What to See in Panama

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Panama has 7 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

La Amistad National Park ★★ (1983)
Spanning both Panama and Costa Rica, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It boasts rich plant diversity and offers numerous trekking opportunities.

Coiba National Park ★★ (2005)
This park, formed by Coiba Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is ideal for diving and is also home to whales, turtles, sharks, and more.

Darien National Park ★★ (1981)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this vast park bordering Colombia is rich in wildlife and plant life. Like almost the entire Darien region, it requires certain safety precautions.

Historic Centre of Panama City ★★★★ (1997)
This is the district called Casco Viejo, which, along with the city's archaeological zone (Panama Viejo), is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical value and, above all, its distinctive Spanish-era architecture.

Archaeological Zone of Panama City ★★ (1997)
On the outskirts of the modern city, Panama Viejo—as it is known—is a testament to the very first Spanish and European settlement (in 1519) on the Pacific coast of the Americas.

Portobelo Fortress ★★ (1980)
This late 16th-century Spanish fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, much like the nearby San Lorenzo fortress in the Colon area.

Fortress of San Lorenzo ★★ (1980)
This 16th-century Spanish fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site, much like the one in Portobelo, also located near Colón.

The West

Bocas del Toro ★★★★
Though things are slowly changing, Bocas del Toro remains a stunning Caribbean archipelago with beautiful beaches and opportunities for diving or cycling. Colón is the main island, while Bastimentos is the most peaceful, as much of it is classified as a national park.

Boquete ★
A small town in the heart of the mountains near Costa Rica. It's an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area (Baru Volcano, La Amistad Park, coffee plantations) and especially for enjoying various outdoor activities (trekking, horseback riding, climbing, rafting).

David ★
This city near Costa Rica is primarily a "quiet" stopover or a starting point for exploring the surrounding area.

Azuero Peninsula ★★
This broad stretch of land separating the Gulf of Chiriquí from the Gulf of Panama is prized for its beaches, fishing, surfing, and peaceful villages.

Santa Catalina ★★
This small seaside resort facing Coiba Island is renowned for its beaches, fishing, diving, and surfing.

Natural Heritage

La Amistad National Park ★★
Spanning both Panama and Costa Rica, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It boasts rich plant diversity and offers numerous trekking opportunities.

Coiba National Park ★★
This park, formed by Coiba Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is ideal for diving and is also home to whales, turtles, sharks, and more.

Baru Volcano ★★
This volcano near the town of Boquete is the country’s highest peak and is designated as a national park. It can be reached by hiking.

The Centre

Panama Canal ★★★★
Connecting the Pacific to the Atlantic, it’s the "must-see" of any visit to the country, particularly worth discovering at its locks, such as Miraflores or Gatun.

Colón ★
At the entrance to the canal, on the Caribbean side, the city has a rather poor reputation and isn’t necessarily very attractive. Commercially, however, Colón is a duty-free zone.

El Valle ★
A small high-altitude town on the slopes of a volcano, southwest of Panama City, known for serving as a base for hiking exploration in the area or birdwatching.

Gamboa ★
Not far from the capital and on the edge of the forest, this former municipality in the Canal Zone now serves as a starting point for birdwatching hikes in the area.

Fortress of San Lorenzo ★★
This 16th-century Spanish fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site, much like the one in Portobelo, also located near Colón.

Panama City ★★★★
With its archaeological zone and UNESCO-listed old town, its modern district, the Canal, and its museums, Panama City is one of the most interesting cities in Latin America.

Portobelo ★★
This Caribbean port with fairly beautiful beaches is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Spanish fortress. It’s also a departure point for boats to the San Blas Islands, among others.

Taboga ★★
A lovely small island about twenty kilometres from the capital. Quite touristy, it’s popular for its beaches and hiking.

Natural Heritage

Chagres National Park ★★
East of the canal, this vast protected forest area is home to several Indigenous communities that partly rely on tourism. You can also observe many bird species or go rafting on the Chagres River.

The East

Warning: The entire Darien region bordering Colombia is currently either completely or strongly advised against by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to security concerns.

Darién ★★
This is the vast expanse of swamps and forests between Panama and Colombia that blocks any overland route between the two countries. For decades, Darién has also not been considered very safe.

Pearl Islands ★★★
An archipelago of over 200 islands in the Gulf of Panama, the largest being Isla del Rey and the most tourist-oriented Contadora. The area is renowned for its beaches and opportunities for diving or fishing.

Puerto Obaldia ★
This Caribbean town is the gateway for those heading to Colombia by taking a small boat to Capurgana and then continuing from there to the town of Turbo.

San Blas ★★★
On Panama’s northeast coast, the archipelago is known as the home of the Kuna people, whose traditions remain very much alive. It boasts stunning beaches and great snorkeling opportunities.

Natural Heritage

Darien National Park ★★
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this vast park bordering Colombia is rich in wildlife and plant life. Like almost the entire Darien region, it requires certain safety precautions.