7 Reasons to Travel to Panama with Llama Travel
Our group sizes are small, with a maximum of 18 guests but an average of 11. This means you can see the sights without feeling like part of a crowd, get to know your fellow travellers, and have more time to ask your guide questions.
In areas like Panama City or the rainforests of Costa Rica, the smaller group size really makes a difference, guaranteeing a more intimate and in-depth look at a destination, rather than a brief escort through its tourist highlights.
Panama City is a city of striking contrast, like nowhere else in Central America. On one side, you are dwarfed by the skyscrapers of a booming global financial hub. On the other hand, the cobbled streets of Casco Viejo (the historic old town) are like a step back in time.
The Casco Viejo was built in 1673 after Henry Morgan destroyed the original city of Panama. Initially, it was heavily fortified to defend itself from pirates, but the defensive walls and sentry towers were dismantled in the mid-19th century. The area was restored in the 1990s and now consists of many beautiful squares, churches and mansions and has some good museums. The ruins of Panama La Vieja, destroyed by Henry Morgan, are located a few kilometres away and can be visited. Walking through this neighbourhood reveals a beautiful mix of Spanish colonial, French, and Antillean architecture dating back to the days of the canal's early construction.
Considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the modern world, the Panama Canal is an absolute must-see. Connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, massive cargo ships navigate the historic locks on several key global trade routes.
With Llama Travel, you can experience this strategic waterway up close from the visitor centre at the Miraflores Lock, which exhibits the history of the Canal’s construction. The visitor centre has a terrace overlooking the Canal on ground level, and stadium-style seating to watch the operations from above. There is also an IMAX Theatre, which houses a 3D film about the history of the Canal narrated by Morgan Freeman.
If the Miraflores Lock experience isn’t quite up-close enough for you, there is the option to take a boat ride on a half-day partial transit down the Canal. While you won’t be aboard one of the grand cargo ships, you will board a boat from the Flamenco Marina, with great views of the city’s skyscrapers and the Bridge of the Americas. After entering the Canal, your boat hitches to electric locomotives known as ‘mules’, which keep boats and ships aligned through the waterways.
On the way to the disembarkation location, Gamboa, the boat passes under the Centennial Bridge, passes the Culebra Cut, and meanders along the intersection of the Chagres River with the Canal.
Boat excursions include a buffet lunch and last half a day. The excursion is available most weekends (Saturdays & Sundays).
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Our Panama City extension is designed to fit seamlessly onto our ‘Best of Costa Rica’ tour. As well as exploring the engineering marvels of the Panama Canal and the historic streets of Panama City, combining Panama with the rich wildlife wonders of Costa Rica adds another dimension to the holiday.
Both destinations serve as an interesting contrast to one another; Panama City’s modern cosmopolis feels much further away from the tranquil, nature-focused lodges of Costa Rica than it really is. While Panama offers a vibrant blend of urban energy and indigenous cultures, Costa Rica provides a deep dive into the wilderness, famous for its lush cloud forests and abundant wildlife.
Combining Panama with Costa Rica also allows for a visit to the Arenal Volcano or the canals of Tortuguero, some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Central America. Visiting with Llama Travel allows you the flexibility to choose your own pace, whether you want to relax in thermal hot springs, visit the La Fortuna waterfall and a family-run cocoa plantation, or take part in more adventurous rainforest excursions like ziplining.
We offer a variety of optional extensions and excursions, allowing you to mix and match the destinations you want to visit, the pace you want to visit them at, and the excursions you take. You can combine a vibrant city stay in Panama with the volcanic landscapes and cloud forests of neighbouring Costa Rica, add a beach stay in Manuel Antonio to relax and unwind during your holiday, or even add Guatemala to visit the jungle temples of Tikal during your holiday.
At Llama Travel, we only sell direct. When you call us, you will always speak to someone who knows our holidays inside out, and some of our in-house Travel Experts have visited Panama themselves. Our team has first-hand experience with our tours and is always happy to answer your questions and help you plan your perfect trip.
About Panama
KEY FACTS
- When to Travel: November to August
- Population: 3, 990, 406
- Area: 74, 177 square kilometres
- Capital City: Panama City
- Languages Spoken: Spanish, English and indigenous languages
- Time Difference: GMT - 6 hours
- Flying time from the UK: Approximately 15 – 16 hours, including a change of plane
- Bordering Countries: Colombia, Costa Rica
A small Central American country between Costa Rica and Colombia, Panama packs a surprising amount of diversity into a small area, equivalent to around a third of the UK. With two coastlines (the Pacific and the Caribbean), it is a beach lover’s haven, but it also offers wildlife-rich rainforests and spectacular mountain scenery. Combine Panama’s varied landscapes with the range of indigenous cultures and urban life, and one begins to understand why it is an emerging tourism destination.
Panama Highlights
Panama Gallery
FAQs
Before You Go
A: British passport holders do not currently require a visa to visit Panama for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
Immigration officials may ask for proof of onward travel and accommodation details on arrival, so it is worth keeping copies of your itinerary and booking confirmations handy.
