Panama

Close to everything

Panama is a country where worlds meet. A natural crossroads between continents and oceans, it blends vibrant modernity with living traditions, lush landscapes and a richly diverse culture. From its world-famous canal, which transformed the history of global trade, to its turquoise waters lapping spectacular beaches, its rainforests teeming with life and its cities bursting with rhythm, Panama offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences to curious travellers seeking openness, variety and authenticity.

 

The blend of indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, European and Latin influences creates a cultural mosaic reflected in its music, its cuisine and its celebrations. Within a short distance, colonial neighbourhoods, idyllic islands and misty cloud forests coexist, where nature reveals itself in all its power. Panama is a compact destination, easy to explore and full of surprises at every turn, ideal for discovering at your own pace.

Engineering that connects oceans

A masterpiece that transformed the world

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is recognised as one of the greatest feats of modern engineering and a symbol of enduring innovation. Since opening in 1914, this interoceanic route has linked the Atlantic and the Pacific through a sophisticated system of locks, made possible by careful water management and an intricate technological and logistical system. The 2016 expansion, which introduced locks for Neo-Panamax vessels, reaffirmed its role in global trade, allowing the transit of larger ships and boosting the region's maritime competitiveness

 

Today, the Canal is moving towards an increasingly sustainable model, with projects focused on optimising water use, enhancing energy efficiency and tackling climate challenges. For visitors to Miraflores and Agua Clara alike, the experience unveils a living work in constant evolution, where history, engineering and future vision intertwine.

Where heritage sets the rhythm

Flavours, sounds and memory

Afro-Antillean heritage

Afro-Antillean heritage is woven into the fabric of Panamanian identity, alive in its music, its cuisine and its everyday cultural expressions. It arrived with railway workers and later with the communities involved in the construction of the Canal, bringing traditions that profoundly shaped the collective imagination. Rhythms such as calypso, reggae in Spanish, mento and congo colonense tell stories of resistance, migration and community, and today resonate at the heart of Panama's soundscape.

 

In the kitchen, flavours such as rondón (traditional seafood stew), arroz con coco (coconut rice), patties (savoury pastries) and plantintá (plantain and coconut dessert) reflect a culinary tradition rich in spices, family memories and traditions passed down through generations. What's more, celebrations such as the Colón Devils and Congos Festival keep alive a legacy woven from dance, rhythm and symbolism.

 

This heritage isn't only celebrated in festivals; it lives in language, in sociability and in the Caribbean spirit that defines Panama's vibrant character.

 

Visitors to the Canal, whether at Miraflores or Agua Clara, discover a living, dynamic masterpiece where history, science and future vision converge in a setting that continues to shape the world.

Things to do in Panama
We've got the best itineraries for your holiday

Old Quarter

Cuisine

Indigenous communities

Bocas del Toro

San Blas

Portobelo

Coffee estates – Boquete and Chiriquí

Snorkelling – Coiba Island

Surfing

Barú Volcano

Boquete and The Highlands

Natural Parks

Biodiversity and fauna

Humpback whale watching

Further information

Documentation

How to get there

Where to stay

Getting around Panama

Currency and tips

Medical treatment

Weather in Panama

Check the weather forecast for the country

Weather in PanamaTropical and varied all year round.

Panama has a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures. The dry season runs from December to April, bringing sunny days ideal for the beach and outdoor activities. The rainy season, from May to November, brings brief showers and cloudier skies, but also greener landscapes and fewer crowds. Mountainous areas, such as Boquete, have a cooler climate with clear mornings and chilly nights. The Caribbean coast can have sporadic rainfall all year round.

 

Overall, Panama is a destination that can be enjoyed year-round.

Monthly forecast
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