Panama Canal. I opted to join a guided tour that I booked through Airbnb Experiences. By time I would have paid for the Uber to and from the canal, it wasn’t that much more money to do the tour since I had no one to split the ride with. Plus, by going with a guide I learned tons of fascinating info about Panama’s history and the canal (so many incredible facts I don’t want to spoil for you here). We stopped off at other places besides just the canal, so that was an added bonus. I would not miss the Panama Canal if you find yourself in Panama City. It was a highlight of my trip.

A Sample Itinerary for Solo Female Travel in Panama

This is my exact itinerary, so you can see how everything came together. Looking back I would make some changes. I didn’t need as many nights in Panama City, so I would shorten that and add a day or two to Bocas and/or Lost and Found Hostel. I do like the direction of this itinerary, though, because it has you starting in Bocas and ending with San Blas. Most people will agree that San Blas is the highlight and best to end with.

• Day 1: Fly into Panama City and have a chill night getting settled in.
• Day 2: Fly to Bocas del Toro and arrive at Sol Bungalows. Enjoy your welcome drink, start to relax, and sign up to have dinner on-site.
• Day 3: Day trip to Zapatilla Island. (This was the one day I truly got rained out and we came back from the island early. We did not get to experience how beautiful it is, total bummer, but I still saw some dolphins and had a nice lunch so can’t complain.) The chef had a night off at Sol Bungalows, so I went into Bocas Town for dinner at Octo .
• Day 4: Massage before you check out of Sol Bungalows and head to Bambuda. Relax by the pool and spend the afternoon reading. See what the hostel has going on at night. I did happy hour, family dinner, and bingo night. If you’re there on a weekend, I think they always get a group together to go out partying.
• Day 5: Join the jungle hike to a secluded beach. Go down the water slide multiple times when you get back. Repeat the happy hour, family dinner, nightly hang out with new friends.
• Day 6: The day is spent mostly in transit to The Lost and Found Hostel. Enjoy dinner and meeting new people upon arrival. Be awed by the amazing sunset you get from this spot.
• Day 7: Do one of the activities on offer at the hostel. I did the horse back riding/ local farm visit. It was stunning to see a different landscape of Panama and so amazing to interact with local farmers. We got to make our own sugar cane juice using their 100-year old machine. It was so tasty! At night, have dinner with everyone and have a couple drinks at the bar.
• Day 8: Pick another activity recommended by the hostel. We got a group together and explored the local canyon. The day was spent jumping off cliffs, swimming, and sunbathing– so much fun. Nights at the hostel are much the same: dinner with everyone followed by drinks at the bar (or games at the bar even if you’re not drinking).
• Day 9: Big travel day back to Panama City. Get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow you head to San Blas bright and early!
• Day 10, 11, 12, 13: SAILING GUNA YALA 🙂 🙂 🙂
• Day 14: Head back to Panama City. Have a low key day getting organized and catching up on laundry. Walk around Casco Viejo. Get dinner at Fonda Lo Que Hay , one of the best culinary experiences in the city.
• Day 15: Caffeinate yourself at Unido Cafe . Head to Museo de la Mola in the early afternoon. Then spend the rest of the day at the Panama Canal.
• Day 16: Spend a couple of hours doing the trails at Metropolitan Park. Head to Selina for tacos and rooftop drinks during sunset. Both of these places have amazing views of the city.
• Day 17: Get ready to head to the airport and say goodbye to Panama.

Packing Tips

If you are backpacking, you’ll want to keep your wardrobe simple by bringing clothes you can mix and match. Solo female travel in Panama is warm and you’ll be sweaty, doing a mix of adventurous activities and relaxing. I would recommend packing basics– jean shorts, athletic quick dry shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, a couple casual dresses, that kind of stuff. And then swimwear and cover ups–I’d say at least two of each so that one can dry while you wear the other if you have back-to-back days of water time. For shoes I brought a pair of hiking boots, a pair of brown Teva sandals that could be dressed up or down, and a pair of Teva sandals that doubled as water shoes.

If you go inland and stay in the mountainous area, it will get cold, so bring some layering options (I loved having my packable down zip up and some long shirts/pants). San Blas can also get chilly at night so you might use those layers there too. I never got cold enough in San Blas to wear anything more than shorts and a tank, but other people on my boat wore sweaters at night.

It rains a lot in Panama so be sure to bring a rain jacket and umbrella (and a waterproof luggage cover if you have it). I honestly didn’t use mine because I got lucky with the timing of the rain on my transport days, but it did rain almost every day.

In terms of things I didn’t bring but wish I had: a dry bag and cortisone cream. In San Blas you do a lot of swimming to islands, so if you want to bring anything with you, you’ll need a dry bag. I was able to get rides in the dingy but I regretted not having my dry bag. I also didn’t pack cortisone cream and after getting bit by a million sand flies I was really regretting that.

Another thing to keep in mind if you go to San Blas: the rooms on the boats are very small. There is not enough space for a suitcase or even an Osprey backpack really. They will recommend just bringing a small bag with essentials that you’ll need onboard. You’ll need waterproof shoes (my Tevas were perfect) but you’ll never wear shoes when you’re actually on the boat. You will live in swim suits and cover ups, so bring as many of those as you want. For the evenings, I brought one pair of jean shorts and a couple cute tank tops that I wore for dinner. Don’t bother bringing make up. Just lots of reef safe sunscreen! I also brought a beach towel. The rest of your luggage can be stored at your Panama City hotel.

Panama uses US dollars, and while many places accept credit cards, there were many times that I needed cash. Mostly for transportation (buses and water taxis) but accommodation, too. Bring cash and have a way to access cash while there.

I’ve been so fortunate to travel as much as I have (Panama was my 18th country I think?), but like all things in life, once you get used to something it starts to feel normal. I’m always excited to travel, but those butterflies I used to feel before big trips just aren’t the same anymore. But Panama had me GIDDY–from planning to anticipating to actually being there. Solo female travel in Panama is something special and will show you magic if you’re open to it! I highly recommend getting there if you can and absolutely loved the itinerary I shared in this post 🙂 Feel free to reach out with any questions, too.

If you liked Solo Female Travel in Panama, you may also like:

Nicaragua : this page has all my posts about Nicaragua travel, my very first taste of backpacking. On that trip, the fellow travelers raved about Panama–I knew I’d have to go one day.

Backpacking Costa Rica : my time traveling Panama’s neighbor. Solo female travel in Panama would pair nicely with a trip to Costa Rica, but reverse the itinerary to end in Bocas! From there you can take a bus to Puerto Viejo.

Traveling Solo Will Change Your Life

Notes on Hosteling as an Almost-30-Something

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9 thoughts on “ solo female travel in panama ”.

Love this post, especially a nice history lesson from the one and only. Keep it up Al.

Really well written and informative!!! Great job!

Incredible post! It definitely scratched my travel bug itch and now has me daydreaming! Thanks for taking me along with you on your trip, I really felt like I was there!!

Thank you!! We need to plan our next trip. Can’t wait for Mexico!

Spot on regarding the culture and accurate advice! My sister has lived in Panama city since 2014 and is married to a Panamanian. I wish I would have stumbled across your blog when I visited her and we went to San Blas in 2015. I agree it is stunning and well worth the bumpy (putting it lightly) road. I say that as one who vomited on the drive there but have no regrets of visiting and staying a night or two. I’m also a Midwestern who loves to travel so it was nice to stumble across your blog.

I’ve been lucky to not really get car sick but it was rough even for me!! Thanks so much for this comment! I’m glad you stumbled across my blog too ☺️

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How To Plan An Unforgettable Panama Itinerary

Looking for an incredible Panama itinerary?

I’ve got you covered below.

Every summer, my boyfriend Andy and I plan an epic two-week vacation together. It’s one of the few times annually I’m not traveling solo; and because it’s such a special time, a lot goes into planning the perfect trip.

We’re curious outdoor enthusiasts who love experiential accommodations.

If that sounds like you, then you’ll want to keep reading to steal our favorite Panama vacation spots and travel tips.

Note that this post contains affiliate links to trusted partners I think you’ll love!

Psst! Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Table of Contents

Panama Travel Video

Prefer to travel Panama through video?

You’re in luck!

We filmed a Panama travel guide to really show you what the experience was like.

Watch the video here:

A big thanks to Andy for helping me shoot the footage, and for editing this video!

Panama Travel Tips

Before I get into actual things to do in Panama, I want to go over some important Panama travel tips.

This way, when you begin diving into our Panama itinerary, you can better understand what your trip will look like.

Additionally, you can grab my free Ultimate Travel Planning Kit — which also includes a downloadable Google Map of this Panama itinerary.

Is Panama Safe?

In short, I felt very, very safe doing the Panama itinerary I share with you below.

That being said, whether at home or on the road, I’m never without a few very important safety essentials.

Vigilant Personal Alarm . Vigilant makes personal safety alarms — or sound grenades — in a variety of models and styles. Press a button to activate an alarm louder than a firetruck, meant to disarm and scare potential attackers. The model linked here even has a backup alarm in case the primary alarm becomes disabled.

Speakeasy Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves . Hand-made by my fellow travel blogging friends over at Beers & Beans, these stylish scarves come in designs for all seasons. Bonus: The hidden pockets in the scarf are large enough to fit your passport!

Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments . Nervous about pickpockets? In more touristy areas of Panama City, for example, pickpockets are fairly common. Having pickpocket-proof garments ensures thieves don’t even know you’re carrying cash. I love the underwear, tank top, long johns and short sleeve dress!

Planning A Trip To Panama: Destinations

There are so many options when planning your Panama itinerary.

Below, I provide an overview of some — emphasis on some — of your options based on your travel preferences.

Beach Destinations In Panama.  Bocas del Toro, Pearl Islands, San Blas Islands, Isla Coiba, Santa Catalina, Colon.

Hiking / Outdoor Adventure Destinations In Panama.  Boquete, El Valle de Anton, Cocle Province, Santa Cruz de Cana.

Urban Destinations In Panama. Panama City, David.

Agricultural Destinations In Panama. Boquete, Santa Fe, Cocle Province, Isla Bastimentos, Isla San Cristobal, Colon.

Two Weeks In Panama Itinerary

If you don’t feel like reading this entire article, you can swipe my two weeks in Panama itinerary here in this quick overview.

We arrived into Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, and then took an Uber to get to the Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport to board a domestic one-hour flight to the Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport in Bocas Town.

Our Panama itinerary was as follows:

Bocas Town on Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro  ( Airbnb- Stay Bocas ). One night.

Arrived via Air Panama flight from Panama City.

Highlights included Bibi’s on the Beach, Starfish Beach and simply wandering the lively town to peruse the shops, bars and even a brewery called Bocas Brewery.

Isla Bastimentos in Bocas Del Toro ( La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm ). Two nights.

Arrived via pickup in Bocas Town by the La Loma Jungle Lodge boat captain (ride is about 20 minutes).

Highlights included sleeping in a treehouse with no walls in the jungle, hiking to a bat cave, kayaking at sunrise and the creative meals made with mainly ingredients grown on their onsite farm.

Isla San Cristobal in Bocas del Toro ( CocoVivo ). Two nights.

Arrived via skiff boat taxi (about 25 minutes from Bocas Town).

Highlights included onsite hiking trails to waterfalls, snorkeling the healthy coral reefs, night swimming in the bioluminescent Tierra Oscura Lagoon, a dock with a second-storey diving board and hammocks right over the water, and paddle-boarding to the local fried chicken shop nearby (a very Panamanian experience!).

Boquete (Airbnb- Lost Waterfalls Cabin ). Two nights.

Arrived via Hello Panama tourist bus ($30), with the Airbnb host picking us up at the bus stop to take us to the cabin.

Highlights included hiking in Panama  — specifically through high altitude jungle to numerous waterfalls — a farm-to-fork dinner at Colibri Restaurant in Boquete Town and having a secluded cabin in the breathtaking cloud forest where our yard was filled with unique flora and hummingbirds.

Panama City ( The Bahia Grand Hotel ). One night.

Arrived via Air Panama flight from Enrique Malek International Airport in David, which we got to by paying $50 for a taxi from Boquete to David (though note there is also a cheaper bus option that we didn’t feel like navigating with our luggage).

This was just a one-night stopover before our trip to El Valle de Anton (aka “El Valle”), and we spent it by exploring some of the hotel’s amenities. These included swimming in the infinity pool, having an unforgettable chef’s tasting dinner at Tejas Restaurant, gambling in the Ocean Sun Casino and having drinks at their 66-storey Poolbar rooftop. Afterward, we took a bubblebath with wine in our in-room standalone tub. Heaven!

El Valle de Anton (Airbnb- Casa del Alma ). Two nights.

Arrived via 2.5-hour bus from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City (~$4.50 one way).

Highlights included hiking to the top of La India Dormida for incredible views, having a seafood dinner on the chill patio of Bruschetta Restaurant, and enjoying our funky zen lodging with had a pool, garden and deep soaking tub.

Panama City ( The Bahia Grand Hotel ). Three nights.

Arrived via the same bus we took to El Valle de Anton, but in the opposite direction.

Highlights included more swimming and enjoying cocktail-filled pineapples at the infinity pool, wandering the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo neighborhood, seeing boats pass through the Panama Canal, walking the scenic Cinta Costera at night, savoring craft cocktails at the Strangers Club and a satisfying dinner at the innovative Wall Street Bar & Lounge where menu prices change based on their inventory.

If I could change anything about the above Panama itinerary, I would have stayed a few days longer in Panama to spend more time in Panama City. There is a lot to do there, both within the city and as day trips.

Currency In Panama

Interestingly, US Dollars — along with the Panamanian Balboa — are both official currency in Panama.

They even equal the same. Sometimes locals will mix up currencies, too.

So, if you’re supposed to get $1.50 change back, you might back $1 USD and 50 cents in Panamanian Balboa coins.

In short, we used US dollars the entire time.

Getting Around Panama

To get around Panama, Andy and I opted to travel by plane and bus.

There’s so much to do in Panama, and we were on a tight two-week schedule; so, we did take two domestic flights on Air Panama to save time, even though they were pricier than the bus.

Additionally, we opted for the tourist transfer bus offered by Hello Panama between Bocas and Boquete.

Another option we heard a few travelers rave about is renting a car, as long as you’re outside Panama City and Bocas del Toro.

Next time I go to Panama I’ll probably opt for this, as there are so many natural places and beautiful parks to explore that are time-consuming to get to via public transportation.

I recommend using a service  like Discover Cars  to determine the best car rental deals available.

Users of this site can save up to 70% on their booking just by being able to easily compare their options!

What’s great is their comparison tool does the hard research work for you.

You can use their widget right here to compare right now:

Solo Female Travel In Panama

While I was not traveling solo in Panama per my usual trip style, I know many of you are solo travelers.

Ladies, you can definitely feel confident traveling alone through Panama. We encountered a number of solo female travelers during our trip, and at almost all of our accommodations.

Actually, while the Panama itinerary I’m sharing works well for couples, there’s nothing we did on this trip that I wouldn’t come back and do solo, aside for maybe staying at the Lost Waterfalls Cabin because it’s pretty secluded (and I’m terrified of ghosts!).

Even the hikes in Boquete that I mention below — both of which are very well marked — would be fine to do on your own without a guide.

Just make sure you have the Vigilant Alarm I mention above on you for added protection, especially from wildlife.

Health Concerns & Zika Virus In Panama

Note that as of this writing (September 2018) there is a risk of Zika Virus in Panama. This means that if you’re pregnant you should avoid visiting Panama.

All travelers will definitely want to take precautions to limit mosquito bites, as well as bites from no-see-ums (or sand flies), which can also carry diseases.

In Bocas del Toro both of these insects were very prevalent.

Personally, I typically opt for natural insect repellent, as I feel it works better and doesn’t harm the environment.

I was able to buy an incredible insect repellent and bite soother at La Loma Jungle Lodge. It was made from coconut oil, citronella and fresh lemon.

If you’d prefer to buy your insect repellent before your Panama trip, here are a few highly-rated natural options from Amazon:

• 2 ounce repellent (spray)
• 2 ounce repellent (cream)
• 4 ounce repellent
• 8 ounce repellent

Another question in terms of health safety you’re probably asking yourself:

Can you drink the water in Panama?

The answer:

Yes and no.

Do realize in certain Panama regions and cities you can’t drink the tap water, like Bocas del Toro.

On the other hand, drinking the tap water in places like Boquete, El Valle de Anton and Panama City is absolutely fine.

Honestly, I thought the tap water in Panama — especially in mountainous places like Boquete — was some of the best I’ve ever tasted!

And while we’re on the topic of drinking, do remember to ask for your beverages without a straw when ordering at restaurants.

Many restaurants and bars will typically provide straws automatically, which can then get eaten by wildlife and harm or kill them.

My Panama Itinerary In-Depth

Now that we’ve covered some important Panama travel tips, it’s time to dive deeper into where to go in Panama, and what to do once you’re there.

Visiting Bocas Del Toro 

Christopher Columbus actually visited this beautiful archipelago in 1502, when he was searching for Asia. That’s why you’ll find a number of Bocas del Toro islands that give nods to the Spanish explorer — like Isla Colon, Isla Cristóbal and Bahía de Almirante — because he named them after himself.

According to Rough Guides , it wasn’t until 1826 that the town of Bocas del Toro — today called Bocas Town — was founded by West Indian immigrants.

Later on in the 19th century, it was the United Fruit company that built up Bocas del Toro’s wealth by planting banana plantations.

This strategic move led to over 50% of Panama’s export income coming from Bocas bananas.

While disease eventually hurt the banana industry in Bocas del Toro, a growing tourism industry is taking its place as a key money maker.

How To Get To Bocas Del Toro From Panama City

Arriving into Bocas del Toro via Air Panama flight was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had on a plane.

With the soft hum of the aircraft as my soundtrack, I gazed down over hundreds of lush islands — some large enough to have homes, some so small they appeared like rocks from above.

As the plane descended, I noticed the water hitting the shoreline of the vibrant emerald green islands, sprouting dense forest that appeared like billions of broccoli stalks, the trees so close together.

Suddenly, the plane made a loud whizzing noise, and a burst of colorful buildings broke up the repeating green hues.

We were in Bocas Town.

Now, flights to Bocas del Toro from Panama City are relatively inexpensive on Air Panama. Andy and I paid $112 each for our one-way flight — including taxes and fees — booked for the end of August.

If you’re wondering how to get to Bocas del Toro, the above-mentioned flight to Bocas del Toro airport will be the easiest, quickest way at less than one-hour of travel time.

Another option is taking a bus from Panama City to Almirante, and then a boat to Bocas Town (or another Bocas del Toro island), though note this takes 10.5-11.5 hours total. Considering the flight is about 50 minutes, I personally think it’s the smarter option unless you’re on a really, really tight budget.

Driving is another option, and we met loads of travelers road tripping around Panama.

The thing with this is that once you’re in Bocas del Toro you’ll be getting around by taking tiny skiff boats. These don’t fit cars, so you’ll need to leave yours in Almirante. Driving from Panama City to Bocas del Toro takes about eight to nine hours.

Now Bocas del Toro is interesting in that it sits on Panama’s Caribbean coast and features some truly unspoiled beaches.

Moreover, you can swim in crystal waters, snorkeling lagoons and watching dolphins in the wild. You can float in a bioluminescent bay. You can hike through the jungle spying birdlife, monkeys and sloths, or head into a bat cave and go cliff jumping inside.

These are just a few of the many Bocas del Toro attractions and experiences to be had.

Bocas del Toro islands are plentiful. In fact, aside for the mainland there are nine main Caribbean islands to choose from when planning your trip.

That being said, you’ll notice as your flying over this Panama province that there are actually myriad small islands, calm waters sprinkled with lush emerald tufts of land. While you won’t find Bocas del Toro hotels on these smaller islands, many make for fun kayaking and paddle boarding destinations.

Visiting Bocas Town On Isla Colon [Bocas Del Toro, Panama]

Bocas Town — situated at the southern end of Isla Colon — is the capital and main hub of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, so this is where you’ll likely begin your journey, even if just to connect elsewhere.

That being said, no  Bocas del Toro vacation would be complete without spending a night or two in Bocas Town.  It’s extremely lively, with loads of restaurants, bars, shops, a main square and a walkable layout.

Bocas Town Hotel Recommendation: Stay Bocas

When researching where to stay in Bocas del Toro, specifically in Bocas Town, we chose Stay Bocas due to its positive reviews.

Plus, it’s literally a three-minute walk from the Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport. This is where you’ll arrive into when flying into Bocas del Toro from Panama City.

As soon as we walked through the garden patio up to the check-in desk, a smiling man greeted us and offered us local Balboa beers.

The room was clean with air conditioning, and the location was walkable to all of the noteworthy things to do in Bocas Town.

It’s also budget-friendly at less than $50 per night, including breakfast, wifi and bike rentals.

We booked this Bocas Town accommodation on Airbnb. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, I recommending clicking here to set up your account so you get $40 off your first booking .

Once you’ve created your account, you can click here to book Stay Bocas.

Bocas Del Toro Restaurants: Bibi’s On The Beach

Bocas Town is the epitome of a chill beach town. Even as we walked around on a Monday night, small wooden bars and restaurants painted in bright tropical colors blasted calypso and reggae.

Near to a small brewery strung with fairy lights was a dock where locals eagerly wait to take people by taxi boat to other islands and destinations nearby.

Our destination for the night:

Bibi’s on the Beach , a restaurant recommendation from Stay Bocas.

Located on nearby Carenero Island, Andy and I were dropped off on the dock — after paying the $2/person fare — and took a short walk along the palm shaded, sandy shore to the open-air eatery.

Fresh seafood paired with fruity cocktails made fresh in a blender is the name of the game here.

