Few destinations can rival the quality and quantity of Panama’s tourist attractions. With 1,500 islands dotting both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, some of the most accessible and bio-diverse rainforests on the planet; and highlands that are both culturally interesting and scenically beautiful, Panama has more than enough nature-based activities for every visitor. There are also historical sites from its heritage as an international crossroads, seven living Indian cultures to experience and a cosmopolitan capital chock full of shopping and nightlife. Add to this the plethora of sporting activities on offer and you will find that Panama is one of best undiscovered destinations in the world.

Boca del Toros
Located next to Costa Rica in West Panama, the archipelago of islands at Bocas del Toro is one of the best beachside destinations in the country. There are dozens of idyllic Caribbean islands with perfect sandy beaches fringed by lush rainforest. The town itself is a historic site with friendly locals, great nightlife and lots of good lodging choices.

Boquete
With its cool fresh climate and untouched natural environment, the small mountain town of Boquete is a must for every traveller to Panama. Nestled into a craggy mountain valley, Boquete is the ideal base for walking excursions, bird-watching, horseback riding and simply getting away from the heat of the lowlands. Amazing coffee, citrus fruits and flowers are grown in this area, and a popular festival is held here each January. The town also makes a good base for climbing the 3475 metre Baru Volcano.

Coiba Island National Marine Park
This cluster of islands off the Pacific Coast of Panama is one of the most virgin nature preserves in the entire Americas. For nearly 100 years, Coiba was a hardcore penal colony where no visitors could enter. This allowed the natural environment to remain undisturbed by humans, giving Panama a fabulous nature reserve where the diving, snorkeling, bird watching and fishing is among the best in the world. Coiba is home to the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific and arguably the best scuba diving in the region. Abundant marine life such as humpback whales and terrestrial creatures such as scarlet macaws are frequently seen.

Darien National park
This national park is Panama’s most spectacular nature preserve, with rainforest so thick and wild that the Pan-American Highway could not be cut through the foliage. The only roads here are rivers, and that makes for some serious adventure. The near total absence of human development has let nature remain in full control. The birdlife here is among the finest in the world, with macaws and Harpy Eagles among the list of residents. There are several trekking options to explore the Darien Gap. There are still indigenous Embera and Wounaan Indians living in the forest that you can stay with. You can cross the isthmus from coast to coast, or simply admire the flocks of scarlet macaws painting the skies red.

Panama Canal
One of the true engineering marvels and most important waterways in the world, it’s worth a visit to the Panama Canal just to see an impossibly massive ship try to nudge its way through the narrow canal with just metres to spare on either side. The easiest way to visit the Canal is to go to the Miraflores Locks on the north-eastern edge of Panama City, where a platform allows visitors to get an excellent view of the locks in action. There’s also a small museum on site with information and a film about the Canal.

Panama City
Panama’s capital city is a curious blend of modern America, old Spain and the bazaar atmosphere of the East. Scattered throughout its urban landscape, old colonial neighbourhoods mix with skyscrapers and the barren ruins of crumbling Spanish settlements. Casco Viejo, the city’s colourful colonial district, is a lovely and aging area of old churches, scenic plazas and cobblestone streets. Here you can find the best museums, most stunning churches and most of the city’s attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Salon Bolivar. Casco Viejo also has a decent nightlife scene since music and dancing are a big part of life in this city. Casco Antiguo is another fascinating area of decaying colonial grandeur, full of striking architecture and peeling paint. Along the waterfront is the President’s Palace and the colourful public market. Not far from the city lie dozens of opportunities for adventure, from hiking through tropical rainforest to wandering around island villages. Every visit to Panama deserves a stopover in this intriguing capital city.

Portobelo
The best way to experience Spain’s colonial legacy in Panama is to visit the Spanish garrison town of Portobelo. For over 200 years, this town with its three large stone forts facing the entrance to the harbour stood guard over the Caribbean coast. The old town has a few relics from the days when gold and silver from Peru was stored here before being shipped back to Spain. Along the coast, between Portobelo and San Lorenzo, are numerous beautiful 17th and 18th century military fortifications worth checking out.

Religious Colonial Art Museum
Originally built in 1756, this interesting museum is housed in an old chapel in the heart of the colonial district of Panama City. It has an impressive collection of polychromed carvings from around Latin America and paintings made on cloth and leather. There is also an excellent exhibition of sacred artefacts made from silver and bone, a stunning gold altar and colonial spiral staircase.

Volcanoes
Panama, like much of Central America, has a fairly active volcano scene. This offers a unique opportunity for most visitors who come from countries that don’t have any volcanoes. The Chiriqui Province is one of the best areas to explore, with its characteristic volcanic highlands speckled with waterfalls, rivers and coffee plantations. Here you can find the dormant Baru Volcano, which rises 3475m, near the town of Boquete. Visitors can ascend Baru Volcano by foot or horseback, making for a memorable adventure. Crater Valley is another fascinating destination just two hours from Panama City. Here you can find a lovely little village nestled inside of the second largest volcano crater in the world. It makes for a truly surreal scene.

