We visited Panama at the beginning of 2024 and it quickly became one of our favourite countries. Panama is such an underrated destination, and should be on anyone’s list. There’s something for everyone here – hiking, mountains, volcanoes, beaches, islands, marine life… the list goes on. Here are five of Panama’s best spots (in no particular order!).

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina in Panama is one of the best spots – especially if you’re into diving / snorkelling and marine life. It’s the gateway to Coiba Island / National Park which is infamous for its marine life. Besides day trips to dive / snorkel / explore the marine life, the area itself is super laid back and there are beaches to explore, surfing to be done, and drinks to be had! We have a mini guide for Santa Catalina over on our thatch page which gives you lots of recommendations from our own experience on where to stay, what to do, & where to eat.

Playa Venao

Playa Venao is a surfers paradise! This laid back location is located on the cutest beach dotted with restaurants, villas, and hotels. Here was all about surfing, sunning, and sipping! There are some really cute restaurants with great vibes within this super small town and it’s very walkable. This one one of our favourite spots – but it can become a bit of a party spot depending on the time of week so plan your lodgings accordingly… we still got our beauty sleep.

El Valle De Anton

If you’re into hiking, this spot is for you. This cute little mountain town is nestled in a volcano. There are some stunning and very quiet hikes in the area, waterfalls, and an adorable town that hosts some great restaurants with awesome vibes – the accommodations are great here too you can find some really cool spots! Here is a mini guide to El Valle de Anton to check out.

Boquete

Boquete is another awesome mountain town. Less of a hidden gem and more of a well-known destination by locals and tourists alike, this place is still a great spot for hiking and adventure. There are a ton of great hikes includes ones that lead you through a series of stunning waterfalls, or one that brings you to the top of Volcan Baru (see our overnight hike to see sunrise here). There’s also a TON of great restaurants here including breweries with a great vibe and a ton of coffee/chocolate spots – Boquete is also known for it’s coffee so plan a tour!

San Blas Islands

San Blas Islands are another well known destination in Panama. There are TONS of islands within minutes of each other which make it the perfect destination for island hopping. Whether you want to take your own private sail boat, camp, or stay in a rustic overnight hut, there are lots of options to make sure you have the best time here. Most tours include transportation, meals, & hopping to see a few other islands – there are tons of options to explore! Check out our blog post for more on the iconic San Blas Islands.

Paradise in Panama

Panama is full of so many corners to explore and these are just a few of our favourites! Check out our thatch page for our full three week Panama itinerary, and our other blog posts for more Panama content.