On the water, we sipped Pina Coladas and Bahama Mamas while enjoying grilled tuna, mussels, shrimp and Bibi’s famous tender octopus.

The scene is uber romantic, with bare bulbed lights strung up over picnic tables and lounge chairs right on the water.

I highly recommend going before sunset so you can watch the sky light up and cast warm hues over the islands.

Bocas Del Toro Beaches: Starfish Beach

Possibly my favorite Bocas del Toro beach from the whole trip was Starfish Beach near Bocas Town.

On the main road in Bocas Town — the widest road, two blocks from Stay Bocas — is a park square.

Here, you’ll catch the bus to Bocas del Drago ($2.50 each way, payable on the bus in cash), the last stop on the bus.

The ride takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll drive through lush jungle and even some cow-laden countryside.

When you arrive at Bocas del Drago, you’ll be greeted by soft sand coastline shaded by palms, azure warm waters and chill beach bars selling rum drinks and lobster.

The real treat though:

Hiking 25 minutes along the coastline —walking barefoot through the warm water — to the gorgeous Starfish Beach.

Not only is the beach stunning, with hawks gliding overhead, but the clear water is filled with giant colorful starfish!

A note on responsible tourism at beaches:

Don’t touch the starfish!

There are signs everywhere warning visitors not to touch them, and that if you do they might die; but yet, we saw tourists not only touching them but moving them to take a “great” Instagram photo.

A photo is never worth hurting a living creature over, so just admire them with your eyes!

A warning on the buses:

They apparently come earlier than they tell you when you get off. The 2pm bus back to Bocas left at 1:55pm! Luckily we got back early.

Back in Bocas Town, we took a stroll through the lively, colorful streets, spending most of our time shopping at the artsy  Black Cat boutique.

Afterward, we headed to a really cool bar and restaurant —  Bocas Blended , aka the Batido Bus — to eat lunch.

This hippie bus serves smoothies, healthy wraps, salads and refreshing mojito lemonades.

It was the perfect place to relax while we waited to meet our captain — Mr. Kelly — who’d be whisking us away to our next Bocas del Toro island destination.

Visiting La Loma Jungle Lodge On Isla Bastimentos [Bocas Del Toro, Panama]

When Mr. Kelly arrived, we boarded a small skiff boat to visit La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm on Bastimentos Island.

The scenic ride took about 20 minutes — taking us past inlet eateries, small islands and mangroves — until we pulled up to dock dense with forest; a small dog, who we came to know as Zorro, greeting us.

Resting on 57 acres of tropical forest and fruit groves, La Loma Jungle Lodge is unlike any of the other Bocas del Toro hotels you’ll come across on your search.

First of all, the property is a self-sustaining experiential accommodation only accessible by boat, meaning you don’t need to worry about having a negative impact on the environment or about encountering too many tourists.

As a guest of the hotel — which is also a working farm — your stay includes three deliciously prepared meals.

About 60% of the ingredients in the food are grown right on their property. During my stay, I savored dishes like pumpkin soup with fried yuca, grilled blackjack fish over coconut rice, and roasted red pepper-laced lentils served alongside fresh salad from the garden and locally-sourced cheese.

For dessert, sometimes we savored homemade guava cookies showcasing onsite grown fruit, or decadent chocolate cake gowned in dulce de leche, made with La Loma’s renowned cacao.

Hey, Panama chocolate is some of the best in the world. And if you want to have the best of the best, it’s smart to get it right from the source.

You can work off the food through onsite hiking trails, night walks to spot caimans and jungle insects, trips to trek across Red Frog Beach and kayaking to the nearby bat cave or Sloth Island (which is home to — you guessed it — hundreds of sloths!).

While mornings were filled with watching wildlife — mainly birds and sometimes sloths and monkeys — through our open air treehouse, evenings were spent playing cards under the stars while enjoying a bottle of wine and listening to tree frogs.

Moreover, staff were happy to set up their kayaks for sunrise paddling with views looking out toward the active Volcán Barú — Panama’s tallest mountain at 11,400 feet — and the rest of the Cordillera de Talamanca range.

Adventures On Isla Bastimentos: Beach Hiking

No trip to Panama would be complete without visiting the beautiful beaches.

And one of my favorite experiences during my La Loma stay was to Red Frog Beach , specifically to do the 45-minute hike from that beach to the more secluded Polo Beach .

Admittedly, Polo Beach is a proper hike to get to.

While your feet will be slapping over the warm Caribbean Sea most of the time, you’ll also need to navigate jagged tufts of coral and humongous fall trees blocking the path.

Once you arrive, though, you’ll realize the effort was worth it as you have the crystal waters and outer island views all to yourself.

There aren’t beach bars at Polo Beach, so pack lots of water and lunch!

Adventures On Isla Bastimentos: Panama Bat Cave Exploration

Another one of the unforgettable things to do in Panama while staying at La Loma:

Hiking through the  Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park to the  Nivida Bat Cave with a local named Roger, whose father actually discovered the cave.

I always joke that when I’m working hard I’m in my bat cave; but the truth is I’ve never been in a bat cave like this.

Hundreds — possibly thousands — of bats hung upside down, grinning devilishly through the glow of our headlamps in the darkest corners of the cave.

Every few seconds, one would whizz past our ears so quickly they looked like a burst of black light; so close you could almost feel it’s little hairs on your skin!

I was glad I wore a bathing suit, as the further we hiked into the cave, the deeper the water inside became.

Actually, what started out as a stream quickly came to above our waists!

When we got to a large dry rock shelf the water didn’t reach, Roger instructed us to leave everything behind aside for our helmets and headlamps.

“The water gets very deep. You’ll need to swim at parts.”

Peering at a giant tarantula-like spider on the wall, I hoped the creepy crawlers of the cave wouldn’t also be making the journey.

After about 15 minutes, we came to a giant cave pool sitting below loads of stalagmites — where you could also cliff jump.

Andy jumped three times, and each time I held my breath hoping I wouldn’t need to tell his parents I’d lost their son in a Panamanian bat cave.

Luckily, he came up laughing each time.

The bat cave excursion also included a scenic boat ride through the mangroves. Roger not only gave us a comprehensive overview of the three types of mangroves on Bastimentos Island — red, brown and yellow — but also helped us spot an array of wildlife.

Crabs, capuchin monkeys, caimans and giant clawed pistol shrimp all made their way onto my camera roll, though the highlight was a sloth so close we could make out her facial features.

I learned sloths go to the bathroom once per week in the water, where the caimans sit hungrily waiting.

As this sloth moved about the tree, I hoped she realized what waited below her.

Luckily, what waited for Andy and I was much less scary:

A delicious multi-course lunch at La Loma, complete with plates of guanabana fruit and chocolate truffles for dessert.

Visiting CocoVivo On Isla San Cristobal [Bocas del Toro, Panama]

After washing down our meal with homemade passionfruit juice, Andy and I said our farewells, faithful Zorro giving us his final doggy kisses on the dock, before we headed back to Bocas Town to catch a taxi boat to CocoVivo Panama , a sustainable eco-retreat on Isla San Cristobal.

A friendly Bocas local named Choy was our captain, recommended to us by CocoVivo.

The scenic 20-minute ride cost $45 total for both Andy and I, and as our boat pulled up to the CocoVivo dock, surrounded by lush jungle, we knew we were in for a relaxing treat.

This portion of our trip was about simply enjoying the beauty and chilled out vibe of the property.

Actually, my laptop had sadly fallen prey to humidity on Isla Bastimentos. While I was more than a little sad about the screen of my $1500 laptop being destroyed, I decided to look at it as a blessing:

No laptop meant I had no choice but to take a deep breath and relax.

And CocoVivo certainly was the place to it.

Owned by expat couple Carmen and Lazare — who met while living in Bocas Town — the property is rustic and environmentally conscious using solar panels, a rain catchment system and composting.

You’ll need to be mindful of water usage, electricity usage and waste.

Moreover, our in-room toilet — for #1 only — was a hole right over the mangroves, and short cool showers handled only bio-digradeable products like this shampoo (though they provide soap, and have a beautiful Hill House with western facilities, too).

If you’re okay with that, then you’ll be rewarded with simple clean rooms built right into the island’s landscape.

Things To Do On Isla San Cristobal: Aquatic Bocas Del Toro Adventures

Actually, swimming in their bioluminescent Tierra Oscura Lagoon when the sky is completely dark is a magical experience; each slap of your hand on the water making bright sparkles shoot out from your fingertips.

Swimming during the day is also a must, as the property is surrounded by healthy reefs full of tropical fish and colorful corals.

A must-have CocoVivo experience:

Jumping off the second-storey diving board that’s on their main deck lounge, where fresh communal meals are served and the bar sits.

Here, you’ll find hammocks and wooden swings hanging right over the water, with a second-storey diving platform.

It’s scary the first time you jump, though after you come up for air giggling, you’ll want to do it again and again.

Things To Do On Isla San Cristobal: Bocas Del Toro Restaurants

Additionally, we loved grabbing the free-to-use kayaks and paddle boards and paddling across the lagoon to Los Amigos Restaurante & Bar .

Here, in this eatery on the water that genuinely feels like someone’s home, they serve one thing:

Three pieces of delicious fried chicken with fries and coleslaw.

It’s a true Panamanian experience, from getting to practice your Spanish to chatting with the owner — Ernesto — about his time living in the states, but coming back to where he was born and opening the business.

Behind the counter sits a shelf with a few bottles of liquor and a handful of mixers, which we turned into ginger ales spiked with local rum.

Around the open air restaurant, locals play music and sit on their porches, offering a glimpse into daily life in Panama.

Things To Do On Isla San Cristobal: Hiking On Isla San Cristobal

Additionally, the onsite hiking trails at CocoVivo allow you to see birds, wildlife (read: sloths!), waterfalls and crazy insects.

Led by CocoVivo’s three pups — Captain, Osa and Nanoosh — we ended up at a lovely waterfall.

This was a refreshing stop to cool off as Bocas del Toro weather can be very hot and humid.

After my laid back stay, I truly felt like I was leaving home, especially when Carmen, Lazare and the dogs stood at the dock waving (and barking!) goodbye.

Click here for a great list of unforgettable Bocas del Toro tours!

Visiting Boquete In Panama

So, where were we leaving Bocas del Toro for?

Boquete, a small mountain town located in the highlands of the bountiful Chiriquí province of Panama, renowned for its hiking trails and proximity to Volcán Barú , Panama’s highest point.

This is one of the best Panama vacation spots for those wanting to experience the country’s gorgeous cloud forest.

According to  Hotel Panamonte , Boquete was founded on April 11, 1911, when it became a shortcut to California for those looking to profit from the California Gold Rush.

Many locals and immigrants settled here, also drawn by the Panama destination’s abundance and natural beauty.

Today, the town is known for a few things:

• Boquete coffee production. The coffee in Boquete is said to be some of the world’s best!
• It’s retirement community. Many senior locals and expats settle in Boquete to take advantage of the mild weather, low costs, modern amenities and slower pace of life.
• Boquete tourism. If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, Boquete should be on your Panama itinerary!

Hotels In Boquete, Panama: The Lost Waterfalls Cabin

Andy and I booked the Lost Waterfalls Cabin on Airbnb, so if you’ve never used Airbnb before make sure to use this link to signup and get $40 off your first stay !

If you’re interested in hiking in Panama, the cabin is situated at the beginning of the renowned Lost Waterfalls Trail, high up in the cloud forest.

So high in fact that you’ll need to hike 20 minutes up a steep trail to reach the dwelling — meaning you’ll definitely need to be physically fit, and be okay with walking across shaking suspension bridges — to stay here.

Once you reach your cozy wooden cabin, you’re surrounded by hummingbirds, blue vervain, red spiky heliconias, tall moss-covered oaks and other high elevation flora.

Or, as I like to call them, Dr. Seuss-looking plants.

Plus, you won’t need to look up to see clouds; they’ll roll right past you like puffy tumbleweeds as you sit on the large porch — complete with rocking chairs and resident pup named Rocky Balboa.

Even the outdoor toilet and shower — both very clean — have views of the valley.

We loved our stay at this Boquete accommodation, especially because we spent almost our entire time hiking.

If you want to explore the actual main town in Boquete — with its many restaurants, bars and shops — you should stay at a hostel or hotel down there. For example:

• A popular choice is Hostel Mamallena , which has budget-friendly dorms and private rooms.
• Another great option if you’re not a hostel person is Agaseke Lodge Boquete , a simple and inexpensive Panama hotel right in Boquete Town that includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a clean room.

Another idea:

Do a few days in Boquete Town and a few days in the Panamanian cloud forest at the Lost Waterfalls Cabin.

You can always get to town via 15-minute hike down to the trailhead and then get a $10 cab, which the Airbnb host can call for you since you won’t have cell service.

If it’s the evening, make sure to bring a flashlight to see and your Vigilant Personal Alarm for safety, as it gets dark.

Most likely, you’ll eat most meals at the cabin, where you have a cooler (no fridge), outdoor grill, stove (no oven), sink and dishes / glassware.

Things To Do In Boquete, Chiriquí: Boquete Restaurants

One meal I do highly recommend you have in town:

A globally inspired farm-to-fork experience at Colibri Restaurante .

“Colibri” means “hummingbird” in Spanish, which is a great name for this restaurant focused on creative Mediterranean meals infused with mainly local ingredients.

They have outdoor seating, as well as indoor tables surrounded by walls covered in local artwork.

The menu is extensive with lots of noteworthy tastes, from the locally-made passionfruit limoncello to the home-brewed beer to the creative ice cream flavors.

Personally, I loved the tree tomato option, as well as the goat cheese made with a variety they find at a local farmer’s market.

Instead of bread, we were given a bowl of fried pasta with a pesto dipping sauce.

As a starter, the beef tenderloin salad was almost too pretty to eat, laced with carrot spirals, faddish slices and tender seasoned beef; all dressed in a passionfruit dressing.

The meal offered a delicious introduction to discovering the terroir of Boquete and the Chiriqui Province, as the reason many travelers visit is access to unique outdoor adventure opportunities.

Things To Do In Boquete, Chiriquí: Boquete Hiking Trails

Andy and I decided to continue exploring the landscape through two esteemed hiking trails:

The Pipeline Trail ($3 entrance fee) and the Lost Waterfalls Trails ($7 entrance fee), the latter of which our cabin sits at the trailhead of.

Both are moderately difficult, unbelievably scenic hikes that introduce you to lush jungle and renowned bird life. Moreover, they’re a short taxi or collectivo (shared taxi) ride from Boquete Town.

Additionally, both are well-traversed enough that I’d highly recommend them for solo female travelers — though do pack your personal alarm just in case. We didn’t see any, but there are jaguars here, and a sound grenade can help scare off wild animals.

The Pipeline Trail is 2.8-miles long, gradually bringing you to 1,578 meters above sea level. Despite the elevation gain, this is the easier of the two Boquete hikes. This is because the Lost Waterfalls Trail is very, very steep in sections.

During the hike, you’ll pass through two micro-climates of the cloud forest, seeing a wide variety of flora — and fauna, mainly birds.

Actually, along this trail sits a designated Quetzal habitat.

If you’re wondering where to see the sought-after Resplendent quetzal in Panama, this is where you need to go — though note having a local Boquete guide like this one will dramatically increase your chances of spotting one. These beautiful birds, despite their bright colors and dramatic feathering, are tough to spot on your own.

Another Pipeline Trail highlight:

A 1,000+ year-old Mexican elm tree, with enormous roots twisting out of the ground.

This is a fun photo spot for sure!

Along the way, you’ll cross lovely bridges — many crafted from parts of the pipeline the trek is named for — and will likely see lizards, butterflies and possibly even snakes, sloths and howler monkeys. We didn’t see the latter, but we definitely heard them!

At the end of the hike, you’re rewarded with a front row view of a waterfall perfect for swimming.

As Andy and I visited in the late August rainy season — Panama’s off season — we had the place all to ourselves.

The Lost Waterfalls Trail in Boquete was, in my opinion, even more beautiful, albeit more challenging with hugely spaced staircases and steep climbs — sometimes so sharp you’ll need a rope to assist you.

That being said, you’re introduced to three wildly gorgeous waterfalls, each quite different from the other.

Here is Lost Waterfall #1, the tamest of them all, with a viewing platform to see the falls:

Here is Lost Waterfall #2, my favorite of the three due to the multiple tiers and the cave behind it:

And here is Lost Waterfall #3, which you can also climb up and walk behind:

As a photographer on this Panama hike, I couldn’t help but notice the many opportunities for gorgeous natural framing.

Bring a raincoat! That rain can come out of nowhere. I’m a fan of the compact LINENLUX Rain Poncho .

Boquete gets much cooler than Panama City and Bocas del Toro, so bring some warm clothing. My travel-friendly scarf shawl  — which also makes for an excellent airplane blanket — came in handy for keeping me warm when hanging out on the porch.

Click here for a great list of unforgettable Boquete tours !

Visiting El Valle De Anton In Panama (aka El Valle)

After our cloud forest adventure in Boquete, we bid farewell to our Airbnb host, Elias, and the adorable Rocky Balboa.

While there is an inexpensive bus from Boquete to David — where you can board another inexpensive bus from David to Panama City — we decided to save time and hassle and instead grabbed a taxi to David’s international airport (1 hour, $50).

Then we took a flight from David to Panama City, where we grabbed a 2.5-hour bus to El Valle de Anton. Or, as it’s more commonly called, El Valle.

The town of El Valle — which I was told sits inside the largest inhabited volcano crater in the world — is known for its hiking trails, natural beauty and unique geography. Here, you’ll enjoy mountain treks, waterfalls, butterfly and orchid gardens, and hot springs.

Taking The Bus To El Valle From Panama City

So from Albrook Bus Station in Panama City there are ticket sellers coming up to you and anxiously asking you where you’re going.

“El Valle de Anton,” I said.

“Come!” A man said, beckoning me to follow.

He hurriedly brought me to a ticket selling table, and I again said “El Valle de Anton.”

A bunch of men were shouting around me, it was hectic and rushed, so when the guy repeated back “Anton?” I didn’t think that that might be a different place.

But alas, it was.

And our 2.5-hour bus ride took almost six hours as we arrived in Anton — different from El Valle de Anton — and had to backtrack to then take two different buses.

But hey, it was an experience.

Picture a small bus where people get on and off before the vehicle even really comes to a complete stop. Latin club beats blast, and on some buses there are even R-rated music videos to go along with them!

El Valle Panama Hotels: Casa del Alma (aka House of Soul)

We booked the funky, zen Casa del Alma space on Airbnb — so if you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to create your account and receive $40 off your first stay!

This large house with four thoughtfully-decorated guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, is chock full of inspiring nooks, female-centric artwork and playful touches.

Moreover, the outdoor garden features a pool, fireplace (upcharge for setup) and tropical flora attracting birds — including hummingbirds!

In the morning, a big kitchen stocked with coffee, eggs, cereal and bananas is included in your stay.

Hiking In El Valle: La India Dormida Trail

While we had a nice seafood meal at Restaurante Bruschetta and tasty fried chicken from a place off the main drag that read “Bar Restaurante,” the reason to visit El Valle isn’t the food.

It’s the nature.

Specifically, it’s to hike La India Dormida , or “The Sleeping Indian.”

From afar, this mountain range looks like a sleeping indigenous woman, quite a sight to see from afar.

And from the top, the views are even more spectacular.

According to Journey Era , there is a legend surrounding the mountain.

Apparently, an indigenous woman named Luba — a local chief’s daughter — fell in love with a Spaniard, despite incessant fighting between them and her tribe.

There was an indigenous man in her tribe who did love her, but she didn’t feel the same. Deeply hurt, he threw himself off a mountain in front of Luba.

Luba then became hysterical and got lost in the bushes, perishing.

Back to the La India Dormida hike itself, Andy and I were told there are four routes by which you can get to the top. Three are free and one is paid.

We weren’t sure where the free ones were, so we went in the paid entrance near the Piedra Pintada. You’ll see tons of signs in El Valle Town pointing you to La India Dormida as well as to the Piedra Pintada trailhead.

Honestly, I was happy to pay $3 for such a beautiful, well-maintained trail.

After paying, you’re shown a 3D diagram of the natural Panama attractions that await; neat, but nothing compared to seeing them up close.

At  times the 45-minute uphill hike is pretty steep, and you’ll need to traverse uneven rock steps and roots.

That being said, you’ll be distracted from any fatigue thanks to the fact that there’s barely any lag time between sites.

Almost immediately, you see the famed Piedra Pintada , an enormous rock covered in petroglyphs said to date back to Pre-Columbian times; as in, before 1492 when Christopher Columbus “discovered” the Americas.

After that, you’ll cross wooden bridges and veer off the path out onto small outcroppings to view three different waterfalls, each cascade offering something different.

Here is a look at my favorite waterfall from the La India Dormida hike, with beautiful views out toward the Pacific Ocean.

Along the path we saw so many giant Blue Morpho Butterflies, along with yellow-bellied flycatcher birds.

Toward the top, we saw one more petroglyph rock before shortly arriving at a crossroads.

We almost missed it, but in very faint white there is an arrow directing you toward the left.

This takes you higher up the mountain, until you come to a tent with decent views over the valley.

As usual, I thought this was the end before it really was. Like in Boquete, Andy volunteered to run ahead and scope things out.

We were lucky he did, as despite having to climb up a very steep and uneven rock face, we were ecstatic to come up onto the edge of the volcano crater.

The views here are completely open, with rolling hills on one side and the valley drop on the other as you walk along the crater rim.

There are a lot of great photo opportunities here; though do be smart, as the drop down is really long.