Visit Darien National Park
There are few places in the world wilder than the Darien Gap. The rainforest in this swath of national park is so dense that even the Pan-American Highway couldn’t find a way to continue through. As a result, the Darien National Park is a mecca for nature lovers and adventurers. There are several ways to experience this region, depending on how intense you want it. The easiest is simply to enjoy the outstanding wildlife on day treks. The variety, numbers and colours of the birds here are jaw-dropping. The world’s largest bird, the three foot tall Harpy Eagle, can be found in the jungle, along with swarms of rainbow coloured macaws.

For more adventure, consider trekking across the isthmus from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific Coast. In three days, your guides will take you by foot and kayak from sea to ocean, giving you something really impressive to boast about to your friends back at home. There are also cultural tours which will take you to stay with the indigenous Embera and Wounaan Indians at their villages, where you can experience their vast knowledge of the forest.

Experience ecotourism
Panama is quickly developing into one of the premier ecotourism destinations in the world; in the same class as Costa Rica but without as much publicity. The options for an eco-adventure are almost limitless. You can swing around the treetops of a rainforest in El Nispero Botanical Gardens, jumping from platform to platform in your harness and marveling at the abundance of life which lives only at the top of this towering canopy; the Gamboa Tropical Rainforest Reserve and the Soberania National Park both offer excellent opportunities to learn more about the native tropical fauna and flora that exist in Panama’s rainforests; the Anton Valley is famous for its wild orchids and if you are really into tropical biospheres, you can arrange a stay on Barro Colorado Island, where the famous Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has its centre.

Remove yourself from society in Isla Grande
If you really want to experience a totally unique and undiscovered Caribbean island culture, then make your way to the remote and beautiful Isla Grande, located off the coast near Portobelo. Isla Grande is only seven square kilometres in size and inhabited by 300 people of African descent who make a living by fishing and harvesting coconuts. Despite its small population, the island has an amazing cultural scene. Visitors often come just for the local festivals such as San Juan Bautista on 24 June, the day of the Virgen del Carmen on 16 July, and Carnival, which is a huge party of Calypso dancing and songs.

Sail along the Panama Canal
One of the many things you can only do in Panama is to take a boat ride on the Panama Canal. The scenery along the banks of the Canal is beautiful and the actual mechanics of the Canal are a marvel. It’s likely you’ll see crocodiles, frigate birds, and other exotic animals living along the banks and in the surrounding jungle. The real highlight however is witnessing a gigantic ship trying to navigate its way through the narrow locks. There are various ways to tour the Canal. Most boat rides aim to give visitors the chance to watch a large ship move through the canal locks, usually the Pedro Miguel or Miraflores locks. Bus and train rides are also available alongside the Canal.

Go wild in Panama Canal Rainforests
Just minutes away from the urban sprawl of Panama City lie the lush rainforests of the Panama Canal Zone. Since these forests serve as the watersheds for the 50 mile long Canal, they are protected from all development. Most of the rainforest areas fall under the Soberania National Park. They are the most accessible prime rainforests on the planet and home to some outstanding ecotourism attractions. There are several lodging options to explore the rainforests. You can stay in Panama City and make day trips into the forest, or you can stay in one of the fun lodges which are situated right at the edge of the rainforest, including the excellent ecolodge, Canopy Tower.

Visit San Blas Islands
Although rather far from the coast of Panama itself, the San Blas offer superlative experiences in both the natural and cultural realm. The San Blas are absolutely stunning Caribbean islands, far off the beaten path, and relatively deserted. The snorkeling around the islands is some of the best in the Caribbean, and the beaches look like they fell off of a souvenir postcard. But then there’s the cultural side. This is the exclusive home of the Kuna Indians, who lead a colourful and fascinating existence far from the hustle-bustle of the rest of the world. These gentle locals will welcome you and leave you with a great experience. Panama’s most famous handicraft, the mola, originally comes from the Kuna women. So you can snap up a few of these beautiful reverse appliqué embroideries straight from the source.

Grind some sugar at Santa Rosa Sugar Refinery
It sounds like an odd thing to do, but if you happen to be in Panama during the sugar grinding season from January to March, it’s worth a visit to this massive and famous sugar refinery (if for no other reason than to see how all your sugar actually starts out). During these two months, the refinery grinds a literal mountain of sugar cane into crystals and it’s really an impressive sight. Since the land around here is hilly and rocky, the sugar cane is all harvested by hand and the thousands of workers hired to bring it in do it as fast as they can 24 hours a day until the job is done. Conditions aren’t inhumane; it’s simply a spectacle that boggles the mind. There’s also a museum on site and the factory itself makes for an interesting tour even if you arrive out of season for the ‘big grind’.