Highlights in Panama

Oh how beautiful is Panama - and what are the most famous attractions in Panama? Janosch was right. Panama is the country with the lush green rainforest, over 1,518 dreamlike islands, a thriving capital, Panama City, and of course, the Panama Canal. The sensational nature makes Panama an increasingly popular eco-destination.

Most of the highlights and attractions are densely packed around the capital, Panama City. Within a few hours from Panama City in the south, you reach the paradisiacal Caribbean islands of San Blas, and in less than an hour, you are at Soberania National Park (Gamboa), located right by the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake.

You never have to drive far to reach the next highlight of the country, which is not bigger than Austria. Besides Bocas del Toro, a popular backpacker spot, it's just a day trip away. The best way to get there is by bus or even by plane.

Many travelers are only briefly passing through Panama. Whether by car along the Pan-American Highway or with a backpack on an extensive Central American tour. Whether for a week or for a longer trip - Panama is fantastic!

These are the places I visited on my first trip to Panama:

The capital of Panama is one of Latin America's most vibrant capitals. You best experience this in the partially renovated, partially crumbling district of Casco Viejo ("Old Wall"). This neighborhood strongly reminds me of Havana (Cuba). Even if the ongoing "renovation measures" are said to be somewhat illegal - that's what they say - I really enjoyed it here.

You will also find Central America's largest skyline in Panama City. I didn't expect it to be this impressive. The capital inflated by dubious financial dealings gives just a first impression that somehow reminds me of Miami. You have the best views of the skyline from above Plaza de Francia and along the waterfront promenade of Avenida Balboa.

Tantalo Hotel Kitchen Roofbar (with a great rooftop terrace, a tip for sunset) or American Trade Hotel with a great jazz bar (both in Casco Viejo). Unfortunately, we were only here for lunch. We stayed on Avenida Balboa at the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis and Intercontinental Miramar Panama on the same street. Both hotels offer great views of the Panama Canal, but I would prefer to stay in Casco Viejo next time.

A detailed report about Panama City will follow shortly.

Thanks to the 81.6 km long Panama Canal, Panama City is by far the wealthiest city in Central America. The world's most famous shortcut generates over 3 million euros daily. The canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and is considered one of the most important construction works in navigation, allowing ships to save a long detour around Cape Horn.

Take a boat tour on the Panama Canal and pass by the impressive container ships.

If you want to learn more about the history of the Panama Canal, you should visit the visitor center in Miraflores. In Miraflores, you can also visit the huge locks that raise ships by 16 m.

In my imagination, the canal had to be gigantic and imposing. However, it was not that spectacular on-site - okay, the locks and gates are mighty - but I somehow imagined the Panama Canal to be larger. I was impressed that the canal runs right through a rainforest, where you can see not only crocodiles but also monkeys, toucans, and sometimes even sloths.

By the way: The canal is opened in the morning in one direction and in the afternoon in the other direction. As a result, long lines form daily at the entrance to the Panama Canal. From my hotel room, I could especially observe this spectacle in the evening when many small lights indicated how many ships were waiting at the entrance.

Just a 30-minute drive from Panama City is the tropical rainforest in Soberania National Park, making it an ideal day trip. Over 525 bird species are known to inhabit this area.

The park stretches along the Panama Canal and the artificially created Gatun Lake, through which the canal flows for 12 km. We visited the park at Gamboa, a small town in Soberania National Park.

Here lies the only accommodation in the national park: the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Take a boat tour on the Rio Chagres over Gatun Lake and further into the Panama Canal. Be amazed by the nature that surrounds you around the canal. You will see capuchin monkeys and numerous crocodiles - we saw plenty of cute baby crocodiles here.

In the middle of the national park, there is also an observation tower that you can reach via a nostalgic gondola (Aerial Tram Tour), from which you can overlook the rainforest and, with luck, spot toucans, sloths, and more capuchin monkeys. A ranger from the national park accompanies you, explains the flora and fauna, and warns you about poisonous snakes (see image below) that can suddenly appear over your head

Tip for accommodation: Either in Panama City (as mentioned above) or the only hotel in the rainforest, the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, which offers a unique view over the Rio Chagres, which feeds Gatun Lake.

Whether Kuna Yala, Isla Aroma, Isla Perro/Achutupu, Isla Waily, Isla Pelicano, or Isla Corbiski. The names not only sound dreamy; the islands are as well.

Whether it's a snorkeling trip or cultural experiences with the Guna Indians. You can lie on the beach, but you don't have to. There's a lot to see.

Read more: Kuna Yala - San Blas Islands

Panama City with trips to the rainforest in Gamboa, Panama Canal, and Soberania National Park on the Pacific coast (at least 3 days) - Kuna Yala (San Blas Islands) - Panama City (3 days).

Since I was only briefly in Panama in combination with other Central American countries, I couldn't visit all the places I would have liked to see. So here's my tip if you have more time. The following sights and places are worth it:

Panama is a destination often overlooked between its popular neighbors, Costa Rica, and Colombia. However, Panama has nothing to envy from its neighboring countries.

Stunning nature with beautiful white beaches and rainforests where you can simply relax or experience plenty of action through activities like snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, or ziplining.

More information and pictures about the San Blas Islands.

The vibrant city of Panama City with its famous Panama Canal, which connects the Caribbean with the Pacific, the skyline reminiscent of an American metropolis, and the old town of Casco Viejo have a lot to offer. You definitely won't get bored here.

To enter Panama, you need:

1. A passport that is valid for at least 6 months and has at least two blank pages left. 2. A return ticket to your home country or a valid onward ticket (whether by land, water, or air). It's not always required, but customs officials asked to see one from me.

3. A valid residence permit for the country you are traveling to afterwards (for example, an ESTA for the USA, I didn't need anything for Honduras since it also has a visa on arrival).

As a tourist, you receive a 'visa on arrival' in Panama in the form of a stamp in your passport. The visa is valid for a stay of 180 days.

If you are traveling to Panama via the USA like I did, you need an ESTA for the United States. I have detailed how to fill out the ESTA form in this article: How to Fill Out the ESTA Form for the USA.

When entering by ship, Panama charges an entry fee between $100 - $200. Additionally, if you arrive by ship, you only receive a visa that is valid for only 72 hours. If you want to stay longer, you must inquire at the arrival port's immigration authority on how to get a regular tourist visa.

Since entry requirements for Panama can change, I recommend visiting the site of the Foreign Office for details.

Land travel to Panama is not possible, as there is no border crossing allowing exit from Panama to Colombia. Even if routes are marked on maps, there's no road connection to Colombia. If you travel on the Pan-American Highway, you must ship your vehicle (to Cartagena, Colombia).

When exiting Panama, fees of about $40 apply, which are usually included in the airfare. Sometimes you still have to pay the fees; they were included in my airfare.

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