Visiting Panama City

After 10 days of Panama beach and jungle exploration, we ended our trip with three nights in Panama City.

Panama City is definitely the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city I’ve ever been when traveling Central America , with a lot of money coming in thanks to the Panama Canal.

Along with exploring innovative infrastructure, cosmopolitan architecture and cultural institutions like the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo and the Martin Theatre, you can also enjoy Panama beaches, hiking and wildlife in and around the city.

Getting Into Panama City From Tocumen International Airport

When you arrive into Tocumen International Airport, you’ve got a few options for transportation into the city — or to the nearby Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport for domestic flights.

• The bus. The cheapest option at less than $2, though note you can’t bring suitcases.
• Taxis. These you can grab right in the Arrivals Hall. The tourism information booth advised us it would be $35 from Tocumen International Airport to Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport.
• Uber. The best option if you’ve got luggage. We paid about $17 for the 14-mile ride to Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport.  If you’ve never used Uber, you can use code jessief7 to get your first ride free!

Where To Stay In Panama City: Bahia Grand Panama City

While trekking up hills to reach gorgeous jungle view rooms and hiking up steep stone paths for a secluded cloud forest retreat was so worth it, we decided to end with some luxury — and an elevator — by staying at the Bahia Grand Panama City   (formerly the Trump International Hotel & Tower Panama, though it’s now been taken over by JW Marriott).

This Panama City hotel is located in the opulent Punta Pacifica neighborhood, where you’ll see a number of luxury high rise hotels and condominium buildings.

Essentially, the Bahia Grand is a city within a city, with a shopping corridor, four restaurants, five oceanfront pools, a business center and a wellness center.

While mornings were spent enjoying fresh fruit and eggs at the BARcelona buffet breakfast and taking a dip (with a view!) in the 13th floor infinity pool, evenings were enjoyed taking baths in the standalone tub, drinking wine on our 31st-floor balcony and savoring the chefs menu at Tejas .

Their seafood — specifically their ceviche — is incredible!

Attached to the hotel is also the Ocean Sun Casino , from which you can take the elevator up to the 66th floor rooftop bar called Panaviera   Pool Bar .

I don’t think I’ve even been to a bar that high back home in NYC!

Now I have to be honest:

I was much less active in Panama City than I usually am while traveling.

Andy and I packed so much into our Panama itinerary that by the time we reached Panama City we really wanted to chill out.

So, a nice chunk of our time was spent sipping pina coladas out of pineapples by the pool.

#SometimesYouJustGotta

But, that’s not all we did…

Things To Do In Panama City

As stated above, if I could have changed one thing about our Panama itinerary, it would have been staying a few extra days to really get to know Panama City.

A few things we’ve added to our bucket list for the future since we didn’t have time on this Panama trip:

• Visiting Monkey Island where there are a lot of — you guessed it — monkeys.
• Whitewater rafting on the Mamoni River , which offers Class III-IV rapids.
• Taking a food tour of Casco Viejo , Panama City’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed quarter dating back to the 1670s. We certainly explored it, but it would have been a lot of fun to do an actual food tour with a local guide.
• Trekking to the top of Ancon Hill , which is about 1.2 miles each way and offers gorgeous views from the top.
• Spending a few nights in the San Blas Islands , an autonomous territory in Panama touted as possibly the country’s most pristine archipelago. There are over 365 islands, with the native Kuna people inhabiting a few of the larger ones where tourists also visit.
• Hiking the Pipeline Road from Panama City , which introduces you to Panama wildlife like numerous bird species and monkeys.
• Doing an all-inclusive catamaran booze cruise to the renowned Pearl Islands . Out of all the Panama City excursions we saw, this is the one we were most bummed to miss out on. Unfortunately, the catamaran goes out on very specific days which didn’t align with our Panama vacation plans.

Okay, enough about what we didn’t do in Panama City. Let’s talk about what we did do.

One must-have experience is wandering Casco Viejo .

As mentioned above, this Panama City neighborhood dates back to the late 17th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You really don’t need a plan here. You can simply walk and admire the historic Spanish colonial facades, which are protected.

In fact, many modern restaurants and bars gut the insides, but are not allowed to change the outsides. This gives Casco Viejo an enchanting old world feel.

Some of our favorite stops within Casco Viejo:

• Café Unido . Attention Instagrammers: This Panama City cafe was made for you. Along with being lovely looking, this is also one of the few places you can try the soft, tea-like Geisha Coffee. It costs a steep $9 per cup, but offered a gentle pick me up!

• CasaCasco . In this multi-level Panama City restaurant you’ve got three eateries to choose from, not to mention a rooftop bar serving tapas and a dance club. We opted for the Asian-focused NacionSushi. Warning: Their rolls are much, much, much bigger than you’re likely used to!

• The Strangers Club . This American-style craft cocktail bar was started by the team behind NYC’s famed Employees Only, along with two Panamanian partners. As many of you know, I lead a cocktail tour in Manhattan, so of course I had to try it. The ambiance is relaxed, with the menu showcasing Panama’s best ingredients. Pro tip: Order the “Angie,” featuring gin shaken with fresh passionfruit, house-made lemongrass syrup and frothy egg white. Yum!

Of course, you’ll also want to admire the views of the Panama City skyline and Panama Bay, as the neighborhood juts into the water.

Additionally, Casco Viejo is full of historic and cultural attractions, like  Palacio de las Garzas (where Panama’s president lives), the 18th century  Catedral de Panamá and the 17th century  La Iglesia San Felipe Neri .

Another experience you can’t miss when you visit Panama City:

Spending time at the Panama Canal !

While I appreciate engineering, I’ll be honest that this isn’t usually how I’d want to spend my time; however, Andy and I agreed that it would be wrong to miss it.

I’m glad we went, as we were able to get up close to the action.

Even if the idea of learning about boats and canals bores you, just seeing how the system works is interesting.

Something else fascinating:

The idea for the canal actually came from France; however, they eventually pulled out, which is when the project became a joint venture between the USA and Panama.

This short two-minute video by The BBC does a great job of explaining this further.

So, how long is the Panama Canal?

A whopping 48 miles, with ships generally taking eight to 10 hours to pass through. Astounding!

After visiting the Panama Canal, Andy and I spent some time roaming Panama City’s lesser-explored areas.

We really enjoyed the walkable  El Cangrejo, Obarrio and Marbella neighborhoods. 

Once we’d sufficiently worked up an appetite, we stopped at one of the most unique Panama City restaurants we’d seen yet:

Wall Street Bar & Lounge in Marbella.

Their concept is innovative in that the menu prices change based on what’s in stock.

The idea is that diners might be tempted to try something they normally wouldn’t order based on a great price.

Plus, the food and cocktails are just really good. Our drinks were works of art, adorned with flowers and burnt fruit slices.

In terms of dining it’s mainly hearty comfort food. We especially loved the burger topped with a creamy house sauce and served with spiced fries.

Definitely don’t come here on a diet!

To end the night — and the trip — Andy and I took an evening stroll along Panama City’s  Cinta Costera .

The coastal beltway begins and ends on the mainland, though a large portion of it weaves away from the city into the water, like one of Saturn’s rings.

Despite it being after 8pm, many locals were out running, skating and riding their bikes.

As we walked, Andy and I were able to take in an impressive view of Panama City, really grasping how humongous the cosmopolitan city really is.

Click here for a great list of unforgettable Panama City tours!

While Andy and I packed a lot into our two-week trip to Panama, we’re both looking forward to going back and exploring even more of what this beautiful country has to offer.

Because trust me, it’s a lot!

Travel Insurance

While you hope everything runs smoothly, sometimes travel just doesn’t go according to plan.

This is why I recommend always purchasing travel insurance. The scary truth is it only takes one bad accident to lose everything — or be thankful you were covered.

Personally, I use SafetyWing, as they’ve got a large network, offer both short-term and long-term coverage (including limited coverage in your home country), are budget-friendly, and offer $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

What would you add to this Panama itinerary? Any questions on backpacking Central America? Please share in the comments below!

Panama Itinerary Logistics: Electronics Warning: MacBook Pro problems! Make sure to keep your electronics, namely your laptops, in a sealed bag, as high humidity in places like Bocas del Toro can ruin them. Additionally, you can purchase a dry bag for when your gadgets are not in use, like this one . Panama Transfers: Hello Panama is a top-rated company in Panama who do many of the popular transfers. We used them to go from Bocas Town to Boquete for $30. Car Rentals: Discover Cars  lets you compare various rental companies and save up to 70% on your booking!  Bocas Taxi Boat Recommendation: If you need a boat ride between Bocas Town and another Bocas island, contact Choy at +507 6711 8878. Taxi Service In Boquete Recommendation: William. Very nice guy recommended to us by our Airbnb host! His cell is +507 6784 0277. Recommended Reads:  Panama Fever: The Epic Story of the Building of the Panama Canal Panama: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture Panama Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species Hands of the Rain Forest: The Emberá People of Panama Packing List:  A few must-pack items when visiting Panama include: A Vigilant personal safety alarm or safety whistle Clever Travel Companion pickpocket-proof garments Speakeasy Supply Co hidden-pocket scarves A compact raincoat A waterproof backpack All-natural insect repellent  Panama Tours: Bocas del Toro Tours Boquete Tours Panama City Tours All Panama Tours

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Thank you, Jessie, for sharing everything in so much details. You’ve made planning a trip to Panama very easy for me. Would love to go for hiking trails. Keep sharing your trips with us!

The natural beauty of Panama looks out of this world! And omg those little hummingbirds! So cute. Panama is officially on my list now. Thanks for such a comprehensive guide Jessie.

That’s a very informative post! You have covered so much and it seems like you had a perfect trip! Whenever I read such posts, my attention diverts to the food bit hehe (which looks amazing in your post btw) but my favourite here is the hands down, the Jungle Lodge, looks like a slice of heaven!

This is such a fantastic & comprehensive guide! It looks gorgeous! Panama is one of my husband’s top destination choices, so I’ll definitely be pinning for when we finally make it out there!

Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. Great to share this information thanks.

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Wandering with a Dromomaniac

Adventure Travel: Rediscovering Nature and Other Cultures

Traveling solo in Panama

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“In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” – Unknown

Panama was my first time traveling solo. Previously I either traveled for work, where it was all organized by someone else and mostly domestic travel, or I traveled with my boyfriend or family. This trip was all me from the start. I applied to volunteer, I organized all my travel and I went at it alone.

Why am I writing this? Because I want you to know that you can do it too. It is my hope that it inspires you to get out of your comfort zone. I think you will find yourself pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Now, where was I? Oh yes. Firsts. This trip was full of firsts. My first-time traveling solo, my first stay at a hostel, my first-time sleeping in a hammock, and my first-time bathing in a river. Needless to say, I had just a little apprehension and anxiety. Though, I have to admit, it was also a little thrilling.

I know, some of you are thinking, oh give me a break it’s not that big of a deal. But it was, at least for me. I kind of felt like I had something to prove, to myself, and to others. So many people said, “I could never do that, I could never travel somewhere alone” and I always wondered what the big deal was? What was holding them back?

But as I began planning I started feeling a tightness in my gut worrying that I couldn’t do it. Having panic attacks every time I thought I had it all figured out, then realizing I had missed a step. I was so worried about missing some key part and being left in the proverbial cold with no help. That’s what was holding so many back, that underlying fear.

Taking deep breaths and pushing those fears aside, I decided to just let it all unfold naturally. I told myself that even the best laid plans can go awry but it will be worth it. Bumps and all. It all started off without a hitch, I managed to take two trains to the airport and then fly to Panama.

Feeling confident I strolled to the baggage claim, thinking, “I got this. This is easy.” Then reality hit me in the face and said, “Whoa, not so fast chickie.” The airline forgot to transfer my luggage in Chicago. So, here I was in a new country without a change of clothes (my bag did eventually arrive, about 1 hour before being whisked off to Bocas on a 10-hour bus ride).

Pushing this aside, since it was out of my control, I took a cab to my hostel. I have to admit, I have never stayed in a hostel. So many people do it without even a second thought, but I had never had the opportunity to even try. I had envisioned groups of travelers coming together, making friends, sharing travel stories, and honestly, partying. Not that I was looking to party, it was just what I pictured happened.

It did seem like there was a strong sense of comradery and a general openness in the hostels I stayed in. They were also surprisingly clean, the scent of freshly bleached sheets tingling my nose as I entered my room. I stayed in rooms of 4-6 and did not have a single bad experience in either. People readily introduced themselves and were genuinely interested in my story. Though I don’t think I got the full feel of those places because I was there for such a short period of time.

I was surprised by the openness and kindness of the people at the hostels as well as the people I met during my stay. Though in many situations, the people of Panama new little to no English, resulting in an extended game of charades and some serious Spanglish. In the end, however, we always figured it out.

In Panama, and in other countries, I was always moderately suspicious of people who came under the guise of trying the help. But to my pleasant surprise, everyone I encountered truly just wanted to help. They weren’t looking for money or anything in return.

One example of this, was while wandering around the bus terminal awaiting my departure to Bocas del Toro. I was approached by an elderly gentleman, who spoke English remarkably well. He gave me a kindly smile and asked if I needed help. Then he proceeded to guide me to the nearest kiosk to load the card that paid for the buses.

As he showed me what to do he asked the usual barrage of questions. Where was I from, what was I doing in Panama, how long was I staying, did I see the canal? I was certain he wanted something in return. But as soon as he finished helping me, he wished me safe travels and walked off. I was stunned by how inherently good people are if you give them the chance.

I also met some really inspiring people along the way. People I wish to emulate. Prior to me arriving at the aforementioned bus terminal, another traveler at my hostel offered to show me how to get there. He was traveling from Switzerland on a 4-month holiday in which he started in Antarctica of all the incredible places.

As I listened to the places he had been in absolute awe, my mouth hanging open practically salivating, I found out he had that first part planned but then had just an idea of how he wanted to spend the remainder of his time. Nothing else was booked ahead, he just knew he wanted to make his way further north until he reached Mexico, where his journey would end, and he would fly home.

He had such an ease about him, as though he belonged in Panama. It was so casual, he just melded with the rest of society standing there on the bus in his white bowler hat, light and airy dress shirt and khaki pants. He looked just like one of those explorers you see in old movies. I couldn’t help but envy him just a little, with all his vacation time and freedom to just travel for 4 months at such a relaxed pace. It was kind of mind blowing. I wanted that.

Solo travel gives you the opportunity to open up to experiences in ways you just can’t when you travel with others. It is entirely on you to get out there and experience a place and a culture. To meet people and try new things. This can be really challenging for some, myself included. But if you allow yourself to push fear aside and just go for it, that’s when the magic happens. Where you meet some of the most inspiring people, learn and grow as a person, and have experiences that will change your entire perspective on the life you live.

Overall, traveling solo taught me that I was stronger than I thought. I felt like the person I really am emerged, not a veterinarian, a girlfriend, a daughter, just me. Raw and real. I was able to really put myself out there. It didn’t matter where I came from, what material items I had, I was dirty, sweaty and probably smelled a bit, but I had never felt more alive.

Going alone gave me that perspective and I feel differently now that I am back home. I saw something in myself and others I never expected. It gave me a whole new perspective. Things that used to get under my skin before seeming to be a waste of my time and energy.

Don’t let fear control you and make decisions for you. People have told me my whole life that I wasn’t strong enough, smart enough, capable enough (not in so many words but the vibe was there) and each time I fought against it. It has opened more doors and opportunities than I can even express.

When you have a passion or a dream of going somewhere, trying something, ignore those around you who try to tell you otherwise. If you take that step I think you will surprise yourself with what you are capable of and what others can teach you. I know I surprised myself and will continue to do so because I’m worth it and so are you.

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Nicole is a wildlife veterinarian and aspiring professional explorer. She has travelled to 3 continents and studies endangered species for wildlife conservation. Go to her about page to read Nicole's story "From a small town girl told she couldn't do it to conquering it all." If you want to send Nicole a message visit her contact page.

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Solo female travel in Panama

Travel rating.

Based on 11 experiences

Based on our research

Based on safety reports

Meet new people

Get the travel ladies app to meet new people , find travel buddies , share solo travel experiences and stay with locals through couch surfing ..

Is Panama good for solo travel?

Safety: Safe

Transport: Easy

Things to do: Interesting

Food: Above average

Budget: Moderate

Is panama worth visiting, overall rating.

based on 11 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do, budget-friendly.

United States

Solo travel experience

Went with my sister to Playa Venao, Panama. Felt extremely safe and welcomed by all of the locals! I stayed at Beachbreak Surf Camp which I loved! Very affordable and comfortable, and cute. I did the all inclusive package which included daily surfing, all meals, and airport transfer and came out to around a little over $1,000 for 5 nights. I also brought $500 for spending on alcoholic drinks, tips for meals, meals outside of my included hotel meals, and shopping. My sister brought the same amount and ended up not spending less than I did, I spent almost all of it but I did buy several souvenirs and we also like tipping well for the great service. Overall I loved it, it’s a laid back surf town, most tourists there were on the younger side of adulthood, and we by far not the only solo women travelers which was awesome!

I went alone in May and had a wonderful time. I was in Bocas and it was beautiful there. I stayed at Skully's. In Panama City, I stayed in Casco Viejo, a wonderful district. I walked there alone. There were a lot of police guards, so I felt safe.

I went to Panama this summer and I felt very safe there. I loved the city, the culture, and the people living there. I used Uber everywhere and it was cheap and safe.

Group travel experience

I was in Panama for a week in January. The food was amazing, and the locals were friendly. I met up with a group of friends in Panama and spent the entire week going on trips with them, so I didn't need Uber or a taxi, but I was told that it is a good way to get around and that they are safe even for a person traveling alone. They strongly advised me not to be outside alone after dark, regardless of the circumstances.

I loved Panama. The city is beautiful, and the people are amazing. I also visited Bocas Del Toro and I really liked it there too. I stayed at Selina's hostel in Panama and at Skully's Skullys hostel in Bocas del Toro. I definitely recommend seeing the canal.

I spent a week in Panama and didn't manage to see everything, so I plan to return. I saw the Gamboa rainforest, Taboga Island, and the San Blas Islands. I stayed in Panama City and it was easy to get around. I felt safe all the time, and the people were really friendly.

I loved Panama. The food was amazing, everyone was so happy and helpful, and the place was absolutely beautiful.

I loved Panama. Every night I would spend sleeping in the city. I did a one-day trip to San Blas and a one-day trip to Tobogá Island. I observed the operation of the locks on the canal. I walked around the city park in the rainforest and saw a capybara, I visited Casco and enjoyed great food and a rooftop bar, I loved Mercado De Mariscos and a walk in the water park.

Panama is a great country to visit. The weather is nice and the beaches are beautiful. The Panama Canal is a must during your visit. Casco Viejo is also a great place to find something to eat, explore and party, though the drive to get there included passing through some sketchy places. Overall, I felt very safe and at peace during my visit. Would definitely recommend it to anybody who wants to get to know this beautiful country.

I went to Panama alone last autumn and it was fantastic. Very safe for a single woman who only knows a few words of Spanish. The biodiversity in this country is incredible.

Meet locals in Panama

Hello Ladies! Visiting different countries, experiencing new cultures and meeting people are my favourite ways to learn and grow and enjoy life! I worked in the Airline industry for many years and was lucky to be able to visit many places but there are so many more on my bucket list. I have also been an Airbnb host for many years so I am familiar with having visitors in my home. I am looking forward to this new experience!

Hi I am Jun, I like to cook panamenian food (especially breakfast). I love dogs, cats and almost any animal 🥺💓. I like plants but I don’t have “the hand” to keep them alive. I love videography/filmmaking also interested in being a digital nomad (working on it), currently erasmus student in Bratislava.

Panama is a great place to visit. It is a bit expensive depending what you're looking for and language could be a barrier. The best part of the country is visiting the inside of the country where nature is the main character. Beautiful beaches, awesome trails, unbelievable fauna just waiting to be discovered.

Stay with locals in Panama

Can host for:.

Soy una chica descomplicada que viaja sola y le gusta conocer gente nueva. Me gusta aprender algo nuevo todos los días y soy muy agradecida por las cosas que suceden, sucedieron y sucederán.

Upcoming visitors to Panama

Hi :) would like to explore the area, grab something to eat or join for a yoga class?

Explore Panama

Bocas Del Toro

El Valle de Anton

Bastimentos

Cerro Punta

Santa Catalina

Panama City

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Solo travel Panama: your ultimate guide

Are you planning a solo trip to Panama? You might be wondering how safe it is for solo travelers and what precautions you should take. Well, fret not! This blog will cover all the information you need to know before embarking on your journey.

We will also guide you through budgeting for your trip, including average prices for accommodation, transportation, and food. Additionally, we’ll share some tips on how to save money during your stay.

Last updated on:  02-01-2024

How safe is Panama for solo travel?

Source:  Visionofhumanity.org

Panama is generally considered safe for solo travel, including for solo female travelers. The country holds the 68th spot on the Global Peace Index . The GPI is a creation of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and stands as the foremost global measure of worldwide tranquility.

According to the Solo Female Travel Safety Index, Panama ranks 1 out of 4, with one being the safest.

While it’s important to exercise caution and be mindful of pickpocketing in tourist areas, solo travelers, including solo female travelers, have reported feeling safe during their visits.

What is the best time to visit Panama for solo travelers ?

Source:  Weatherandclimate.org

For solo travelers, the best time to visit Panama depends on various factors. The dry season, which occurs from December to April in Panama, offers plenty of sunshine and lower chances of rain. This makes it an ideal time to explore the country’s beautiful landscapes.

However, if you prefer fewer crowds and more affordable prices, consider traveling during the shoulder season in May or November . Keep in mind that the wet season, from May to November, offers lush, green landscapes but occasional rain showers.

What are the most important holidays and festivals in Panama?

The most important holidays and festivals in Panama include:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Martyrs’ Day (January 9)
• Carnaval (the four days preceding Ash Wednesday)
• Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Separation Day (November 3)
• Flag Day (November 4)
• Colón Day (November 5)
• Independence Day (November 28)
• Mother’s Day (December 8)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

In addition to these national holidays, Panama hosts various festivals throughout the year, such as the:

• Chiriqui Highlands Flower and Coffee Festival
• Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival
• Sobresaltos Dance Festival, Semana Santa (Holy Week)
• Bocas Del Toro Sea Fair

How to meet other solo travelers in Panama

Want to connect with fellow solo travelers during your trip to Panama? Consider staying in a hostel, a popular choice for meeting other solo travelers from around the world.

Join organized tours or activities, where you can connect with individuals who share a passion for travel.

Immerse yourself in local events like language exchanges or cultural workshops to meet both locals and fellow travelers. Attend social gatherings or meetups organized by travel communities, both online and offline.

Don’t forget to utilize travel buddy apps or social media platforms to connect with solo travelers in Panama.

Is Panama expensive for solo travelers?

Source: Numbeo

Panama can be moderately expensive for solo travelers, with costs varying based on travel style and preferences.

According to Numbeo, Panama holds the 59th spot on the Cost of Living Index by Country.

According to multiple travel guides, you can calculate your daily budget (covering accommodation, food, transportation, and some activities) with the following numbers:

• $30 to $50 should be sufficient for budget travelers .
• Mid-range travelers may expect to spend around $80 to $150 per day.
• A luxurious trip could require a budget of $220 per day or more.

Panama is considered one of the more expensive Central American countries, with prices slightly higher than some other countries in the region.

It’s important to plan ahead, limit meals out, and stick to affordable accommodation to manage costs effectively.

Tip  (no advertisement): for planning your route, we can recommend using the Stippl app.

Practical tips for saving money during your trip

To make the most of your solo travel in Panama without breaking the bank, it’s important to budget and save money wisely. Start by setting a daily budget and diligently tracking your expenses to stay within your financial limits.

Consider cooking your own meals or trying local street food options, which can be more budget-friendly than eating out at restaurants. Take advantage of free attractions such as beaches, parks, or public events for entertainment.

Look for travel discounts, promotions, or affiliate links to save money on transportation, accommodations, or activities. Additionally, consider traveling during the shoulder season when prices are generally lower compared to peak tourist season.

What are the best places to visit for solo travelers in Panama?

Some of the best places to visit for solo travelers in Panama include:

• Panama City : Explore the modern skyline and historic districts like Casco Viejo, a UNESCO-protected district with colonial architecture and trendy bars.
• San Blas Islands : Experience the beauty of these picturesque islands, known for their clear waters and white sandy beaches.
• Bocas del Toro : This destination offers a range of activities such as surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, making it perfect for solo travelers who want to stay busy.
• Boquete : Known for its natural beauty and the town with Volcano Baru, Boquete is a great place for solo travelers seeking adventure and relaxation.
• Santa Catalina : Ideal for those interested in surfing, diving, and exploring the natural beauty of Panama.

These destinations offer a mix of urban exploration, beach relaxation, and outdoor activities, catering to various interests of solo travelers.

What are the best ways to get around in Panama?

In Panama, there are several convenient ways for travelers to get around, including public transport, taxis, and rental cars. Here are some of the best ways to navigate Panama:

• Public Transport : Panama City boasts a modern mass-transit system, including metro trains and modern buses, making it easy to get around the city. Buses are also a popular and affordable option for traveling long distances within the country, with a network connecting major mainland destinations.
• Taxis : Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in larger cities like Panama City and David, providing a convenient way to navigate urban areas. Intra-city rides are generally affordable, making taxis a practical choice for short distances.
• Rental Cars : For travelers interested in exploring at their own pace, rental cars are available at airports and in larger cities. Panama’s well-paved highways make driving a viable option, especially for reaching remote destinations not served by public transportation.
• Boats and Flights : In certain regions, such as the islands of Bocas del Toro and Guna Yala, access is primarily by plane or boat. Flights are a fast and practical way to reach remote areas, while boats provide transportation between islands and along rivers in the Darién region.
• Walking and Cycling : While walking is a great way to explore compact neighborhoods, cycling is recommended only in specific areas with dedicated lanes or during times of light traffic. In western Panama, cycling is popular due to well-paved roads and scarce traffic.

Overall, Panama offers a variety of transportation options, allowing travelers to choose the most suitable mode based on their itinerary and preferences.

5 Must-try dishes in Panama

The must-try dishes in Panama include a variety of traditional and flavorful options. Here are five dishes that solo travelers should consider experiencing:

• Empanadas : These savory pastries are popular in Panama and are typically filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
• Carimañolas de Carne : Carimañolas are deep-fried yuca (cassava) rolls filled with seasoned ground meat, often served as a snack or appetizer.
• Tamales Panameños : Tamales in Panama are typically made with corn dough and filled with a variety of ingredients such as chicken, pork, or vegetables, then wrapped in plantain leaves and steamed.
• Patacones : These are fried green plantains that are smashed and refried, often served as a side dish or snack.
• Sancocho : This traditional soup is a staple in Panamanian cuisine, typically made with chicken, yuca, corn, and other vegetables, offering a hearty and flavorful dining experience.

These dishes represent the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Panama, providing solo travelers with an opportunity to savor the country’s traditional flavors and local specialties.

Pepijn is the founder of Likeplan. He mainly writes about solo traveling. With over 10 completed solo trips, he writes from his own experience with the mission to encourage other people to go out and explore by themselves.

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Home » Budget Travel » ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Central America | Destinations & Tips for 2024

ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Central America | Destinations & Tips for 2024

Solo travelling in Central America is life-changing. After hearing countless spellbinding stories and backpacking lore from travellers on the road about Central America I just had to go.

Wedged between the giants of North and South America, you’ll find this solo traveller’s paradise. Where you can wake up in a hammock to the sound of the ocean in Belize, marvel at erupting volcanoes in Guatemala or learn to salsa dance with locals in Panama.

Whether you’re diving into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean or trekking through cloud forests in Costa Rica – you’ll find the perfect blend of thrilling adventures and tranquil moments.

As a solo traveller, Central America welcomes you in with open arms, full of communities eager to share their culture and hidden spots off the beaten track. It’s the ultimate playground for those looking to explore, connect and discover more about themselves along the way.

Last year, I spent over five months solo in the region and I’m now ready to spill the beans about solo travel in Central America and what makes it one of the best places IN THE WORLD for solo travel – let’s get into this!

9 Things to Do in Central America When Travelling Solo

5 best solo destinations in central america, the best travel apps for solo travel in central america, safety tips for solo travellers in central america, tips for solo travelling in central america, final words for your solo central america trip.

There is such a wonderful variety of activities for travellers in Central America to discover. Whether you want to sit on a tropical beach with a coconut in hand or embark on epic adventurous missions up active volcanoes, there is something for everyone in this magical land.

Central America is geographically blessed. It’s nothing short of paradise for nature and ocean lovers.

Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are packed with astonishing marine life, surf towns, beaches and straight-up chill vibes. Inland, you have a variety of dense tropical jungles, ancient Mayan ruins and gorgeous colonial cities. As well as some wicked topography with some of the best natural viewpoints in the world.

One of the best things about solo travel in Central America is making new like-minded mates from all over the world. One of my favourite ways of fusing making real connections and having memorable experiences whilst on the road is to join group tours.

Whatever is your cup of tea, you’ll find it in Central America; and I can promise you that!

Note: Despite many people suggesting that Mexico is part of Central America, it has been excluded from this guide as it’s too damn big. Check out this guide to solo travel in Mexico if you’re off to taco-land.

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1. Get Off The Beaten Track

Embarking on a solo travel mission presents one with the unique scenario in life of having to answer to no one. Whilst following the crowd can be fun at times, the magic of solo travel is best experienced when going a little bit rogue.

There is nothing more empowering than wandering off the beaten track , getting lost on purpose, and then finding more than you ever imagined.

Some of my personal favourite travel experiences have been when I’ve hopped on a moped and driven into the middle of f*cking nowhere. It’s in these remote corners where you can not only find tourist-free hidden gems but also make deep connections with local people who aren’t so used to seeing tourists.

When Travelling Solo, Travel Safely!

It’s EXTREMELY important to do things like this safely and carefully. Always take travel safety precautions, especially as a female. Whilst getting lost is fun, it can be dangerous. It’s up to you to decide how much you are comfortable with.

2. Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

Over some 4000 years ago, the Maya civilisation sprawled over 40 cities, some with populations reaching over 50,000 individuals. Central America is littered with enchanting remains of this ancient civilisation.

Mayan sites can be found in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. I personally explored a nice sample of Mayan sites and can confidently say that none blew my socks off quite like Tikal, in Guatemala. I took a guided day tour of Tikal National Park and it was a highlight of my trip, for sure.

3. Witness the Wildlife (ETHICALLY!)

Now then, Central America is home to some of the most INSANE wildlife I have ever seen. The oceans are teeming with all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures and the dense tropical jungles boast some of the highest biodiversity rates in the world. Particularly in countries such as Costa Rica and Guatemala.

I saw some pretty incredible exotic animals in Central America. My favourite was  seeing the iconic sloths of La Fortuna and Monteverde National Park in Costa Rica. I also got to see the rare Quetzal bird in Guatemala’s Tikal National Park. 

If you head to Caye Caulker in Belize, you’ll find a shallow-water aquatic paradise packed with sharks and rays. That is pretty damn incredible too.

Whatever sort of wildlife tourism you decide to involve yourself in, PLEASE make sure it is with an ethical and reputable company. Ethical animal tourism is for the good of everyone and everything. If you truly love wildlife, ensure they are being treated with respect.

4. Learn Some Spanish at a Spanish School

If you are a solo traveller who wants to have meaningful conversations and create connections with local people, there is no better way to do so than by learning Spanish. I’m no expert at Spanish but I’m so glad I spammed Duolingo for 100 days before getting here, it helped me sooo much.

One of the most popular ways of learning Spanish in Latin America is in a Spanish school. Many solo travellers find themselves here and it’s a good way to meet others who have a similar mindset and goal to yourself. Some of the best locations to join a Spanish school are in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and San Jose, Heredia or La Fortuna in Costa Rica.

5. Hike an Active Volcano!

Hiking a volcano in Central America should be on everyone’s bucket list. There are over 100 volcanoes scattered across the region, many of them still active.

One of the highlights of my life was hiking Guatemala’s Acatenango and Feugo volcanoes overnight where you can see eruptions every 15 minutes. Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama all have awesome volcano hikes too, but Guatemala is the country to do this – 100%.

6. Learn to Scuba Dive or Snorkel!

Central America is one of the cheapest places in the world to dive . Utila in Honduras is a notorious diver’s hotspot and many other locations such as Belize and Costa Rica have awesome dive cultures.

Scuba diving or even just snorkelling solo (as part of a tour) is such a fabulous and personal learning experience – whether you’re learning to snorkel or have been doing it for years. From swimming with turtles to learning how to dive into the deep blue – immersing yourself in the underwater world is a grounding experience. Joining a group tour of the Belize barrier reef is possibly the best option for elite sea life.

7. Take Some Surfing Lessons

As I said before, Central America is geographically blessed. On both sides of this narrow strip of land, there are two glorious bodies of water – the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Both of these are seriously blessed with some superb waves in the right conditions and are perfect for all types of surfers. If you’re a beginner, I suggest hitting up Costa Rica, somewhere like Tamarindo for surf lessons . If you’re a pro, head to the barreling beasts of Bocas Del Toro in Panama or anywhere in El Salvador.

8. Embark on a Coffee Plantation Tour

Central America produces some of the world’s best coffee. If you’re a caffeine addict like me, touring coffee farms on ATV’s and trying all the local coffee is such an awesome experience.

If you are an extrovert, you can chit-chat away with other coffee lovers on one of these kinds of tours and learn so much about where your favourite speed juice comes from. But, if you’re a quiet, introverted individual, try to enjoy the drive!

9. Slide Down a Volcano on Your Bum!

Near Leon, in Nicaragua, is Cerro Negro. Cerro Negro is the home of  volcano boarding tours .

What’s volcano boarding you ask? Well, it’s sliding down a volcano… on your backside. It’s truly an adrenaline-pumping and unique activity that I can absolutely recommend to everyone.

Yes, you read that right. Forget snowboarding or surfing,  volcano boarding is where it’s at .

Central America is deceivingly large. Most of it is good, some of it’s great, parts of it are awe-inspiring, and some bits are, well, meh.

Central America is overall a safe location to visit, despite what your family or friends will tell you. That being said, some locations are definitely more suited to solo travellers than others; especially solo female travellers .

Here are five of the most popular backpacking locations for solo travellers in Central America.

1. Ometepe, Nicaragua

Isla Ometepe is a volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua – the largest lake in Central America. Ometepe is straight out of a fairytale and is one of my favourite locations in the world.

The travelling community in Ometepe is thriving and there are tons of cool things to do here. Hiking volcanoes, kayaking through mangroves, drinking cocktails on black sand, mango tree-covered beaches and epic moped driving trips are all on the standard backpacker’s Ometepe itinerary .

Nicaragua in general (Ometepe included) is one of the most affordable countries in Central America and my gosh it’s insane value for money. What you get for your money here is simply astounding compared to what you get in neighbouring countries like Costa Rica.

If you are heading to Ometepe, which you absolutely should, stay in El Zopilote . It’s a gorgeous off-grid hostel and permaculture farm with a good social vibe that’s perfect for solo travellers. Beds are available for just $5 per night!

2. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Lake Atitlan is a staple location for those backpacking in Guatemala . Surrounded by volcanoes on all sides, Lake Atitlan is a gorgeous lake with numerous picturesque towns scattered around its perimeter.

Some notable locations include Panajachel, San Marcos, and my personal favourite – San Pedro La Laguna. San Pedro La Laguna is one of the most fun and action-packed little towns in Guatemala. It’s a solo travellers paradise.

Some of the best things to do in San Pedro La Laguna include attending a Spanish school, which is extremely popular amongst backpackers. Another popular activity in San Pedro is to party the night (or day) away; the drinking culture here is elite.

If you want to indulge in a more peaceful time, hike up the Indian Nose for astounding lake views or head to San Marcos. This town is well-known for its yoga retreats and zen vibe.

If you head to San Pedro and want to party, stay in Mr. Mullets . This super social party hostel is fantastic for extroverted solo travellers. Each Thursday, it hosts the most epic boat party in the middle of Lake Atitlan that lasts all day and will have you meeting new travel buddies with ease!

3. Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Located on Isla Colon in a Caribbean archipelago is Bocas Del Toro. Bocas Del Toro is undoubtedly the best location in Panama for backpackers of all types, including solo backpackers. Bocas itself is a lively beachside town with a thriving Caribbean culture and an abundance of activities for backpackers.

Solo travelling in Bocas Del Toro is just so much bloody fun! Some of the best activities for solo travellers in Bocas Del Toro to do are renting bicycles and exploring, beach hopping tours, surfing lessons and of course, attending the famous Filthy Friday party .

Whilst Bocas Del Toro is definitely not the cheapest place to visit on this list, it is definitely one you cannot miss. The tranquil white sand beaches of Bocas and the many surrounding islands are divine.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Bocas Del Toro I can recommend Bambuda Bocas Town . This hostel is better than the overpriced and busy Selina nearby and has amazing decking right on the sea where you can see starfish and swim in the gorgeous clear water.

4. Antigua, Guatemala

I had to get at least one city on this list. Antigua in Guatemala is definitely my favourite city in Central America (sorry Panama City), and to be honest, I think most backpackers would agree with me on this one.

Staying in Antigua is fan-bloody-tastic , and nothing short of perfect for solo travellers! This extremely affordable and charming city is so photogenic. Hike up to the Cerro de la Cruz for a brilliant view or simply wander the cobbled streets with a good travel camera in hand. You won’t want to miss these photo-ops. My fav camera to travel with is the Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 .

Most backpackers who find themselves in Antigua also embark on the Acatenango overnight hike to witness erupting lava right in front of their eyes! However, if you’re a beginner hiker or you are looking for an easier or more accessible hike, head to the nearby Pacaya Volcano.

My favourite hostel in Antigua is Adra Hostel . There is a great social vibe at Adra and I met some buddies to hike Acatensngo here too! There is also a gorgeous rooftop where you can marvel at Volcán de Agua all day long.

5. La Fortuna, Costa Rica

There’s one thing you should know before we proceed. Costa Rica is expensive! With that out the way, let’s talk about my favourite place in Costa Rica, La Fortuna.

Costa Rica may be expensive, but it’s expensive for a reason. The pura vida lifestyle in Costa Rica is one to be desired, for sure.

La Fortuna in Costa Rica is a small, lush, jungly town situated close to the marvellous Arenal Volcano. There are a bunch of backpackers in La Fortuna and it’s a great place for solo travellers to come and hang out. Amongst some of the best activities areas are, of course, exploring the Arenal Volcano National Park, and checking out the stunning and famous Fortuna Waterfall.

There are so many cute Airbnbs in La Fortuna but if you are a solo traveller, you’ll probably want to stay in a hostel. Arenal Backpackers Resort is the most popular hostel in town and has the best, most social atmosphere to suit you solo travellers.

Having the  right apps for travel  can make your life a whole lot easier. Solo travel in Central America can be hard, but with some of these tools in your pocket, it can make life just that little bit easier.

• Hostelworld  – The best way to search and book affordable dorms or private rooms
• Booking.com – For all of your other accommodation needs at great prices
• Couchsurfing  – Ideal for budget travellers but not advised for solo female travellers
• Tinder  – Suitable for meeting friends (and lovers) in foreign places
• Hinge  – Designed for dating and meeting likeminded travellers
• Bumble  – Ideal for making new (special) friends
• Maps.me – Downloading offline maps can be an epic way to get off the beaten track
• Rome2Rio – An elite travel app that helps you get from any A to B in the world
• Currency – To check exchange rates and conversions for all the different currencies you’ll need
• Duolingo + Google Translate – Brush up on your Spanish and let Google Translate do the rest
• Holafly  – An e-SIM application that allows you to download a data-only SIM card without installing a physical card

If meeting like-minded travellers is your goal, check out the current popular Facebook groups for travellers in Central America.

Stop stressing about your phone service when you travel abroad.

Holafly is a digital SIM card that works smoothly like an app — you simply pick your plan, download it, and voilà!

Roam around Europe, but leave the roaming charges for the n00bies.

Staying safe in Central America is much easier than most people think. Whilst Central America definitely can be a very dangerous place at times, if you take some pretty basic travel precautions, you should be fine!

Some countries in Central America are most definitely safer places than others. And even within these countries, there are some safe areas and some no-go places. I’ve done my best to break down the Central American countries with some basic safety info for ya’.

• Guatemala – Safe enough. Most of the touristy areas are very safe. Guatemala City is perhaps the least safe location in the country. Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Xela and Flores are all very safe for tourists.
• Belize – High crime rates, but mostly gang-related. If you stay out of the way, (especially in Belize City) you’ll be fine. Solo female travellers should take extra care in Belize. Caye Caulker is safe.
• El Salvador – Used to be VERY unsafe for travel; nowadays just IS safe for travel. Play it safe.
• Honduras – Perhaps the least safe country on this list. Utila and Roatan are safe. Most of the mainland can be travelled safely, but is for experienced travellers only. Do not wander at night.
• Nicaragua – Nicaragua is mostly safe. Popular locations like Ometepe, San Juan Del Sur, Popoyo, Leon and Granada are all safe for backpackers. Standard travel tips apply, beware of petty crime.
• Costa Rica – The safest country on this list. Take some care in San Jose and other major cities, but you will be safe in most backpacker hotspots: La Fortuna, Monteverde, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo etc.
• Panama – Very 50/50. Locations such as Bocas Del Toro, Panama City and Boquete are safe. DO NOT travel to remote areas solo in Panama, it is unsafe. Research your chosen destinations well.

Travelling safely in Central America is done by knowing your limits, trusting your gut and most importantly, using common sense.

I’ve come up with eight quick tips to make your experiences in Central America better. All of these tips can enhance your solo travel experience, or save your ass (especially the final tip).

• Plan YOUR own trip. Keep plans flexible, but don’t let others stop you from doing what you want.
• Budget accordingly and time spent in different regions. Beware that Costa Rica, Belize and Panama are far more expensive than other countries like Nicaragua or Honduras.
• Know a basic level of Spanish  – vital in more remote regions. However, Spanish fluency isn’t essential to travel to Central America, and you can get by knowing minimal Spanish.
• Be bold! Approach people, express yourself and engage with local people and businesses.
• Join group tours and hike volcanoes! Hiking Acatenago and sliding down Cerro Negro are cool. Tours are a great way to make friends in Central America whilst ticking off bucket-list adventures.
• Stay in a hostel! Some of my favourites in Central America include the super-remote, jungly Greengo’s Hotel and the castaway private beach feel of Surfing Turtle Lodge .
• Try to fly into Cancun or Medellin to enter (or exit) Central America. Solo flight tickets can be found to and from these locations at cheap prices, globally.
• Travel insurance is essentia l for solo travellers. With no one there to watch your back, you need to have some backup. Some good travel insurance is the best way to cover yourself.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Solo travelling in Central America will be one of the best experiences of your life – and I can guarantee that. I’ve never met a solo traveller who has set foot in this incredible land and said otherwise.

