10+ immersive activities in Panama for an unforgettable vacation

tasnova
December 22, 2024

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Panama is a popular travel destination due to its convenient flight options, importance to the global economy, and use of the U.S. dollar – no currency exchange required! But is it also a great place to vacation? As someone who has visited Panama multiple times, I say “yes!” It’s even on par with neighboring Costa Rica. In this guide I will share the recommended Panama Attractions for a real Immersive experience.

Disclosure: One of my visits to Panama was while attending the 2024 Adventure Travel World Summit. Some of my experiences on this list were hosted by this conference.

When you first arrive in the metropolis of Panama City, you might think it looks like Miami, with its city skyline and tall buildings. You have to venture out to learn more about Panama.

The key to an unforgettable and immersive experience in Panama is exploring the country’s nature, wildlife, culture, and cuisine. There is so much history woven into these elements that you will leave with a deeper understanding of the country. Read on for my recommendations!

Visit the Ambela Aboriginal Community

One of my top tips is to get in touch with Panama’s native culture. Despite genocide and colonization, Panama has a rich indigenous history that you can still learn about today.

The Ambela tribe in the Chagres Forest, one of only seven remaining tribes in Panama, works closely with the tourism industry to raise awareness of its people, villages and traditions. For a wonderful immersive experience, take a traditional canoe across the Chagres River to Ambela Puru and spend the day in their village.

During the journey, you can ride in a traditional canoe and be welcomed by traditional drum and flute music. Crafts can be purchased Hecho Armano (handmade), walk in nature with village herbalists and enjoy a sustainable lunch with them before enjoying a traditional dance performance. You may spend a long day making this trek, but it will be worth it.

Escape to the secluded island of Guna Yala

Another indigenous community in Panama is the Kuna tribe. They are located on the Caribbean coast of Panama and inhabit 50 of the more than 400 islands in the Caribbean.

guna yalaFormerly known as San Blas and fully autonomous, the province is very picky about tourists. Due to their pristine waters, visiting these islands is one of the top things to do in Panama.

The journey to Guna Yala is long, involving a 4×4 through winding roads, provincial tolls and a bumpy boat ride – but worth it! For an immersive nature and community experience, I recommend spending at least one night in Guna Yala, one of the islands.

I stayed on Yanni Island, which was also arranged by Panama Cultural Tourism Company. Yani Island is owned by one family and is fairly quiet, but you can take day trips to the more populated islands.

Dancing Congolese in an Afro-Panamanian town

Have you heard of Portobello? As in many Latin countries, the history of slavery is deep-rooted in the Americas but is often glossed over – even though Latin music, food and dance are heavily influenced by African culture.

In Panama, you can learn about the rich Afro-Panamanian history and Congolese culture portobellolocated on the Caribbean side of the country. While Panama as a whole is quite diverse, this region is particularly special and is protected by UNESCO designation as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

If you’re looking for things to do in Panama that represent a unique part of the country’s soul, visit Afro-American Memorial Museum of Panama. You can also watch a folkloric dance performance (“congo”) – this dance is influenced by African rhythms and was created as a way for enslaved people during and before slavery to communicate and tell stories.

Or, if you visit during October, you might even celebrate the Feast of the Black Christ with thousands of pilgrims. You can see the statue of El Nazareno in Portobello’s Iglesia de San Felipe Church.

Hike the historic Camino Real

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Panama, but have you ever considered combining an outdoor hike with history? Camino Real is Panama’s alternative jungle trek through the Chagres Forest and beyond. I hiked parts of it for a few hours, but you can really hike it for several days.

So what is the Camino Real and what does it mean to Panama? Paved by natives and slaves, the road stretched from the Pacific to the Caribbean and was used to transport gold, silver and other items. It is said that these items were brought from the Inca in the south.

Panama Cultural Tour The best insight into this hike comes as tour operator and lead researcher Christian is the one who officially documented its “rediscovery” and activated the local farming community to help him bring it back to the surface. This is an ongoing restoration project.

If you find jungle adventures with dense undergrowth and low comfort an immersive style of adventure, then this is the one for you. It’s not for the faint of heart given the uncomfortable environment, but it’s an immersive way to connect with the Chagres, Ambelas, and more.

