Panama Canal
The Canal is the reason Panama exists as a country, and it's worth seeing in person. The Miraflores Locks visitor centre on the Pacific side has an interactive museum and a viewing deck where you can watch ships being raised and lowered. The expanded Agua Clara locks on the Atlantic side handle the largest container ships in the world. Give it two hours minimum and try to time your visit when a ship is transiting — check the Autoridad del Canal de Panamá website for schedules.
Guna Yala (San Blas Islands)
The San Blas archipelago — nearly 400 islands off the Caribbean coast — is governed autonomously by the Guna people, which means it has largely escaped mass tourism. White sand, palm trees, clear water, handmade molas (textile art), and a strong sense of a culture maintaining itself on its own terms. Getting there involves a bone-rattling 4WD trip through the jungle followed by a small boat; alternatively, fly from Panama City's Albrook airport.
Bocas del Toro
The archipelago near the Costa Rican border offers some of the best snorkelling and diving in Central America, a laid-back Caribbean town atmosphere, and easy access to rainforest and mangroves. It gets busy with backpackers in high season but still rewards exploration of the quieter islands.
Chiriquí Highlands
The province of Chiriquí, named Lonely Planet's top region for 2025, contains Panama's highest peak (Volcán Barú, 3,478m), cloud forests with resplendent quetzals, and the town of Boquete — a pleasant base for hiking, rafting, and coffee farm visits. The Sendero Los Quetzales trail between Boquete and Cerro Punta is one of the best hikes in Central America.
Casco Viejo — Panama City
The colonial quarter of Panama City, founded in 1673, has been extensively restored and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow streets, Spanish colonial churches, rooftop bars overlooking the bay, and good restaurants make it the most appealing part of the city for visitors.
Darién
The Darién jungle on the Colombian border is one of the last great wilderness areas in the Americas — dense rainforest, extraordinary wildlife, and almost no infrastructure. It's not for casual tourists. The Darién Gap (the missing section of the Pan-American Highway) cannot be crossed by road; any crossing by foot is extremely dangerous due to armed groups and should not be attempted independently.
Portobelo and the Caribbean Coast
The ruins of Spanish colonial fortifications at Portobelo are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is small and somewhat run-down but has a distinctive Afro-Caribbean character and is the site of the famous Black Christ festival each October.
Azuero Peninsula
The heartland of Panamanian folk culture — the pollera dress, traditional music, and the best Carnival celebrations in the country. Less visited by foreigners than the coast or highlands, which makes it feel more authentic. Los Santos and Chitré are the main towns.