I would suggest that you spend a minimum of two months travelling in Central America if you want to even scratch the surface of the magnificent region. If you plan on visiting each country in Central America, you may want to begin and end your trip in either Cancun or Medellin respectively (depending on your direction of travel). These hotspots offer the best flight rates and are a bunch of fun in their own rights.

The route that most backpackers take skips out either Honduras or El Salvador and sometimes Belize too. These countries are “skippable” (if that’s even a thing). I’m not sure it is.

One thing I’m sure of though is that Guatemala and Nicaragua are absolutely UNSKIPPABLE. They are two of my favourite countries in the world.

When travelling solo it’s also important to have flexible plans. You never know, you may meet the love of your life, a bunch of great new mates or fall in love with a specific place and want to stay.

I hope you’ve been inspired to solo travel in Central America. All that’s left to do now is to pack your bag , book that flight and GO! You got this, I believe in you.

• Check out the best  Central America travel guide  on the net for all your inspo!
• Don’t forget the essentials with our in-depth  backpacking packing list .
• Make sure you know where to stay in Costa Rica BEFORE you get there to save $!
• Make sure you’re prepared for anything using our guide to staying safe in Nicaragua .
• And  bring your travel camera  to capture the breathtaking views Central America has to offer!
• Get ready for your onward journey with our guide to backpacking South America .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Joe Middlehurst

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Panama Travel Tips

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Its importance in global trade has helped the country proper (it’s one of the most developed in the region). And in recent years, Panama has also become a major tourist destination as flights from the US have become increasingly affordable and more Americans begin to retire here.

Most travelers visit Panama either at the end or the beginning of their journey through Central America here and stick to the well-worn tourist trail of Bocas del Toro, Boquete , the San Blas islands, and Panama City but, if you head to some of the lesser-known destinations, you’ll be rewarded with better food, amazing scenery free of tourists, and lower prices.

Panama is a beautiful country with an up and coming food scene (finally because, honestly, the food here is a bit bland) that I would say you need longer than you think to explore!

This travel guide to Panama can help you plan the perfect trip there without breaking the bank.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Panama

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in panama.

1. See the Panama Canal

Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World and sees around 13,000-14,000 ships cross between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean each year. The Canal is 80 kilometers (50 miles) long and raises ships an impressive 27 meters (85 feet) using a complex lock system. It took a decade to create, relying on the labor of over 40,000 people — and over 5,000 of them died in the process. The Miraflores Locks are the easiest to reach from Panama City. Admission is $20 USD, and this includes the exhibitions at the visitor center as well as seeing the ships pass through from the observation deck.

2. Hang out in Bocas del Toro

Bocas is Panama’s most popular backpacker destination, combining a laid-back Caribbean attitude with the pristine natural setting of jungles, forests, and mangroves. Surfing is extremely popular here and there are always water taxis to take you to secluded coves, beaches, and the best snorkeling spots. This area is made up of three main islands: Isla Colon, Isla Bastimentos, and Isla Carenero. Bastimentos is calm and there are fewer people here so it’s a nice place to chill out away from it all. This area is also home to the Ngäbe and Naso Tjerdi indigenous cultures.

3. Relax in Boquete

Boquete is a laid-back village located in the mountainous region of the Chiriquí Highlands. There are several coffee plantations nearby, the ‘Mi Jardin es Su Jardin’ private garden, and several hiking trails of varying difficulty should you need to stretch your legs. This is a wonderful place to hike, bird watch, try some of the delicious regional coffee, and enjoy nature. One of the highlights here is the Volcán Barú volcano, where you can hike or take a 4X4 jeep tour up to the summit to catch the sunrise. The views are truly spectacular and you can enjoy panoramas of both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts at the same time.

4. Sail the San Blas islands

This collection of 378 islands is a popular spot for sailing and boat tours (there are lots of resorts here too). These mostly uninhabited islands are under control of the Guna indigenous people and are still very rustic (no Wi-Fi, limited electricity), allowing them to maintain their raw beauty for ecotourism. The lodging there is made up of simple huts, hammocks, and tents. You can also opt to do a sailing tour around the area and stay on a boat. Most 3-day/2-night sailing tours cost around $285 USD, including food, while a 4-day sailing trip costs $559 USD. You can also visit on a day trip if you’re short on time

5. Tour a coffee plantation

Other things to see and do in panama, 1. check out the ruins of panama viejo.

Founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Ávila, Panama Viejo (“Old Panama”) was once the country’s capital. It was one of the Pacific coast’s busiest Spanish trading towns until it was destroyed by Captain Henry Morgan in 1671. The remaining ruins are spread out over 57 acres and include the original cathedral (you can climb the bell tower for an amazing panoramic view), a hospital, and churches and convents. Because of it is historic significance, in 1997 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Panama City’s historic Casco Viejo neighborhood. Admission is $15 USD for adults and $2 USD for kids. It’s only a 10-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride from Panama City.

2. Bike along Amador Causeway in Panama City

This 6-kilometer (4-mile) causeway is made from the excavated rocks of the Panama Canal and links Panama City with three islands: Flamenco, Naos, and Perico. It’s an easy ride and you’ll have a view across the canal on one side and the city skyline on the other. There are plenty of restaurants to stop at along the way too. You can rent bikes on the causeway; expect to pay $10-20 USD for a rental.

3. Take the Panama Canal Railway

The Panama Canal Railway connects Panama City with Colón and runs from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean with this scenic 76-kilometer (47-mile) route. The train is an old-fashioned locomotive complete with an observation car that offers views of the canal, Gutan Lake, and the passing rainforests. The three-hour round-trip journey costs $50 USD ($30 USD for children aged 2-12).

4. Visit Portobelo

Christopher Columbus named this settlement Puerto Bello or “Beautiful Harbor” when he arrived there in 1502. Over time, it was shortened to Portobelo . The settlement became an important town at the northern end of the Gold Road, and its 18th-century fortifications were built by the Spanish to protect their gold from pirates. You can still see the original canon battery and the crumbling ruins of the fort. Portobelo is also a good launching point for sailing trips to San Blas. The cuisine in Portobelo has a lot of African influences as well, including curries, coconut, seafood, and fragrant spices (head to Casa Congo for an authentic taste of Congolese food).

5. Hit the beach in Pedasi

Located on the Pacific side, this town is located five hours from Panama City and is known for its surfing. Though it has become a haven for expats in recent years, it’s still not really “on” the tourist trail. Not a lot of people go here and you’ll have the beaches mostly to yourself. The water is warm and you can find surf lessons at Shokogi Surf School starting from about $40 USD for one hour for a private lesson and $30 for a group class in Playa Venao. This is also a prime spot to see humpback whales from May-November.

6. Hike in the rainforest parks

Parque Metropolitano is a rainforest in the center of the city, a short 15-minute walk from the Albrook Shopping Center. Admission is only $4 USD and, if you hike up to the top of Cedar Hill, you’ll have fantastic views over the city. Keep an eye out for sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, pacas, monkeys, and anteaters. Parque Soberania (admission $5 USD) stretches along the shores of the Panama Canal and is the most easily accessible rainforest from Panama City. This park is a bird watchers’ paradise, with over 500 different species. The ride from Panama City takes 25 mins. Parque Chagres (also $5 USD) is a bit further away (it’s about 65 kilometers/40 miles north of Panama City) but worth the trip for the variety of wildlife: 114 mammal species (including big cats), 96 species of reptiles and 396 species of birds!

7. Spot wildlife at Volcan Baru

Volcan Baru is the only volcano in Panama, and, at 11,500 feet, also the highest point in the country. The lower slopes are home to dozens of coffee plantations, while the higher ground is part of the Volcan Baru National Park. Bring your camera as the rainforest here is a good place to spot the colorful Resplendent Quetzal, which is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world for its bright coloring. Expect to pay around $75-85 USD for a guided hike. For $120-150 USD, you can take a bumpy 4×4 ride up to the summit at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise. You can also hike the volcano independently.

8. Surf in Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina, located on Panama’s Pacific Coast, a six-hour drive west of Panama City, is a hotspot with the surfing community. Only 300 people live in this town on the Pacific coast, so don’t come here expecting fancy resorts or high-end dining. This is the place to be if you want to catch some fantastic waves and relax on some sandy beaches. If you want to learn how to surf, check out the surf camps where you can pay $225 for two-day camps and that includes accommodation, food, surfboard rentals, and lessons. For private lessons, expect to pay around $40 USD for a two-hour class.

9. Canoe to Embera Indian Village

To get to this village, which is located inside Chagres National Park, you’ll need to paddle up the Chagres river in a dugout canoe and then walk through a rainforest, giving you the chance to really immerse yourself in the surrounding nature. When you finally meet the Embera tribe you’ll be offered traditional food, music, and dancing followed by the chance to buy the tribe’s handicrafts or go for a swim under a waterfall. Day tours from Panama City cost between $85-175 USD per person, depending on how many people are going.

10. Explore Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo (“Old Quarter”) is the historic district of Panama City and the oldest city in all of the Americas. These days, the city’s red-bricked streets are lined with restaurants, cafes and bars, though the Spanish-colonial style architecture makes Casco Viejo feel worlds apart from the glitzy skyscrapers of the newer parts of Panama City. There’s a coastal fortification walk, churches, and cute little squares to admire. It’s a popular place to stay and eat in and watch the sunset from one of the many rooftop bars. Head to Mercado de Mariscos (the fish market) for a $3 USD cup of ceviche (a dish of diced fish that has been cured in lemon juice, with onions, peppers, and spices).

  For more information on specific cities in Panama, check out these guides:

• Boquete Travel Guide
• Panama City Travel Guide

Panama Travel Costs

Note: Panama uses both the Panamanian Balboa (PAB) and US Dollars. Even though the PAB still exists, US Dollars predominate in day-to-day use (you’d be hard pressed to even find Balboas when visiting Panama).

Also, be advised that ATMs can be found in all larger towns and in touristy areas like Bocas del Toro, but if you’re planning to venture off the beaten path, check beforehand if there’s an ATM, or take out enough cash in advance. The San Blas Islands, for example, do not have any ATMs. Be aware that in most of Panama outside the capital, cash is king, and credit cards aren’t accepted in a lot of places.

Accommodation – Accommodation is cheap in Panama with a night in a hostel dorm costing $12-30 USD for a 6-8-bed dorm. A 10-bed dorm is usually around $10 USD. Private rooms range from $25-45 USD per night. All hostels offer free Wi-Fi and some include free breakfast.

Prices don’t really fluctuate much in the off-season – you might end up paying $1-2 USD less per night, but it isn’t significant.

Camping is available around the country at $5-10 USD per night for a basic plot for a tent without electricity.

Budget two-star hotels start around $30 USD per night. For a 3-star hotel or higher, expect to pay at least $65-80 USD per night. In the off-season, prices drop $5-10 USD per night.

Airbnb is available around the country, with an entire home or apartment starting at $50 USD per night (but average double that price or more). Private rooms start at $20 USD per night but usually average triple that price. Book in advance for the best deals.

Food – Panamanian cuisine features rice, black beans, yuca (a starchy vegetable similar to the potato), plantains, beef, chicken, and seafood. Common dishes include empanadas, chicken and rice, fried fish, and ceviche (a raw fish dish with lemon).

Local food-stall meals cost around $3-5 USD and get you chicken, rice, and beans. In a specialty coffee shop, you’ll pay between $3.50-5 USD for a coffee in Panama City, and between $2-4 USD in Boquete. Fish markets anywhere in the country usually have freshly-caught lunches for around $6 USD.

Breakfast is around $5 USD in a sit-down restaurant while a sandwich in a restaurant with table service averages $6-9 USD. Restaurants with table service generally cost around $10 per meal but remember to avoid restaurants with English menus as they’re usually more expensive.

For a nice meal with wine, expect to pay around $40 USD for 2-3 courses. A pint of domestic beer at a bar costs around $2.50 USD.

If you want to cook for yourself, expect to pay between $35-50 USD for a week’s worth of groceries including staples like fruit, veggies, rice, beans, and some meat.

Backpacking Panama Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking around Panama City, expect to spend about $45 USD per day. This includes staying in a hostel dorm, limiting your drinking, cooking your meals, using public transportation to get around, and doing mostly free and cheap activities like hiking and wandering the Old Town.

On a mid-range budget of around $150 USD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, enjoy a few drinks, eat out for a few meals, take the occasional taxi, and do some paid activities like visiting the canal.

On a “luxury” budget of $220 USD per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Panama Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Panama isn’t hugely expensive but it is more expensive than other countries in the region so you’ll have to work a little to save money here. Here are some of the best ways to save money in Panama:

• Travel off-season – Traveling is cheaper during the rainy season, between April and November. Most tourists visit Panama between December and April – that’s when hotel prices go up, especially in popular destinations like Bocas del Toro.
• Eat at the local food stands – Meals at local food stalls cost between $4-5 USD. You’ll get rice, chicken, beans, and a drink. I didn’t love the food in Panama (it’s quite greasy) but at those prices, it made eating very cheap.
• Avoid taxis – I found taxis here to be a complete rip-off. As my friend JP says, “You get Gringoed.” They were also far more unwilling to negotiate. I’d try to avoid them if possible.
• Refill your water – In most of the country, you can drink the tap water. There’s no need to always buy new water bottles so save yourself a few dollars a day and fill up from the tap. The only places you can’t drink from the tap are the islands (including Bocas del Toro). To ensure your water is safe, use a LifeStraw water filter .
• Stick to beer – Beer is much cheaper than cocktails so stick to beer if you go out drinking. It’s much cheaper!
• Carry small change – Most taxis and small shops won’t accept larger bills for small purchases so make sure you carry change.
• Embrace the bus! – Long-distance buses in Panama are a few steps above the infamous “chicken buses” so often found here in Central and South America. While a far cry from luxurious, they are good enough for long-distance journeys if you’re on a budget (there are still plenty of chicken buses though if you want to give them a try!).
• Stay with a local – There are tons of hosts (and lots of community events) in the larger cities of Panama, making this a great country to Couchsurf in. Pick up some tips and save some money by staying with a local!
• Barter hard – If you’re hopping ferries around Bocas del Toro make sure you barter hard. Much like the taxis in the city, you’ll likely be charged more than the locals so barter hard and make sure you know what you should be paying.

Where to Stay in Panama

Panama has plenty of fun and social hostels to stay at. Here are some of my suggested places to stay:

• Hostal Casa Areka (Panama City)
• Magnolia Inn Casco Viejo (Panama City)
• El Machio (Panama City)
• Bambuda Castle (Boquete)
• Spanish By the River (Boquete)
• Bambuda Lodge (Bocas del Toro)

How to Get Around Panama

Long-distance buses are usually modern and air-conditioned, and night buses exist for longer journeys (like Panama City to Bocas del Toro). There is no online ticket booking system in Panama, you just show up at the bus station and buy your ticket at the counter.

For most routes, you can buy same-day tickets, but for night buses and longer journeys, it is recommended to buy your ticket a day in advance. Expect very basic buses in the smaller towns around the country – you’ll be riding Diablos Rojos (“Red Devils”): old repurposed American school buses that are colorfully painted.

There are two companies that offer services from Panama City all the way to Costa Rica: Expreso Panama and Tica Bus. Their ticket offices are inside the main bus station in Panama City which is inside the Albrook Mall.

Train – Train travel doesn’t exist in Panama. The Panama Canal Railway operates one train between Ciudad Panama and Colon on weekdays and that’s it.

Flying – Air travel is possible within Panama but is not recommended. The most common domestic connection is between Panama City and Bocas del Toro. The 1-hr flight is between $130-$145 USD. You can also fly from Panama City to David (near Boquete), Pedasi, Chitre, the San Blas Islands and the Pearl Islands. The 1-hr flight from Panama City to David costs $134 USD, vs. a 6-hr bus ride for only $9 USD.

If you’re on a budget, I wouldn’t recommend flying.

Car Rental – It is safe to drive in Panama, but be aware that rental agencies are scarce outside Panama City. Rentals cost around $15-20 USD per day. Websites like Expedia often advertise car rentals from $1 USD per day, but be aware that rental agencies charge additional fees and insurance. Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 25, though some will accept drivers at 21 if they have a credit card.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Panama

Panama has a short dry season between December and April, which is when you’ll get to enjoy clear blue skies. That said, Panama is less than 9 degrees north of the equator, which means temperatures are consistent year-round. The lowland regions are always hot and humid, but the highlands (Boquete, El Valle, Cerro Punta) can give you a bit of retreat from the heat – at least at night when it is a little cooler there.

Daytime temperatures in Panama average 30-33°C (86-91°F), and nighttime temperatures are around 21-23°C (69-73°F).

The rainy season lasts from May to December, but keep in mind that it usually only rains from late afternoon into the night. That means mornings and early afternoons can still be enjoyed. The rainiest month is November. If you visit during the rainy season, pack a rain jacket and avoid the highlands.

You never really have to avoid peak-season crowds in Panama; it’s never very crowded here, aside from certain areas (like Panama City) where cruise ships dock and crowds flood the streets for a few hours each day.

How to Stay Safe in Panama

Like neighboring Costa Rica, Panama is one of the safest countries for traveling and backpacking in Central America . That said, you’ll still want to be vigilant for petty crime.

Petty theft (including bag snatching) is one of the most common types of crime in Central America and it happens a lot in parts of Panama City as well as Colon. Always be vigilant and make sure your bag is properly worn and never left unattended.

The only city in Panama that is considered dangerous is Colon. Colon has the highest homicide rate of any municipality in Panama and you don’t want to wander after dark. Panama City, Herrera, and Chiriqui also have higher petty crime rates than elsewhere in the country so keep your valuables secure and do your best to fit in.

Some neighborhoods in Panama City can be a bit sketchy, including Curundu, El Chorrillo (which surrounds the neighborhood of Casco Viejo) and El Marañón. Avoid these areas after dark and don’t flash valuables like your phone or expensive jewelry.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, However, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

The Darien Gap, the border region between Panama and Colombia, is considered extremely dangerous due to Colombian rebel groups and drug traffickers who operate there, but it isn’t really on travelers’ itineraries so it’s unlikely you’ll be anywhere near that but, if you are, keep a watchful eye out.

Don’t carry more cash on you than you’re planning to spend, and leave your passport and credit cards in your hotel room/hostel. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

Keep an eye out for common scams against tourists , such as fake ATMs, taxis that don’t use a meter, and questionable tour operators.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Panama Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Panama Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Central America and continue planning your trip:

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Costa Rica?

The Best Tour Companies in Costa Rica

The 6 Best Hostels in Panama City, Panama

Is Belize Safe to Visit?

Is Central America Safe to Visit?

How to Get Around Central America on a Budget

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Solo Travel Addict

Who are you waiting for?

The second solo trip came relatively quickly after my first trip to Singapore. If you have not seen that post, please check it out. This will help you form a picture and allow you to better understand my thought process in choosing some of the initial countries I chose to visit alone. As the title of the post suggests, I took my second solo trip to Panama in the last week of December in 2019. The company I worked for at that time had a winter shutdown so all employees got one week off. I took this opportunity to find a last-minute flight and the country ended up booking a trip to was the Central American country of Panama – land of the famous Panama Canal.

Why Panama?

One of the professors at my graduate school used to take his Operations Management students to Panama. I did not take the professor’s class but Panama ended up on the radar based on hearing about this class featuring a field trip to Panama City. I had a ready-to-go itinerary for this trip based on the experiences of other students who had visited so that was a selling point for me. In the winter months of northeast US, a warm destination is always preferred as one yearns for hot weather – Panama has its dry season with favorable weather conditions in late December. Lastly, I did not want to break my piggybank on flights during the holiday season and found a semi-decent fare for a round trip to Panama City. With that, Panama was all set to be the second country I visited by myself.

Where did I stay?

After such a positive experience at the Dream Lodge in Singapore, I followed a similar search process on Hostelworld and booked a hostel with rave reviews called El Machico Hostel in Panama City. My lodging would be $15/night for a dorm room bed in a six person mixed dorm room and there was breakfast included in the price. The hostel was located in a relatively safe residential neighborhood. Uber was cheap in Panama City and I would not have any difficulty reaching tourist attractions from the hostel. I got in quite late to the hostel on the day of check-in when I landed in Panama and remember the clerk on duty was half asleep at his desk when I reached. As he showed me around, I noticed there were tiny roaches on the kitchen floor probably due to the hot weather. I stuck to a diet of 3 bananas every day for my breakfast during my entire stay as a result.

Another interesting thing that happened is there was a European couple staying in the dorms and they decided to move into the same bunk bed in the middle of the second night and began humping in the dark – certain sounds are unmistakable, no matter how discreet or brief. The next morning, I noticed them leaving from the bathroom together. If you stay in a hostel, you have to be prepared to see and ignore such sights. I learned through future hostel experiences that I should have reported that couple and I could have been moved to a different room. The rest of my stay at the hostel was uneventful. This time around, the vibe of the hostel was different and I did not make any new friends there.

What did I do there?

• Panama Canal (must do if you are in Panama City, especially if you are an economist at heart!)
• Kotowa Coffee (Panamanian version of Starbucks – sells coffee from Boquete coffee region)
• Multiplaza Mall (High end mall if you want to get some AC and steps in the heat of Panama City)
• Bicycle Tour of the City (3-4 hour tour that I booked through the hostel I stayed at – cost US$15)
• Panama Viejo (more than 500 year old archeological complex)
• Fish Market (their ceviche is famous!)
• Casco Viejo (younger crowd with bars and restaurants – also featured in Money Heist!)
• El Trapiche (best restaurant I ate at while I was there!)
• El Tornillo (Building shaped like a corkscrew – prominent in the skyline of Panama City)
• Biomuseo (the museum is very interesting – building designed by Frank Gehry, who is also famous for designing the Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic)

A significant volume of goods pass through the Panama Canal in containers on large cargo ships. It was interesting to see them pass through at a glacial pace one after the other during my visit to the canal. The Kotowa Coffee was nice and I remember having it a few times during my stay in Panama City – they had a location in the Panama Canal visitor area. In my early days of traveling alone, I used to visit popular malls to get a very quick feel for the social behavior of people and of everyday life. Multiplaza Mall was one such mall I visited. There, I went and had my very first gastronomical experience at Benihana, a Japanese global chain restaurant (Shocking, I know!). The chef/cook in the center of the grill preparing the table’s hibachi meats made a map of Panama out of rice and chicken. Then he cut it along the middle to represent the Panama Canal and passed a ship (piece of chicken) thorough the canal. Overall, the chef/cook had a lot of flair and showmanship.