Explore the streets of Cascoviejo

old town Panama is probably my favorite place because its architecture reminds me of most old towns in Latin countries (e.g. Old San Juan in Puerto Rico or Cartagena in Colombia) – which is a plus given their shared colonial history. It makes sense.

There are countless bars and restaurants, beautiful hotels, and narrow streets and alleys that make you lose your mind. Casco Viejo has grown a lot in the nearly 10 years since I last lived in it and is now filled with new activities and places. look.

I recommend walking around this old town and sitting in the square listening to live music while enjoying Respa Ice, then pop into one of the many shops selling Panama hats (although you should know that Panama hats actually come from Ecuador, so no need to splurge!)

Must-visit restaurants in Casco Viejo: Fonda Lo Que Hay and La Pulpería Casco Antiguo
My recommended bars in Casco Viejo: Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar and Hotel Tantalo Rooftop Bar
Read more: My Casco Viejo Travel Guide

See the wildlife of the Gamboa rainforest

One of the questions people often ask me about Panama is: “How does it compare to Costa Rica?” As a new tourist exploring Panama, you might be surprised to learn that Panama is rich in biodiversity, just like Costa Rica.

With cloud forests, waterways, jungles and plenty of wildlife scattered across the country, there’s plenty to explore. In Panama, you can see sea turtles hatching, sloths, various monkeys and more than 400 species of birds.

To experience Panamanian wildlife, I recommend heading to the Gamboa Rainforest. I birdwatched from above with a professional guide, then paddled the Chagres River to see various monkeys. I love how good my photos turn out!

It was an interesting experience, similar to when I visited Monteverde and Manuel Antonio of Costa Rica.

Explore Panama’s Biological Museum

If traveling to the Panamanian rainforest and paddling the Chagres River simply doesn’t fit your itinerary, consider immersing yourself in nature and wildlife at the famous Biological Museum.

Designed by Frank Gehry (who you might recognize from the Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao), this colorful, abstract building showcases Panamanian creatures through interactive exhibits and green spaces Diversity.

Learn about traditional clothing (mola)

If you’re keen on taking home souvenirs, consider buying souvenirs that have cultural significance to Panama rather than mass-produced baubles.

this sunfishGuna means “shirt” and is a handmade garment that represents natural elements. Guna women draw their ideas from scratch and often begin to learn how to build sunfish Since childhood.

You can find square fabrics of these designs in souvenir shops and on the islands of Kuna Yala. And El La Morra Museum In Casco Viejo you can learn more about this indigenous traditional art craft in a museum guided tour. On the island, the price of a piece of mora fabric starts at about $10.

Eat Staple Panamanian Food

Does it have Panama Food Tourvisit some of Panama’s top restaurants, or take a ride cooking classone of the main ways to soak it up in Panama is through your belly!

As a descendant of Caribbean people, a lot of Panamanian food is similar to mine Puerto Rican Cuisine. they have food like this Patacones (Thorstone/plantain), Arozkangguandu‘(rice and dal), sancocho (Soup), and lots and lots of seafood.

As mentioned earlier, there are also Respaio – This is the Panama Glacier (reminds me of the Puerto Rico Glacier) piraguaslike a snow cone). This could be the perfect cooling off on a hot Panamanian day.

Visit the Panama Canal’s new locks

this panama canal Undoubtedly Panama’s biggest draw, but did you know that a new set of locks were built within the past decade (2016)? I’ve been there Miraflores and The Agua Clara Visitor Center, highly recommended, gives you an immersive understanding of the importance of the canal.

The new locks at Agua Clara allow larger ships to pass through on the Atlantic side, which in my opinion also makes for a better built park/mountain for visitors to see up close. It is close to the city of Cologne.

That said, Miraflores on the Pacific side is over 100 years old, is more accessible from Panama City, and has an immersive IMAX theater. The photos below were taken during my recent visit to Agua Clara.

More exciting things to do in Panama

Do any of these immersive activities in Panama interest you? If you can experience even half of the activities on this list, you’ll definitely enjoy your vacation in Panama!

If you’ve done all of these activities and want more, consider heading to Bocas del Toro for a tropical getaway and non-Antilleese culture; learn about the folklore of Los Santos; or admire Boquete of western mountains.