Feedback on 2-week Panama itinerary

Hi there,

We’re heading to Panama from January 29 to February 13 as a couple, and I’m unsure about the order and duration of the stops. Here’s what I have in mind:

2 days in San Blas

2 days in Santa Fe (it’s either that or Boquete, but I think I’d prefer Santa Fe)

4 days in the Bocas del Toro archipelago

3 days in Panama City and surroundings

2 days in Valle de Antón? Not sure if it’s really worth it

1 "flexible" day

What do you think?

We’re also debating whether to take a direct flight to Bocas first, then rent a car to gradually make our way back to Panama City and do San Blas at the end—or do the opposite: start with San Blas, rent a car, and finish with the domestic flight from Bocas back to Panama City.

Any specific tips?

Thanks so much for your help! 😊

Hi Anne-Lise,

Thanks for bringing this Panama forum back to life on the first day of 2025!

Given that you have the airfare and car rental budget, here’s the itinerary I’d suggest:

Panama City and Surroundings (no car rental) – 2 days, plus 1 day before departure

Surroundings: The Canal, Gamboa, Gatun Lake, Embera Community (all of this can be done in two days)

Morning flight to Bocas del Toro (3 nights in Bocas del Toro)

Return by boat to Almirante or Chiriquí Grande and bus to David (nothing to see in David, but rent the vehicle there)

David → Boquete (only an hour’s drive)

Stay in Boquete (2 nights)

Boquete → Boca Chica (2 nights on a nearby island)

Boca Chica → Santa Fe (2 nights)

El Valle (skip it, since you’ll have already been to Boquete and Santa Fe)

However, take a break at Playa Blanca beach to eat fish, swim, and return to Panama City to drop off the vehicle

San Blas (1 or 2 nights)

Return to Panama City the day before departure

Back home

I’ll let you adjust the days and duration per site to fit your dates. For San Blas and activities around Panama City, don’t hesitate to ask if you need more info or contacts—my wife runs a local travel agency in Panama.

Best, Mike

Hi Mike, and happy 2025!

Thanks for this detailed itinerary. Just a small clarification—we’ll probably do everything by car except for Panama City and the San Blas Islands.

Since you know Panama well, does this seem like too many places/stops? Do you think it’s worth visiting both Boquete AND Santa Fé?

Thanks! ☺️

Hello,

Actually, it's better to get around Panama City by Uber and go to San Blas with an all-inclusive stay and transport package from the city. You'll find plenty of offers (too many, in fact) and might feel a bit overwhelmed. I recommend the French-speaking agency Panama Bubble Trips for good organization and support during your stay in San Blas.

Boquete is more touristy than Santa Fe, but it has lots of hikes to do (hire a guide for long hikes). There are, of course, more hotel and restaurant options. Santa Fe is really pretty too, with much less infrastructure, fewer cafés, but beautiful nature and stunning landscapes as well.

I've been living in Panama since 2007. It's hard for me to choose between the two places I like, but maybe a tourist would prefer Boquete over Santa Fe. It'd be great to hear some feedback.

On the other hand, I prefer both of these locations over El Valle, for example.

For travel routes, yes, it can be a lot, but it also depends on what kind of traveler you are, and you can always come back.

Best regards.

Hi Mike, thanks so much for this info! Noted for the agency—I’ll check it out :)

Would you happen to have a car rental company to recommend? I got a quote for picking up the car in Panama City and dropping it off in Almirante for a week, but it’s really expensive. I found a reasonable quote in dollars for pickup in Panama City and drop-off in David, which seems more reasonable, but I’m not sure if there are hidden costs—I’m always wary of that. And do you know if it’s easy to get from David to Bocas del Toro? Otherwise, my last option is renting and returning the car in Panama City.

Thanks, Anne-Lise

Hi there,

Since I have a vehicle and I’m not renting it out, I can only recommend the agency that offers this kind of drop-off, which is indeed in DOLLARS. There are several reviews from travelers about this agency that offers this option, and it seems like they were satisfied. The road is in bad condition on the last stretch before Almirante, but it’s doable.

Hello,

We’re heading to Panama from January 29 to February 13 as a couple, and I’m unsure about the order and duration of the stops. Here’s what I have in mind:

2 days in San Blas

2 days in Santa Fe (it’s either that or Boquete, but I think I’d prefer Santa Fe)

4 days in the Bocas del Toro archipelago

3 days in Panama City and surroundings

2 days in Valle de Antón? I’m not sure if it’s really worth it

1 day to "allocate"

What do you think?

We’re hesitating between taking a direct flight to Bocas and then renting a car to gradually make our way back to Panama City, doing San Blas at the end, or doing the opposite—starting with San Blas, renting a car, and finishing with the domestic flight from Bocas back to Panama City.

Do you have any specific tips?

Thanks so much for your help! 😊

Hi, I’m planning a trip to Panama. Could you share your experience, especially about renting a car, since that’s what we want to do as well?

Thanks! Florence

Hi, could you share your thoughts on your trip? Thanks!