I learned about the Bike Tour through the hostel. Sometimes, hostels organize social events and other activities for travelers. This was one that caught my eye. I am a more active traveler so bicycling was a perfect morning activity. On the bike tour, we covered some of the top attractions and soaked in scenic views of the Panama City coastline. There was also an opportunity to stop for shaved ice with flavored syrups of your choice (called “raspado”) on the way, which was the perfect dessert as the day got warmer and more humid. During the Bike Tour, I met other travelers (some traveling with their family, some solo) who gave recommendations for other things to do and eat. El Trapiche came highly recommended to me. It gave me a sense of authentic Panamanian cuisine. Would I eat there again? The food was nice but I did not end up going after my first and only visit. I will leave my review at that. 🙂

Casco Viejo was the main restaurant/bar area I visited during my stay. I drank and took in the views of the skyline from Tantalo Rooftop bar on one of the nights. I also recall Relic Bar (now permanently closed) in Casco Viejo as a nice bar and met a very friendly English-speaking bartender named Josie. She happened to be wearing a Panama Hat when I met her at the Relic Bar and even let me try it on. Only later in my travels did I discover that the Panama Hat is not actually from Panama but rather from Ecuador! Who would have guessed?!

Tips for Solo Travelers?

Brush up on your Spanish. It will certainly come in handy. Compared to Singapore, Panama City was a little more raw so I would not suggest it as a first solo trip for the uninitiated traveler. I felt largely safe during my trip but you want to have your wits about you and avoid certain areas of the city after dark. Your accommodation would be able to guide you on this aspect. If you stay at a hostel like me this one applies to you: If you find something or someone offensive in a hostel room, speak up about it to the hostel staff on duty or to the owner/supervisor!

Would I go back to Panama?

Yes! However, I would limit my time in Panama City. I had a nice experience when I went but did not get a chance to go to Boquete, Bocas del Toro or San Blas. There are many diverse landscapes in Panama. If I get a chance to go back, I would certainly want to explore other landscapes I missed in my first trip.

See you in the next post. Thank you for reading if you made it to the end!

1 comment on “ Panama ”

• January 13, 2024 at 10:05 pm

Well written. I like it 😊

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Boys bedroom decor ideas: creating a space reflecting personality and style.

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Solo Female Travel Panama: Embracing Adventure and Empowerment

Solo Female Travel Panama – Embarking on a solo journey to Panama as a female traveler is not just about visiting a new country; it’s a transformative experience that empowers and enriches. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of solo female travel in Panama, from safety tips to cultural immersion and budget-friendly adventures.

Safety First: Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Solo travel requires a proactive approach to safety. We’ll delve into practical tips, such as choosing safe accommodations, staying connected, and trusting your instincts. Empowerment begins with a solid understanding of your surroundings.

Destinations for Solo Female Travel in Panama

3.1 Panama City: Urban Wonders

Panama City offers a vibrant mix of modernity and history. From exploring the Panama Canal to wandering through the historic Casco Viejo, solo female travelers find an array of captivating experiences.

3.2 Bocas del Toro: Tropical Paradise

Escape to the tropical haven of Bocas del Toro, where turquoise waters and lush landscapes welcome solo adventurers. We’ll uncover hidden gems, recommend activities, and share safety tips for this paradise destination.

3.3 Boquete: Mountains and Serenity

Nestled in the highlands, Boquete offers a tranquil retreat. Solo female travelers can enjoy hiking, coffee plantation tours, and connect with the welcoming local community.

Cultural Immersion: Embracing the Panamanian Way of Life

4.1 Local Cuisine Delights

Sampling local cuisine is a gateway to cultural understanding. We’ll guide you through must-try Panamanian dishes and share insights on dining etiquette.

4.2 Festivals and Traditions

Immerse yourself in Panamanian culture by attending festivals and embracing local traditions. We’ll highlight key events and offer tips for respectful participation.

Connecting with Fellow Travelers: Hostels and Meet-Ups

Solo travel doesn’t mean solitude. Discover how hostels and traveler meet-ups provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community on your solo journey.

Navigating Transportation Hassle-Free

6.1 Public Transportation Insights

Understanding public transportation in Panama can be a game-changer. We’ll provide tips on using buses and other public services, ensuring seamless exploration.

6.2 Renting a Car: Freedom on the Road

For those seeking independence, renting a car opens up new possibilities. We’ll discuss the pros and cons, along with essential tips for a safe road trip.

Language Tips: Breaking the Barrier with Spanish

Navigate language barriers with ease. Learn essential Spanish phrases and cultural nuances to enhance your interactions with locals, creating memorable experiences.

Embracing Nature: Eco-Friendly Adventures for Solo Travelers

8.1 Rainforest Exploration

Delve into the heart of Panama’s biodiversity with eco-friendly rainforest excursions. We’ll recommend sustainable tour options and highlight the importance of responsible travel.

8.2 Island Hopping: A Maritime Escape

Island hopping in Panama offers a unique adventure. Discover pristine beaches, diverse marine life, and the joy of exploring off-the-beaten-path islands.

Budget-Friendly Tips: Making the Most of Your Solo Adventure

Solo travel doesn’t have to break the bank. From affordable accommodations to budget-friendly activities, we’ll share tips to maximize your adventure without compromising on experiences.

Photography and Storytelling: Documenting Your Journey

Capture the essence of your solo journey through photography and storytelling. We’ll offer practical advice on creating lasting memories and sharing your experiences with the world.

Empowering Encounters: Meeting Local Women and Influencers

Connect with local women and influencers who inspire change. Hear their stories, share experiences, and contribute to the empowerment of women in Panama.

Personal Growth and Reflections: The Solo Journey Impact

Solo travel goes beyond sightseeing. Explore the profound impact of your journey on personal growth and self-discovery, gaining insights that last a lifetime.

Overcoming Challenges: Building Resilience on the Road

Challenges are inevitable, but they are also opportunities for growth. Learn how to navigate setbacks, build resilience, and emerge stronger from the challenges of solo travel.

Health and Wellness: Staying Fit and Mindful While Traveling Solo

Maintaining physical and mental well-being is crucial during solo travel. We’ll share practical tips for staying active, practicing mindfulness, and ensuring a healthy journey.

Solo Female Travel Panama FAQs

• Panama is generally safe for solo female travelers, but it’s essential to take precautions and stay vigilant, especially in urban areas.
• The dry season from December to April is ideal, offering pleasant weather and optimal conditions for exploration.
• Yes, Panama has a range of hostels and guesthouses catering to solo travelers, providing a social and budget-friendly environment.
• Attend local events, workshops, or use social media platforms to connect with like-minded women and influencers in Panama.

Conclusion: Your Journey, Your Story

In conclusion, solo female travel in Panama is an enriching adventure filled with cultural exploration, self-discovery, and empowerment. Embrace the opportunities, savor the moments, and let your journey become a unique story that inspires others.

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Embracing Adventure: How to solo travel in Panama

Feb 15, 2024 | Panama Tourism

Wondering how to solo travel in Panama? Embarking on a solo adventure is a thrilling and transformative experience, and few places offer the diverse and enchanting landscapes quite like Panama. Nestled at the crossroads of North and South America, this Central American gem is a haven for solo travelers seeking a perfect blend of vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking natural beauty. In this blog post, we will explore the wonders of solo travel in Panama, from the bustling streets of Panama City to the serene beaches of Bocas del Toro.

Panama City – A Dynamic Urban Hub Perfect for Solo Travel:

Your solo journey begins in the heart of Panama – Panama City . The juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers against the backdrop of the historic Casco Viejo district sets the stage for a captivating urban adventure. As a solo traveler, you’ll find yourself navigating through a labyrinth of narrow streets, each revealing a unique blend of Spanish colonial architecture and contemporary art.

The must-visit landmark, the Panama Canal, showcases the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A solo visit to the Miraflores Locks allows you to witness colossal ships passing through the canal’s intricate system, an experience that highlights the nation’s pivotal role in global trade.

Exploring Casco Viejo, the old quarter of the city, offers a glimpse into Panama’s colonial past. Cobblestone streets wind through vibrant plazas adorned with colorful buildings, boutique shops, and charming cafes. As a solo traveler, take your time to absorb the local atmosphere, striking up conversations with friendly locals who are eager to share stories about their city.

Nature’s Symphony in Boquete:

Leaving the urban hustle behind, your solo journey takes a turn towards the lush highlands of Boquete. Nestled in the Chiriquí Province, this picturesque town is a haven for nature enthusiasts. As a solo traveler, you’ll find solace in the serene landscapes, surrounded by cloud forests, coffee plantations, and towering mountains.

A solo hike along the Quetzal Trail offers an immersive experience in the cloud forest, where you might encounter vibrant bird species like the elusive quetzal. After a day of exploration, unwind at Caldera Hot Springs, where you can soak in the rejuvenating thermal waters while surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Boquete is also renowned for its coffee production, and as a solo traveler, you can immerse yourself in the coffee culture by taking a guided tour of a local plantation. Engaging with the farmers and learning about the intricate process from bean to cup adds a personal touch to your journey through Panama.

Bocas del Toro – Caribbean Bliss:

Continuing your solo adventure, head towards the enchanting archipelago of Bocas del Toro on Panama’s Caribbean coast. This tropical paradise, with its vibrant coral reefs, palm-fringed beaches , and laid-back atmosphere, is a solo traveler’s dream destination.

Upon arriving in Bocas Town, the main hub of the archipelago, you’ll be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors, both in the architecture and the crystal-clear waters. As a solo traveler, embrace the freedom to explore the numerous islands and hidden coves by taking a water taxi or renting a kayak.

Red Frog Beach, named after the vibrant red poison dart frogs native to the area, is a must-visit for solo travelers seeking a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Whether you choose to sunbathe on the pristine shores or snorkel in the azure waters, the tranquility of the surroundings creates a sense of serenity unique to solo travel in Panama.

Immersing in Local Culture:

One of the most enriching aspects of solo travel in Panama is the opportunity to connect with the local culture. Engage with indigenous communities, such as the Emberá and Guna people, to gain insights into their traditions, crafts, and ways of life.

A solo visit to the Guna Yala archipelago, formerly known as the San Blas Islands, allows you to experience the unique lifestyle of the Guna people. These islands are not only a tropical paradise but also a living testament to a community fiercely preserving its cultural identity. As a solo traveler, you can partake in traditional ceremonies, savor local cuisine, and even purchase handmade crafts directly from the artisans.

Don’t be afraid of solo travel in Panama:

Panama, with its diverse landscapes and warm hospitality, beckons solo travelers to embark on a transformative journey. From the vibrant streets of Panama City to the tranquil beaches of Bocas del Toro, every corner of this Central American gem invites exploration. Embrace the freedom of solo travel as you immerse yourself in Panama’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural wonders. Your solo travel in Panama promises not just a vacation but a soul-stirring experience that will leave an indelible mark on your travel memories. To learn more, contact us online here.

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Panama Solo Female Travel Safety Tips and Advice

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Welcome to the Solo Female Travel Safety Tips and Advice page for Panama !

This page is brought to you by Solo Female Travelers Tours , our curated small group trips for women, by women.

On this page you will find first-hand, unbiased, and real  safety tips, advice and reviews  from women traveling solo, submitted directly from their personal experiences in the country.

Their opinions are unfiltered and submitted independently as part of the Solo Female Travel Safety Index , a ranking of 210 countries and regions based on how safe they are for women traveling solo.

The safety scores range from 1 to 4 with 1 being the safest and 4 being the most dangerous for solo female travelers.

You don’t need to login to read the below reviews. But do sign up or login to share your solo travel experiences, country safety rating and comments.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE – LEAVE YOUR SAFETY REVIEWS! We can make the world a safer place for women traveling solo together. Sign up to our portal and leave your reviews NOW. Share your experience with other solo female travelers and help us empower more women through travel.

Panama Country data

We have compiled a few data points below that can help you better understand Panama and have more context when thinking about travel safety.

Official country name: Republic of Panama.

Etymology: Named after the capital city which was itself named after a former indigenous fishing village.

Country map

Locator map

Capital: Panama City.

Independence / foundation: Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela which was named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone).

Population: 4 million.

Currency: Panamanian Balboa (PAB) 1 USD = 1 PAB 1 EUR = 1.09 PAB

Time zone: UTC-5

Languages spoken: Spanish (official), indigenous languages (including Ngabere (or Guaymi), Buglere, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso (or Teribe), and Bri Bri), Panamanian English Creole (similar to Jamaican English Creole; a mixture of English and Spanish with elements of Ngabere; also known as Guari Guari and Colon Creole), English, Chinese (Yue and Hakka), Arabic, French Creole, other (Yiddish, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese). Note - many Panamanians are bilingual.

Religions: Roman Catholic 49%, Evangelical 30%, other 5%, agnostic

Climate: Tropical maritime climate that is mostly hot, humid and cloudy. Prolonged rainy season from May to January and short dry season from January to May.

Real GDP (ppp – purchasing power parity): $146.65 billion.

Real GDP per capita (ppp): $33,300.

Main airports: Tocumen International Airport, Bocas Del Toro International Airport.

World heritage sites in Panama

There are over 1,100 world heritage sites spread across more than 165 countries. New ones are added every year, and some may be removed from the list for various reasons.

Number of UNESCO listed sites : 5.

Top world heritage sites :

Interesting facts about Panama

Further reading : N/A.

Panama Travel tips

Socket type: A / B. Guide to socket types .

Weekend days: Saturday and Sunday.

Driving: Cars drive on the Right.

Local taxi apps: Didi-Rider , Uber .

Travel Guides: Lonely Planet , Bradt Guide .

Languages spoken : Spanish (official), indigenous languages (including Ngabere (or Guaymi), Buglere, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso (or Teribe), and Bri Bri), Panamanian English Creole (similar to Jamaican English Creole; a mixture of English and Spanish with elements of Ngabere; also known as Guari Guari and Colon Creole), English, Chinese (Yue and Hakka), Arabic, French Creole, other (Yiddish, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese). Note - many Panamanians are bilingual.

Basic words and phrases in the main language:

Find a hotel in Panama

Book tours and activities :

More about Panama on Solo Female Travelers

Did you spot any errors? We do our best to keep this information updated and accurate, but things change. If you saw anything that is not right, let us know so we can fix it: [email protected] .

About the Solo Female Travel Safety Index

Safety matters to solo female travelers, you told us so in our annual  Solo Female Travel Survey , where year after year, women prove that this is their most important concern when traveling solo.

We wanted to do something about it, so we built these country-specific pages where you can find reviews and scores for 7 key variables affecting the safety of women traveling solo.

• Risk of scam
• Risk of theft
• Risk of harassment
• Attitudes towards women
• UK Travel Advisory
• US Travel advisory
• Global Peace Index (GPI)

Informing OSAC

The Solo Female Travel Safety Score is used by the Overseas Security Advisory Council for including safety concerns for women travelers in their country security reports; OSAC is a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and private-sector security community.

How to use the Safety Index

On this page, you will find the country score and the personal opinions on safety of other women traveling solo.

You can sort the comments by:

• The  level of experience traveling solo  of the reviewer (beginner = <5 trips solo, Intermediate = 5 to 10 trips solo, Experienced = >10 trips solo).
• The  age  of the traveler.
• Whether they are a  visitor or local .
• The  date  they were posted.

The safety scores range from 1 to 4 with 1 being the safest and 4 being the most dangerous for solo female travelers. 

Thus, the lower the score, the safer the country.

Looking for more safety resources?

This entire website is devoted to helping women travel solo. Check out the links below to learn more:

Solo Female Travel Stats : Results from the the largest, most comprehensive and only global research study on solo female travel trends, preferences and behaviors published.

Thanks to Jacobo Vilella for creating the Solo Female Travelers Safety Index ❤️

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Girl about the Globe

Making solo travel easier.

Solo Travel in Central America

Types of Girl about the Globe (GatG) – Adventure GatG, Cultural GatG, Nature GatG, History GatG

Central America is a fascinating continent to explore. It's a destination full of adventure, nature, history and culture and I feel really blessed to have spent a few months on several occasions travelling to nearly every country of this region (except El Salvador).

In this article, I cover the best places to visit in Central America if you're travelling solo, with a brief description of each country, budget, safety and how to travel around.

If you are unsure how to travel within Central America or which country to travel to, read the full Central America travel guide below or just go to the section that you need. You'll find the full individual country guides in the related posts section. 

Solo Female Friendly Star Rating – 3 out of 5  

Budget – $30 – $70 a day  

Cheapest – Nicaragua  

Most expensive – Panama and Costa Rica  

Did you know? That the term gringo is used for English-speaking foreigners, so don’t be surprised if you’re referred to as a gringa (for females).  

Language Spoken in Central America – Central America is mainly Spanish speaking except for Belize which is the only English-speaking country in the whole of Latin America.

Creole is also spoken on the Caribbean coast. Panama and Costa Rica are the most international countries due to the amount of expats living there, meaning that English is spoken in some of the tourist areas.

Spanish speaking countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.

English speaking countries – Belize.

If you're planning on travelling to Central America, below is a summary of each country to help you choose the right destination for you. Click on the images at the end for the solo destination guides. 

Why Visit Central America?  

Central America is made up of: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. I’ve also included Mexico within this region, as it is easy to add on to a Central America itinerary if you are travelling overland.  

Central America solo travel has it all; Mayan temples and Aztec ruins, great nightlife, crystal waters, the world’s second-longest reef, active volcanos and lush vegetation, not to mention big cats and an abundance of wildlife.

Its history dates back thousands of years, and evidence of the Maya civilisation can be found in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. But if indigenous tribes and barely trodden rainforests are more your thing, then this continent will not disappoint.  

With 10% of the world’s biodiversity, Central America has one of the richest ecosystems on Earth, with hundreds of species of plants and birds. You can trek among a mystical cloud forest, climb one of the many volcanoes, enjoy some of the best surfing in the world or just simply relax on the white-sand Caribbean beaches.  

Sail through the Panama Canal or visit Big Corn island off the coast of Nicaragua – the largest country in Central America. With zip canopies, jungle lodges and adventure sports, Central America is one big adventure.  

Antigua in Guatemala

The region isn’t known for its safety, so you do need to exercise some caution here, but you won’t be singled out because you’re a solo female.

The safest countries here are Panama and Nicaragua, and the ones to be careful in are Honduras and Guatemala. However, the cities do have a reputation for crime, especially Guatemala City, Belize City, and San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa in Honduras.

The main bus station in San Pedro Sula has armed security guards and is safe inside; just don’t go wandering around the streets by yourself and especially not to cashpoints (ATMs).  

You can pretty much wear what you want within this continent, especially in Costa Rica and Panama. The worst you’ll hear is men shouting “linda” (meaning beautiful). Don’t take valuables with you on the beach if you’re alone, and be careful of your belongings on public transport. Travel during the day instead of at night.  

Don’t have your valuables on display, especially in Costa Rica, where muggings can occur. Just use your common sense and be careful at night. If you research your trip and stick to the tourist areas, you should be fine. Every country is different, but if you can speak a few phrases of Spanish, it will really help when you’re solo.  

Safest Central American Countries for Solos

If you are planning to solo travel Central America, the region doesn't have the best reputation for safety, especially in some of the capital cities. Below is my solo travel rating for each country (out of 5 stars for ease of travelling around and safety. 5 is the highest)

• Safest countries – Panama, Costa Rica
• Most dangerous – Honduras
• Belize – 3 stars
• Costa Rica – 3 star
• El Salvador – 3 stars
• Guatemala – 2 stars
• Honduras – 2 stars
• Nicaragua – 3 star
• Panama – 4 stars

Budget For Central America

These budgets are based on daily spending, including accommodation (staying in a dormitory room in a hostel), food, water, transport (using local transport only), and leisure. You will need to add an additional cost if you prefer to stay in a private room. 

The most expensive countries here are Costa Rica and Panama. The cheapest countries are Nicaragua and Guatemala. Depending on where you go in the region, b udget from £40 ($50) to £75 ($92) a day. 

• Belize – £55 / $80
• Costa Rica – £75 / $92
• El Salvador – £55 / $80
• Guatemala – £45 / $55
• Honduras – £45 / $55
• Nicaragua – £40 / $50
• Panama – £70 / $86

Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

Travelling Around Central America

If you’re travelling through countries in Latin America, overlanding is the cheapest and best option. As there isn’t a proper train system here, taking a bus is the only way to get across the land.

Chicken buses are prominent in Latin America, so expect to be sitting with livestock (even though it’s not permitted to take chickens on the buses anymore, some locals still smuggle them on). They’re really unique, and you’ll find sellers coming onto the buses offering food and drink for sale.  

Coach travel is the free-spirited backpacker’s favourite but you’ll usually find local buses are old, slow and packed with people, although these problems are offset by the low cost. The coaches running between major cities are a better option and tend to be cleaner and newer, and long-distance journey’s, such as from Mexico to Panama, are available.

