How to Spend Five Days in Panama
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Why You Should Visit Panama
Panama is more than just the world-famous Panama Canal—it’s a land of stunning rainforests, vibrant city life, and pristine islands on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history enthusiast, or someone who craves adventure, this five-day Panama itinerary will guide you through the country’s must-see spots.
What You Need to Know Before You Go to Panama
General
Panama is a Central American country known for its strategic location connecting North and South America. The Panama Canal, one of the most remarkable engineering feats in the world, plays a crucial role in global trade.
Money
Although Panama has its own currency (the Balboa), U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Carry cash for tips and tours, but credit cards work fine in most places.
Language
Spanish is the official language, and English proficiency varies. Tour guides in major tourist areas tend to speak English—not always well, but okay, while in more local spots, Spanish is dominant. Panamanians speak Spanish very quickly, so if you know a bit of Spanish, you might struggle a bit with understanding them.
Safety
Panama is generally safe for travelers, but exercise caution in Panama City. The Casco Viejo (Old Town) area is safe, but avoid straying outside its red brick zone where crime rates are higher. Keep your valuables secure, and be mindful of pickpockets.
Tips for Travelers with Anxiety in Panama
Stay Hydrated: Panama’s climate is hot and humid, so carry a refillable water bottle at all times.
Avoid Overcrowded Spots: The Miraflores Locks get packed during peak hours. Consider visiting early morning or late afternoon.
Choose the Right Tours: Read reviews before booking any excursions. If you're looking for reliable, stress-free options, check out my recommended tours below!
How to get to Panama
The main international airport in Panama is Tocumen Airport (PTY). If you’re flying from the US or Europe, you’ll land here. As a note, if you are gluten free, the options in the airport are limited, and if you have a flight before 8 AM, you won’t be able to eat anything at all. Cue Hangry Lacey on our return trip home…
Getting Around Panama
I would not recommend renting a car to get around simply because there’s so much traffic. Plus, Uber is available and very affordable (like maybe $10 for a 30 minute trip). Guided tours are going to be your go-to here. Unless you decide to venture out of the canal zone and toward the northern border with Costa Rica, you won’t need a car to get pretty much anywhere you go.
When to Plan Your One Week Panama Itinerary
The best time to visit Panama is December to April, the dry season. We traveled in January and found crowds manageable, except at the Miraflores Locks. Rainy season (May–November) means fewer tourists but more unpredictable weather. Regardless of the season, expect heat! The country’s unique geography creates different climates on the Caribbean and Pacific sides, so be prepared for variability.
Where to Stay in Panama
Panama City is bustling and busy with the majority of the country’s residents living around there. We opted to stay at a hotel about 30-40 minutes outside the city center for some extra peace and quiet and to be closer to the rainforest. However, there is a ton of traffic around the city. I honestly wouldn’t want to drive around there myself. This will affect any guided tours you do as well.
Summit Rainforest & Golf Resort
We stayed at Summit Rainforest & Golf Resort after seeing it on Expedia. The VIP perk was a free guided tour per day, and they offer shuttle services to various locations around Panama City. However, the information both on Expedia and their website is quite misleading. The free guided tour is a tour of their on-site sloth rehabilitation center and butterfly garden. Even the golf cart tour at sunset to search for crocodiles and capybara costs extra (you can walk around on your own as well, which we did on numerous occasions). The shuttle also only drops you off and picks you up at designated times, rather than it being a continuous service. Lastly, there is really only one restaurant on site, and the vast majority of it is buffet based (which if you do not opt for all inclusive, is expensive). We ended up taking Ubers to and from the nearby city of Clayton to eat twice a day.
All that being said, the rooms were nice, the air conditioning was so powerful I was huddled under the covers most of the time while we were in the room, and the easy access to nature trails around the property were nice.
Would I stay there again? Probably not. We struggled to communicate with the staff, and when we arrived the first night, they basically refused to grill me some chicken despite the restaurant still being open.
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
If I had to suggest a similar hotel outside of the city, I would suggest Gamboa Rainforest Resort. While it is slightly more expensive than the Summit Rainforest, I would be willing to bet it is quieter and the rooms are just as nice. If you go and stay here, please let me know how it is! From the website, there appears to be a few onsite restaurants, but the nearby city of Gamboa is also available to eat. The only problem you might run into here is pickup from your hotel for certain tours, but with it being a 5 star hotel, they do have tour assistance.
Five Day Panama Itinerary
Without further ado, let’s get on to your five day Panama itinerary! This is assuming your flight arrives super late like ours did and you won’t have any time to do anything besides check into your hotel and grab a bite to eat the day you arrive.
