I spent 8 days in Panama and felt like I visited 3 different countries

A small rainforest town, Boquete is a place where there are few traffic lights and America’s boomers have flocked to retire. Instead of skyscrapers, we found lush mountains in every direction.

Fast forward another 48 hours and I was transported to the coast of Chiriqui. Here, nothing reached the sky. Instead, a flat ocean and sandy beaches met the horizon.

It was my first time in Panama and in just eight days I felt like I had explored three completely different countries.

Panama is home to rainforests, cities, beaches and a rich food scene

Nature lovers, beachgoers, luxury vacationers, partiers, families, retirees, adventurers, relaxers, foodies, city explorers, and history buffs can all find something to love in Panama.

In the nation’s capital, the Casco Viejo neighborhood resembles the French Quarter of New Orleans. Its cobbled streets, flower-filled windows and historic squares ooze history. When the sun goes down, jazz and salsa float from nearby rooftop bars.

A short drive from Casco Viejo, you are in the trendy neighborhood of Punta Pacifica, which has previously been called a “little Dubai” and the “Miami of Latin America.” Here, shopping malls and designer clothes are close at hand.

Beyond the city’s rich history, there is a rich culinary scene. Panama City is home to some of the world’s best restaurants, such as Maito, which was ranked sixth in the 2023 Latin America 50 Best Restaurants list. Between shrimp wontons and kanpachi tartare, the three-course dinner from Maito was the best food I had during my week. Panama.

Outside of the capital, Panama is home to various destinations that offer a wide range of experiences.

I headed to the coast of Chiriqui, where I spent three nights at Isla Palenque, a five-star private island resort. The trip was the ideal balance of exploration and relaxation.

I spent an evening with the main naturalist guide of the resort. Together, we hiked into the jungle, where we discovered Panama’s rich biodiversity, which includes jaguars, porcupines, hummingbirds, critters, and two thousand species of butterflies. The second day on the island was spent snorkeling and relaxing on a private beach.

Beyond the country’s 1,800 miles of coastline, Panama is home to 13 million acres of rainforest.

In Boquete, a small town in the heart of the country, we explored the rainforest and coffee plantations that fill the region. Here, we took in the cool 70-degree jungle weather, a refreshing break from Panama City’s hot temperatures, and sipped on the world’s most expensive coffee.

Between a cross-country plane trip and a few longer road trips, we covered a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and there were plenty of destinations we didn’t get to.

Bocas del Toro, an hour’s flight from Panama City and close to the Costa Rican border, is home to nine islands and offers a different kind of vacation. Accommodations range from party hostels to luxury overwater bungalows dotted along the shore.

I also missed a trip to the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of 378 islands. They are home to the Kuna indigenous people of Panama, and the locals told me that I can expect pristine nature, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

My only criticism is that in order to explore all that Panama has to offer, you’ll need to hop on a plane ride or two. Fortunately, the country’s flagship carrier, Copa Airlines, was cheap and painless.

While one week provided a range of experiences, I wondered what I could have covered if I had extended my stay another week or two.

I left singing the praises of Panama

While I found something to appreciate in every place I visited, I didn’t expect to find so much to love about Panama.

Beyond the country’s diverse backgrounds and rich food scene, the Panamanians I spoke with were eager to share and show their love for their home.

I experienced just a little bit of it and still dream about the destination months later.