Private shuttles between major cities are becoming are more common option but are usually operated through tourist agencies or via hotels, which can be expensive. Flying might actually be less expensive.

In less-developed countries, not only do the roads not have the same infrastructure as you may be used to (hence a bumpy ride), but bus timetables don’t hold the same importance.

Make allowances for this when you need to get somewhere fast. Giving yourself enough time to miss one is a good tip, especially because buses can sometimes be a free-for-all as locals shove their way on, and you could find yourself waiting for the next bus (this often happens in Belize). But you can be guaranteed that your bus journey will be accompanied by the driver’s favourite music, whether reggae or 80s love songs.  

Central America is a fairly compact region, but in certain places, the roads can be atrocious, and bus travel can take what seems like an eternity to reach one country from another. Car hire is an option and thousands of tourists do use this method, but travelling across borders in a rental car isn’t permitted.

One available option is to drive to the border where your hire company representative will be waiting to meet you, then you need simply walk across the border and your rep will provide you with your new rental car.

You don’t have to go overland either, as some borders here can be crossed by sea: Mexico to Belize, Belize to Honduras, Panama to Colombia and vice versa. The seas can get a bit rough, so if a three-day sailing trip through the San Blas Islands from Panama to Colombia makes you feel a bit seasick, you can take the smoother option of a speedboat instead or just a leisurely ride along the Panama Canal.  

Traveling around this beautiful part of the world is definitely an adventure, especially if you have plenty of free time. But make sure to thoroughly check your transport options before departing and booking well in advance, especially if you're travelling during peak times.

If you’re feeling a bit hesitant about travelling around Central America by yourself, then consider a tour . Not only can this help you plan your route, but you can avoid the stress of local transport and meet others too.   Below is a brief summary of each country and how to get around.

Central America Tours

• Explore – Tours for 40+ year-olds to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras & more
• G Adventures – Group tours throughout Central America for all ages
• Green World Adventures – Personalised sustainable tours to Costa Rica
• TruTravels – Costa Rica tours & multi-country trips in Central America

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Solo Travel Mexico  

Mexico does have its issues, but if you don’t venture north of Mexico City or into certain neighbourhoods known for drug cartels, the rest of the country is amazing and easy to travel around.  

Many mature travellers come here – except during Spring Break on the Riviera Maya – where you’ll be sharing Cancun with college students. Because of its proximity to the United States, the country is also popular with Americans.  

In Mexico City, La Condesa and Regina are the nicest and safest areas in Mexico City. They have an outdoor dining and coffee culture, and you can walk around feeling safe.

Explore the many museums of Mexico City, then journey east to Chichen Itza, Mexico’s most famous Mayan temple. If you love nightlife, Cancun and the Riviera Maya will not disappoint. There is also an abundance of cenotes (sinkholes) and beautiful beaches to see.  

Mexico has a great bus network, with large reclining seats and air conditioning. If you are limited in time, look at Viva Aerobus, Mexico’s low-cost airline, which flies throughout Mexico and can save you hours on a bus.   * Related Post: Solo Travel in Mexico

Ambergris Caye

Belize Solo Travel

Belize is the only English-speaking country on the continent, and this former British colony is brimming with diversity. Head to the cays for Caribbean islands and the Great Blue Hole, or inland for the jungle, big cats and Central America’s largest cave system.  

Belize is a relatively safe country. It has a Caribbean feel and is so multicultural that you’ll find Rastas, Indians and Chinese among the African descendants. There is a gang culture in Belize City, so steer clear of Southside and head to the rest of the mainland or the cays, which are perfectly safe.  

Buses aren’t the only way to get around in Belize, as there are water taxis which take you from Belize City to the cays. Tropic Air operates internal flights around the country, and you’ll find tiny airstrips everywhere for their 12-seater planes.   * Read: Solo Travel in Belize

Solo Travel To Costa Rica  

No other country does eco-tourism, as well as Costa Rica. This biodiverse country is teeming with tropical birds, waterfalls and lush vegetation, making it one of the most popular destinations on the continent. But, although it has some beautiful landscapes, some of the bus stations can be sketchy, so be careful at night and in the capital, San Jose.  

Getting around Costa Rica is via public buses, shared shuttle services and 4×4 jeeps. The bus routes aren’t very extensive, and you may find yourself having to backtrack to visit each corner of the country. Ferries operate from Puntarenas to Paquera and Naranjo. If you are travelling across the land border to Nicaragua or Panama, taking an early bus is recommended.   * Read: Post: Solo Travel in Costa Rica

El Salvador

Solo Travel El Salvador  

El Salvador is the smallest country and its remnants of a past civil war make it an interesting country. It is also known to have the best surf in the continent, but with so much conflict and the risk of being robbed, check the situation before you travel there.

Guatemala Solo Travel

Guatemala has a lot to offer and is home to active volcanoes and the jungle Mayan temples of Tikal. Take a trip back in time to the World Heritage Site of Antigua, meander around the colourful town of Flores or explore Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala’s many lakes.

If you can avoid Guatemala City, then do, as there are other regions in the country which are safer and also much nicer.   Public buses operate in Guatemala, or you can choose tourist buses, which drop you off at your chosen hotel. There is also an overnight bus to Flores.   * Read Solo Travel in Guatemala

Honduras Solo Travel

Honduras, on the other hand, isn’t that great for solo females. There is a high level of crime, and you need to be comfortable with armed security guards, whose presence is felt in tourist areas. Honduras is a macho society, so you may receive unwanted attention.

Take a taxi if travelling at night and be really careful in the cities, which are known for their dangerous areas. If you are backpacking in Honduras and don’t want to be the only traveller within local towns, head to the friendly Bay of Islands or Roatan for the comfort of other travellers and friendlier locals.  

Although Honduras is also sketchy, you’ll find many solos that come for the diving. Head to Utila for a hedonistic island where you can party and dive for all hours.

If it’s culture that you need, Copan has the country’s Mayan ruins, but you may prefer to see the ruins in Belize or Mexico instead, where you’ll feel more comfortable. Honduras does require extra vigilance, so it is wise to team up with others or take a tour for this country.  

Express buses operate between the two major cities in Honduras, but if time is an issue, consider internal flights instead.

If you’re travelling to the Bay of Islands, there are ferry routes from the mainland and between the two islands.

Consider paying extra for the speedboat instead of a traditional fishing boat if you get seasick. The ferry from La Ceiba to Roatan is a roller, and they give you a seasickness tablet when you buy your ticket. You can buy drinks and snacks onboard.   * Read: Solo Travel in Honduras

Granada, Nicaragua

Nicaragua Solo Travel

There are so many places to see in Nicaragua that you could easily spend two weeks here just scratching the surface. Volcanoes, lakes and Spanish colonial cities are some of its charm. Add volcano boarding to the mix, and you have a country that is not only cheap but is ideal for the nature and adventurous solos.  

Managua, the capital, has the least to do, so head for the coffee region of Matagalpa for coffee farms and river rafting, visit Leon for a stunning white cathedral and volcano boarding, or swim in a volcanic crater lake at Laguna de Apoyo.  

Do expect some attention here though, especially in Leon, where young boys will make it clear that they want your attention. If you are comfortable with cat calls, then you won’t have a problem in this country.  

The best way to travel around Nicaragua is by bus. Minibuses here tend to leave when they are full, so don’t expect to hop in one and just go. The road infrastructure is okay in the west of the country, but other roads may not be what you’re used to.  

If you are planning on adding Caribbean islands to your itinerary, local flights operate from the mainland to Big Corn Island – called La Costena – or you can take the rocky boat ride from Bluefields which leaves once a week and takes 6 hours. From Big Corn, you can take a boat to Nicaragua’s smallest island: Little Corn.

Solo Travel Panama  

Panama is the furthest country south in Central America and connects to the continent of South America. Panama is a relatively safe country for solo female travellers.

There are areas that you need to take care of, but on the whole, it is safe. Panama City has the most amazing skyline, and the promenade at night is safe for females with many families, runners and cyclists.

Over a third of its land is protected, and the country is great for bird spotting with hundreds of different species, including the colourful toucan in Soberania National Park. Take a jungle walk through remote wilderness at Cerro Pirre or if time is on your hands, trek the Camino Real. If you love the ocean, dive at Isla Coiba, one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific Coast.  

Panama is the country for adventure: sail across treetops on a forest zip wire or try rafting through the many grades of rapids. And when you’re adventuring out, enjoy the nightlife at Santa Catalina or the islands of Bocas del Toro, a popular surfing destination with a Naso Indian village to explore.

Then relax on the San Blas Islands, white sand Caribbean islands and learn the culture of the Kuna people: a huge contrast to the skyscrapers of Panama City.  

Panama is quite well connected, and the easiest way to get around Panama is by bus. The country has a good bus system, but you may need to change to a hub such as David. The buses are also known for having very cold air conditioning, so take a fleece if you are travelling at night.

Ferries take you from David to Mirander if you are going to Bocas del Toro, or you can take a tour to San Blas. 

If I've inspired you to travel solo in Central America, click on the photos below for the solo destination guide for your chosen country. * Read: Solo Travel in Panama

Best Time To Visit Central America

If you’re wondering the best time to travel to Central America, they do have a rainy season between May to September/October, and the hurricane season can affect Belize and Honduras during the months of October and November .

But with the climate constantly changing, just research the weather in the country that you want to travel to before you book. Below is the best time to visit each country. Weather2Travel is also a great site to check the best time of year for each destination. 

• Belize – February to April.
• Costa Rica – December to April.
• El Salvador – November to April.
• Guatemala – October to April.
• Honduras – December to April.
• Mexico – All year round.
• Nicaragua – November to May.
• Panama – December to April.

If you are planning on backpacking Central America but don’t feel very confident with basic Spanish, then consider taking one of these Central America tours. Both G Adventures and Intrepid Travel are sustainable travel companies and have their own foundations. 

G Adventures

If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, G Adventures is a responsible tour company that mainly caters for budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people, and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your trip, you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when you’re there.

Adventures range from 9 days exploring Belize to an epic 33 day Best of Central America: Ruins & Remote Beaches trip travelling through Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua. Explore Costa Rica in two weeks, or take the Mayan Sun Southbound or Northbound over 16 days covering Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. 

They also have specific adventures for under forties. If you're aged 18 to 39, join the Volcano Trail: Waves and Local Ways, for 17 days and travel from Antigua, Guatemala to San José, with a group of like-minded travellers. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company.

*  Click here for all itineraries, prices, and start dates

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people who book their trips are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips can appear a bit more than G Adventures.

Their tours range from an 8 day Guatemala Expedition on the Carmelita El Mirador jungle trek (for the adventure GatG) to an epic 47 day Central America Explorer of the land of toucans, tacos and tamales, journeying through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

If you only have a week to spare, you could cycle your way through the countries on an 8 day cycle adventure through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, or Costa Rica and Panama. 

With both tour companies, you share a room with someone of the same gender, or you can pay extra for your own room.

*  Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and start dates

Best Things To Do in Central America

• Explore Tikal, Guatemala
• Stay with a Mayan family in San Jose, Belize
• Volcano boarding at Cerro Negro, Nicaragua
• Explore the colonial town of Antigua, Guatemala  
• See the Mayan ruins of Copan, Honduras
• Enjoy the peace at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
• Go underground at the ATM cave, Belize
• Get dive-certified in Utila, Honduras
• Marvel at Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
• Sightsee in Leon, Nicaragua
• Take a short cruise along the Panama Canal.

  Seven Wonders of the World  

• Paricutin Volcano in Mexico
• Chichen Itza in Mexico.

Central America Itineraries  

You could easily spend a month or more exploring this continent. Either start from Panama and work your way up or start from Belize and work your way down. Below are some example itineraries. 

One Week Central America Itinerary  

• Explore many places within just one country
• Nicaragua – Leon, Granada, Ometepe
• Mexico – Mexico City, fly to Cancun, Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen, Tulum
• Costa Rica – San Jose, Playa Samara
• Panama – Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, fly to Panama City.  

Two Week Central America Itinerary  

• Guatemala to Honduras – Antigua, Lago Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Tikal, then Copan in Honduras.  
• Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Merida, Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen (or Tulum).  
• Guatemala and Belize – Belize City, Flores, Tikal, San Ignacio, Hopkins, Caye Caulker, San Pedro, fly from Belize City.  
• Panama, Costa Rica,  
• Nicaragua – Granada, Ometepe, La Fortuna, San Jose, Orosi, Turrialba, Cahuita, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, Panama City.  

3 Week Central America Itinerary  

• Mexico, Guatemala & Belize – Cancun, Chichen Itza, Merida, Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Rio Dulce, Flores, Tikal, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, San Pedro, Belize City (only to fly from).  
• Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala – Antigua, Copan, Roatan, fly to Tegucigalpa, Leon, Granada, Ometepe, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, San Jose.  

1 Month Central America Itinerary  

If you are planning on backpacking Central America, here is an example of a Central America backpacking route.

• Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua.
• Costa Rica – San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Ometepe, Granada, Poneloya, Suchitoto, Concepcion de Ataco, Copan, Antigua, Rio Dulce, Flores, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, Chetumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen.  

Related Post: Places to Visit in Central America

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This Rare Earth

A travel resource for the adventurous and often-solo female

Is Panama Safe for Tourists? Solo Female Travel Tips

Blog , North America , Panama , Solo Travel / February 8, 2023 by Monica / 2 Comments

Is travel to Panama safe for tourists? Let’s talk about how to stay safe on your trip to Panama – whether you are a solo female traveler, a group, or family, these travel tips will set you up for safety.

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You really don’t hear too much about Panama travel in the United States, do you? The more-popular Central American locations of Costa Rica and Mexico seem to get all the hype.

So when I decided to pack my bags for Panama, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect.

Is Panama safe for tourists? Is Panama a hassle for solo female travel? And, what is there to do in Panama? were questions that I received multiple times over before I went.

Well, now that I’ve returned from my trip, I’m ready to share the dirt on what it’s really like to travel as a solo female in Panama, and if Panama is safe in general. I’ve got a lot to talk about!

You May Also Like: What To Wear in Panama: A Packing List for Women

Table of Contents

Is Panama Safe for Tourists? And Other Solo Female Travel Tips

Right off the bat, I’ll share with you my “travel style” and a bit of my background in this region. I used to live in Costa Rica many years back, so I will say that I’m pretty comfortable with Central America in general.

I used to speak Spanish pretty fluently, though I’m sad to say that my Spanish language skills are not nearly as good as they used to be. I’ve been traveling more heavily in the Middle East and Asia lately, so I’ve definitely not had much chance to practice.

When I was planning my trip, I actually had a bit of trouble researching various regions and mapping out the places to see in Panama . It seemed like a lot of information was very surface-level and didn’t thoroughly explain any of the details.

In this article, I’d like to dig deep on Panama safety and give you tips on travel as a solo female so that you, too, can have a safe and relaxing visit to Panama.

Panama Safety Information

The good news is, Panama consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in all of Central and Latin America. It’s a pretty calm country, and loads of expats are flocking to a couple of distinct regions because of this reason (among others).

Panama has closer ties with the United States than I’d realized, and even uses the US Dollar as their main form of currency. Paper currency will all be in USD – even that which you take out from the ATM – but coins tend to be in Balboa.

Panama is both economically and politically stable, but you will notice vast differences in wealth and poverty if you travel the country at length.

Before any trip, it is always wise to look into what current events may be happening as we know that things can change quickly around the world.

You May Also Like: A Panama Itinerary for 7 or 10 Days

Let’s Talk About Crime in Panama.

While the country is in general very safe, that doesn’t mean that there is no crime.

Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Petty crime, like thefts and robberies, are more common. Panama, like anywhere in the world you may visit, has some areas that are considered more safe and some areas that are considered more seedy.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check out my top  travel safety items  and gear. This list covers everything from pickpocket-proof gear, personal safety, health and wellness, and more.

The majority of the country is peaceful and safe. But, activities like drug trafficking, kidnapping, and gang violence do exist, much of it near the border shared with Colombia.

Specific Areas to Avoid in Panama:

• The Darien Province Caribbean Coast (Drug Trafficking)
• The Mosquito Gulf (Drug Trafficking)
• Colon (Gang Activity and Street Crime)

Is Panama City, Panama Safe for Tourists?

Most of the areas you’ll find yourself visiting in Panama City are safe. The areas surrounding the Panama Canal and the collection of streets known as Casco Viejo are all safe to walk around, even as a solo female. (Casco Viejo is home to many of the restaurants and hotels that tourists flock to. It is a very walkable area – more info can be found through my link above.)

However, just outside of Casco Viejo, you will find some seedier areas.

As the early riser that I am when I travel, I took some sunrise strolls through Casco Viejo and did find myself wandering into the El Chorrillio neighborhood in no time. Just outside of the restored facades of the old town is the poverty-stricken and crime ridden blocks.

Now, I was here when the town was still sleeping. So I had no issues whatsoever, and even got to find some fun graffiti and meet all of the street cats. But, I am not blind to the fact that the crime from El Chorrillio can spill over into Casco Viejo.

Be sure to check out the best pickpocket-proof travel safety gear before you go.

It would be best to not wander through the seedier areas at night. You will notice, though, that there is an obvious police presence in Casco Viejo, around the clock.

You May Also Like: Things to Do in Panama City

What is it Like to Solo Female Travel in Panama?

Honestly it was quite calm.

I found Panama to be a pleasant place to walk around solo. I received way less of the catcalls that I am all too familiar with from my time in Costa Rica and other northern neighbors.

The worst that I experienced were just a few of the typical hiss hiss sound you’ll here all over Central America, which I just ignored. And, on my very last day, I had a scenario that made me laugh.

I was walking back from a convenience store solo, and I hear a guy yell out to me “Congratulations!” I just kept walking because I wasn’t in the mood to engage. He continues “You look very good.” I ignore. Then, “Do you need a ride?”

Farther down the road he catches up to me. Pulls his car off the road and onto the shoulder, blocking my path. “Hello!” he says after I’ve already walked past the open window. Then, “Okay, thank you,” and he pulls off.

I laughed to myself because it was the most polite harassment I’ve experienced in a long time, LOL. And, that was the “worst” of it!

I walked around every town and area I visited solo, and 95% of the time, the men just passed by me without any excitement. Easy peasy.

Annoyances and Scams

The only real scam that I ran into (as did several other travelers I met in Chiriqui ) was on the buses. We all reported a similar experience.

Several times, all four of us had run into the bus staff trying to charge us more than the ticket price. I had this happen on the actual bus in David, as did the other three, but one gal even had it happen at the main bus terminal at the ticket counter.

So, before you fork over any cash, check the signage. You will see the cost written for most destinations clearly on the wall. Check it first, go to the counter, and hold your ground if they give you a different number. On the bus itself, know your bus fare ahead of time. And don’t fork over anything more.

You May Also Like: A Complete Panama Travel Guide

General Tips for Safe Travel in Panama

Panama is safe for tourists in general. However, these tips will help to minimize any possible hassles and hiccups.

• Show respect to local Panamanians and other travelers. This will go a long way in being treated with respect, yourself.
• Come prepared. Arm yourself with the best travel safety items to avoid any potential crimes before they happen.
• Use Uber around Panama City rather than cabs when possible. I hate to discourage business from the taxi drivers, but 100% of the time, my Uber’s were cheaper than what the taxi quotes would be. You do need to haggle for taxis as there are no meters in Panama.
• That said, if you do use a taxi, agree to a price before getting into the car or accepting a service. Check my post on Solo Female Taxi Safety Tips , too.
• Don’t wear flashy jewelry or clothing.
• Panama is surprisingly not as cheap as you would expect. Use a credit card when possible, but you will need to carry cash for some services. I was surprised at how many businesses and services were fully cash based. Still, don’t carry loads of bills on you. (Check out my post on how to keep money safe while traveling for useful info).
• Don’t leave purses and bags unattended.
• You actually can drink the water in much of Panama! So that’s awesome. Just keep refilling your bottles.
• Research the neighborhoods and areas before booking your hotels. Avoid walking alone late at night, especially in questionable areas.
• If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, do make a police report. If it is a serious crime, consider contacting your Embassy in Panama City.
• Consider buying travel insurance if you plan to take part in any adventurous activities or travel to remote regions.
• If you plan to hike alone like I did, make sure you a) know where you are going and how to navigate the bus system; and b) mention to a hotel or hostel staff where you are heading. Actually, these go for group hikes, also.

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Panama Basics

Languages: Primarily Spanish, but also English and Indigenous Languages in areas like San Blas .

Economy: Panama’s Economy is very stable. It is largely based on services like operating the Panama Canal , container ports, and tourism.

Currency: The United States Dollar

Location: Panama is the southernmost country in Central America. Costa Rica is directly to the North and Colombia is directly to the South.

Useful Contacts and Numbers in Panama:

Emergency 911 Tourist Police in Panama City 104 Ambulance 103 Fire Station 103

Honestly, my trip went as smooth as possible in terms of safety. I had a few other hiccups in terms of itinerary and planning, but nothing that wasn’t resolved fairly easily.

If you are a smart and courteous traveler then you should find that Panama is safe for tourists! Even solo females and solo travelers in general should have no problems in Panama if you keep your wits about you.

The Panamanian people are so warm and welcoming that I would have zero reservations on returning back to see more!

If you are building your Panama itinerary, check out the following posts!

All About the Panama Canal

Things to Do in Panama City, Panama

What to Wear in Panama: A Packing List for Women

The Best Places to Visit in Panama

A San Blas Islands Travel Guide

A Panama Itinerary For 7 or 10 Days

• Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo Travel: Which Is Better?
• Cancun vs Cabo: Which is Better, Los Cabos or Cancun?
• 10 Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting El Matador Beach, Malibu
• The Perfect Day Trip to Malibu: A One Day Itinerary [2024]

About Monica

Monica has been a solo female world traveler for over 15 years. She is an expert on outdoor adventures, solo female travel, and off the beaten path destinations. She is the founder of This Rare Earth and is a firm believer that the world is not as scary as the media might have you think! Learn more about her here . Connect with her on Instagram .