We recommend checking the latest Foreign Office advice before travel, as entry requirements can change.
A: We recommend speaking to your GP or travel clinic before travelling for the latest health advice and vaccination recommendations.
If you are travelling from or transiting through a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you may need proof of vaccination on arrival into Panama.
TravelHealthPro, run by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), provides useful and up-to-date travel health advice for Panama.
A: Lightweight clothing is ideal for Panama’s tropical climate. We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and a lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho, as rain showers are possible throughout the year.
A: Panama uses flat two-pin US-style plug sockets and operates on 110V electricity.
Practical Information
A: Panama is located in Central America, between Costa Rica and Colombia, with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
A: Panama City is the capital of Panama and the country’s largest city.
A: Panama operates on GMT -5 year-round. This means Panama is usually five hours behind the UK during British Summer Time (BST), and six hours behind during the winter months.
A: Flight times to Panama vary depending on the airline and route, although journeys are typically around 11–15 hours including connections. Most flights arrive into Panama City.
A: Spanish is the official language of Panama, although English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas, particularly in Panama City. All guides used on Llama Travel holidays speak English.
A: The US dollar is legal tender in Panama, although the country also has its own currency, the Balboa, which is tied to the US dollar. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops.
A: Panama has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The driest months are generally from January to April, whilst rain showers are more common between May and November. Panama City is typically hot and humid year-round, with daytime temperatures often around 30°C.
A: Yes. Panama is often considered one of the easiest countries in Central America for first-time visitors, thanks to its modern infrastructure, good transport links and relatively compact size.
Health and Safety
A: Most visitors to Panama have a completely trouble-free holiday. Panama City is modern and relatively easy to travel around, although sensible precautions should still be taken, particularly in busy areas and at night.
A: Yes. All travellers should have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, cancellation and emergency repatriation.
Connectivity & Communication
A: Most UK mobiles will work in Panama, although we recommend checking with your provider before travel if you are unsure. eSIMs, such as Airalo or Holafly, are becoming an increasingly popular and often cost-effective way to access mobile data abroad. Local SIM cards are also widely available in Panama.
To call the UK from Panama, dial +44, followed by the UK number, omitting the first ‘0’. To call Panama from the UK, dial +507 followed by the Panamanian number.
A: Most hotels, cafés and restaurants in Panama City offer reliable Wi-Fi. Connections can be slower in more remote areas and islands.
Getting Around
A: Most journeys on Llama Travel holidays are by private transfer or private vehicle. In Panama City, taxis are inexpensive and widely available, and Uber also works well throughout the city.
Unlike Costa Rica, taxis in Panama are generally unmetered, so prices should normally be agreed before starting your journey.
A: Yes. Panama combines particularly well with Costa Rica. A holiday can easily combine Costa Rica’s wildlife, volcanoes and rainforests with a few days in Panama City, exploring the Panama Canal and the historic Casco Viejo district.
Food & Drink
A: Panamanian food is hearty and varied, with influences from across Latin America and the Caribbean. Seafood, rice, beans and tropical fruit all feature heavily.
One of Panama’s best-known dishes is sancocho, a traditional chicken and vegetable stew.
A: Panama City has an excellent food scene, particularly around Casco Viejo. The city’s famous fish market is one of the best places to try fresh ceviche and local seafood, whilst Casco Viejo is known for its rooftop restaurants and bars, many with fantastic views over the skyline and Pacific Ocean.
You’ll find everything from casual local restaurants to stylish cocktail bars and fine dining, making Panama City a great destination for food lovers.
A: Tap water is generally safe to drink in Panama City and most urban areas, although bottled or filtered water is often recommended elsewhere.
What to See
A: Highlights of Panama include the Panama Canal, the colonial Casco Viejo district in Panama City, tropical rainforests, Caribbean islands and excellent wildlife.
Panama combines particularly well with Costa Rica for travellers looking to combine nature, beaches and culture in one trip.
A: Yes. The Panama Canal is one of the world’s great engineering achievements, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Ships pass through a series of locks which raise and lower vessels between sea level and Gatun Lake.
At the Miraflores Visitor Centre, you can watch ships passing through the locks and learn more about the canal’s history and construction. There is also the option to take a Partial Panama Canal Transit excursion, travelling by boat through part of the canal itself.
A: Casco Viejo is Panama City’s beautifully restored colonial quarter and one of the highlights of any visit to Panama. Dating back to the 17th century, the area is known for its colourful buildings, cobbled streets, lively plazas and historic churches.
The neighbourhood is best explored on foot. Wander past small boutiques, cafés and rooftop bars, stopping at the cathedral plaza and along the waterfront promenade for views across the modern skyline and Pacific Ocean.
One of the area’s best-known buildings is the Central Hotel, also one of Llama Travel’s hotel stays in Panama City. The hotel is home to a grand staircase in the heart of Casco Viejo, designed by the same architect responsible for the famous staircase aboard the Titanic.
A: Panama City can easily be explored in a few days. Llama Travel offers Panama as an extension to Costa Rica holidays, giving you the chance to experience both destinations in one trip.