Day 1: Nature Tour
Wake up, have some breakfast, and then prepare your bag for a short hike. At either Summit Rainforest or Gamboa Rainforest Resort, there are trails that will take you into the rainforest where you can search for monkeys, sloths, and more animals. At Summit Rainforest, we saw several sloths just hanging out in the trees close to the hotel, and Titi monkeys too! If you don’t stay at either of the hotels, there are plenty of tours or places you can go within the rainforests to hike as well. Or book a guided rainforest tour!
Day 2: City tour
I highly, highly recommend touring the old town and downtown with a guide because going down the wrong street will put you in some dangerous parts of the city. This walking tour of the old colonial city or this private tour if you’re a huge history and culture fan are perfect. Personally, I’d stick to one that doesn’t include the Miraflores Locks in it. If you stay outside the city, you’ll pass it on your way to and from downtown Panama City, and you can stop at any time to watch the locks in action. They get pretty crowded, especially during the middle of the day, so if you want to appreciate the engineering masterpiece that they are, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Exploring the colonial parts of the city was fascinating, and learning the history of the development of the city, from when the Spaniards first settled it to today was fascinating. We also learned a lot about the US presence in the country during the construction of the canal and until 1999 when the US officially returned the canal to Panamanian control. I wish we’d had more time to see more of it!
Day 3: Monkey Island Tour
The Monkey Island Tour was probably one of my favorite tours of our entire trip! If you love photography, book a private tour so you aren’t competing with a dozen other people for photos of all the monkeys. You’ll take a small boat out onto Gatun Lake, where islands teeming with monkeys abound. The mischievious capuchin monkeys will jump onto your boat and steal any food you have, so keep it in your bags. Feeding the monkeys used to be allowed, but it isn’t any longer, and reputable companies will not give you food for them. The curious, tiny Titi monkeys will come close enough to see. The howler monkeys will, well, howl when you approach their favorite tree. In addition to those species, we saw iguanas, sloths, and a crocodile!
Day 4: Agua Clara Locks, San Lorenzo Fort, Atlantic/Caribbean Coast
This half-day tour to the other side of the country (only about an hour and half drive from end to end) will take you to my favorite locks, the Agua Clara Locks, which were recently expanded to accommodate more ships. It was far less busy than the Miraflores Locks, which was so nice because we actually got to see the locks in action rather than peering over everyone else’s heads for a glimpse of the ships going through.
Additionally, you’ll go to the San Lorenzo Fort, which was essential to the protection of Panama during Spanish colonial times. It was a drop off point for many of the riches the Spaniards gathered in South America before shipping back to Europe. The view from the ruins is spectacular, with stretches of ocean and green rainforest all around. As you drive to and from, you’ll pass through the jungle with opportunities to stop and see wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and coatis.
Day 5: Embera Tribe & Waterfall Tour
We had such a fun time visiting indigenous tribes in Tanzania that we jumped at the opportunity to visit another on our five days in Panama. This tour will take you to see the Embera tribe and to a waterfall where you can take a quick swim and cool off from the hot Panama weather. Learn about the history of the tribe, participate in a traditional dance, and perusing the handmade crafts they make. Eat a small lunch of fresh fried fish and plantains or fruit if you’re gluten free (so pack a protein bar or other snack too!).
While we were at the waterfall, a tour company was actually filming a short promotion. It was so cool to see! The waterfall is tucked away in the Chagres National Park/River, and a member of the tribe will drive you in one of their traditional boats to the spot. You definitely need water shoes for this one. Wear your swimsuit if you want to take a dip!
Day 6: Departure
With how bad the traffic is (seriously, all our guides talked about this) definitely ensure you have plenty of time to get to the airport for your flight. Even if you have a super early flight—like earlier than 8 AM—depart early because the traffic starts up around 4-5 AM.
Other Things to Do in Panama
While most of the beaches close to Panama City and Colon aren’t great, but you can reach Taboga Island via ferry from Panama City if you want to get in the ocean. It is extremely popular so you’ll need to book a ferry ticket a few days in advance.
The San Blas and Pearl Islands are well known for their beauty, though getting to them takes time. Some you can stay on overnight, others are possible to see via a full-day tour.
Final Thoughts on How to Spend Five Days in Panama
Have I convinced you to spend five days in Panama yet?
Five days in Panama is the perfect amount of time to experience city life, history, nature, and culture without feeling rushed. Plus, with my recommended tours, you’ll make the most of every moment without the stress of planning.