Reader Interactions

May 19, 2022 at 4:38 pm

Thanks for doing this article.. I’m a female, I will be heading to Panama this year staying for about 6wks..Looking forward to it..Thanx

May 20, 2022 at 10:26 am

You’re going to have an incredible time Denise! Panama was a blast.

Thanks for reading, and let me know how it goes! Monica

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Solo Travel in Panama

• Post author By admin
• Post date May 25, 2020
• No Comments on Solo Travel in Panama

Most people with any kind of zeal for travel have considered venturing out completely on their own once in a while. Some travelers don’t know any other way, preferring the freedom to move around unencumbered over all else. 

Luckily, Panama is an excellent place for traveling solo. With plentiful resources and infrastructure to support its thriving tourism industry, those traversing by themselves can feel secure in the knowledge that especially in comparison to other Latin American countries, this one is relatively safe. However, there are always warnings to share and risks to be aware of, and that’s why we’re here to help. 

Is Panama safe to travel alone? 

Keep these tips in mind when traveling solo through Panama: 

• Don’t isolate yourself. It’s always best to keep to more populated areas – Safety in numbers counts for crowds of random people as much as it does for close friends, and those crowds will keep you more protected from muggers, especially when it’s dark out. If you can, make friends at your accommodation (hostels are great for this) so that you can move around together. It’s always easier to make friends with people when you’re traveling by yourself anyway, so take full advantage of this situation!
• Be extra aware of your surroundings . When you’re by yourself, you have even fewer defenses when it comes to pick pockets, muggers etc. In general, practice a heightened sense of caution, which means taking extra care of your belongings and being very tuned in to who is around you. Your gut instinct is your first line of defense to get you out of a bad spot before anything turns ugly. 
• If you plan on going out into nature, bring a guide. When hiking, trekking, etc, it’s always good to have someone else to assist in keeping the pace and making sure you’re not exceeding your physical limits. This, coupled with the fact that a single person on a hiking trail is more vulnerable to robbery, is an excellent incentive to hire an experienced nature guide to accompany you. 
• Research your accommodation thoroughly in advance. Many reviews for hostels will tell you if it’s good for solo travelers, which usually means it’s a friendly place that actively makes an effort to help people meet one another. Beyond that, you’ll want to be sure it’s in a good neighborhood with amenities close by. 
• Don’t pack too many bags. Having to carry around a bunch of luggage will not only be an absolute nightmare, but you’ll also stand out like a sore thumb to thieves. Packing light helps you keep a low profile, which is a super defense mechanism. 
• Chill out. We get that you’ll probably have a long list of things to do (depending on what kind of traveler you are), but if you’re all alone, it’s easy to override the switch that tells you you’re exhausted, and being tired will make you less vigilant about your surroundings, which makes you less safe. You feel us? 

Also read: Best places to visit in Panama

Is Panama safe for solo female travelers? 

We don’t like it either – women traveling alone need to play by a different set of rules. We don’t necessarily recommend starting with Panama if you’re an inexperienced solo traveler, but for those who already know what they’re doing, here’s some advice to go by: 

• Ignore the catcallers. It can be tempting to talk back, but the safest option is to give them a wide berth and keep moving. 
• If you’re not comfortable, leave. This counts for everything: bars, conversations, and especially hotels/hostels. It doesn’t matter if the reviews were great and the neighborhood was awesome – if you walk into that place and you get bad vibes, walk right out. Your safety is too important to ignore a gut instinct. That said, be very careful in the hostel you choose, making sure it’s in a safe neighborhood with decent security. 
• Don’t walk around alone at night. Not much more to say. It’s always risky, and never worth it. Only travel in the dark as part of a larger group, or get yourself a taxi (Uber preferred). Speaking of which: 
• Be careful in your choice of taxis. It’s not uncommon for taxis in Panama to be shared, so the driver allows multiple passengers in the vehicle at once. This isn’t necessarily safe, especially with the high rate of express kidnappings in Central America. Don’t get into taxis with additional passengers already inside, and if you need to, pay extra to the driver so that he doesn’t make more pickups with you in the car. Uber is a generally a much safer alternative to traditional taxis. 
• Make friends. This is good advice for all solo travelers, but women especially. Having a few go-to buddies will give you options when you want to go out. 
• Be careful in bars. It’s generally best to go to bars with other people anyway, but keep close watch over your drinks, and never accept drinks from strangers. Don’t be afraid to be firm with people who are overly-pushy. 
• Be more modest in your dress. You’ll probably see plenty of local women in skimpy outfits, but as a foreigner, you already stand out, and it’s best not to exaggerate that. Blending into the crowd is a big part of staying safe and avoiding unwanted attention. 
• If you’re on a bus, try to sit next to another woman, or near a family. This will lead to a more comfortable experience for you, and help you avoid  possible harassment. 

Safety in Panama Complete Guide: 

• Is it safe to travel in Panama
• Food and Water Safety in Panama
• Scams in Panama
• Getting Around in Panama

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Panama Tours for Solo / Single Travelers

32 panama tours for singles / solo travelers with 24 reviews.

• Christmas & New Year

Panama City Express 5D/4N

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Glimpse of Panama

• In-depth Cultural

Independent Panama

The Best of Panama

Panama Circuit, Taboga and Gamboa - 6 days

Classic Panama

Tailor-Made Adventure to Panama Canal & Rainforest, Daily Departure

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Independent Panama with the Pacific Coast

Panama Small Group 7Days/6Nights

Tailor-Made Best Panama Tour with Daily Departure

Tailor-Made Panama Highlights Tour, Daily Departure

Panama North to South Adventure 6D/7N

Bocas del Toro Circuit - 3 days

Private Tour to Panama Canal & Bocas del Toro Islands, Daily Start

Costa Rica & Panama Discovery (6 destinations)

The pros: The guide, Jonnathan, was very knowledgeable and flexible so we all could do any activity. Jonna was very nice and very easy to work with. The cons: This tour should be fully guided, not partially guided so the whole group stays together. I have never seen a group so divided, Partially guided tours create cliques. Also, days should start earlier than 8:50am. Starting the day at 8:50am means that travelers often arrive to their destination tool late to do any activity - it's just a waste of time.

What people love about Panama Solo Tours

The pros: The guide, Jonnathan, was very knowledgeable and flexible so we all could do any activity. Jonna was very nice and very easy to work with. The cons: This tour should be fully guided, not partially guided so the whole group stays together. I have never seen a group so divided, Partially guided tours create cliques. Also, days should start earlier than 8:50am. Starting the day at 8:50am means that travelers often arrive to their destination tool late to do any activity - it's just a waste of time.

More Tours in Panama for Singles and Solo Travellers

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Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (32)
• For Couples (13)
• Seniors (22)

• Destinations
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Going Solo in Panama – Budget Central American Travel

• by Solo Traveler
• February 26, 2019 January 20, 2020

Panama solo travel destination

Panama could be described as an ‘up and gone already’ destination, having proved very popular with American tourists and expats for a number of years. Actually it is very easy to get off the beaten track in the country and Panama for solo travel is a great destination for backpackers.

The country is very much at a geographical crossroads being at the tail end of the North American continent and the beginning of South America proper. Panama is very much part of Latin America with Spanish being the official language.

Panama is often overlooked by backpackers and independent travelers who seem to prefer Costa Rica and the new darling of the gringo trail, Nicaragua. This is a shame as Panama has a lot to offer and isn’t really that much more expensive than Nicaragua and similar in cost to Costa Rica.

Panama for solo travelers

As we mentioned before Panama is very much the crossing point between South and Central America and it’s where you can find the Panama Canal, an amazing feat of engineering which carries ships from the Caribbean to the Pacific, saving them a rather long round trip down round the bottom of Argentina. It’s geographical position has been fundamental in shaping the nation there today.

The local people are very friendly and proud of their country.

Is Panama Safe for solos and females?

Well lets take a look at what various governments say about travel to Panama.

The British government travel website is not too alarmist about Panama suggesting that all but a few areas are unsafe to travel, particularly down near the Colombian border which is possibly one of the unsafest travel areas in the World!

The US are a little more cautious about travel to Panama citing a few more areas that are currently deemed unsafe such as the Mosquito coast area.

We consider Panama a safe country for backpackers but solo travel safety precautions should always be taken no matter which country you are visiting.

Cheap Accommodation in Panama City

For cheap sleeps you can camp if that’s your thing, there’s no law against wild camping but don’t leave a mess if you want to stay popular. You should always be alert too if you decide to wild camp, indeed this should be the case in any country.

If you want to sleep in a more solid structure try looking for a lodge, particularly in the countryside, which will be basic but reasonably priced.

You might like to check out Booking.com which covers much of the country as does Hostel World too.

How much can I get a single room for in one month’s time?

We did a quick search and came up with this great option in Panama City…

Los Faroles Hostel & Guesthouse Panama City Good 7.6 Score from 21 reviews Single Room FREE cancellation US$25

There were many double rooms too at around $30 a night and for those on an extreme budget you could have yourself the following deal!

Hostal Iguana Panama City Good 7.0 Score from 5 reviews Bed in 4-Bed Male Dormitory Room FREE cancellation US$8

Surfing is very popular in Panama with Pacific and Caribbean coasts and lots of pumping swell.

A Traveler’s Budget for Panama

The main form of transport around the country is bus or minibus, some areas are served by boat (some by canoe!) It is possible to hire a car relatively cheaply – around $25 a day.

A meal will set you back in the region of $3 if you eat local produce consisting mainly of meat and rice with salad. In the cities there is a much greater choice and in the villages even less so but the price drops along with the selection wherever you are.

Finding somewhere to stay is cheap as we have mentioned before so Panama can really be a great budget destination providing you don’t get too carried away with activities.

You may wish to check out our travel budget guide to Panama to help you work out a budget for your visit, but also make sure you have at least 90 days travel insurance if you are going for a long time.

Casco Viejo: Fusing Old and New in Historic Panama City http://t.co/Unimy9pX9n #uncategorized #travel pic.twitter.com/cbeqyvmXH9 — exploretraveler (@exploretravel1) April 2, 2015

Solo Travel Activities in Panama

Hiking in Panama from coast to coast, or up Volcan Baru, the country’s highest peak

Birdwatching nine hundred species of bird

Whitewater Rafting down the Chiriqui

Surfing along the Costa Arriba or along the Pacific coast

Diving at the reefs in the Caribbean or the Pearl Islands in the Pacific

Group Travel Companies that cover Panama

Looking for a Panama tour group that is solo friendly?

Check out some of the companies below for their latest Panama trips!

Intrepid Travel Panama

Intrepid does a number of trips to Panama and also longer trips through Central America that ends or starts in Panama. We highly recommend them! They are suitable for people from all countries, ages and particularly solo travelers!

GAdventures for Panama

G Adventures also covers Panama in their massive portfolio of trips in the Americas. They are for people of all countries and get rave reviews from younger solos!

Explore Travel for Panama

Explore are a UK company that does tours all over the world. They are popular with people of all ages and from many different countries, not just the UK

PANAMA TRAVEL BASICS

When to go?

Best time to visit is during the United States winter specifically from December through April when the rainfall and temperatures are at their lowest. Of course being so close to the equator Panama is still hot this time of year but less humid.

Beaches, islands, the weather, the fast paced capital, to learn Spanish and to go trekking and diving. Not forgetting the man made marvel that is the Panama Canal!

How to get there

More and more airlines are flying into Panama.

From the North…

You can travel overland through Central America by the extensive bus networks. You can fly from a number of cities in the US and also from Mexico.

From the South…

Don’t even think about traveling overland from Colombia! If you do then be aware that you might be taking on a life threatening trip.

You can fly direct from Peru and Colombia although there is not much competition on these routes so could be quite expensive ways to travel to Panama.

Indeed you might be better off flying all the way up to Florida from South America and then back down to Panama.

Here are some of the airlines that fly direct to Panama City…

KLM flights; Air France flights;  US Airways flights United flights; Delta flights; Aeromexico flights Iberia flights; TAP Portugal flights; Avianca flights; American Airlines flights

From Europe / Asia

There are some direct flights from Europe to Panama. Iberia flies direct from Madrid to Panama City but when we looked up flight on Google Flights for the month of may we could not see any under $1000 one way.

It will almost certainly be cheaper to fly to Panama via the United States if coming from Aisa, Europe, Australia/NZ or the Middle East.

Panama in January-March

Panama’s dry season from January to March is perhaps the most picturesque time of year. Yet, you may still catch what locals call bajareque, a comfortable misting rainy mist. For beachcombers, a pleasantly warm seaside climate makes the Pacific coast a great place to get some sun on white-sand beaches, while the Caribbean coast is known for its excellent surfing. The warm, clear waters on either coast are also great for scuba diving and snorkeling.

In the mountains, temperatures are more comfortable than in the lowlands. This is prime hiking season, and Panama’s national parks are full of wildlife. While in the jungles, you’ll also see that Panama’s exotic bird populations are out in full force, so take advantage of prime birdwatching season.

This is the height of tourism season, so expect the coasts and cities to be crowded. Your tourism dollar will not go as far for street vendors and restaurants, yet the beauty that blooms in this season cannot be missed.

Panama in April-June

The rainy season begins in May, which means water levels throughout Panama are higher. Whitewater rafting is a favorite pastime at this time of year, as you have your choice of robust rapids and calmer, smoother flows.

As most tourists prefer the dry season, the heavy crowds of winter will be gone. In Panama, the frequent downpours will often fade away to clear, shining skies on a whim—this in itself is a sight to behold. The rainforest and high-elevation cloud forests become especially stunning—Panama’s flora blooms in intense color from the increased rainfall.

Panama in July-September

During Panama’s summer, both coasts are a welcome escape from the hot and humid climate. Tourists tend to avoid Panama, and most of Central America, because of the enduring heavy rains at this time. You can travel at a value, as prices for almost everything are much lower.

Opposite to Panama’s autumn, the Pacific Coast becomes ripe for surfing. The wind patterns are now affecting the other side of the country, so waves for all skill levels are available. This would be a great time to learn the art, or practice with more robust waves. Holidays & Events

Panama in October-December

By the time the rainy season ends in November, Panama is covered in lush vegetation. Flowers are blooming, and peering down a mountainside will reveal astoundingly verdant landscapes. Hiking through San Lorenzo National Park, or any of Panama’s outdoor reserves, will reveal a newly-born effusion of life. Take advantage of the longer daylight hours to enjoy the country’s natural treasures.

Find Solo Travelers in Panama, Share Costs, & Travel Together

How A Trip Works On GAFFL

Find solo travelers in panama, get connected, trip together.

• Solo Trips in Panama

FAQ About Solo Trips in Panama

Is panama a good place to solo travel, is panama safe for solo travelers, is panama expensive for solo travel.

You can save money by staying in a low-cost hotel or hostel and splitting your expenses with other travelers. A hostel can be a great place to meet new people if you are traveling alone, but you can also use GAFFL to connect with other travelers in Panama, share costs, and travel together to save money on your solo trip to Panama.

Essential Solo Travel Tips For A Trip To Panama

How are gaffl solo trips in panama different than tour companies, are gaffl solo trips in panama free, are gaffl solo trips in panama safe.

Travelers on GAFFL go through a multi-step verification process that includes phone, social, and government ID verification, so you can be confident in your potential travel companion. You also have the option of connecting or not connecting with anyone you want. On GAFFL, you have complete control over who you travel with.

Can you give me an example of how solo tours in Panama are different from Tour Companies?

How much money can gaffl save me on my next solo trip to panama.

A two-week trip to Panama with a traditional tour company can cost thousands of dollars. When you connect with a solo traveler on GAFFL and split costs for things like rental cars and lodging, you are not paying any additional fees that are typically associated with tour companies, and by splitting costs, the overall cost per person is significantly reduced.

Are GAFFL solo trips in Panama run by Tour Companies?

Have a good itinerary but no friends or family members to join you, start your trip in minutes and connect with like-minded travelers panama..

What GAFFL Users Are Saying

"It’s really nice to have a platform like GAFFL with lots of travelers wanting to do the same as you, a real beautiful cultural exchange. You can meet people so easily and in a trustful way. We were four girls, from French, German and American backgrounds, without knowing each other from before. We spent an amazing week together, 2000km driving, camping on the way. We saw kangaroos, koalas, penguins and pelicans"

“I have found GAFFL to be an amazing tool for finding similar minded travel partners to embark on an adventure. Through GAFFL, I had organized a trip to Mexico City last month and Quazi joined the trip from Victoria, BC. We spent 14 days of straight exploring, hiking, eating and drinking. Quite an amazing experience - all thanks to GAFFL!”

"I accidentally scrolled across GAFFL and I'm so pleased I did. I met Amaia and immediately decided to road-trip together. We're spending 10 days together and it's great because we have so much in common. Couldn't have done it without GAFFL helping us find one another! It has honestly made NZ so much cheaper to explore as I get to split the costs with someone too​"

• Solo Trips in Panama City
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Best Solo Trips for Women in Panama

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Connect with Locals in Panama

• Meet Locals in Trans Panama Trail
• Meet Locals in Panama City

More Travel Tips & Hacks for Panama

• Panama - Digital Nomad Tips
• Panama - Visa Information

Connect with Travelers in Panama

• Panama City Travel Buddy
• Panama Canal Travel Buddy

Connect with Female Travelers in Panama

• Female Travel Companions In Panama City
• Female Travel Companions In Panama Canal

More From Forbes

3 international destinations ideal for solo vacations.

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Sunny Seville street and scenic view of Giralda tower

Solo travel was one of the top trends to emerge from Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Summit.

This trend is popular for a few reasons:

• Solo travel affords maximum freedom and flexibility. Go where you want when you want and explore on your own terms, rather than acquiescing to a companion or group’s wants and concerns.
• It gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself. There’s only one agenda when you’re traveling alone, and it’s the one that you create for yourself. You’ll tune into yourself to discover your needs and wants.
• It can provide a sense of empowerment. You leave your comfort zone when you go on any trip. Going alone means that you’ll rely solely on yourself to navigate all situations, which can boost confidence.
• It can be a cure for loneliness. In 2023, more than half of Americans reported feeling lonely consistently . It’s counterintuitive, but going abroad alone can open you up to meeting new people. You may be more inclined to strike up conversations with strangers than you would be if you had a travel companion.

If you’re nervous about traveling on your own, you can go solo with a group. There are tours and trips you can join that are designed for solo travelers.

In fact, solo travel has become so popular that an entire industry has emerged to cater to it. Cruise lines, resorts, and tour companies are rolling out “packages for one” to accommodate this new consumer.

But you don’t have to buy one of these packages to enjoy a solo trip. Independent travel and traditional boots-on-the-ground exploration and adventure are available to solo travelers as well.

The key to having a good experience as a solo traveler is picking the right destination.

If safety concerns, loneliness, and boredom are the main drawbacks of solo travel, then you should choose a destination that’s safe, friendly, and vibrant, with plenty to see and do.

Here’s my short list of destinations that are ideal for solo travelers.

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The top 10 richest people in the world (may 2024), toyota s suv lineup is new and refreshed which one is right for you, montevideo, uruguay.

For someone taking their first trip as a solo traveler, the capital of Uruguay—despite not being on many people’s radar—is a great choice.

It’s safe, so solo travelers can feel comfortable exploring on their own. In fact, Uruguay is the highest-rated South American country in the 2023 Global Peace Index, coming in at #50.

It’s affordable and offers plenty to see and do—from learning about Guacho (cowboy) culture and attending barbecues to watching soccer matches and enjoying mate (tea made from the yerba mate plant).

It also has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, with a beach accessible from Montevideo and another nearby in Punta del Este.

Uruguay may live in the shadows of Brazil and Argentina, but it outshines them when it comes to standard of living, with strong social safety nets and infrastructure.

Everything works as it should here, from its public transportation system to its U.S. dollar-dispensing ATMs. That user-friendliness makes it an ideal destination for solo travelers.

Seville, Spain

Seville is the beating heart of Andalusia, a proud, culturally rich area in the south of Spain.

It’s replete with historically significant landmarks; architecture from the Islamic, Gothic, and Renaissance eras; parks with walking trails; cycle lanes; flamenco music and dancing; river cruises; café and tapas culture; and more.

It’s also vibrant, with people socializing in plazas or on the terraces of restaurants until late in the evening most nights of the week. This constant presence of others at night can make a solo traveler feel more at ease, although this city is very safe to begin with.

Locals are friendly and welcoming. However, the English-speaking ability of those not in the tourism industry is limited. Speaking a bit of Spanish definitely enhances your travel experience in Seville.

Hanoi, Vietnam

With its bustling streets, constant traffic, quick-moving scooters, vibrant markets, and street hawkers, Hanoi has a buzz about it. It pulls people in and keeps them constantly entertained.

Its chief attraction is its Old Quarter, a labyrinth of a neighborhood that features a mix of architectural styles, from French mansions to Chinese temples to Buddhist pagodas. It’s a dense neighborhood that’s full of landmarks, restaurants, and cafés and is best explored on foot.

Hanoi is safe and affordable. It has a flourishing tourism industry, with tours and experiences available for all kinds of travelers.

Street food tours are a great way to sample the best of Hanoian cuisine and can also be a way to give back, as they’re often hosted by local university students who are eager to practice their English skills.

Dining in Hanoi is a casual affair; meals at local-style restaurants tend to be quick and informal, so you’ll never feel uncomfortable going to a restaurant by yourself.

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