5 days in Panama itinerary

Welcome to our 5 days in Panama itinerary.

This Central American nation is full of beautiful landscapes, which include Caribbean islands, large swaths of jungle as well as cooler, forested mountains.

It’s also home to the most developed city in the whole region – Panama City. Here you’ll find a sea of skyscrapers, as well as the perfect contrast of historic neighborhoods and ruins.

5 days in Panama Itinerary

In this guide, we’ll explore this distinct nation, including our very own 5 day Itinerary to help you get the most out of a trip here.

Make sure you lace up, as not only will we explore Panama City and its highlights, but we’ll also be trekking through the rainforest (as well as visiting some of the most iconic islands on earth).

Getting to Panama

Of all the countries you can visit when backpacking Central America thankfully Panama is the easiest to get to. The international airport in Panama City is among the best connected in the entire Western Hemisphere, meaning you’ll be able to fly directly to the capital from most parts of the world.

The other main way of getting here is to take the bus from Costa Rica. The popular backpacking spot of Puerto Viejo is located just over the border in this neighboring country and is usually a frequent departing point for those heading into Panama.

You can also arrive here on a Boat Tour from Cartagena, where you’ll explore the stunning San Blas archipelago along the way.

Looking at a map you may be confused since you’ll also see that Panama shares a border with Colombia to the south.

However this stretch of dangerous land (known as the Darien Gap) truly is impassable, and many who have tried have lost their lives attempting so. From deadly snakes to FARC rebels who control the territory, it’s really not worth even trying.

Other Things to know: Travel Tips

On this route through Panama, we recommend a budget of $25-30 a day. This seems like quite a lot (especially if coming from Nicaragua or further north), however, Panama is quite an expensive country to backpack around.

This budget will be enough for a dorm bed, local meals as well as a bus or two. Other costs such as international flights, travel insurance or long-distance buses are not included in this budget.

Panama is quite a safe country, especially in the more touristy areas like Bocas del Toro and Boquete. Casco Viejo within Panama City is also safe, however, other parts of the capital can be quite sketchy.

If you do choose to stay in these other areas, make sure to bring a Secure Wallet when exploring around to keep your valuables safe.

Those who are in a rush may benefit from a flight or two, given Panama’s long shape (which makes buses quite long).

We recommend flying between Panama City and Bocas, but only if you really need to since you’ll be missing some incredible destinations in between.

5 days in Panama Itinerary

Now we’ll go through our personalized 5 day itinerary of Panama.

Here we’ll cover the very best things to do each day, and also some of our own tips from our experience here.

Day 1-2: Panama City Highlights

Arriving in Panama City on your first day, you’ll want to use your time well to see all of the very best landmarks and sites.

We first recommend heading to Casco Viejo (if you’re not already staying here), where you can see some really beautiful colonial architecture such as the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral as well as the stunning Church of the Mercy.

After seeing the sights and strolling around the main plazas, you can then take a taxi over to the Miraflores visitor center.

Overlooking the Panama Canal, this man-made wonder is absolute must-see, which is an 82km narrow passageway that connects the Atlantic to the Pacific. You can also join this full-day tour which combines a visit to the canal with the best highlights of Panama City.

During your 2 Days here you’ll also want to visit the ancient ruins of Panama Viejo, which is overshadowed by the sleek skyscrapers in the background (gives a stunning contrast which is perfect for a photo).

Those prone to a beer or two will want to head out to Casco Viejo, and we recommend heading up to the rooftop bar of CasaCasco to kick things off.

Day 3: Trekking in Antón Valley

We’ll now take an early bus over to Antón Valley, which is a beautiful mountainous town located on top of an extinct volcano. You can catch a bus here from the bus station in Albrook Mall.

It’s the perfect place for hiking, and I personally recommend (George) head to Cerro Gaital. It’s full of rare plants and worn-down stone paths, so you’ll really feel lost in nature when completing this 2 hour circuit.

Another popular route is La India Dormida, which also takes a couple of hours, and gives impressive views over nearby volcanoes and the town itself. Other great things to do include heading to the small waterfalls of Chorro Macho as well as a visit to the Butterfly Haven.

If you have more time, then we’d recommend spending a night here and completing these hikes in the early morning, where you’ll be met with an incredible sunrise overhanging the Antón Valley.

We also recommend this full-day tour to the Antón Valley from Panama City, which handles all logistics for you where you won’t have to worry about rushing to the last bus back on time.

Day 4-5: San Blas Islands

Making our way back to Panama City, we’ll now join a multi-day trek to the incredible San Blas Islands.

Known as one of the most picturesque archipelagos on earth, here you’ll find 365 small islets and cays all waiting to be explored, which each have their own slice of tropical heaven.

On an overnight tour, you’ll be welcomed by the Kuna Yala tribe who are indigenous to this region of Panama and have fiercely managed to keep it independently governed from the rest of the country.

You’ll have tasty seafood dishes prepared for you right there on the island, as well as visit Perro Chico Island, snorkel in the multicolored waters as well as visit a shipwreck.

After spending two days (with a memorable evening and sunset) on the islands, you can then get dropped off directly at the airport for your flight out.

If you have more time, then we really recommend heading on this multi-day trip where you’ll visit over 6 islands as well as hiking through the remote San Blas jungle.

Best time to visit Panama

See our guide on the best time to visit Panama for the full enchilada.

Panama is hot year-round which is typical of a Central American country, however has a dry and wet season which should be noted. Below we’ll look just at the capital, however, it’s still a good reference for the rest of the country.

The dry season runs from late December until April, and has average temperatures that range from 80-83°F. Highs can reach up to 90°F, with lows of down to 76°F. Each month there’s between 0.2-2 inches of rain, which makes this a better time for hiking and visiting the beaches in Panama.

The contrasting wet season begins in May and ends around early/mid December. Average temperatures range from 80-81°F, with highs of 87°F and lows of 76°F (it’s quite similar to the dry season to be honest). During this season there’s anywhere from 6-7 inches of downpour each month. Whilst this will interrupt plans here and there, on the flip side it will be a cheaper time for a visit.

Regardless of when you decide to visit Panama there will no doubt be some rain, so make sure you carry a quality Poncho with you.

Panama Backpacking Tips

Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Panama:

5 days in Panama

Whilst Panama does fall on the more expensive side of things, it’s still an incredible country to visit nevertheless.

From snorkelling in crystal-clear waters to exploring its diverse roots, Panama will always be a memorable trip regardless of your particular interests.

In this itinerary-style guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Panama. This includes the very best destinations to visit, our top recommendations as well as a customised 5 day itinerary when travelling though this country.

Be sure to come back to this article whenever you need help planning, or even to suggest your own tips once you’ve completed the adventure yourself.

See our backpacking Panama guide for more Panama travel advice.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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