7 Reasons to Visit Panama with Llama Travel

1. Small Groups

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.

2. Explore the striking contrast of Panama City

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.

Panama City's old town was built in the 17th century, and serves as a stark contrast to the more modern financial hub.

3. Visit the iconic Panama Canal

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.

Dozens of cargo ships navigate the Panama Canal every day.

4. Ride a boat through the Panama Canal

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).

5. Combine with Costa Rica

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.

Costa Rica complements a visit to Panama.

6. Your holiday, your way

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.

7. Speak to an Expert

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.

Contact us at 020 7263 3000 to speak to one of them today or order a brochure here to explore our full range of holidays.