Save time and money by using my detailed travel itineraries to top destinations around the world- full of fun, culture, adventure, local food, and relaxation.  

I’ve done all of the work for you, so just click on the links and book your entire trip to Panama!

Panama Itinerary

Planning a trip to Panama in Central America?

Everything you need to have the best vacation ever with the best places to go, things to do, food to eat, and places to stay in Panama! 

Panama Itinerary

Lonely Planet picked Panama as a Top Travel Destination :

One of the Top 10 Countries to Visit

If you read “About Me,” then you know that I love to talk about travel, especially with worldwide travelers. Some of my best trips have been planned from conversations I have had with people that I have met on vacation.

I was in the hot tub at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua on Maui.  I seem to meet people that are friendly and interesting in the hot tubs at resorts.

We were both staying on points (Marriot’s 5th-night free promo.)  This young couple had an endless amount of points and were traveling all over the world.  I asked them what their favorite countries were so far, and they went on about a recent trip to Panama.

Without my phone to take notes, and slightly overheated, I was able to remember everything they had told me.  When I returned home, my travel planning for summer began- a Panama and Costa Rica itinerary.

I love good coffee and chocolate, and I really wanted to learn how these amazing products are grown and produced.  I wanted to see all of the wildlife possible while enjoying fun adventures in the outdoors. Nice and authentic places to stay and great food were also priorities.

Where to go in Panama?

My trip to Panama had all of the essential elements for the perfect vacation, and now you can take the same trip.  It’s also the perfect trip plan for couples or friends traveling together.

All the hard work has been done for you, so just book your hotels, flights, and tours by clicking on the links below.  You will then be on your way to a very memorable and fun trip to Panama.

This Panama travel itinerary covers the best places to visit in Panama, including the top things to do in Panama and some of the best hotels in Panama.

Panama Itinerary 7 Days to 10 days

Keep reading to find out what to do in Panama…

Click here to search for the lowest flight prices  

Panama Canal- Panama Itinerary

Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal

Find the best prices on flights to Panama here

Itinerary for 7 to 10 days in Panama

1 DAY in Panama City itinerary

GET THERE

  • Fly into Panama City
  • Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, or ask your hotel to book a transfer

STAY

Where to Stay in Panama City

Looking for the best place to stay in Panama City? Find the best prices at top-rated hotels here

Click here to read reviews and see prices on  Booking.com or Agoda.com


Booking.com

DO

Things to do in Panama City

  • Panama Canal, Miraflores Locks visitor center (see the expansive Amador Causeway from your taxi)
  • Walk around Casca Viejo- Frommer’s has a good one-hour walking tour
  • Take a taxi to the top of Ancon Hill to enjoy an outstanding view. Walk around the jungle and see native wildlife.

Panama Travel Tip:  Purchase your bus tickets to David at the Allbrook Mall Bus Terminal.  There are two bus companies and either is good, so go with the one that leaves at the best time.  Get some food and drinks for the trip and dress warm (the air conditioning can be cold)  for the 7-hour bus ride.

Pack carry on only for your trip to Panama!  Get the Ultimate Carry On Packing List

Get a FREE Carry On Packing Checklist download by signing up on my email list to the right→↑

Click here to check out my favorite carry on suitcase for international travel 

Ziplining Panama

Ziplining through the rainforest in Boquete, Panama

4 Days Boquete itinerary

GET THERE

How to get from Panama City to Boquete

  • Take the bus to David from Allbrook Bus Terminal
  • You can also fly on Copa Airlines in just over an hour, but the bus was a great authentic travel experience.
  • In David take a taxi or one-hour bus ride to Boquete (leaving every 25 min.)
Panama Itinerary, Boquete

The Loft Suite at the Riverside Inn

STAY

Where to stay in Boquete

Looking for the best place to stay in Boquete? Find the best prices at top-rated hotels here

Click here to read reviews and see prices on  Booking.com or Agoda.com

Don’t leave home without the Best Travel Apps!

Panama Itinerary- Coffee Plantation Tour

Coffee Plantation Tour in Boquete

DO

Fun things to do in Boquete

  • Walk around Boquete and stroll through the garden– Mi Jardin es Su Jardin
  • Hike on the Quetzals Trail (ask about going in the downhill direction), and look for Quetzals and other wildlife
  • Go on a coffee tour (book in advance) and do some “cupping” (tasting) at Finca Dos Jefes
  • Zipline through the rainforest!
  • Visit La Casa Del Cafe to taste multiple coffees or Ruiz Roasters for an information session and more cupping (try the famous Geisha coffee.)
  • Visit the animals at Jungle Panama Wildlife Refuge
  • Go birding at Finca Lerida

Click here to book a good tour, activity, or adventure (Zipline!)

EAT

*Sugar & Spice Dulces (bakery, sandwiches, breakfast), *Big Daddy’s (lunch/dinner, fish tacos), Olga’s (breakfast ’til noon), La Ceiba (bakery, sandwiches), Organica Market, *Dinner at The Rock (Riverside Inn’s restaurant)

Panama Travel Tip:  Collect some food and drinks to have when you are on your way to La Loma Lodge.

2 or 4 Days Isla Bastimentos itinerary

GET THERE

  • Morning taxi pick up (arrange through your hotel) to get to Almirante. Purchase tickets and take the boat to Bocas Del Toro, where staff from La Loma will meet you and take you to the lodge.

Panama Travel Tip:  Watch your bags closely and hold on to your purse at the Almirante dock.

STAY

  • The highlight of our trip and one of our best hotel stays ever… La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm!  An experience of a lifetime, this all-inclusive stay includes learning about and partaking in the process of making chocolate, a boat trip to the island (along with rides to the local village or beautiful beaches),  incredible mouthwatering homemade local food, and ample adventure and relaxation.

Click here to see the latest prices at the incredible La Loma Jungle Lodge

Panama Itinerary- Cacao plant

Cacao Plant at La Loma Lodge

DO

Things to do at La Loma Lodge

  • Process Cacao into chocolate
  • Eat and drink lots of chocolate!  See my homemade Healthy Dark Chocolate Recipe link below

Panama Itinerary

  • Bodysurf on the huge waves at Red Frog Beach
  • Hike through the jungle grounds with a guide from the lodge and learn how the cacao is grown and harvested.  You will get to pick the fruit and taste it!

Panama Itinerary

  • Visit a nearby small village (and school) by boat
  • Kayak or canoe (don’t miss this, it was fun!)
Panama Itinerary- Processing Chocolate

One of the many steps in making chocolate from cacao

Panama Packing Travel Tip:  What to pack to stay on a chocolate farm in Panama?

*Headlamps or flashlights (for getting to and from your cabin at night) sunscreen, closed-toed hiking sandals (e.g. Keen or Teva), I=insect repellent, rain shell or ponchos, long socks (for wearing with rubber boots), quick-dry clothing (it’s tropical, it rains a lot), long lightweight pants (for jungle hikes)

Panama Map

Panama Itinerary Map

Book your trip to Panama!  

Happy Travels!

Take a flight on Nature Air from Bocas Del Toro to San Jose, Costa Rica, and follow my Costa Rica Itinerary

Get my Panama inspired Healthy Dark Chocolate Recipe

Get the ultimate Guatemala Belize Itinerary

Learn How to Find the Best Places to Stay For the Best Price

More travel resources:

National Geographic Travel, Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet